5w20 in an Si.

[Nathan]

I know this topic has been covered on some threads but i'm concerned with my Si having 5w20 instead of 5w30.

I changed my oil yesterday at a local penzoil shop. I got 5w30. For some reason my car had 5w20 in from the dealership. After looking at the manual I decided to get 5w30, because I figure the manual knows best right... and the car acts alot different. A few problems I thought could be DBW related have went away. It use to take the car a good 10 minutes to warm up and it was very jerky at first. Now even if the car is cold, it drives smoothly. I even notice a difference in shifting. Maybe this is because of the break in period.. but the car is hella different

I'm kinda pissed my dealership did this when its obvisously of some importance if its in the manual!

[SuperShale]

This is covered in another thread, however, the answer isn't there..
5W-20??? Dealer insists?

5W30 is going to lubricate your engine better, 5W20 is going to get you better gas mileage through reduced drag.

[CivicWithNav]

Originally Posted by SuperShale

This is covered in another thread, however, the answer isn't there..
5W-20??? Dealer insists?

5W30 is going to lubricate your engine better, 5W20 is going to get you better gas mileage through reduced drag.

can you back that up??

[Special Ringpop]

Okay, not to ask another question or hijack the thread, but how do I know what kind is in mine.

I'm at 3.3k miles on my FBP Si and no oil change yet. The damn dealership put a use 5W-20 sticker in the windshield, but it cleraly says on the engine to use 5W-30.

If I havent had my oil changed is it probably 5W-30?

[Corpsman]

Too thin is better then too thick. 5w 20 is fine.

[Nathan]

5w20 will make your car really jerky, trust me!

[super4]

so which is the factory recomended one for the SI, 5w30 right?

[imtim25]

i put 10w40 in mine or something. nothing happened...nothing at all.


is something supposed to happen?

[si_civic]

^ you did? thats a little thick, mostly for 200,000+km cars no?

[imtim25]

^not sure but my car is running fine. just like before. nothing changed IMO.

[dpfolie]

What factual information do you have for putting in any other oil than what is specified in the owner's manual?

I see a lot of back yard mechanics posting there two cents worth but I never see the results of any studies to back it up. I have no reason to doubt the Honda Engineers. For what purpose would they have in misleading you in what type of oil to use? They have a vested interest in ensuring that their product lasts and develops a positive reputation.

[super4]

Originally Posted by dpfolie

What factual information do you have for putting in any other oil than what is specified in the owner's manual?

I see a lot of back yard mechanics posting there two cents worth but I never see the results of any studies to back it up. I have no reason to doubt the Honda Engineers. For what purpose would they have in misleading you in what type of oil to use? They have a vested interest in ensuring that their product lasts and develops a positive reputation.

i agree, i see no purpose to use other than recomended oil, unless u take the car to a really cold climate. thou if their cars never brake down it wouldnt be much of a profit either.

[imtim25]

Originally Posted by super4

i agree, i see no purpose to use other than recomended oil, unless u take the car to a really cold climate. thou if their cars never brake down it wouldnt be much of a profit either.

it happened like this.

the honda dealer guy was changing the oil, there were 2 oil bottles on the table, he grabbed the wrong one without looking, the manager and i talked for a while and since i already had honda's 8yr extended warranty, i got a free "Civic Si" license plate.

[dannn]

Originally Posted by super4

i agree, i see no purpose to use other than recomended oil, unless u take the car to a really cold climate. thou if their cars never brake down it wouldnt be much of a profit either.

that statement assumes honda is trying to get you to ruin your motor just so you can take it in to get serviced. i doubt honda would recomend an inferior oil to profit off the service its going to receive

[ADewan]

the 30W oil is thicker than 20W oil.

Hence the film of oil is thicker

Thus, the drag is more but, the thicker layer can accomodate higher sheer stresses due to the High Revving nature of the engine.

[dpfolie]

Originally Posted by ADewan

the 30W oil is thicker than 20W oil.

Hence the film of oil is thicker

Thus, the drag is more but, the thicker layer can accomodate higher sheer stresses due to the High Revving nature of the engine.

But why would it work better? What are the benefits? How does it work with the tolerances set by the engineers?

5W-30W is thicker than 5W-20W is a fact, but why put it in an engine not designed for it.

[Tybeedon]

Originally Posted by dpfolie

But why would it work better? What are the benefits? How does it work with the tolerances set by the engineers?

5W-30W is thicker than 5W-20W is a fact, but why put it in an engine not designed for it.

1. Read the Owner's Manual! RTFM! Honda is not stupid. Really, It IS OK to follow what's in THE Manual.
2. For more information on all-matters-on-lubrication-automotive, go here:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

It's a "Gold Mine!"

[imtim25]

even though it was a different grade of oil...it didnt really make a difference...like really...i felt no difference at all.

[BATANG CITY JAIL]

5w= is for the area climate temperature, or oil tickness reaction .
30= as far as i know, its the thickness of the oil for the space between the piston and the cylinder head.

[super4]

Originally Posted by dannn

that statement assumes honda is trying to get you to ruin your motor just so you can take it in to get serviced. i doubt honda would recomend an inferior oil to profit off the service its going to receive

no, i didnt mean that, just saying that the manual should be folowed.