Originally Posted By: ryanschillinger
... 5-quart jugs of black bottle syntec 0w40 European vehicle on a clearance table for $10 each. Took all 3 because I'm a sucker for a good deal haha! I've been running 5w20 in my 96 civic but this should do just fine I would imagine. Right? ....Thoughts on using it in the Civic? Spec was 5w30 but has been updated to allow 5w20.
Hi Mate,
I'm sucker for a good deal too. I would run that oil in your Civic or Fords.
Over here Castrol made a Magnatec Professional 5W-40, which I think is a bulk oil for workshops, garages etc
It states the 5W-40 grade is suitable for use in the following specifications: 5W30, 5W40, 10W30, 10W40, 15W40 and 20W40.
So Castrol say running 5w40 is ok in a car specced for 5w30, then I'm sure a 0w40 will be fine too.
Oils don't fit into cars like keys into locks, they can be optimized for car / conditions / temperature / driving style / etc. But if it was so fixed, why would Honda say it's OK to go down a grade and Castrol up a grade.
You may see a minor drop in fuel economy, and a increase in protection if you decide to track or race the car.
If you are not racing and not stressed out about fuel economy then it shouldn't be a big deal.
Give it a go, and report back. Tell us how it went.