r/HyundaiTucsonHybrid

Hi everyone,

I was pretty much set on getting a Hyundai Tucson FWD Full Hybrid in the MAXX trim, but now, for only €1,500 more, I’ve been offered a Hyundai Tucson 4WD Plug-in Hybrid (252hp version) in the Black Line Techno Sky trim (Spanish Hyundai finishings)

Apart from being AWD, the plug-in hybrid comes with quite a few interesting extras: adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and additional driver assistance systems, panoramic sunroof, leather interior, better sound system, etc.

The problem is that I don’t have a charger in my home garage, so I’m not sure whether it makes sense to spend a little more to get the PHEV with all those extra features, considering that quite often I probably wouldn’t be driving it with a charged battery.

My understanding is that, once the battery is depleted, the PHEV basically behaves like a regular full hybrid, but with the disadvantage of carrying more weight, which means higher fuel consumption, slightly less range, etc. Other than that, I don’t see many major downsides.

For only €1,500 extra, would you go for the PHEV despite not having a home charger?

Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated!

I went down the motor oil rabbit hole this weekend. Looking for the best 0W-20 oil for my Hyundai Tucson Hybrid.

#Big Takeaway Up Front.

Small GDI engines are prone to multiple issues and good oil can mitigate them

*Minimum advice:* Use a quality full synthetic 0W-20 oil and change oil on time. Read the manual and see if you fall into the severe category.

I am in the severe category which is 5,000 miles because I drive in NYC. So stop and go traffic including highways. This is what sent me rabbit hole.

*Best 0W-20 oil to use regardless of price*

Castrol Edge Euro 0W-20 M

This European formulation of oil meets a ton of standards.

*Best Value for Top Quality*

Mobil 1 ESP X2

Also a lot of standards, but easy to find and much cheaper. (And just checked and it's completely sold out at Walmart.)

Also quite good.

Castrol Edge Extended Performance

#Big Update

Valvoline has launched a European version of Restore and Protect.

Don't know if and when this will be available in the US but this is will be a very strong contender

How I got here.

In the US they just updated the oil standards last year. API SQ It's the first update in 5 years and it seems some of the new tests to qualify for it are directly related to these types of modern engines. So I started looking for these oils. This is still pretty new and a lot of top quality oils have not been verified yet and are still listed as SP. These may already qualify as SQ and they just haven't changed their packaging yet.

Then I learned about European oil certifications I wanted an oil that also qualified for those. Specifically I heard that Volkswagen and Porsche had stringent certifications regarding turbos for both heat and cleanliness. Lots of European cars use turbos and the German autobahn has sections with no speed limit, so they want an oil that stands up to this.

So being a novice to all this I figured I would cover all my bases and see what oil has the most certifications.

Because it not easy at all to find oils that cover all the bases. A lot of US oils don't try to certify to European specs. Different additive packages are trying to do different things.

Here's the certifications I considered. I am a total novice at this.

API SQ new American standard

GF 7 new international standard

ACEA C6. This deals with heat and sludge for turbo engines

vw 508 00 This is from Volkswagen and goes beyond ACEA. It tests if a low viscosity oil like 0W-20 will stand in its viscosity grade over the long term.

0W-20 oils protect very well when in grade. It's only if they shear out of grade do you run into issues. If you use one of the oils that passes this certification you don't have to worry about having too thin an oil. Perhaps if you spend a lot of time towing stuff of mountains and super pushing your engine you may want to look elsewhere.

Porsche C20 this is a very similar test that's said to be even more strict.

Also, I didn't consider boutique oils like Amsoil or Liquid Moly

Valvoline Restore and Protect just launched in Europe. It is recommended for a lot of the standards I mentioned

>Suitable for use in automotive gasoline and diesel engines, including vehicles equipped with exhaust aftertreatment systems and turbochargers, where SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade and ACEA C5 or C6 are specified. Recommended by Valvoline Ford WSS-M2C952-A1 MB 229.71 Porsche C20 VW 508.00/509.00 Performance levels ACEA C5, C6 API SQ