5w20 or 5w30 for MDX Type S (Turbo J30AC engine).

[vortex ring state]

Getting a slightly used MDX Type S. It has a turbo V6. Honda recommends 5w20 not doubt in part for mileage. Am I better off running 5w30? Or even 0w30 for winter climate use? I read somewhere on here about wanting slightly thicker oil for turbo longevity.

Thanks!

 

[Cujet]

As a minimum, I use 5w30 syn in everything, and a minimum of 5W-40 in highly boosted engines. I am sure you know that even engines that demand the use of 0W-8 oil here in the USA have much more normal requirements as soon as it is driven over the border.

What ever you choose to do, remember that a quality synthetic oil choice and reasonable oil change intervals are worthwhile.

As an example, my F-Type requires 0W-20 and has nonsensical 18K OCI's. I run M1, 5w30 and 5K OCI's. If I install both supercharger pulleys and tune, I'll run 5W-40 and prob 3 or 4K OCI's. Getting 475HP from a 3L engine is asking a lot of the components.

 

[edyvw]

Getting a slightly used MDX Type S. It has a turbo V6. Honda recommends 5w20 not doubt in part for mileage. Am I better off running 5w30? Or even 0w30 for winter climate use? I read somewhere on here about wanting slightly thicker oil for turbo longevity.

Thanks!

Anything that has MB229.5 or MB229.51 REGARDLESS of grade! And the grade is XW30 or XW40 for that approval. Readily available in Wal Mart.

 

[facility1]

Royal Purple 0w-40 euro formula would be a great choice,SP.ACEA A3/B4-21, along with MB,226.5& 229.5.

 

[GW.]

Mobil 1 ESP 0w30. Easily found at Wally for ~$28. My whole fleet is on it besides one which is currently testing Valvoline Restore and Protect.

 

[kschachn]

Here are a few previous threads on the same or a similar topic, perhaps one or more of these is helpful:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-for-new-nissan-sentra.205562/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-good-for-turbo.5411/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-synthetic-instead-of-5w30.219071/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/5w-20-and-0w-20-why-not-in-turbocharged-engines.3443/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-vs-0-5w30-yes-i-know-another-viscosity-thread.304224/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-in-the-states-5w30-everywhere-else.193521/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-myth-or-truth.294241/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-vs-0w30.364620/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-vs-5w30.357987/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/using-0w-20-to-replace-5w30.74620/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...e-same-chrysler-engine-calls-for-0w20.298289/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/any-benefit-to-a-5w30-in-my-application.231262/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w-20-in-place-of-5w30-in-first-gen-crv.316802/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/m-1-0w20-03-honda-7000-miles-on-oil.16066/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...us-and-canada-vs-0w-20-run-5w30-right.367260/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/car-recommends-0w20-dealership-filled-with-5w30.275447/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w-20-used-instead-of-5w30.303021/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/does-anyone-run-5w30-in-new-honda.352847/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/moving-from-0w-20-to-5w30-in-late-model-toyotas.377158/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/toyota-put-0w20-in-my-4runner-instead-of-5w30.254853/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/oil-recommendations-for-two-vehicles-0w20-5w30.252806/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/if-0w-20-in-the-winter-why-not-5w30-in-the-summer.273339/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w-20-vs-5w30-general-motors-warranty-concern.263566/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...hort-term-for-engine-calling-for-0w20.351416/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-for-good-protection.360893/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/2017-4runner-4-0-5w30-0w20.295910/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-vs-0w30.364620/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-in-the-us-but-5w30-outside-us-for-mazda.248688/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/pennzoil-says-0w-20-or-5w30.295170/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/amsoil-ss-0w20-vs-5w30-in-1-5t-uoa.291988/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...ing-0w20-in-a-kia-that-specifies-5w20.318971/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/help-me-dealer-used-5w30-instead-of-0w-20.204060/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-and-the-itch-to-stay-with-5w30.255781/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/from-5w30-to-5w20-tp-0w20.325263/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/noisier-engine-with-0w20.172447/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ok-to-use-5w30-in-toyota-1-8.289858/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-or-5w30-nissan-maxima-2017.272369/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-or-5w30-for-2013-altima.207312/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/so-maybe-0w20-isnt-as-great-as-its-made-to-be.266916/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/camry-hybrid-0w20-5w20-0w30-5w30-what-oil.197653/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/good-read-on-0w20-from-honda.186744/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/mobil-1-0w20-vs-5w30-for-a-ford-4-6.2403/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/0w20-5w30-5w40-and-10w30-for-honda-civic.77195/

 

[KrisZ]

People report a much higher SBAN index for Xw20 oils vs the Xw30 oils, so I would run that.

 

[86lxjunker]

Getting a slightly used MDX Type S. It has a turbo V6. Honda recommends 5w20 not doubt in part for mileage. Am I better off running 5w30? Or even 0w30 for winter climate use? I read somewhere on here about wanting slightly thicker oil for turbo longevity.

Thanks!

What year is your Type S - my '25 MDX Type S calls for 0w20.....not 5w20. - This is with the 3.0 Turbo.

 

[Rinspeed]

I use 5W30 in pretty much everything except the bikes.

 

[cryptolyme]

People report a much higher SBAN index for Xw20 oils vs the Xw30 oils, so I would run that.

i have no idea what an SBAN index is. can you elaborate?

 

[KrisZ]

i have no idea what an SBAN index is. can you elaborate?

Sleep Better at Night

 

[cryptolyme]

Sleep Better at Night

very clever

 

[GenSan]

Getting a slightly used MDX Type S. It has a turbo V6. Honda recommends 5w20 not doubt in part for mileage. Am I better off running 5w30? Or even 0w30 for winter climate use? I read somewhere on here about wanting slightly thicker oil for turbo longevity.

Thanks!

My 3.5L Twin-turbo v6 in a 2025 Nissan Armada Pro-4x recommends 0w-20 but I'm already using 5w-40. Try Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30
and Pennzoil Ultra 0w-20. Get a used oil analysis and change your oil every 2-3,000 miles to get a baseline. From there you can extend miles or try fancy boutique and import oils.

 

[Japanese]

Am I better off running 5w30? Or even 0w30 for winter climate use? I read somewhere on here about wantin

I would definitely run 0W-30 Mobil, Castrol or Pennzoil Euro car oils.

 

[randomhero439]

I assume this MDX-S is a stock tune and your driving the vehicle within the expected duty cycle for a passenger SUV. I would just run what the owners manual says, a 0w-20 and try not to over complicate it. I’m not sure what how often the OLM is recommending changes on these vehicles, but I wouldn’t run it past 5-6k miles.

Honda has been speccing 20-grade oils for over 20 years, and the engine was developed and tested with Honda 0w-20. Honda and Acura is also in the top 5 most reliable used car brands, so clearly the 20-grade oil has served their engines very well.

 

[tolian21]

I would just run what the owners manual says, a 0w-20 and try not to over complicate it.

Which manual? What does Mexico manual says about Acura 3.0T engine?

 

[kschachn]

I assume this MDX-S is a stock tune and your driving the vehicle within the expected duty cycle for a passenger SUV. I would just run what the owners manual says, a 0w-20 and try not to over complicate it. I’m not sure what how often the OLM is recommending changes on these vehicles, but I wouldn’t run it past 5-6k miles.

Honda has been speccing 20-grade oils for over 20 years, and the engine was developed and tested with Honda 0w-20. Honda and Acura is also in the top 5 most reliable used car brands, so clearly the 20-grade oil has served their engines very well.

That is true but you can do better for this engine. Sometimes rather than blindly following a recommendation it helps to understand what may be beneficial. A turbocharged engine will benefit from higher HT/HS.

Tested to tolerate a -20 grade without excessive wear under most circumstances isn't the same as optimal.

 

[randomhero439]

Which manual? What does Mexico manual says about Acura 3.0T engine?

I assume the OP is from the US or Canada. There are many differences between Mexico and the specified oil that would affect the specified oil.

That is true but you can do better for this engine. Sometimes rather than blindly following a recommendation it helps to understand what may be beneficial. A turbocharged engine will benefit from higher HT/HS.

Tested to tolerate a -20 grade without excessive wear under most circumstances isn't the same as optimal.

Regarding "turbo longevity," as the OP mentioned, I believe lower viscosity oil would be better for quicker startup pressure to the turbo bearing and improved flow and cooling under load.

For components that operate on a pressurized hydrodynamic film, such as engine bearings, I would assume a 20 grade oil is suitable for long-term wear protection, and a 30-grade may not offer any additional benefit. For parts with sliding contact, like cams and the valvetrain, a thicker oil probably provides more protection. However, thicker oil can also lead to increased windage and friction losses, which raise localized and sump temperatures. Depending on the application, these temperature rises might not be acceptable. For example, during towing in Death Valley, Honda enforces very strict thermal limits for components and fluids during testing.

 

[kschachn]

Regarding "turbo longevity," as the OP mentioned, I believe lower viscosity oil would be better for quicker startup pressure to the turbo bearing and improved flow and cooling under load.

For components that operate on a pressurized hydrodynamic film, such as engine bearings, I would assume a 20 grade oil is suitable for long-term wear protection, and a 30-grade may not offer any additional benefit. For parts with sliding contact, like cams and the valvetrain, a thicker oil probably provides more protection. However, thicker oil can also lead to increased windage and friction losses, which raise localized and sump temperatures. Depending on the application, these temperature rises might not be acceptable. For example, during towing in Death Valley, Honda enforces very strict thermal limits for components and fluids during testing.

No. As long as the oil can be pumped it will flow. Pumpability is demonstrated by the winter rating.

The engine will not benefit from a lower viscosity oil in any way except fuel consumption. People keep trying with all these supposed benefits from thinner oils but they just aren’t there.

 

[kschachn]

I assume the OP is from the US or Canada. There are many differences between Mexico and the specified oil that would affect the specified oil.

This is dream land stuff, only a contrition to try and explain away the impact of CAFE.