I know Honda recommends OW-20 for the 1.5 Turbo engines in the Honda CRVs. Being located in Phoenix, AZ, where outside temps hit 115F and pavement temps exceed 140F+. Would it be okay to run a 5W-30 synthetic oil like Pennzoil Platinum or Valvoline? The OW-20 seems to thin for this type of climate.
Phoenix, AZ - 115F Temps - Honda CRV 1.5 Turbo Engine
- Thread starter pettrix
- Start date
Absolutely. 0w-30 or a 5w-30 you're going to be fine. Though, you should still be fine with 0w-20. Honda knows what they are doing when it comes to engines and have been specifying Xw-20 oils for 15+ years now. If it makes you warm and fuzzy, use a 30 weight. It probably doesn't matter. Do you use 91 Octane fuel?
In Phoenix, your threat isn't the oil thinning out due to the high heat but an intoxicated person smashing into you. Or run off the road in a road rage incident with a last chance Altima.
In Phoenix, your threat isn't the oil thinning out due to the high heat but an intoxicated person smashing into you. Or run off the road in a road rage incident with a last chance Altima.
In theory, if your thermostat is working and your MAP / MAF sensor is working, you should be fine. I am sure most engines have been at least tuned once at Death Valley for the high temp and somewhere in the Nordic for cold climate, or in the lab with that kind of temperature. If you don't drive it to ski resort just follow Australian maintenance (30 or 40 weight oil).
I'd be more worried about the interior and paint fading, leather seats cracking, etc. Those usually only have 3 years 36k miles warranty and that's not a lot of time.
I'd be more worried about the interior and paint fading, leather seats cracking, etc. Those usually only have 3 years 36k miles warranty and that's not a lot of time.
It would be ok to run 5W-30 synthetic anywhere the temps stay above -30°F.
I live in Phoenix. Check my signature.
Oil change meet up at your house?
Without knowing your actual oil temps you're just going off feelings.
Oil thickness depends on temperature. Your cooling system was engineered to maintain a min oil thickness for your climate. If a 20 grade was insufficient the road would be littered with 1.5 turbos with blown rod bearings.
That being said yes you can use a heavier grade.
Now I'm going to run off to Starbucks because I feel like a Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade.
Ambient temp means virtually nothing. What matters is oil temp.
Patman
Staff member
With a lot of engines the oil temperature goes up with ambient temperatures. In my Corvette when I take it out for a spin in the winter on a 25-30 degree day the oil temperature will barely reach 185, but on an 80 degree day it will get up to 210-215. I haven’t driven it on a 110 degree day but I would be willing to bet that the oil temperature would be 220-225.
0W-20 in a Turbo Engine LOL
Pettrix, get yourself an Infrared Gun, and after a drive when it is 115 outside, aim the Infrared Gun at your Oil Pan and report back and let us know what you find. I will bet that certain members will be recommending that you use a 5W-40 Oil. I could be wrong, and if you get a temp reading at the Oil Pan of like 180, well then, the 0W-20 may be ok.
If you do not have an Oil Temp Gauge, you could always get a Scanner to plug in 2 whatever they plug in for an Emissions Test and maybe read your Oil Temps.
If you are really dead set on 0W-20, look at HPL, Amsoil, or Redline. We should probably include Mobil 1
How much time and money does OP want to spend to determine his engine oil temperature under all operating conditions just to make a decision between 0W-20 and 5W-30? It didn't take very long for me to pick a viscosity to use in my vehicle.
A 2023 Toyota 4Runner USA owner's manual recommends 0W20 changed every 12 months or 10k miles. The manual also states, "an oil with a higher viscosity may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions". OP, do you have similar wording in your owner's manual? What is your driving style? The screenshot below is from a 4Runner Puerto Rico owner's manual that shows there are choices in countries not regulated by CAFE.
A 2023 Toyota 4Runner USA owner's manual recommends 0W20 changed every 12 months or 10k miles. The manual also states, "an oil with a higher viscosity may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions". OP, do you have similar wording in your owner's manual? What is your driving style? The screenshot below is from a 4Runner Puerto Rico owner's manual that shows there are choices in countries not regulated by CAFE.
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Yes, no maybe. Years ago, I would drive a semi truck from the San Francisco bay area to the Los Angles Basin and San Diego ,during hot spells going over the Grapevine hill either direction all the temp gauges would be noticeably hotter.
Most cars rely on convection (in 115F weather the temps under the hood will be significantly higher, with the radiator and intercooler dumping heat in there) to cool the oil down, some (turbo's usually) do have some extra cooling in the form of a very small oil/coolant interchanger, but unless the oil temp is higher than the coolant it might be heating the oil. And even with the oil 10°F hotter than the coolant, how effective will that be?
A few previous threads on this oft-asked question:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/hot-ambient-temps-and-engine-oil-question.180281/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/does-ambient-air-temperature-matter-or-not-for-oil.160299/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/oil-temperature-versus-ambient.247232/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/oil-viscosity-ambient-temperature-relationship.210129/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/grades-for-high-ambient-temperature-locations.151825/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/why-does-the-high-ambient-temperature-matter.231326/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ambient-temperature-vs-engine-temperature.10616/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/oil-weight-and-ambient-temperatures.233545/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/thicker-oil-for-hotter-ambient-temp-why.273035/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-does-high-ambient-temperature-affect-oil.85142/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/does-ambient-air-temp-matter-that-much-for-weight.9656/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/at-operating-temp-why-does-outside-temp-matter.193826/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/hot-ambient-temps-and-engine-oil-question.180281/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/does-ambient-air-temperature-matter-or-not-for-oil.160299/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/oil-temperature-versus-ambient.247232/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/oil-viscosity-ambient-temperature-relationship.210129/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/grades-for-high-ambient-temperature-locations.151825/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/why-does-the-high-ambient-temperature-matter.231326/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ambient-temperature-vs-engine-temperature.10616/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/oil-weight-and-ambient-temperatures.233545/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/thicker-oil-for-hotter-ambient-temp-why.273035/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-does-high-ambient-temperature-affect-oil.85142/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/does-ambient-air-temp-matter-that-much-for-weight.9656/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/at-operating-temp-why-does-outside-temp-matter.193826/
Lots of Reading!
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