kajing

Hello,

I'm a new member here and just wante do say what's up to everyone... I'm about to do the first oil change on my 06 TL auto w/ nav. Before I do it I have a couple of questions:

1. Is it safe to do the first oil change at 3K with synthetic oil? Or should I change it with regular oil then at 6K change it to synthetic?

2. I was told by a couple of service advisors not to use the 5-30 weight oil. The manual says to use 5-20 oil. Is is safe to use the 5-30? Will using the 5-30 do any harm on the engine? The reason why I want to use the 5-30 is because it is easily found at Costco and Walmart.

One service advisesor told me not to use the 5-30 because it does not travel as well as the 5-20, and if I used the 5-30 there could be chance of me ruining my engine... Is this true?

Anyway, any feedback is appreciated...

kennyc

Welcome!

I changed mine out at about 1k. No problems with Amsoil XL 5w-20.

5-30 is thicker than 5-20 and will run hotter. I don't think it matters that much... but since the oil cap tells me I need 5-20. I'll get 5-20.

Xpditor

Search is your friend. There are lots of threads on this topic. Check the 3G Garage sticky thread in the index.

Your engine's temperature is thermostatically controlled and will operate at the same temperature no matter what oil you use.

Honda recommends 5W-20 because they TEST for HP and gas mileage with 5W-20 to get the highest results. The government makes them recommed what they test with/test with what they recommend. Before that requirement, they would test with 5W-20 and recommend 10W-30.

Either is fine and will not ruin your engine.

There is a special break-in oil that the factory uses that has a high molybdenum content as an anti-friction additive. Acura likes you to have that kind of oil for 4-5000 miles while the engine breaks in.

Many ppl, me included, want to get the factory oil out ASAP so that the metal bits from assembly can be removed. You can do this at any time. If you want to do the first change with an oil that is almost identical to the factory fill, you can use Havoline 5W-20. It's moly content is the same as Acura's break-in oil. When tested in the lab, they look to be the same. www.bobistheoilguy.com

After 5,000 miles, you can change to a synthetic or continue with a good dino juice like the Havoline. All the brand names are very good these days and compete with synthetics.

I switched to Mobil 1 at 5,000 miles. 10W-30 for a little extra peace of mind at the cost of an inconsequential loss of mileage/HP. Miniscule.

ReD-BaRoN

Can you explain the peace of mind you get from using 10w-30 instread of 5w-20? I'm not trying to incite a debate, just trialing to understand to differences.

Thanks!

Xpditor

We encourage debate as long as it's repectful of everyone's views and doesn't get personal.

The slightly (ever-so) thicker viscosity arguably coats the moving parts a little better at operating temperature. Oil loses viscosity as it ages. It gets thinner. I just like the extra cushion. It's probably mostly in my head because the oil experts say the viscosity is not that different. But, still, most experts tell me they use 10W-30 also while admitting it's probably overkill.

I change my synthetic M1 every 6 months anyway as I don't drive enough miles to go by the MID or by mileage.

SodaLuvr

However, 5w-20 will still give you better flow during startup and low-temperature conditions, which is quite important in minimizing startup wear.

Xpditor

Unless you live in Florida. Then the difference is insignificant.

SouthernBoy

5W/30 oil does not run hotter. In fact, oil doesn't run hot unless it combusts. Engines run hot. In the case of 5W/30, the "30" designation indicates that the oil will attain the viscosity of a 30 weight oil at normal to high operating temperatures (you oil experts are most welcome to correct me if this is in error).

SodaLuvr

Not true. Even at 80 degrees, 5w-20 will flow faster during startup in comparison to 10w-30. 5w-20 will also flow faster than 10w-30 at the same temperature, which allows it to dissipate heater better.

The difference in protection should be insignificant for 95% of the drivers.

SodaLuvr

Actually, I recall reading that lighter weight oils do run cooler, but due to better flow characteristics. (Heat dissipation) This is one reason why Honda went toward 5w-20, not solely for the fuel efficiency improvement.

Btw- 30wt is between 9.5-12.2 cst, so any oil that tests in that range @ 100C can be considered an xw-30.

cristphoto

Is there any difference in start-up protection between a 5-20 and a 5-30 oil? I agree with the original post that the 5-20 is more difficult to find than the 5-30.

SodaLuvr

No, the key during start-up is rapid oil flow to minimize dry starts.