Switching from 5w-20 to 5w-30 = quieter engine?

Pennzoil motor oil
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Pajamarama

Joined
Jun 9, 2012
Messages
530
Location
Atlanta, GA
I have been driving my 97 Accord EX wagon for about 3 months since I bought it at 165k miles - first thing I did was take it to the dealer for an oil change. According to my receipt, they used 5w-20 even though the car's specs call for 5w-20.

As I drove it, the engine sounded fairly loud. Can't describe how exactly, but it was louder than other 4 cyl engines I had driven.

On Friday at 167.5k miles I performed my first(!) oil change. I used 5w30 Valvoline NextGen Maxlife and a Purolator Classic filter.

Driving around on the weekend, the car definitely sounded quieter. Feels like someone put a blanket around the engine -- less vibration. In short, it feels smoother and better.

Could what I am feeling/hearing really be due to a change to a different grade of oil? I am a little skeptical. My wife says I am just hearing what I want to hear -- a placebo effect.

Thoughts?
 
I dont think it`s a placebo effect. Especially with those miles, and you have no idea how it was maintained etc. I went to Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 for a while. (Toyota back specked it for 5W-20) After the first couple of thousand miles it started making valve train noises. Even though it ran terrific on this oil, I switched back to Valvoline 5w30 conventional. Much quieter now.
 
I think what you may be hearing is the effects of the additives in the MaxLife flavor of Valvoline, though the change in grade would influence it also. I have run many different oils through our '08 Honda CR-V, but it's quietest on Valvoline NextGen MaxLife. (I have also run Valvoline conventional in it.)

I believe the MaxLife quiets these engines down because of the molybdenum in it. I've experienced this a number of times with a few different vehicles and engines.

All oils I've run in our CR-V have been 5W-20, so the grade has been consistent.

I bet if you run Valvoline MaxLife 5W-20 in your Fit, you would be able to tell a difference as well.
 
I don't think Honda backspec'd 5w-20 to '97 but I could be wrong. Sounds like you have the correct weight in now so it would not surprise me if this made a difference in the way it sounds. Here is to many more miles on your Honda!
 
I agree that 4cyl's with overhead cams, thin aluminum VC's and plastic intakes have a noticeable difference in engine noise depending on the oil.
 
Originally Posted By: k24a4
I don't think Honda backspec'd 5w-20 to '97 but I could be wrong. Sounds like you have the correct weight in now so it would not surprise me if this made a difference in the way it sounds. Here is to many more miles on your Honda!


I also doubt it was back spec'd that far back. The dealership tech just put whatever was closest to him, knowing that the engine will be just fine on the 5w20. The thinner oil will not be the reason why the car would be taken off the road.
 
Originally Posted By: lexus114
valve train noises


Maybe that's what I was hearing/feeling. What do "valve train noises" sound like? Is it a common and recognizable sound across different engines?
 
After an oil change [or even a car wash!], engines often seem better.
Remember, you just put in fresh oil.

A slightly thicker 5-30 can cushion things a bit better [including noise].
And it is perfectly OK for your engine. Go use it, esp in GA.
 
Originally Posted By: Pajamarama
Originally Posted By: lexus114
valve train noises


Maybe that's what I was hearing/feeling. What do "valve train noises" sound like? Is it a common and recognizable sound across different engines?



Sounds like what your experiencing.
 
A heavier grade oil can make an engine quieter especially a higher milage engine (that may or may not necessarily mean less wear). NextGen Maxlife is fairly thick 5W30 so it may have more effect than an average 5W30. Also new oil any grade is going to usually be thicker and potentially quieter than old oil.
 
The thing that always boggles my mind about these posts is that there is never any attention payed to oil temperature. Your 5-20 would have been much thicker in it's first 10 minutes or so than your 5-30 is at operating temps. But your engine is now "smoother and quieter" all the time, right??? That's how you know it's a placebo effect.
 
Originally Posted By: bepperb
The thing that always boggles my mind about these posts is that there is never any attention payed to oil temperature. Your 5-20 would have been much thicker in it's first 10 minutes or so than your 5-30 is at operating temps. But your engine is now "smoother and quieter" all the time, right??? That's how you know it's a placebo effect.


Not sure how to answer this. The observations I made weren't scientific by any means, just things I noticed during the last few days of driving (about 40 miles average per day). I think it was on the highway straightaways that I first noticed the quieter sound and smoother feeling. Not sure what that means, if anything. That's why I asked.
 
I think the improvement is a result of the larger dose of moly in the Valvoline HM compared to the dealer oil. Honda engines are designed with a higher moly content oil in mind.
 
i wouldn't personally put 5w20 in any engine that hasn't grown up running it . and to me hondas always sound clickity . lol like a little singer sewing machines.
 
Originally Posted By: bepperb
The thing that always boggles my mind about these posts is that there is never any attention payed to oil temperature. Your 5-20 would have been much thicker in it's first 10 minutes or so than your 5-30 is at operating temps. But your engine is now "smoother and quieter" all the time, right??? That's how you know it's a placebo effect.


True you have a point, but the 5W30 is thicker all the time and while his 5W20 was colder and thicker than warmer 5W30 his engine was also likely not up to operating temperature and clearances and noisier, so it's not a totally direct comparison.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
I agree that 4cyl's with overhead cams, thin aluminum VC's and plastic intakes have a noticeable difference in engine noise depending on the oil.


Both of my Duratechs are very quite. The only other experience I have had with these types of engines has been a 96 Merc with the Ford 4.6, it was very quite, and a 96 Ford Contour 2.0, a little noisey, but the friend I sold it to says it now has 250K. So the noise did not translate to short engine life.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
2017 Elantra 5W-20 to 5W-30?
Replies
10
Views
300
ATex7239
T
Which oil to buy based on engine sound? 5w-30, 10w-30, or 10w40?
2 3
Replies
41
Views
2K
CleanSump
3
5w-30 too thick for modern cars?
5 6 7
Replies
123
Views
14K
Raven1
wooferocau
GR Corolla/Amsoil 0w-20 oil temp questions..
2
Replies
20
Views
744
nascarnation
T
  • Locked
Why are people putting 5w-30 in cars that specify 0w-8, 0w-16, 5w-20?
2 3
Replies
45
Views
3K
M56959
Back
Top Bottom