Honda oil spec in the US vs everywhere else

[bluecollarlife]

Right now there is a battle brewing on a Honda FB page regarding oil viscosity. In the US Honda specifies 0w20 in the owners manual. In the middle east the same engine has a very different recommendation as shown.

My argument is that Honda in the US specifies 0w20 to help CAFE numbers and nothing else. They less concerned about the longevity of the engine as they only need it to last until the end of the 60k warranty and then it isn't there problem.

Some are arguing that the middle east can get away with heavier oil because of the hotter climate. As you can see in the photo 5w30 covers are broad range of temperature.

What are your thoughts on this? Is Honda only concerned about CAFE when the specify a 0w20 here?

 

[simple_gifts]

You can probably search; this topic has been beaten to death; plenty of US based hondas running around with 250K+ on them having only run 20 weight oil.

 

[RooflessVW]

Looks to me like 0W-20 or 0W-30 is preferred for all temperatures.

Where are all the dead Hondas in the US, lost to lubrication failure?

 

[bluecollarlife]

Looks to me like 0W-20 or 0W-30 is preferred for all temperatures.

Where are all the dead Hondas in the US, lost to lubrication failure?

why recommend anything else outside of the states then?

 

[kschachn]

why recommend anything else outside of the states then?

Because engines are tolerant of many grades of oil as long as the HT/HS is adequate.

And yes this topic is likely the #1 most discussed here. Or is this something you already know?

 

[Ignatius]

It's the same thing with Subaru, I can 100% guarantee you that it has everything to do with environmentalist regulations related to tailpipe emissions in the United States. Honda doesn't have any real regulations beyond using a certain grade of motor oil, I have used M1 ESP 0w30 in a 2021 Honda V6 that specs 0w20 from the factory and there was no noticable difference in performance.

 

[PimTac]

Another dead horse.

 

[CleanSump]

Who cares about CAFE or whatever? Run what you want. Hondas are tough.

 

[kschachn]

Another dead horse.

Poor thing.

 

[bluecollarlife]

Because engines are tolerant of many grades of oil as long as the HT/HS is adequate.

And yes this topic is likely the #1 most discussed here. Or is this something you already know?

Let me know how to delete the thread then. I guess there's no point to new threads at all on any message board since everything has been covered at one time or another.

 

[gregk24]

Irrelevant if the engines last until the car goes to the scrap yard...and they do.

Yes. It is likely that Honda (and many other manufacturers) spec 0w20 in the states for environmental points, BUT it would appear 0w20 is up to the task as well. Plenty of 200K+ Hondas, Fords, and others running around on 20 weight.

Also, I can't help but wonder if US bound cars have some tweeks (different oil pump, etc) to be able to run 20 grade reliably. Tweeks or not, we are seeing cars on the road longer than ever running thinner oils than ever. Like it or not.

 

[kschachn]

Let me know how to delete the thread then. I guess there's no point to new threads at all on any message board since everything has been covered at one time or another.

You contact a moderator and ask for the thread to be deleted.

 

[bluecollarlife]

You contact a moderator and ask for the thread to be deleted.

Sounds like too much effort. I guess you'll just have to stare at it.

 

[PimTac]

Right on the first page of this subforum there are several threads that already discuss this subject.

Why are you worried about using 0w20?

 

[bluecollarlife]

Right on the first page of this subforum there are several threads that already discuss this subject.

Why are you worried about using 0w20?

My last report showed the oil sheered down pretty bad. That's all.

Sorry for ruining your forum.

 

[FTTSHO]

0w20 is the best oil you can use for your Honda. 0w20 is the best oil to use on any car.

Remember, the truth is, thinner oils flow quicker, and you will get the highest volume of flow in all RPM ranges, which is really beneficial.

Having higher oil pressure by using thicker oils isn't better for your engine because higher oil pressure simply means less flow.

The reason why 0w20 is recommended in so many cars nowadays is because it does offer better fuel economy by reducing drag inside the engine. Getting better fuel economy is good. By using thinner oils, oils flows into the bearings quicker, and it also leaves the bearings quicker. But also, thinner oils are better for wear protection because it's flows quicker. Quicker flow also means quicker heat transfer. Higher flow = Better wear protection.

Stick to 0w20. The reason why thicker oils are recommended in the middle east is because fully synthetic 0w oils are harder to come by in those regions. That's why they recommend thicker oils over there, not because thicker oils provide better wear protection.

Millions and millions of cars that use 0w20 in the US are running absolutely fine even with 250K+ miles. Stick to 0w20.

 

[kschachn]

0w20 is the best oil you can use for your Honda. 0w20 is the best oil to use on any car.

Remember, the truth is, thinner oils flow quicker, and you will get the highest volume of flow in all RPM ranges, which is really beneficial.

Having higher oil pressure by using thicker oils isn't better for your engine because higher oil pressure simply means less flow.

The reason why 0w20 is recommended in so many cars nowadays is because it does offer better fuel economy by reducing drag inside the engine. Getting better fuel economy is good. By using thinner oils, oils flows into the bearings quicker, and it also leaves the bearings quicker. But also, thinner oils are better for wear protection because it's flows quicker. Quicker flow also means quicker heat transfer. Higher flow = Better wear protection.

Stick to 0w20. The reason why thicker oils are recommended in the middle east is because fully synthetic 0w oils are harder to come by in those regions. That's why they recommend thicker oils over there, not because thicker oils provide better wear protection.

Millions and millions of cars that use 0w20 in the US are running absolutely fine even with 250K+ miles. Stick to 0w20.

Half of that is complete nonsense.

 

[bluecollarlife]

0w20 is the best oil you can use for your Honda. 0w20 is the best oil to use on any car.

Remember, the truth is, thinner oils flow quicker, and you will get the highest volume of flow in all RPM ranges, which is really beneficial.

Having higher oil pressure by using thicker oils isn't better for your engine because higher oil pressure simply means less flow.

The reason why 0w20 is recommended in so many cars nowadays is because it does offer better fuel economy by reducing drag inside the engine. Getting better fuel economy is good. By using thinner oils, oils flows into the bearings quicker, and it also leaves the bearings quicker. But also, thinner oils are better for wear protection because it's flows quicker. Quicker flow also means quicker heat transfer. Higher flow = Better wear protection.

Stick to 0w20. The reason why thicker oils are recommended in the middle east is because fully synthetic 0w oils are harder to come by in those regions. That's why they recommend thicker oils over there, not because thicker oils provide better wear protection.

Millions and millions of cars that use 0w20 in the US are running absolutely fine even with 250K+ miles. Stick to 0w20.

Thank you! I appreciate your reply.

 

[kschachn]

My last report showed the oil sheered down pretty bad. That's all.

Sorry for ruining your forum.

Sheered? How did you measure mechanical shear in the oil?

 

[RooflessVW]

why recommend anything else outside of the states then?

quality/cost/availability