[Shotimes] Anyone want to talk about oil?

[Jonathon Beisler]

I know that oil has been talked about on this list ad nauseam, but what the hell.  I was talking with two of my cousins over the weekend, who are both mechanics.  Some how we got around to talking about oil and viscosity.  Living in here in sunny, hot, Florida as we do, they stated that they are of the belief that heavier weight oil is best for the engines because it gets so hot down here and that even if 5W-20 for my MPV (duratec 3.0) and 5W-30 (SHO 3.2) are recommended for the engines that it really isn't best for the motors when it's hotter than H-E-double hockey sticks down here.  I have noticed in the past that the oil going in really it like water.  They said that the manufacturers put that kind of oil in to reduce drag on the internals and thus improving fuel economy for government regs.  So, they suggested 20W-50 for summer and no less than 10W-40 for winters.  Not to get into discussions about oil brands and types, does anyone have any comments and would 20W50 be too much for my engines?  They did end up saying that regular oil changes are the most important thing for the engines, so I am just curious as I am very anal and going outside builder recommendations is hard for me.  Please help an anal man ease his mind.  Thanks!  JB