Well, after reading all the posts about nobody being able to find any 5W20 oil, I decided to go to my Pep Boys and see what I could find. I checked Valvoline, Havoline, Castrol, Quaker State, Mobil and, lastly, I checked Pennzoil. Voila! There it was - 5W20 for $1.69 per quart. It even says on the case - "Formulated for 2001 Honda and Ford vehicles." I bought a case and also picked up a new Fram X-2 filter.

 

I didn't realize no one could find it. That's what I used on my RX7. Is that oil preferred or recommended with the TL-S?

 

That's the ONLY oil viscosity mentioned in the owner's manual.

 

No, the manual says that if 5W-20 isn't available it is ok to use 5W-30. However, it should be changed back to 5W-20 ASAP.

 

Well, yes, but what I meant to say was that the required oil is 5w20. The manual does say you can use 5W30, but it still tells you to use 5W20. In any event, 5W20 is now available so there should not be any problems.

 

I've been using it for 2 years but......

I have only found it in Penzoil like Lonny stated.

 

Castrol also makes a 5W-20 blend.

 

My dealer didn't have any and used 10W-30.

Now my gas milage has dropped and the dealer is going out to buy 5W-20 to replace the 10W-30.

 

10W30 is way too heavy for this engine!

 

I did not see 5W20 in Castrol. Not many companies make the 5W20 but I think that is going to change since lots of Honda and Ford products now use that weight. Maybe Mobil 1 will come out with a 5W20 soon.

 

Just FYI, if you look at the back of the bottle of OEM Honda motor oil, it's made by Mobil 1.....

 

Anyone found a 5W20 in synthetic oil?

 

What's the difference between 5W20 and 5W30?

 

5W30 is a thicker oil and that's why you take a hit in mpg.

 

It really isn't thicker, but will flow better at startup/ and when cold. That is the real reason they want you to use it for lower emissions at startup.

On the other hand, it may not provide much margin in the bearings under heavy load./

What mpg benefit are you talking about -/ it is fractional at best -aren't the EPA ratings the same?

 

I am not speaking from personal experience, but several people have posted that their MPG went down when they used 5W30. I have even seen on oil company sites that the 5W30 will give you less MPG than 5W20. Just passing along what I have read!

 

That's interesting, I just put Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic in last night. I actually heard some folks getting 3-4 mpgs better mileage with the 5w-30 synthetic.

Either way, I asked the dealer about it when I picked up the filter. They told me that Acura has communicated with them that 5w-30 is fine since the 5w-20 is not yet readily available.

I know what the manual says but, I'll give the synthetic a go and see what gives.

Just my $.02...

 

What was your mileage when you put in the Mobile One? I have received differing opinions from two Acura dealerships. One says wait until the second oil change, 7500 miles or 2@3750, the other says after the first 3750 it's OK to go with the synthetic.

 

1) 3k is fine for Mobil One - modern cars seat the rings much faster, and they are lower tension to begin with
2) Redline recommends about twice that time - 5-6k, or at the second oil change.

I repeat - there is no way you will see 3MPG from switching to synthetic - a fraction of an mpg at best, which still adds up over time and with extended drains.

The real benefit is wear reduction, cleanliness, and longevity - issues if you race or plan to keep your vehicle a long time.

 

Exactly 4197.

Questioning my actions after reading your response, I called the dealer and they also recommended doing the first change with non-synthetic or waiting until 5,000 before using Syn. Oops. I must have not made my question too clear yesterday when I bought the filter. Anyway, I was originally going to wait until the second change but since I ended up doing it myself (dealer was booked) I put in Mobil 1. Dealer said today that it would not hurt anything. I will keep an eye on it.

Was planning on a highway run soon and could not wait for the dealer to fit me in for a change.

There is certainly a difference of opinion. I believe some on the forum may have put in the synthetic this early also with no ill effects.

 

I don't know about the winter thing mentioned before because I rarely see winter here, but when I had my RX7 the guys at Rotary Performance sadi that 5w-20 was better because of the heat down here, plus the rotary is a hot A$$ running motor as it is. Over all I think Road Rage hit the nail on the head about the wear reduction, cleanliness, and longevity-

 

I understand and thanks. I have used synthetics on several vehicles in the past strictly because of wear benefits. I keep cars forever. My 210,000 mile Legend is proof of that. I also have never seen significant (3-4mpgs) increases in mileage because of oil although some claim to.

 

Hope the Amsoil flame guy is not lurking tonight.....

Here is some more oil obsession from Rage:

All things being equal, here are the benfits of light weight oils:

1) Oil pressure is built more quickly due to high pumpability
2) Engine warms up faster and catalytics "light off" faster for lower emissions
3) More HP (small, goes up as RPM's increase or are sustained - that is why racers use 30 wt
4) Slightly better fuel efficiency]
5) Better thermal efficiency since oil pumps throught a bit faster

Downsides:
1) Oil can shear down in high load areas to a point where more wear can occur (bearings, cam lobes)
2) High temperature viscosity is lower - may not be the best choice for sustained high rpm or load use
3) Long-term effects in American driving conditions not as substantial as 5 or 10W30

I haven't seen a spec sheet to compare volatility indexes (that is the rate of evaporation at a standard temperature). The lighter oil factions in 20 weight may make for higher volatility, which can mean more oil consumption.

Two other points about synlubes (G4 or better):
1) They cool more efficiently because their molecular structure picks up heat better, and exchanges it to other surfaces better. This is an adjunct to frictional benefits they also have
2) They are cleaner. Not only because of higher detergency characteristics and TBN (a spec which indicates ability to resist acidifcation and oxidation), but because the monomolecular structure and elimination of sulfurs and tars mean the oil itself does not produce dirt by the de-refining process. Rememebr that mineral oil has to be refined to remove the asphalts, etc. This is done with heat - the temps in an engine begin to reverse the process, slowly but surely, from the moment you start thje engine.

So did I Cliff Claven you, or is this sort of detail something you guys find interesting and helpful? I need to know, as I try to modulate the science of some of my posts to fit the demands of the Gang.

I sometimes feel many of you prefer gossip and heresay - some guy I challenged about a big MPG increase from an oil change responded to that challenge by saying he was just passing along info - I did not get that - passing along info without thinking about it helps WHO exactly?

 

Call my service department, it doens't have the 5W-20. It only had 5W-30. I'll need to buy my own oil and have the dealer puts it in.

 

Well, I just hit 5,000 miles and took my car in today for its first oil change. I took my Pennzoil 5W20 and Fram filter with me for them to use. Then I noticed in the parts dept they have Honda
5W20 oil in stock (Downey Acura) and indeed, it is made by Mobil! I guess the dealers are starting to get in the 5W20 now.

 

Is the Honda 5W20 oil made by Mobil1 a oil or synthetic? Just had my first oil change, took the dealer Mobil1 5W30.

Rage, You have helped me, thanks.

 

The 5W20 made for Honda by Mobil is regular oil, NOT synthetic.

 

Just picked up a case of Mobile 5w20 from Lappens Discount Auto Parts. It was the first place I looked.

 

How about 0-30w by mobil synth. I thought that was very light oil. Also does any one know if 0-30 is lighter than 5-20? which is lighter?

 

I put Amsoil 5w-20 in my TL-S at around 5700 miles . I checked the Auto parts stores and found the grade in Pennzoil, Castrol and regular Mobil oil. I have not noticed any change in mileage since the change.

 

I just bought a case of Red Line 5W20. My dealer doesn't have anything but 5w30. My last oil change I asked for 5w20, and was told no problem. When I picked up my car it was Valvoline 5w30.

How many quarts do you need to give the dealer when you bring in your own oil?

 

The engine is holding 4.6 US quarts. So, I would say give the dealer 5 quarts.

 

You can also get 5w-20wt @ Wal-mart, (FORD) Motorcraft brand. for $161/ Qt.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Croz


I just had my oil changed today at the local Acura Dealership. They used 5w30. Should I have it changed or not?

 

Everyone Try 5w 20, i used castrol GTX, and i think i got 30 more miles from previous. I changed my oil change at 3,000 miles and it did increase my mileage for at least one week.. I usually drives city and getting 320 miles.. since it's been only one week.. i'll find out more..

 

If we provide the dealer with our own motor oil. Do you get a price break on the oil change?

 

My dealer didn't charge me for the oil, took them 5 quarts of Mobil1 5W30.

 

I want to thank RoadRage and everyone else on this forum for all the fantastic information and great posts! I hope to contribute something useful some day, but for now all I can do is learn from you all and ask questions.

I will make sure that if my dealer doesn't have 5w20 he can use mine. I found a supply of Penzoil locally, at Kragen ($1.81/Qt). I have a question though. Most of you are changeing the break-in oil at 3-5000 miles. My dealer's service department recommends changing the TLS break-in oil at 7,500. He told me that Acura puts "additives" into the oil at the factory and that to get the most benefit during break-in you should let that oil work for the full 7500 miles. I can't think what incentive he might have to tell me that unless it's true. So...any opinions?

 

Just done my first oil change. Got a discount of $8 for bringing in my own motor oil.