0w-20 safe to use in Australia

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Kiwi_ME
I find it hard to believe a stock Honda would ping on 98 and even harder to believe that 0W-20 would cure it.


It should have NO effect on pinging, but in any case the OP should contact Honda of Australia and inquire about a TSB that would possibly update the ECU mapping to eliminate such pinging, if not that perhaps a defective sensor.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: MVAgusta

I feel 0w-20 is safe to use in Australia as there are millions of Hondas in the US running 0w-20 viscosity.

Not to be too pedantic, but the 0W-20 is not an oil viscosity but rather the SAE oil grade. That being said there are very light 0W-20 oils and some very heavy 0W-20 oils, heavier than some 30wt oils.
You didn't mention which Amsoil 0W-20 you've acquired, they have four versions, but if it's their PAO based Signature Series ASM 0W-20 (HTHSV 2.8cP, VI 166) it's a heavy 20wt oil, probabily as heavy as some 5w30 conventionals in service and not much lighter than the Mobil 1 5w30 you were running previously. That said I doubt very much the marginally lighter Asmoil 0W-20 is the cause of the pinging disappearing.

When a manufacturer spec's a 20wt oil it's almost always a light
(HTHSV 2.6cP) oil so technically you're running a heavier oil than what's spec'd for the engine hear in NA.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
If I had a brand new car that was pinging I'd bring it to the dealer


Look up about 5 posts.

 

[MVAgusta]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: MVAgusta

I feel 0w-20 is safe to use in Australia as there are millions of Hondas in the US running 0w-20 viscosity.

Not to be too pedantic, but the 0W-20 is not an oil viscosity but rather the SAE oil grade. That being said there are very light 0W-20 oils and some very heavy 0W-20 oils, heavier than some 30wt oils.
You didn't mention which Amsoil 0W-20 you've acquired, they have four versions, but if it's their PAO based Signature Series ASM 0W-20 (HTHSV 2.8cP, VI 166) it's a heavy 20wt oil, probabily as heavy as some 5w30 conventionals in service and not much lighter than the Mobil 1 5w30 you were running previously. That said I doubt very much the marginally lighter Asmoil 0W-20 is the cause of the pinging disappearing.

When a manufacturer spec's a 20wt oil it's almost always a light
(HTHSV 2.6cP) oil so technically you're running a heavier oil than what's spec'd for the engine hear in NA.




I'm using the Amsoil 0w-20 Signature series which I also use in our Toyota Prius.

 

[Hounds]

MVAgusta: FWIW, I agree with all who've said that whatever issue you may be having with pinging, it's not related to the factory fill. So let's take that out of the equation for the sake of discussion.

Now why would you want to run a 20-weight oil when doing so is contrary to the manufacturer's recommendation, may result in warranty issues down the road, and the stuff is in your words "rare and hard to [find] on the shelf in Australia"? I don't get it. I certainly wouldn't base your decision on what American Honda recommends for automobiles sold here.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Hounds
I certainly wouldn't base your decision on what American Honda recommends for automobiles sold here.


I agree completely with what you said, but I must again say how ironic I think this is. Many here absolutely do justify their choice of "heavier" oil on what recommends for automobiles sold in Australia or elsewhere. So I think it's real funny that someone in Australia wants to run a "lighter" oil, because we do it in America, and he's getting heck for it.

 

[crinkles]

Should be doing a 40 wt in there.

 

[D189379]

0W20 is way too thin. You should at least run a 5W20.


Oops, I thought you said Toyota. Never mind.

 

[virginoil]

Your should have a talk to Penrite they add plus 10w to all their grades.