0W20 Syn in my Element

[1Catman11]

Yesterday I purchased and changed the oil in my 2010 Element. I bought 0W20 since when I once had the Honda dealer change my oil while in for other service I noticed that was what they used. Afterwords I was looking through my manual and noticed it recommends 5W20. Should I be concerned?

 

[RichardS]

Nah.

 

[Oregoonian]

0w20....can be used as a replacement for 5w20. No harm, no foul. Continue to use it.

 

[mahansm]

0W20 is back speced to at least 2003 for those engines.

 

[EdwardC]

No problem. It's back spec'd. I've used 0W20 in my Element for the past 60,000mi

 

[aquariuscsm]

What's the reason manufacturers back spec cars to thinner oils?

 

[53' Stude]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
What's the reason manufacturers back spec cars to thinner oils?


One word sir: CAFE!!

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: car51
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
What's the reason manufacturers back spec cars to thinner oils?


One word sir: CAFE!!


But for all practical purposes, is 0W20 thinner than 5W20?

 

[SilverFusion2010]

At cold temp 0w is thinner than 5w. At operating temp the should be nearly identical viscosity as they are both 20 weight oils

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
What's the reason manufacturers back spec cars to thinner oils?


It's not a thinner oil. It's a 20W at operating temps, just like the 5w-20.. Being mostly synthetic, at extreme temps it's as thick or thicker than conventional 30W oils. The 0w only applies to cold flow, when ALL oils or too thick.