I've asked this before and I got a bunch of information filled with tech info that wasn't really helpful to a n00b like me. My manual recommends me having 5W-20, there's 5W-30 in it currently and I was wondering if there would be any problem using 5W-30 in it still. The car's an 01 Accord, 2.3 VTEC. I run it pretty hard at times also, just trying to find out the best possible solution, thanks
5W-20
- Thread starter RechaniM87
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Sigh.....
Either one will work fine. No harm done either way.
Either one will work fine. No harm done either way.
If the manual sez 5w-20, then your manufacturer is after a better CAFE rating. If they use 5w-20 vs 5w-30 in testing they could gain several tenth's of a mile per gallon and it does not cost them anything. That unit savings multiplied by a half million or so cars is a big deal. It's not too much of a risk for them. They just have to get you through their warranty period, then the experiment is on you. When they use these skinny oils for testing they are required to recommend it to you, and keep a straight face. There is not enough information to say 5w-20 works for the long term. If you trade you car in before the warranty period, who cars...the next owner? If you keep your car and use 5w-30, the only thing you can be sure of is that you are using a time tested viscosity that works and everyone knows how the make the stuff. You could feel bad because you might get a tenth or so fewer miles per gallon. The guilt could be a curshing blow to your little green hinie. And the 5w-20 may be the straw that breaks the camel's back, in other words it may speed up a move to synthetic oil in many more cars. So there is a simple answer, trade before warranty or trust the manufacturer, use the skinny stuff. If you keep your car or don't trust the big guys you have two choices, synthetic 5w-20 or something a little thicker like 5w-30, 5w-40, 10w-30, synthetic or dyno. The only complication is cold weather. If you live in downtown Snow Flake city, 5w-20 could be a good choice for a lot of vehicles. Just don't get caught up in the hype about different clearances that require 5w-20 oil, just ain't so. In the end, the 5w-20 spec could be a preferred choice for some vehicles, not a required choice. A lot of people are jumping in, others are waiting for **** to freeze over, then it will become more popular.
Both are good oils, but some people have noticed a slight increase in gas mileage with the 5w20 oil. Some people like to run Mobil 1 because it is a thin 30 wt oil.
Use whichever oil you like. I think 5w20 that meets Ford and Honda specs is a better oil than most dino 5w30.
Considering the cooling benifits of light oil in hot summertime conditions, why isn't Pennzoil 20w-20 readily available?
Joe
"Considering the cooling benefits of light oil in hot summertime conditions . . ." Really? Says who? (If your statement were true, ALL air-cooled internal combustion engines would mandate light viscosity oils in hot operating conditions. Guess what - they don't.
) GM at one point in the late '50s through the mid-'60s called for 20W-20 in cooler climate ranges. I haven't seen 20W-20 oils available for decades - but, then, I haven't looked either. I doubt there's any significant difference in heat transfer capability between 5W-20 and 5W-30 oils. Maintaining film strength between sliding surfaces is the main point of lubrication, anyway - and that's a more difficult task in hot driving conditions. If you're that concerned, install an oil cooler. With the availability of the new API "SM"-rated oils, I don't beleive 5W-20 oils are any longer superior to 5W-30 oils in their lubricity and OCI qualities. Theyr'e both based on Group II-Group II+ or Group II-Group III stocks with robust additive packs, now. That's also true of 10W-30 "SM" oils.
Ray H:
20W20 is still available in places that sell oil marketed for farm tractors.
20W20 is still available in places that sell oil marketed for farm tractors.
I'm curious; what is the difference between 20W20 & SAE 20?
RechaniM87, there isn't a single problem whatsoever. To confuse you even more, Honda recommends thicker oils in Japan, namely 15w-40!
Use the 5w-30 with confidence.
Use the 5w-30 with confidence.
there's currently 5W-30 in there now, i had my oil changed recently at lube express but I plan on getting some OEM oil filters and get some decent oil for my car...so 5W-30 would be completely fine?
bump
I've been reading what others have said about CAFE, and this just seems to add fuel to their arguement that 5w20 is only to meet fuel efficiency standards. In my opinion very high octane fuel. I am assuming Japanese engines are essentally the same. Making me think even harder about what oil to use.
The 20s in 20W20 are not the same or even related really. An xW-20 grade will have the same viscosity (thickness) as a SAE 20 oil at 212F, roughly between 6-9 cST. When it gets cold, the 20W-20 will not thicken as much as a SAE 20 will. So in the winter, a tractor should start easier using 20W-20 versus SAE 20.
I don't think it necessarily works that way. I saw a Pennzoil HD (API SL) oils PDS with a 20W-20. I'd think that a straight 20 could be a hydrocracked oil with a high VI and could have OK cold weather performance. Single weight oils these days are about filling a traditional market niche. It could be relatively thin or thick at cold temps depending on the formula.
There are differences between a 20W, 20W-20, and 20.
http://eolcs.api.org/FindBrandByViscosity.asp?Viscosity=20
http://eolcs.api.org/FindBrandByViscosity.asp?Viscosity=20W
http://eolcs.api.org/FindBrandByViscosity.asp?Viscosity=20W-20
Here's Citgo Citgard 500 20W-20:
http://www.docs.citgo.com/msds_pi/729358.pdf
pour point -24°C/69.4 cSt at 40°C/8.95 cSt at 100°C
Shell Rotella T SAE 20:
http://www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/RotellaTSG.pdf
pour point -24°C/7.6 cSt at 100°C
hmm, still not getting a clear and concise answer
Sorry - just responding to a tangent that developed. Threads take a life of their own, and it's probably no use complaining about it.quote:
Originally posted by RechaniM87:
hmm, still not getting a clear and concise answer
As for your original Q - it's believed that Honda started going to a 5W-20 as a preemptive move towards future fuel economy standards. All things being equal, a 5W-20 will be thinner at typical startup temps than a 5W-30 and thinner at similar temps. There are markets (overseas) where Honda has still spec'ed 5W-30 oils for what's essentially the same engines. If you want to use 5W-30, by all means do. There's been no evidence that 5W-20 is needed for proper engine protection.
I'm not as experienced as some of these guys, but you won't have any problems running 5W-30.
I gave you one! Use that 5w-30 with confidence! You will be absolutely, 100%, without a doubt, doing your engine "good" by using a 5w-30 oil.quote:
Originally posted by RechaniM87:
hmm, still not getting a clear and concise answer
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