hondapower1000
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Hey guys
following the below post...
I have used 5w30 syentheic oil in my civic ever since 25K .. burn rate was quick initial and after it took a while. When i brought it into the dealership they indicated the engine cap indicates to use 5w20...Whats the big deal on difference ??
I was scared so i went and got a 5w20 and used it... I feel burn rate quicker... ???
Can i switch back to 5w30 ?.. or is it okay to stay with 5w20.. i find this confusing..
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hondapower1000
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i have a 06 civic coupe LX
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FAL
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A more viscous oil would probably not burn off so quickly, but you may wish to try different brands of synthetic at OEM recommended viscosity (i.e., 5W-20) to see if it may just be the formulation.
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av911
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Using either one of them is fine, they're almost the same oil. I've been using Mobil 1 5w-20 and 5w-30 since my first oil change, and just switched to 0w-30, with no ill effects.
What's burn rate?
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jemmsoft
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Here is a good article by AMSoil that addresses your specific concerns. The article says Honda & other makers specify 5w20 for their own reasons (CAFE fuel economy ratings), but imply you get better protection from 5w30 & 0w30 oils.
http://www.synthetic-oil-tech.com/d.cgi/1218983/ford5w20.htm
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Mechanic
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HP1K: I assume you want a nutshell answer (as opposed to the reams of information you'll find on bobistheoilguy.com)?
There are two schools of thought here. One holds that 5W-20 is the recommended oil weight, and consequently, there is no reason to venture beyond Honda's recommendation. The other perspective is that 5W-20 is a CAFE (fuel-economy) based recommendation that inures principally to HMC. (It enables the company to benefit from govenment incentives for fuel-effiicient "fleet" averages.) Those who subscribe to this perspective point to well-documented instances of premature wear -- principally camshaft pitting and galling -- in certain Honda engines, including yours. (See. e.g., ephatch.com or Honda-tech.com, and Google "camshaft pitting.")
The simple remedy seems to be (and this is the controvery) using the same weight oil Honda recommends for its higher performance engines, 5W-30, conventional or (if you're obsessed with the issue) a synthetic oil.
So, to answer your question, yes, you may switch back to 5W-30 conventional oil and/or to a 5W-30 synthetic or semi-synthetic, or mix any one of them in any proportion you choose.
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MojaveAccord
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I agree with Mechanic. Very nice answer!
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spinthemotor
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Hats off to you mechanic--great answer.I agree bobistheoilguy may become a bit too much at times.
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2TSX
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One thing I wanted to throw out there:
Doesn't Honda recommend 5w30 in Japan for the R18 Civics?
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Chas2
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Mechanic wrote:
HP1K:
....The simple remedy seems to be (and this is the controvery) using the same weight oil Honda recommends for its higher performance engines, 5W-30, conventional or (if you're obsessed with the issue) a synthetic oil....
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Interesting, I never noticed the Si and the RDX both require 5W-30 oil, and the RDX goes so far as to be synthetic only. Most every other Acura and Honda I looked at takes 5W-20
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pracha
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hello guys!
any opinions on why a 5w40 or a 15w40 will not work in the R18 engine ?
Will it cause any issues?
are there any know problems or possible failure cases due to these oils ?
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P54
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pracha wrote:
hello guys!
any opinions on why a 5w40 or a 15w40 will not work in the R18 engine ?
Will it cause any issues?
are there any know problems or possible failure cases due to these oils ?
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5W40 would be fine or 0W40. I would not use 15W40 especially not in winter. The lower the first number the more easy flowing the oil is at cold temperatures. Mobil sells Mobil 1 0W40 called "European Formula".
To avoid camshaft pitting you can use oils made for motorcycles as they have more additives to protect valve-train. (Which has been removed from car oil, mandated by EPA as the additives might harm catalytic converter if engine burns oils).
One of the best oils on the market with loads of expensive additives is Golden Spectro. Sold at M/C shops. Contact Spectro oils in Connecticut.
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typer_801
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lol....this is great info.
I've been using 5W-30 Penzoil Platinum in my wife's van which calls for 5W-20. Was growing a little concerned running the heavier weight, but now feel good about continuing to use it for the increased engine protection.
I must say however, the oil in her van looks and smells better after 7500 miles than the oil from my Civic Si after 3-4K miles. Same oil, different cars....it's getting much more of a workout in my Si ;)
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P54
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Chas2 wrote:
Mechanic wrote:
HP1K:
....The simple remedy seems to be (and this is the controvery) using the same weight oil Honda recommends for its higher performance engines, 5W-30, conventional or (if you're obsessed with the issue) a synthetic oil....
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Interesting, I never noticed the Si and the RDX both require 5W-30 oil, and the RDX goes so far as to be synthetic only. Most every other Acura and Honda I looked at takes 5W-20
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Turbo engines (RDX) benefits greatly from higher quality oil. GM also require specific oil on newer engines. All the new low viscosity oil like 5W20 or 0W20 is EPA or CAFE driven.
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ipribadi
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Are there any concern that thicker / higher viscosity oil will not "reach" and "flow" to all areas of the engine?
I can imagine small oil passages and squirters which were designed for 5w20 would no longer operate optimally and cause hot spots.
Other reason is oil flow rate, as the oil is circulated within the engine, the thicker oil would circulate slower due to higher fluid friction. Higher oil flow rate means higher heat transfer to areas where coolant flow is nearby.
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P54
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typer_801 wrote:
lol....this is great info.
I've been using 5W-30 Penzoil Platinum in my wife's van which calls for 5W-20. Was growing a little concerned running the heavier weight, but now feel good about continuing to use it for the increased engine protection.
I must say however, the oil in her van looks and smells better after 7500 miles than the oil from my Civic Si after 3-4K miles. Same oil, different cars....it's getting much more of a workout in my Si ;)
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High rpm engines puts greater toll on the engine oil.
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white06si
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Check this site out. Good info on oil for what its worth.
http://www.joegibbsdriven.com/index.html
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