International differences for my Honda...

[Robert M.]

I know this has been mentioned before but I don't think it has specifically to my vehicle. I have a 95 Honda Odyssey and I was given this information by another Ody owner who lives in New Zealand but bought a used Ody which originally was sold in Japan and has the same engine/tranny as mine. I asked him what his owner's manuals suggested for oil recommendations and he told me the Japanese manual when translated states: "Honda Genuine Oil (4 Cycle for 4WD) Ultra MILD (API SG, SAE 10W-30) Ultra LTD (API SG, SAE 10W-30) Ultra GOLD SPECIAL (API SG, SAE 10W-30) Ultra GOLD (API SG, SAE 5W-30) Oils that are above API SG grade, or oils that carry the API CERTIFICATION mark may also be used. Use an appropriate level of viscosity for the outside temperature." He then told me that he has an owner's manual from New Zealand and this is what it states: "My NZ one is more an international one, so has both Celcius and Farenheit, and it actually says "Always use a fuel-efficient oil that says "API Service SG or SH". This oil is formulated to help your engine use less fuel". The chart is approx. 45F to 90F 30 10F up beyond 100F 20W-40 . 20W-50 0F up beyond 100F 15W-40 . 15W-50 -10F up beyond 100F 10W-40 -10F to 90F 10W-30 90F down to below -20F 5W-30" I find it interesting the differences between the U.S., Japan and New Zealand markets. This of course leads me to believe that I can use any of those weights of oil in my Ody as long as I am using them in the specified temperature ranges.

 

[sprintman]

Japan and NZ don't have CAFE.

 

[heyjay]

Right in the "real world" there is common sense engineering and you match a viscosity to ambient temp. Those Honda motors have fairly tight tolerances and yet in temps over +10 F, you can use a 20W-50. Over 0 F you can use a 15W-50. Yet in North America, and ONLY in North America, Honda wants you to use a 5W-20 year round. Interesting. You'd think Honda would recommend 5W-20 in Europe or Australia. You know, to maximise fuel economy. Jerry

 

[Losiho]

I don't think I've ever seen 5w20 oil sold down here. My local auto parts store thought GC / SLX 0w30 was too thin.

 

[widman]

I have a hard enough time moving 5W-30. The ford dealer told me not to even think about bringing in 5W-20.

 

[97tbird]

My brother who lives in Sri Lanka(Ceylon) has a 1984 Accord EX, and the dealer ONLY uses Caltex(Shell) 20w-50...of course the av.temp. there is about 80*F. the car has 120k miles, and runs fine.

 

[jthorner]

This and other corroborating information well establishe that 5W-20 oil use in warmer temperatures is pretty much a US only phenomenon. However, as long as I keep getting good UOAs on my 2003 Accord running synthetic blend 5W-20 oils I will keep using it. So far nearly all of the posted UOAs on this forum from vehicles for which 5W-20 has been specified have shown very low wear levels. Perhaps we are seeing US leadership on this issue . John