My owners manual for the 2003 tribute says SAE 5W-20

However, I live in a hot and humid climate and my tribute has over 130,000 miles on it already.

I am thinking of using SAE 10W-30 or maybe SAE 10W- 40 oil?

What do you all think?

What do you guys use?

 

i would use the oil the manufacturer recommends. the oil passages are small. if you use oil with a heavier viscosity, the oil flow will be affected because of more drag against the oil passages walls and turbulences (specially when the engine is cold, just when good lubrication is more important). basic hydraulics. the areas furthest away from the oil pump will not get the amount of oil they need and will start to wear faster. a hot humid area feels hot to us, but in terms of temperature, the engine is not affected by humidity (in terms of how hot it feels). thats why it has a thermostat. stick to the oil within the viscosity range the manufacturer recommends.

 

Thanks for the reply. I was looking up videos on youtube and other internet forums but everyone kept talking about oil for winter climates and only a few even mentioned about people living in climates with NO winters.

I figured that maybe since I live in an all year round tropical climate and my vehicle having over 130,000 miles that maybe an oil like 5W-30 might be better and would not really hurt.

Then people started mentioning about buying fully synthetic oil especially if ones vehicle has over 100,000 miles on it.

 

Yes, if you have more then 100,000 miles on it, better using Full Synthetic Oil. I also live in tropical area and very humid. And I used 0W-40 Synthetic Oil from Mobil1. Its the best I can get in my country.