eluzion

I just recently moved up to Alaska and need to change the oil on my 2011 TL SH-AWD (3.7L). The summers here never get much above the mid 70F's but the winters could be as cold as -20F to -30F. I've been running Mobile 1 Full Synthetic 5W-20 since I bought the car but I was considering running 0-20W to help reduce engine wear with start-ups in the winter.

Now, I know the 2012+ Acura TL SH-AWD (3.7L) are "approved" to run 0W-20 but I can't find anything on the 2011. I searched through some threads where folks were discussing Acura specifically recommends 5W-20 on the 2011 Acura TL SH-AWD (3.7L) but I can't find official documentation that states that or an explanation as to why (I do know the engines are slightly different).

I know there are a few folks that have ran 0W-20 without issues (at least as far as they know) but if Acura is specifically stating to only use 5W-20 on the 2011, I'm inclined to believe there's probably a reason so I'm a little hesitant to run the 0W-20, although it makes sense to run a 0W-20 based on the climate in Alaska.

With that said, any help or amplifying information would be appreciated on the following:

1) A link to official documentation that states the 2011 Acura TL SH-AWD (3.7L) should only use 5W-20.

2) Any more information or personal experiences from folks living in colder climates.

mylove4cars

^^^^^^^^
If you look at below tables, you will be fine with what your manual says 5W-20

Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20
SAE Grade
0W-20
Viscosity @ 100ēC, cSt (ASTM D445)
8.6
Viscosity, @ 40ēC, cSt (ASTM D445)
44.9
Viscosity Index
173
Sulfated Ash, wt% (ASTM D874)
0.8
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ēC (ASTM D4683)
2.7
Pour Point, ēC (ASTM D97)
-54
Flash Point, ēC (ASTM D92)
235
Density @ 15.6ēC g/ml (ASTM D4052)
0.839

Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20
SAE Grade
5W-20
Viscosity @ 100ēC, cSt (ASTM D445)
8.9
Viscosity, @ 40ēC, cSt (ASTM D445)
49.6
Viscosity Index
161
Sulfated Ash, wt% (ASTM D874)
0.8
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ēC (ASTM D4683)
2.75
Pour Point, ēC (ASTM D97)
-42
Flash Point, ēC (ASTM D92)
230
Density @ 15.6ēC g/ml (ASTM D4052)
0.850

eluzion

Thanks for posting that info. Are you referring to the "pour point" to determine if it's good for the climate? If so, it still seems like if you live in a colder climate you would want a 0W-20 to reduce engine wear on start-up.

mylove4cars

The following I posted in an other thread, you are right to a certain extend, most of the changes dictated by the car manufactories is because of (CAFE)

A 0W-20 grade oil is not thinner than a 5W-20 oil. They both have the same thickness at operating temperature. The 0W-20 simply does not get as thick on cooling as the 5W-20. Both are still way to thick to lubricate an engine at startup.

Remember that most engine wear occurs at startup when the oil is too thick to lubricate properly. It cannot flow and therefore cannot lubricate. Most of the thick oil at startup actually goes through the bypass valve back to the engine oil sump and not into your engine oil ways.


For the 2011 the manual states 5w-20 avoid problems with warranty, the car will not know the difference between 0W-20 and 5W-20 a lot of members living in Alaska and Canada are using 5W-20 without problems. At the end it's your choice OP.

eluzion

Yeah, I understand they are the same viscosity at operating temperature (really above 75F based on what I've read), but I'm just concerned about the cold start-ups where most of the engine wear occurs.

Based on everything I've read, 0W-20 absolutely makes sense based on the climate in Alaska but I guess I'm just trying to find documentation from Acura stating that they only recommend the 5W-20 on specifically the 2011 TL SH-AWD (3.7L). I found the PDF that states 0W-20 is okay on the 2012+ but still not sure about the 2011... there's got to be a reason out there... or maybe not, in which case, I'd prefer the 0W-20.

Edward'TLS

Ask the Acura dealership.