Back to 5W20 or stick with xw30?

[bk111]

My o4 civic ex with the D17A2 is the subject.

Combing through the previous owners records, all oil changes were 10W30 and some 5W30, never the specified 5W20 (atleast according to the records). I got the car around 82K miles and immediately did an oil change with M1 EP 5W20. The engine is not as smooth or quiet as my earlier generation civics. I attributed it to honda cost cutting on insulation etc.,

So coming up on the next oil change now. No consumption to speak of.Since it was run on xw30 swill in its previous life, I am guessing the "hard to reach by a thicker oil" areas have already worn to an extent that xw30 is able to get in there for lubrication.

I have M1 0W20 on hand as well as Syntec 5W30. It is spring and the temp does not dip below 40F. I bought the Syntec because of its operating viscosity which makes it almost a heavy 20 weight. Which oil should I put in and what should I continue using?

Usage is mostly around town in 7-15 mile bursts and the occasional trip across the pass for 180 miles one way. Terrain is hilly with some steep grades.

 

[yaris0128]

Id go 5w20. Honda wants it, its in all the popular oil flavors, why not?

 

[chubbs1]

Flip a coin my friend, it is really that simple. I usually make things way more complicated but both of those would serve you well. I may reason (in my own mind) to use the 5w30 as it gets into summer, and use the ow20 when it gets toward fall/winter. That is only a thought. Go with your gut the day you change the oil

 

[yaris0128]

If your on the east side of WA I agree with chubbs1, get Xw30. If lets say you live on the west side like I do Im sure you know the story. In that case Xw20 all the way.

 

[bk111]

@yaris01128 I do live in western washington (seattle).

Time for the oil change any else have an opinion?

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: bk111

I have M1 0W20 on hand as well as Syntec 5W30. It is spring and the temp does not dip below 40F. I bought the Syntec because of its operating viscosity which makes it almost a heavy 20 weight. Which oil should I put in and what should I continue using?

Usage is mostly around town in 7-15 mile bursts and the occasional trip across the pass for 180 miles one way. Terrain is hilly with some steep grades.

Firstly we don't know the operating viscosity of Syntec because that is indicated more by the HTHS vis' and not the KV100 spec'and Castrol doesn't usually provide the HTHS vis' spec.
In all likelihood it's no lighter than another typical 5w30 with a 3.1cP HTHS; but I digress.

I don't believe you need the 5w30.
If you want to use up the 5w30 now that you have it, the summer is the obvious time to do so and save the M1 0W-20 for next winter.

 

[Eddie]

Yep. I'd use the 5w30

 

[steve20]

I did the opposite, went from 5-20 to 5-30 in the Accord--never going back to 20 wt



Steve