UOA for 5w30 AND 5w20 ?

[AccordMDX]

Has anyone done a used oil analysis for both 5w30 and 5w20 of the same brand and type, and on the same engine ?
I want to decide whether I should keep using 5w30 or switch to 5w20 as recommended by the manufacturer. This is for a '99 Accord 4cyl.
As many of you know Honda switched the spec sometime in '01.

I searched and found some threads dealing with the subject but couldn't find anything that will give me a side-by-side comparison of used oil analysis numbers that show whether there is really more wear using 5w20 or not ?

I like my engines and cars running long and right. If the 5w20 is going to shave 5k or 10k over a span of 200k off the life of the motor then I would stay clear of it. But I need to find out the facts! Any help appreciated! Thanks!

 

[simple_gifts]

This is bad science IMHO. Several have warned about using used oil analysis to compare oils and in your example you would be taking a quauntum leap of logic to assume higher wear #'s is attributed to a less capable oil. Additionally you might be using data for a particular oil you might not using, for a motor you don't have. I would talk to Terry if you want a recommendation for suitability of 20W oils for your app.

-T

 

[hominid7]

Not really what your looking for but close:

http://www.mazda6tech.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=51

 

[z917990]

I'm sorry but I do not have any used oil analysis. However, I do own a '99 Accord with the 2.3 litre VTEC and I have it serviced at a Honda dealership that I trust absolutely. I asked about switching viscosities and I was told to keep running 5w30 or 10w30 if the temperature stays above 20 degree Fahrenheit. I currently am using Mobil 7500 5w30 (I have one more change left - purchased at Walmart for $2.08 a quart) and then I will start dipping into my stash of Phillips Trop-Arctic blend (most of which I got at Dollar Treeand yes, the dealership will use the oil that I bring). The dealership uses the dreaded Fram-based Honda OEM filters, but so far, no problems. The engine has 67,000 miles on it; I had a compression check, what Honda calls an "engine balance" check (presumably to check for wear) and an oil pressure check done last May and everything checked out fine. In other words, if it works, don't fix it. I suggest using 5w30; quality dino like Havoline looks good. My dealership uses Exxon dino, which has returned good used oil analysis as well.

 

[jorton]

quote:

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Originally posted by z917990:
I'm sorry but I do not have any used oil analysis. However, I do own a '99 Accord with the 2.3 litre VTEC and I have it serviced at a Honda dealership that I trust absolutely. I asked about switching viscosities and I was told to keep running 5w30 or 10w30 if the temperature stays above 20 degree Fahrenheit.

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Then this dealership would use 5w-20 in MN. Sounds like good advice to me.

 

[z917990]

I'm sorry - I meant use 5w30 all year or 10w30 if the temp is above 20. The dealership does not recommend 5w-20 for my '99 Accord.

 

[AccordMDX]

quote:

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Originally posted by z917990:
The dealership does not recommend 5w-20 for my '99 Accord.

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Not even if the temp drops below 20°F in your area ?

 

[H20024.6L]

Accord/MDX
I have a Ford 4.6l V8 and did run 5-20 and 5-30 tests on the engine. They were not the same brand as you asked. I used Amsoil 5-20 after I drained the factor oil. Each change was at approx. 5,000 miles, and I used Amsoil 5-20 until the clock read 45,000 total miles. I conducted tests (Blackstone/Terry) at 5,100 miles and 31,000 miles. At 45,000 miles, I switched to Mobil 1 5w30. Again, I used Mobil 1 5w30 and drained the oil after about 5,000 miles up to a total of 60,000 miles (three changes) and tested (Blackstone/Terry). I then went back to Amsoil 5-20 and tested again at 82,000 total miles.

When I compare the wear metals at 31,000 (5-20)and 60,000 (5-30), they are very close. But the TBN results go to the 5-20. 5-20 TBN=6.0, 5-30 TBN=3.6 I can say that the 5-30 showed equal wear numbers at 6,000 miles vs 5,000 miles for the 5-20. I can also say that the 5-20 had more TBN life than the 5-30.

The test at 82,000 total miles is also interesting. I went back to Amsoil 5-20 at 60,000 miles and the test showed that the wear metals were down significantly over both the 31,000 and 60,000 mile tests. The 5-20 had been in for 5,000 miles and the TBN=3.3. So, it appears that the wear protection was outstanding vs the other tests, but the TBN was much lower than the previous 5-20 test, and just about equal to the 5-30 test.

Hope this makes sense and doesn't make you crazy.

Sorry for the length, but I wanted to be accurate.

 

[z917990]

Yes, 5w30 can be used all year, even if the temp falls below 20 degrees. If you're worried, look up the pour points of several reputable 5w30s and pick the one that flows best in the cold. You'll probably find that Mobil 1 is among the best. Trop Arctic also has a very good pour point and is considerably less expensive ($1.34 at my local Walmart - this may change because of supply problems due to Katrina).

 

[Jay]

I did a very well controlled test in my 02 Acura RSX which has a 2.0L 4-cyl engine here. The oils tested were Mobil 1 5w30 and Mobil 1 0w-20 (the 5w-20 is the same fluid viscosity-wise). I'm convinced that in my engine, under my driving conditions, any heavier weight oil than 5w-20 just wastes money and decreases power.

 

[bruce381]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jay:
I did a very well controlled test in my 02 Acura RSX which has a 2.0L 4-cyl engine here. The oils tested were Mobil 1 5w30 and Mobil 1 0w-20 (the 5w-20 is the same fluid viscosity-wise). I'm convinced that in my engine, under my driving conditions, any heavier weight oil than 5w-20 just wastes money and decreases power.

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Jay very good data did everything right other than a virgin 5w30 but a good comparision almost makes me want to use a 20/wt, well NOT yet LOL.

bruce

 

[AccordMDX]

Thanks for all your responses. Although very informative I still cant make up my mind so I guess I will just have to try it out using both oils and decide for myself!
I will let you guys know what I finally went with!