Best oil weight choice for 3.8l v6?

[cdherman]

Owners manual says either 5w20 or 5w30, but does not exactly say which one.

Shop manual online says 5w20 preferred, but 5w30 acceptable.

Many oil "gurus" maintain that 5w20 oil recomendations are based solely on fuel economy (read Bob Is The Oil Guy ) But other people maintain that SOME engines are designed for ligher oil and running 5w20 in them is better.

Anyone here talked to Kia service people about this? Anyone run both grades of oil? Did you notice a difference in terms of fuel economy or engine noise?

The issue of solid lifters that may need adjustment at 60k miles worries me some -- so I'd like to get the oil right on my new Sedona.

later....

[cmhj2000]

Depends somewhat on your environment but the shop manual would usually have the most influence.

For my application, while I'm not running a V6, IMO 5W-20 for winter and 5W-30 for most summer apps. would be very good.

[bluedevils]

I was surprised to see "5W20" stamped on the filler cap of the 2006 Sedona EX we bought this week. Haven't kept up on bobistheoilguy's site much the past couple years.

Would 5W20 vs. 5W30 have any effect on the lifters, whether they'd be further out of spec / in need of greater adjustment? I don't understand the mechanicals but am interested in making good choices for the longevity of our vehicles.

I have no idea how important a valve lifter inspection/adjustment is...We owned a 1998 Isuzu Trooper and the owners manual specified valve lifter inspection every 60k miles. It was one of the few items in the maintenance schedule I elected NOT to do. At 125k miles, the truck is still running well for my parents.