Hi Everyone: I took my brand new 2014 RDX for the first oil change and the dealer used 5w20 instead of the recommended 0w20. Is this safe? Should I take it back and ask them to use 0w20?

 

IMO, since it's May already, 5w20 is fine.
0w20 is better for cold winter starts since it is more viscous which "should" give better wear protection during those first 2-3 minutes until the engine warms up.

 

Honda CHANGED from 5w-20 to a 0w-20 for CAFE reasons.
in theory, a 0w-20 will net you better fuel economy.

when the engine is warm, the ow-20 will be the same viscosity as a 5w-20.

 

Thank you so much, I was concerned about the engine not lubricating appropriately being a new car and all.

 

I would make them change it to 0W-20. Did they use s synthetic or conventional 5W-20? My guess, they used a conventional (maybe semi-syn) oil.

 

it wouldnt matter.

All honda's went from 5w-20 to a 0w-20 because of FUEL regulations.
at temp, a 5w20 is the same as a 0w20

 

Likely just trying to save money (not sure if it's yours or theirs!) using the 5W-20. The 0W requires it to be semi or full synthetic, which is more expensive. However, I would expect that the dealer would be following the owners manual and using 0W-20. It makes me wonder what else are they skimping on??

 

I usually purchase my own oil at Walmart and have the dealership use that. The dealership supplies the oil filter, labor, and car wash for about $26. I can purchase Mobil 1 syn oil cheaper than what the dealership charges me for conventional oil at their mark-up. You can same even more if you do your air filter and cabin air filter yourself.

 

I called and was told they use a "blend" whatever that means

 

Im sure they are not trying to save me any money, they charged me $69 for the oil change and tire rotation! This dealer is under new management and Im starting to notice little things like that. Im very disappointed because Ive been buying Acuras from them since 1993. And recently bought TWO 2014 RDX's the same day!

 

I am looking for alternatives, I think $69 is too much for oil change (thats what they charged me with tire rotation). I might decide to go to Honda for the next oil change what do you think?

 

regardless of where you go, you are better off buying your own oil and taking it too the dealer. I had a 2001 Toyota Celica which required 5w-30 and the dealer put in 10w-30 bulk oil and it caused valve train damage. Acura says 0w20 so I wouldn't put anything other than 0w20.

 

I seriously doubt that using 10W-30 rather than 5W-30 would cause valve train damage. Who diagnosed that? What kind of 'valve train damage' was it?

 

"Blend" means they used a semi-synthetic oil, not a full synthetic. Your OM calls for a 0W-20, not a 5W-20, so it violates your factory OM. You can get 5Q jug of 0W-20 at Wally World for ~$25 and a very good oil filter for ~$10. Also, AZ, AAP have OC specials (5Q and filter) for around ~$32-35 as well. Changing the oil on the RDX is very easy to do.

 

I like to use whatever grade they suggest. I also thought the switch to 0W20 was not only fuel economy, but tighter tolerances in the engines thus requiring freer flowing oil when cold.

 

Toyota dealer diagnosed it. The VVT-I-L stopped working when I hit 6800 RPM. They replaced the entire head. It was either that or they buy the car back. They took the lesser. since that, I don't let dealers pick my oil.

 

You'll probably be fine. That said, I would not be happy with a dealer who chose not to follow factory spec. There are all kinds of opinions on anything mechanical, but the most important to me is the opinion of the engineers who designed and spec'ed the car. Those engineers think 0W20 is the correct weight.

 

you all do know that a 5w-20 and a 0w-20 is the SAME viscosity at temp?

 

At temp is not the issue, it is how easy flowing the oil is at cold start, which is the most abusive time on the engine. I remember when 0W20 came out they had some marketing illustrations showing how much quicker the oil got through the engine in the same time due to the lower viscosity of the oil. Also if the engine tolerances are truly tighter then all the more reason to have freer flowing oil.

 

0w-20 spec ensures cold winter starts (say you live in MN and kept your car outside in -15F) won't cause premature wear on the engine.

Today is May, your next OCI hopefully is by November (or just change it before it gets too cold), so within that time perior how cold would your cold starts be anyway?

 

The 0W-20 is also full synthetic most likely, while the 5W-20 is semi-syn blend. So, his OCI would be shorter using the semi-syn.

 

The time of year is irrelevant. The 0W-20 will have less start-up wear then the 5W-20 at anytime of the year.

I don't see why people are arguing for him keeping the 5W-20. The stupid ass dealer charged him $70 to use a cheaper oil that does not meet his OM. They should rectify the situation irregardless.

If he did this change and then had warranty problems (though highly unlikely, I know), you think the dealer would let his error pass? I'd bet they would do everything they could to deny a claim because he violated the OM for oil grade.

 

I'm sure the OP knows that going back to the dealer for them to fix things is always an option.

The OP asked if this was safe. I assume this is a technical question about engine wear safety.

0w-20 and 5w-20 is close to interchangeable. Minimum temperature pour point differs by only 6 degrees F.

Google up oil grade temperature chart. You will see that 5w-20 is rated for usage down to -20F ambient temp.

If the OP is not cold starting at below 40deg F (60 degs above generic temp rating), I can guarantee there is no perceptible increase in engine wear using 5w-20 vs. 0w-20 oil of the same quality.

Business wise, sure go back and confront the dealer, and to the point of others, perhaps consider swithing dealers.

 

Yes, he can use 5W-20, but by the definition of a 0W-20, he will have less engine wear and better start-up protecion using the 0W-20 oil. The viscosity and flow characteristics of the 0W-20 is still better than the 5W-20 when he starts his vehicle, so it better protects the engine.

How big of an impact it makes, greatly depends on the driving style/experience the car will see each day. Not the ambient temperature where he lives.

 

I would like to thank everyone for the great responses. I recently confronted the dealer with the issue. The service guy said he would run it by the parts manager. After a few minutes he came back and said they did use 0W20 but explained that "the 5W20 is an old code in the computer which needs to be changed". Sounds suspicious to me, what do you think? I might take the car to another dealer, too bad because this one is the closest to me. :-(

 

Wow, that sounds really weird. I wouldn't trust that dealer for anything now. Try to get it in writing that the correct oil was used so that you won't have any warrenty issues later on (if any).

 

If I bought a service contract, can I go to any Acura dealer to get the oil changed??

 

I am the most particular and picky gearhead ever, especially when it comes to maintenance and oil. I take very good care of my own vehicles and do all the maintenance myself. I have never seen an engine problem caused by a slight oil weight choice. For street driving, it just doesn't matter.

If you are racing or doing trackdays, different story. For example, the TrackPack Mustang GT is spec'd for 5w50, while the same engine in the regular Mustang GT gets 5w20. The optimal oil weight depends on how the engine will be used! Another unusual oil spec was the E46 BMW M3, which used a 10w60. Again, due to tolerances and how the engine would be used.

I would not lose another wink of sleep over 5w20 vs 0w20.

 

Exactly!
Every time someone starts a thread with regard to oil recommendations you will get differing opinions and the keyword is opinions.

 

LOL thanks mr zeros, this car will be driven to and from work at the clip of 75 miles (round trip) a day so I want to make sure it runs on the right oil thats all. Also, it will be garaged in the winter so startups will not be as cold :-)