Hey,

I used to put 100% syn into my jeep and notice a substantial diff in performance and fuel economy. Is anyone on here running 100% syn? Any recommendation on brand? What is everyone oppinion on syn? Is it worth the extra $$$$?

thx

David

 

David,

Try doing on search using "5w20" or "motor oil." There has been a bunch of debate on the subject recently and there is no way I could sum up all the info here.

I'm running Mobil1 5w-30 synthetic put in at 4200. I have not seen any significant increase in mileage yet I feel the synthetic oil is worth it for the extra protection.

 

Yep, and I don't think anyone was having any luck finding a pure Synthetic in the 20 weight we are supposed to be running in our cars.

 

Didn't someone say RedLine has a 5w20? I am using 5w30 regardless.

RL is 100%, other than the additive package. I do not think any additive pack is syn.

You will not see huge mileage increases - i HAVE SEEN THOSE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND AXLE OILS are replaced in RWD cars, but not transaxles such as ours in the TL's. I do not know any synoil mfr. who makes a tranny fluid compatible with Acura's automatics.

 

I contacted Mobil, Castrol, and Valvoline through their web sites, only Castrol has a synthetic 5W-20, and that's a blend.

As for synthetics offering more mileage, I doubt it. I used them in my Jeep and did notice that the engine idled quieter and ran a few degrees coller, but any claims of mileage increases are suspect.

 

http://www.amsoil.com/articlespr/pr_new5w20_oil.htm

AMSOIL: Just introduced 5w-20 specifically for Honda/Acura
This is great stuff.

 

Are you a Amsoil dealer? It is an OK lube, but not the best going.

We went over this in detail during the Great Amsoil debate a few months ago, and I assure you that according to the SAE lubricant classification schedule, Amsoil 5w20 is a G3 lube (like Syntec), which is not as good as a G4 (Mobil1, Valvoline) or a G5 (Redline, Motul).

 

Rage:

From reading your posts and credentials, you seem to be the authority on lubricants on this forum. How would one determine if an synthetic ATF was suitable for Acura transmissions?

 

I bought some Red Line 5W20 from a local dealer listed on RedLine's website. It cost $88 for 12Qts. Kind of expensive stuff? I haven't noticed an increase in milage compared to my dealer installed Valvoline 5w30, but I think that has to do with my foot more than anything.

 

Old Guy:

Thnaks for the vote of confidence.

I know of no synthetic transmission fluid compatible with the Acura automatic. Honda goes its own way and has unique flyuid properties. Not even Red Line has a tranny fluid for it.

However, I have found that automatics benefit least from synoil upgrades. For one thing, ATF is very thin to begin with, and flows readily at low temps, so you do not get a benefit of better MPG at startup and warmup.

And since ATF does need regular changing ( I recommend every 15k for the Acura - it is cheap and easy to do), it is not too cost expensice to go with $9/quart oil.

I have heard some oil companies tout "Universal" syn tranny fluid, but that is about as good as universal mufflers. Modern automatics are complex and very costly to replace or repair - engagement of the clutches, viscocity and pumpability, flow rate through them for cooling, etc. must be precise.

Since Acura is quite specific about transmission fluid, I think it is a Fool's economy to go around experimenting - I vote with my $$, and have a case of Honda ATF in my garage.

However, when it comes to manuals, Honda used to use motor oil, but switched in 1996 to a special tranny lube, similar to Red Line MTL - it is a factory fill for life so it must be syn based. I put it in my nSX and the gear engaement was improved.

One other thing: do not use additives of any kind in the automatic transmission - ever!

 

I won't pretend to have Rage's knowledge on automotive lubricants but, bad experince has taught me to never, ever put anything but Honda ATF in a Honda automatic trans. Anything but Honda ATF will cause all sorts of wierd driveability issues.

As a reminder, if you go anywhere but a Honda/Acura dealer to have your fluids changed you should specify that they don't top off the ATF. Even if they say their ATF is compatable, don't let them put it in! They got me once. Never again. If it is not Honda ATF, it does not belong in your car.