5w20 or 5w30?
06-26-2009, 12:47 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
5w20 or 5w30?
I went to Honda dealership today to do my break fluid flush and so since I was a first time customer I get a free oil and filter change. They put in 5w20 without me knowing until I looked on the receipt when everything was done. I asked the person and he said all new Honda/Acura use 5w20 and its ok for my car. Is this oil grade fine? if not are they reliable to redo for free?
The following users liked this post:
whitetiger5 (07-07-2020)
Trending Topics
06-27-2009, 03:05 AM
#11
If my memory serves me right, I remember reading somewhere on the forums that you should use:
5W-20 if you make a lot of short trips (stop and go) and drive less than I think 20-30min each drive.
5W-30 if you make long trips that are usually 20min or longer of nonstop driving.
But I'm pretty sure either is fine.
5W-20 if you make a lot of short trips (stop and go) and drive less than I think 20-30min each drive.
5W-30 if you make long trips that are usually 20min or longer of nonstop driving.
But I'm pretty sure either is fine.
05-19-2014, 01:53 PM
#19
Why a dealer or repair shop randomly change between 5w20 and 5w30 in Southern Nevada other than just preference of mechanic or shop availability? I saw them using both types in all 4 seasons in my car over the course of 5 years taking it to Acura. I'm curious if there is logic behind this at all or could it potentially damage the vehicle as miles approach 175k?
05-19-2014, 03:06 PM
#20
Moderator
^^^It wont damage everything!
Remember that the Second number in the name is for temperature range!
5W < Weight! This is important as it should not fluctuate to 10W o 0W unless you live in Hell or Alaska! This 5W should be the weight the engine use all of its life in normal conditions this is important as it affects wear in the engine.
20-30 < Temperature Range it means that 20 will oscillate in between 10 and 30 Degrees Celsius and 30 will be between 20 and 40 degrees.. so when your dealership was changing oil in say Winter it was so you could save some gas (SOME GAS) and then it switched back to 30 for summer for protection.
This will only affect Gas Mileage to some point but you should be careful as not to use a lower temperature rating in a much warmer environment as it will affect Oil Life but it wont wear the engine (Remember the Weight Rating?)..
Hope this helps.
Remember that the Second number in the name is for temperature range!
5W < Weight! This is important as it should not fluctuate to 10W o 0W unless you live in Hell or Alaska! This 5W should be the weight the engine use all of its life in normal conditions this is important as it affects wear in the engine.
20-30 < Temperature Range it means that 20 will oscillate in between 10 and 30 Degrees Celsius and 30 will be between 20 and 40 degrees.. so when your dealership was changing oil in say Winter it was so you could save some gas (SOME GAS) and then it switched back to 30 for summer for protection.
This will only affect Gas Mileage to some point but you should be careful as not to use a lower temperature rating in a much warmer environment as it will affect Oil Life but it wont wear the engine (Remember the Weight Rating?)..
Hope this helps.
The following users liked this post:
TestDrive2014 (05-22-2014)
05-19-2014, 05:26 PM
#21
Yeah, as Skirmich previously stated.....won't hurt anything.
The heavier 30W is ok for summer use in an older motor. So, don't sweat it !!!
The heavier 30W is ok for summer use in an older motor. So, don't sweat it !!!
05-19-2014, 10:14 PM
#22
Senior Moderator
im now running 0w40 and plan on running it year round 
05-21-2014, 07:41 PM
#24
Eurotrash
Remember that the Second number in the name is for temperature range!
5W < Weight! This is important as it should not fluctuate to 10W o 0W unless you live in Hell or Alaska! This 5W should be the weight the engine use all of its life in normal conditions this is important as it affects wear in the engine.
20-30 < Temperature Range it means that 20 will oscillate in between 10 and 30 Degrees Celsius and 30 will be between 20 and 40 degrees.. so when your dealership was changing oil in say Winter it was so you could save some gas (SOME GAS) and then it switched back to 30 for summer for protection.
This will only affect Gas Mileage to some point but you should be careful as not to use a lower temperature rating in a much warmer environment as it will affect Oil Life but it wont wear the engine (Remember the Weight Rating?)..
Hope this helps.
5W < Weight! This is important as it should not fluctuate to 10W o 0W unless you live in Hell or Alaska! This 5W should be the weight the engine use all of its life in normal conditions this is important as it affects wear in the engine.
20-30 < Temperature Range it means that 20 will oscillate in between 10 and 30 Degrees Celsius and 30 will be between 20 and 40 degrees.. so when your dealership was changing oil in say Winter it was so you could save some gas (SOME GAS) and then it switched back to 30 for summer for protection.
This will only affect Gas Mileage to some point but you should be careful as not to use a lower temperature rating in a much warmer environment as it will affect Oil Life but it wont wear the engine (Remember the Weight Rating?)..
Hope this helps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_oil#Grades
"The SAE designation for multi-grade oils includes two viscosity grades; for example, 10W-30 designates a common multi-grade oil. The first number '10W' is the viscosity of the oil at cold temperature and the second number is the viscosity at 100 °C."
The following users liked this post:
Absolut_GR8_1 (07-04-2020)
05-21-2014, 08:26 PM
#25
Moderator
^ I would not try to correct someone using Wikipedia as is User Modifiable..
"W" stands for "Weight".. This is something known in the Automobile industry for ages.. I wont even try to argue that..
"W" is for "Weight", Period.
Here is a great Example:
Notice how both Multigrade 10W-XX differentiate with just a number designation change.
More:
More:
Clearly "W" doesn't stand for Winter.
"W" stands for "Weight".. This is something known in the Automobile industry for ages.. I wont even try to argue that..
"W" is for "Weight", Period.
Here is a great Example:
Notice how both Multigrade 10W-XX differentiate with just a number designation change.
More:
More:
Clearly "W" doesn't stand for Winter.
Last edited by Skirmich; 05-21-2014 at 08:29 PM.
05-21-2014, 09:11 PM
#27
Senior Moderator
05-21-2014, 09:45 PM
#28
Moderator
The following users liked this post:
Absolut_GR8_1 (07-04-2020)
05-21-2014, 10:14 PM
#30
Moderator
From you own common sense.. "Winter" lest just follow up this a little because it hilarious...
Why do you think an Oil which is meant to be used at 40°C is called Winter? Just for pure sheer curiosity.. 10W-40 is a Winter Oil? Mostly used in Dry and Hot areas they decided to Call Winter that specific oil? Don't you found stupid that an oil so heavy its called Winter? Fatty lives in a Cold state ask him if he would use 10W-40 in his TL since its Winter Oil...
Arctic Oil < Should read about it
there is no such thing as Winter Oil and neither "Summer Oil".
Why do you think an Oil which is meant to be used at 40°C is called Winter? Just for pure sheer curiosity.. 10W-40 is a Winter Oil? Mostly used in Dry and Hot areas they decided to Call Winter that specific oil? Don't you found stupid that an oil so heavy its called Winter? Fatty lives in a Cold state ask him if he would use 10W-40 in his TL since its Winter Oil...
Arctic Oil < Should read about it
there is no such thing as Winter Oil and neither "Summer Oil".
Last edited by Skirmich; 05-21-2014 at 10:20 PM.
05-21-2014, 10:21 PM
#31
Eurotrash
It is indeed hilarious! What's even funnier is you being a loudmouth know-it-all that soon will find out he's been very wrong at the top of his lungs.
05-21-2014, 10:23 PM
#32
Moderator
What is hilarious is that you are assuming something because you read it on the Wikipedia..
Good thing I'm a MD Mechanical Engineer and can talk as per facts.
The first number in 10W is the Weight of the oil. This doesn't make it "10 Winter" its still 10 Weight, As 10 Winter makes no sense at all.. What the hell is 10 and Winter? Please explain Me since you must know more self-thought by the good mighty Internet.
Good thing I'm a MD Mechanical Engineer and can talk as per facts.
The first number in 10W is the Weight of the oil. This doesn't make it "10 Winter" its still 10 Weight, As 10 Winter makes no sense at all.. What the hell is 10 and Winter? Please explain Me since you must know more self-thought by the good mighty Internet.
Last edited by Skirmich; 05-21-2014 at 10:26 PM.
05-21-2014, 10:29 PM
#33
Moderator
Just think about it for a Minute...
You go to a counter at any Auto-parts shop and Ask for oil..
You say to the clerk "Give me 4 Quarts of Oil please".
Clerk ask you "What Weight"
or
Clerk ask you "What Winter"
I´m having a field day with this conversation please keep it alive!.
You go to a counter at any Auto-parts shop and Ask for oil..
You say to the clerk "Give me 4 Quarts of Oil please".
Clerk ask you "What Weight"
or
Clerk ask you "What Winter"
I´m having a field day with this conversation please keep it alive!.
05-21-2014, 10:30 PM
#34
Eurotrash
Where am I assuming anything? I pointed to wiki as a courtesy so you could get your own shit straight, but instead you pooped in your hand and said it wasn't proof enough. And now you're playing in your own poop! Man, does it stink....
05-21-2014, 10:39 PM
#35
Moderator
And there you go... You just went full retard, Never go full retard.
Next time your trying to correct someone PLEASE for the god almighty don't use Wikipedia... Use some Common sense! its Free!!
"10 Winter"... Epic!.
Next time your trying to correct someone PLEASE for the god almighty don't use Wikipedia... Use some Common sense! its Free!!
"10 Winter"... Epic!.
05-22-2014, 10:35 AM
#37
Really , name calling???
Not to show my age here but..... I have been working on Diesels and Gassers for ...too many years now and I am sure the "W" stands for ...............Winter oil or known as Winter usage oil .
Not to show my age here but..... I have been working on Diesels and Gassers for ...too many years now and I am sure the "W" stands for ...............Winter oil or known as Winter usage oil .
05-22-2014, 11:33 AM
#38
Eurotrash
I'll still take wiki every day of the week over your 'common sense' ("its Free!!"), or I might walk around thinking the moon is made of cheese...
Still there, Skirmich?
05-22-2014, 11:51 AM
#39
Thanks All.
^^^It wont damage everything!
Remember that the Second number in the name is for temperature range!
5W < Weight! This is important as it should not fluctuate to 10W o 0W unless you live in Hell or Alaska! This 5W should be the weight the engine use all of its life in normal conditions this is important as it affects wear in the engine.
20-30 < Temperature Range it means that 20 will oscillate in between 10 and 30 Degrees Celsius and 30 will be between 20 and 40 degrees.. so when your dealership was changing oil in say Winter it was so you could save some gas (SOME GAS) and then it switched back to 30 for summer for protection.
This will only affect Gas Mileage to some point but you should be careful as not to use a lower temperature rating in a much warmer environment as it will affect Oil Life but it wont wear the engine (Remember the Weight Rating?)..
Hope this helps.
Remember that the Second number in the name is for temperature range!
5W < Weight! This is important as it should not fluctuate to 10W o 0W unless you live in Hell or Alaska! This 5W should be the weight the engine use all of its life in normal conditions this is important as it affects wear in the engine.
20-30 < Temperature Range it means that 20 will oscillate in between 10 and 30 Degrees Celsius and 30 will be between 20 and 40 degrees.. so when your dealership was changing oil in say Winter it was so you could save some gas (SOME GAS) and then it switched back to 30 for summer for protection.
This will only affect Gas Mileage to some point but you should be careful as not to use a lower temperature rating in a much warmer environment as it will affect Oil Life but it wont wear the engine (Remember the Weight Rating?)..
Hope this helps.
The car was in Henderson, NV (11 miles from the Las Vegas Strip)...temperatures 110 F in summer, the Dealer was putting in 5w20 as seen in my list here (or to save you some time in September 2010, July 2011, August 2011, July 2012, July 2013 all oil changes meant I left the dealer with 5w20 in some of the hottest months of the year which seems like the opposite of what you mentioned but the dry hot Vegas Valley may not be hot enough to be concerned too in your defense!).
05-22-2014, 12:33 PM
#40
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/
Read people! W is low temperature consistency with regard to thickness. The lower the number the less thick the oil is at lower temperatures. This however can cause the oil to shear at operating temp. The higher number is thickness at operating temperature at 212 degrees. That number should stay standard typically. If you are experiencing worn rings a thicker oil can solve that issue to a certain extent. However if your motor is running fine then stick to the standard weight.
So in the winter 0W-20 is great to get the engine lubricated quickly and maintain the appropriate thickness at operating temp.
In the summer 5W-20 has greater resistance to shearing and will be better for engine wear.
You don't want a higher grade of oil because it will not be able to lubricate all the areas in your motor effectively and can possibly cause damage especially in cases of frequent start and stops.
Read people! W is low temperature consistency with regard to thickness. The lower the number the less thick the oil is at lower temperatures. This however can cause the oil to shear at operating temp. The higher number is thickness at operating temperature at 212 degrees. That number should stay standard typically. If you are experiencing worn rings a thicker oil can solve that issue to a certain extent. However if your motor is running fine then stick to the standard weight.
So in the winter 0W-20 is great to get the engine lubricated quickly and maintain the appropriate thickness at operating temp.
In the summer 5W-20 has greater resistance to shearing and will be better for engine wear.
You don't want a higher grade of oil because it will not be able to lubricate all the areas in your motor effectively and can possibly cause damage especially in cases of frequent start and stops.
The following users liked this post:
Chevelle66 (05-22-2014)