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Picked up a 2021 Type S, around 30k miles Acura CPO, etc etc. This is my first "modern" era turbo car (old school 1980s-90s era Toyota CT-26 turbo experiences here before this). From the Toyota turbo scene, there's been a belief for a while now that certain synthetic engine oils are better than others, based on the bearing type in the stock Toyota turbos; if I recall correctly it's like a high-zinc formulation or something like that which is supposed to be better, at least where Valvoline VR-1 is often recommended as better for turbo bearing longevity than say Mobil 1. Do I need to consider this with my Type S, or am I safe to just run the recommended weight/viscosity with the usual 100% synthetics that are a bit easier to find like Mobil 1, Castrol, etc. The Type S is a daily driver year round and will get some Canadian winters and summer heat.
Modern synthetic oils are so good now that as long as you dont cheap out its hard to buy something thats going to be detrimental to your engine/turbo. OEM Honda/Acura synthetic is a high quality oil and does very well in oil analysis vs most high end oils. Ive been using it in my 21 Type S as i like to have my oil changes done at the dealer until the warranty is up so they cant give me any hassel if anything goes wrong. Now that im approaching the end of my engine warranty stage and ive seen no indication that anything is going to go wrong with the engine, im going to start doing my own (which looks like a hassel due to the oil filter placement) and using pennzoil ultra platinum that ive been using on my other vehicles for years with good results. Oil analysis on-line generally puts the PUP in either first or close to it with high end Amsoils or other harder to find products. Every 2-3 weeks it goes on sale for $42 (it currently is) at Canadian Tire which is hard to beat.
Mobil 1 is difficult to find (in Canada anyway) in standard form in 0w-20. For whatever reason most places only have high mileage or fuel economy versions. It also has been surpassed by PUP in pretty much any analysis you can find.
There isnt going to be a whole lot of info out there about wear characteristics on this car because, as far as i know (knock on wood) the engine and turbo have appeared to be bullet proof in the short period of time its been around.
Thanks, that's actually a good point I hadn't thought of, I've got almost 4 more years and 80k of mileage left with the extra warranty I took with the car so it probably makes sense to just get it done at the dealer anyway.
Picked up a 2021 Type S, around 30k miles Acura CPO, etc etc. This is my first "modern" era turbo car (old school 1980s-90s era Toyota CT-26 turbo experiences here before this). From the Toyota turbo scene, there's been a belief for a while now that certain synthetic engine oils are better than others, based on the bearing type in the stock Toyota turbos; if I recall correctly it's like a high-zinc formulation or something like that which is supposed to be better, at least where Valvoline VR-1 is often recommended as better for turbo bearing longevity than say Mobil 1. Do I need to consider this with my Type S, or am I safe to just run the recommended weight/viscosity with the usual 100% synthetics that are a bit easier to find like Mobil 1, Castrol, etc. The Type S is a daily driver year round and will get some Canadian winters and summer heat.
+1, I'd stick to the recommended weight/viscosity and brands like Mobile 1 or Castrol Syntec. I've had excellent results with Castrol oils for the past 5 decades and that continues with our Honda 2017 CR-V with it's L15B9 turbo using 0W-20 Syntec. IIRC it's been hard to find high zinc contents in oils as the EPA have regulated in down in SAE standards.
Type S turbo, I hope you change oil every 4-5k miles and bump up viscosity to xw-30, which btw is listed in Mexican owner manual for this car.
almost nothing in mexico is recommended in 0W-20 becuase it is both a less readily available oil down there, and its a hotter climate. OP is from Canada where 0w on start up in winter is an absolute benefit.
There is a lot of truth to the push for 5w-30 when the recommended oil is 0w-20 but it should be very climate sensitive. In canada and the northern states 0w-20 absolutely should be used in the winter months, and it still lubricates well enough that its not an issue year round. In a Mexican market where no where in the entire country will ever reach freezing temps, they can move to 5w-30 no problem and the lower States should likely feel free as well, but if the manufacturers need to select a single oil for the entire country (which they do to limit confusion) you can see why they would select 0w-20 when its never going to be an “issue” for any of the climates in the country.
if anything OP could use 0w-20 in winters and 5w-30 in summers, but realistically in the Canadian climate, probably not going to have any issues just sticking to 0w-20 year round and your doing what the manufacturer recommends so they cant give you any warranty hassels.
Canada maybe, but are you making a claim that places like south Florida or Arizona/Texas are experiencing temperatures that are much colder than mexico? 5w-30 is also allowed in Europe for the same exact engines (maybe not type S because its unique to north america). The only reason they “recommend” thiner oil is because of CAFE.
they do not require, only recommend. Its not the same thing like ATF fluid.
if you are living in cold climate, and worried about cold start, you can use 0w-30 which will have same cold viscosity as 0w-20.
Canada maybe, but are you making a claim that places like south Florida or Arizona/Texas are experiencing temperatures that are much colder than mexico?
No, in fact i directly addressed that…
Originally Posted by sombasol
In a Mexican market where no where in the entire country will ever reach freezing temps, they can move to 5w-30 no problem and the lower States should likely feel free as well
This is right out of the 2023 TLX-S manual. SN Oil or Higher grade fuel efficient oil. Acura does not have a spec like BMW LL-04 or VW 508. Use a good quality 0W-20 and you won't have to worry one bit. If you want to do DIY oil changes, Mobil 1 0W-20 ESP (Green cap) seems to be good. It meets VW 508 specs for their 2.0L turbo engine.
