Comma 20W/50 Classic Motor Oil - 5 Liters ⚫ Review 🏆

Comma is a well-established British brand that has been producing high-quality motor oils and lubricants since 1965. They offer a wide range of oils formulated for classic and vintage vehicles.

Their range of classic motor oils provide exceptional protection and performance for older engines while meeting modern specifications. Comma's oils are designed to be compatible with classic seals and materials often found in veteran, vintage and classic cars.

The Comma CLA20505L 20W/50 Classic Motor Oil reviewed here is one of their premium oils created specifically for classic motorcycles and cars.

Overview of Comma CLA20505L Classic Motor Oil

The Comma CLA20505L is a high-quality 20W-50 classic motor oil sold in a 5 liter container. This oil is specifically designed for use in vintage and classic engines, offering robust protection and lubrication.

With its 20W-50 viscosity grade, this oil provides excellent performance across a wide temperature range. The "20W" refers to the oil's low temperature properties, indicating it will flow well and allow easy cold starting even in winter. The "50" refers to the oil's high temperature viscosity rating, meaning it will maintain a protective oil film at high engine temperatures. This combination makes it an ideal choice for older engines in classic cars and motorbikes.

The 5 liter volume gives you a substantial amount of oil to fully service the sump of most classic vehicles. With one container you can completely change the oil and filter for many vintage engines. The large capacity also means less frequent top-ups between complete oil changes.

Overall the Comma 20W-50 classic motor oil is purpose-built for older engines, providing the thicker oil film and robust lubrication these designs require. The high-performance formula resists oxidation and viscosity breakdown, while detergents keep the engine internals clean.

Benefits and Features

The Comma CLA20505L 20W/50 Classic Motor Oil offers several key benefits for older and classic engines. This oil has a higher viscosity rating of 20W/50, meaning it is thicker than modern low viscosity oils. The thicker oil provides improved protection for older engines by better sealing clearances in worn components. It also resists viscosity breakdown at high temperatures better than thinner oils.

In addition, the Comma 20W/50 oil contains anti-wear additives like zinc and phosphorus to protect against wear in flat tappet cams and other sliding engine components. The oil meets API SL/CF quality standards for protection against deposits, sludge buildup, and oil oxidation. So it helps keep engines clean while resisting viscosity breakdown over time.

Overall, the higher viscosity oil with anti-wear additives makes this Classic Motor Oil well-suited for protecting and extending the life of older engines. The oil provides good lubrication and protection where tighter clearances and older designs demand it.

Oil Performance

Comma's 20W/50 motor oil is designed to provide excellent performance across a wide range of operating temperatures. The multi-grade rating of 20W/50 indicates that the oil has characteristics of both a 20 weight oil when cold and a 50 weight oil when hot. Here's an overview of how it performs:

• Starts flowing quickly when cold for easy starting and fast lubrication at startup. The 20 weight component allows the oil to flow well at low temperatures below freezing.

• Maintains high oil pressure and film strength when hot. The 50 weight component thickens the oil at high engine temperatures to prevent thinning, reduce wear, and maintain stable oil pressure.

• Resists thermal breakdown across temperature extremes. The formula uses viscosity modifiers and premium base oils to avoid excessive thickening at high temps and provides oxidation stability for long service life.

• Minimizes leaks by controlling volatility. Low volatility reduces oil vaporization and oil consumption while limiting seal deterioration.

Overall, Comma 20W/50 motor oil delivers excellent all-temperature performance. It flows quickly when cold, maintains viscosity and pressure when hot, resists thermal breakdown, and minimizes leaks - making it a great choice for classic engines.

Ease of Use

The Comma CLA20505L 20W/50 classic motor oil is designed for ease of use. Its plastic jerry can features a large handle for easy carrying and a wide mouth for convenient pouring. The spout is angled to allow for a clean pour with minimal spills.

Once opened, the oil flows smoothly out of the container. The viscosity is just right for most classic engines, so the oil dispenses readily without being too thin. The packaging makes it simple to pour the precise amount of oil needed into the engine, without overflow or mess.

Many customers comment on the oil's clean pour and lack of drips. This is aided by the angled spout that allows you to easily direct the stream. Overall, the can's thoughtful design enables a quick no-fuss oil change.

Value

The Comma CLA20505L 20W/50 Classic Motor Oil offers decent value considering the amount you get. At around £20 for 5 liters, it comes out to a reasonable price per liter that makes it fairly cost-effective. For classic car owners who need a high volume of oil, this can help reduce costs compared to buying individual quarts. While not the absolute cheapest oil on the market, the Comma Classic Motor Oil provides good value given its specialized formulation to protect and lubricate classic engines. The bulk packaging and reasonable per liter pricing help make it an affordable option for keeping classic cars running smoothly. For enthusiasts on a budget, the value proposition of this oil makes it a viable choice to meet their needs without breaking the bank.

Downsides

While the Comma CLA20505L Classic Motor Oil has its benefits, there are some downsides to consider as well.

Firstly, this oil is not suitable for modern engines. It is designed for classic and vintage engines, not modern ones which have much tighter tolerances and specifications. Using this oil in a modern engine could lead to increased wear and tear over time.

Secondly, the oil is quite thick which can cause issues in engines where clearances and tolerances are tight. The thick oil may not flow as well or lubricate as effectively. This is another reason it's better suited to older, looser engines.

Finally, the thicker oil will likely result in slightly increased fuel consumption compared to a thinner, modern engine oil. So you may notice your fuel economy dropping a little bit after switching to this classic motor oil.

Overall the downsides are relatively minor and wouldn't be an issue in the right application - classic cars. But for modern vehicles, the Comma oil is probably not the best choice. Stick with a quality modern synthetic oil designed specifically for tighter tolerances if you want optimal performance and economy.

Ideal Use Cases

Comma CLA20505L 20W/50 Classic Motor Oil is best suited for classic cars and motorcycles manufactured before 1980. The oil is specifically formulated for older engines and provides optimal lubrication and protection.

The 20W/50 viscosity grade is ideal for vintage engines with wider bearing clearances. The thicker oil helps provide a strong oil film at higher operating temperatures. This prevents metal-to-metal contact between engine components that can lead to increased wear.

The mineral-based formula also contains anti-wear additives like zinc and phosphorus that are beneficial for flat tappet cams found in older engines. It helps prevent camshaft and lifter wear that can occur in older engines.

Overall, Comma's 20W/50 Classic Motor Oil is a great match for pre-1980 British, European, and American vehicles. It meets the lubrication demands of older engines while providing the protection and viscosity needed. For classic car or motorcycle owners, it's an excellent oil choice.

Alternatives

For classic car owners who need slightly thinner oil, there are some alternatives to consider besides the Comma 20W-50.

One option is to use a 10w-40 weight oil instead. This will flow a bit better when cold starting the engine while still providing adequate protection when hot. Many older engines can run a 10w-40 with no issues. The slightly thinner viscosity may help reduce oil consumption in higher mileage motors. Brands like Castrol, Mobil and Valvoline make quality 10w-40 oils suitable for classics.

Moving up slightly, a 15w-50 oil is another alternative. This viscosity splits the difference between a standard 20w-50 and a 10w-40. So it offers a bit better cold flow while still being on the thicker side when hot. This can work well in many classic engines to reduce friction and wear. Look to brands like Liqui Moly, Motul and Gulf for decent 15w-50 oils.

The key is to match the oil viscosity to your specific engine and its needs. But for those wanting something a little thinner than the 20W-50 from Comma, the 10w-40 and 15w-50 grades give suitable options without compromising protection. Consult your owner's manual for recommendations.

Conclusion

The Comma CLA20505L 20W/50 Classic Motor Oil is a solid choice for classic and vintage car owners looking to keep their engines in top shape.

The key pros of this oil are its specially formulated blend for classic engines, thick viscosity grade for older seals and gaskets, and zinc additives for extra protection. It provides excellent lubrication and minimized wear in older engines. The oil is also easy to pour and use.

The main downsides are the higher price tag compared to regular motor oils, as well as potential mixing issues if topping off a crankcase that previously had a different oil. This oil works best when doing a full drain and refill.

Overall, the Comma 20W/50 Classic Motor Oil is ideal for classic car enthusiasts who want a high-quality oil designed specifically for older engines. It provides exceptional protection and lubrication. The oil is a bit pricier than regular motor oils, but worth it for keeping irreplaceable vintage engines running smoothly. This oil is highly recommended for pre-1980s vehicles.