TL-S Nut

I know Acura calls for 5w-20 oil to be used in our engines. I prefer to run Mobil1 in my cars. Unfortunately, they do not make 5w-20 synthetic as of yet. Would I be able to run the 0w-30 Mobil1 without any adverse effects and why or why not?

Thanks!
Matt

drcookie

Welcome to the club.
A lot of members here including myself are using Mobil 1 5w-30 Syn. It works just fine specially in the warm weather like Sunnny California.
If you really want to stick with 5w-20 synthetic, then check out redline oil. They are kind of pricey though.

Cheers !!!

jhalderman

I thought I read somewhere that Mobil 1 is being developed in SAE 5W-20 formulation because all Honds and Fords now recommend this grade. Right now I am using Mobil 1 5W-30 and even noticed a slight MPG improvement from the mineral oil SAE 5W-20 I had been using. I went from 27.5 to 29 MPG on the same 360 mile trip. I don't know why the improvement.

eggbert

There's something called Amsoil.
Never heard of it or haven't used it, but
they do have a synthetic 5w-20

http://www.amsoil.com/products/xlm.html




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MCD

I e-mailed Mobil-1 about 5w-20 oil, and they replied saying they were developing it and it would be released by the end of the year I think.

jimj

Just as a warning in regards to Amsoil's 5-20, it's NOT API certified so if something did happen to your engine you may be held responsible. Here's the link of the API so you may look it up for yourself. You need to be careful when dealing with oil companies. They have a way of wording their adds to make them sound that they are selling nothing but certified oil, but in reality they only have a couple of their oils certified and the rest are not.

http://www.api.org/cgi-bin/eolcs.cgi

TopGum

I saw some Mobil1 5w20 in the NAPA store yesterday. $4.99 quart. Castrol has one also but not synthetic @ about $2.00/quart. Personal opionion but I believe Castrol to be a quality oil. My dad has run Castrol in his Porsches (air cooled) and never had trouble. I am not convinced that the synthetics are all that necessary, especially at 2.5x the price. The commercials are convincing (heating the oil in the frying pan) but reality is it never gets that hot.

Road Rage

Neither Amsoil nor Red Line is API certified - you may think that is bad, but it isn't - both companies refused to lower the amount of phosphorous in their oils' antiwear additive package. That is a good thing - the car companies were squawking to the oil companies because they wanted to ensure they did not pay out anything for the new 100k mile emissions warranties, and phosporous can wear out the catalytics. So in deference, the oil companies did it - they are looking out for the car companies, not you and I.

And the answer to the original question is yes - you can use 0w30 M1 or Amsoil instead of 5w20. A synoil has vis ratings at 40/100 deg centigrade (measured in cST, or centistokes) that is comparable to a mineral oil 5w20. Don't worry about all that warranty scare stuff - buy a case of 5w20, swap it with someone who like that grade, and keep the receipt as proof of compliance. Then, use 5w30 or 0w30 syns to your heart's content.

And Red Line makes a 5w20 too, as does Royal Purple.

I would not use a 5w20 in my cars unless it was Red Line. And btw, it has nothing to do with tolerances - read the following, esp the EPA document to find out the truth about 5w20 - it is a horror show.
"According to Mike Riley, product design engineer with Ford Motor Company, 'Moving to 5w20 was driven by using best technology oils, CAFE requirements and customer needs'. The company believes the switch to lighter viscosity 5w20 oils will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 190,000 metric tons a year and reduce US fuel consumption by over 21,000,000 gallons a year."

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/dearmfr/ccd0112.pdf


Recess over.

copland007

Nothing but Redline 5w20 here

QuickRick

Guys, I usually lurk around listening to this topic especially and like Road Rages advice. I had been using a 5w-20 Ford oil that was semi-synthetic but was sort of unsure about it. I use Redline in the Vette but it only gets done once a year so price isnt a factor, but in a 3-4 month change schedule, I am looking for something else. I think the 20 weight maybe too light unless we know what brand is safe so since the manual allows 5w-30 usage, why not do that? I have seen some good prices on Mobil 1 at Costco in that grade, and a friend wants to sell me Amsoil as well. I'm sure that neither is as good as Redline but the other 2 changed regularly should be fine, do you agree? QuickRick