Amsoil 5w-30 in R18 EX Sedan

iVTEC · 09-25-2006, 01:06 PM

Just did my first oil change at 6200 miles using Amsoil ASL 5w-30 and an Amsoil Ea13 oil filter. I know, the USA manual recommends that we use 5w-20 weight oil in the R18. I had some Amsoil 5w-30 lying around left over from my RSX-S. I checked with the local Honda tech and also some members here and found that it shouldn't cause a problem despite it being heavier weight than recommended. The only issue, per the Honda tech, was that I might notice a "slight drop in MPG".

Previous average MPG in mixed city/highway driving: 30-32 MPG
MPG after first oil change (same conditions): 35 MPG

Granted, this is just the first tank, but my previous best MPG was 34 MPG in all-highway driving. So I'm impressed. In the RSX, I didn't notice much of a difference in MPG. But the R18 seems to really like the Amsoil.

Pros & Cons:
Pro: Better fuel economy (at least from the first tank after the first oil change).

Pro: The engine is much quieter and smoother at idle, freeway speed and under acceleration.

Pro: No problems with oil leakage or burning so far, problems I sometimes hear about when switching to synthetic oil.

Con: The car feels like it does not accelerate as quickly as before, like the engine has to work against the heavier weight oil. But then it could just be my imagination, since the engine does not roar like before.

Con: Amsoil is more expensive than standard dino oil or Mobil 1 synthetic.

Con: The @$#%& Amsoil people wouldn't let me sell my leftover oil from the RSX on eBay (they sent me threatening legal notices). So I figured that I would use it in my new EX Sedan instead of letting the expensive stuff go to waste. What a pain in the behind to be told by Amsoil legal people that I could not sell my excess oil in eBay.

Hopefully Amsoil will come out with an ASL 5w-20 oil so that when I'm out of 5w-30, I can switch to the recommended weight oil. Or I'll just go to Mobil 1 at that time and avoid the hassle with the Amsoil legal team.

gbae007 · 09-25-2006, 01:11 PM

It really got quieter? Or is this just your imagination? How noticeable is this improvement in smoothness? Very interesting...

moxom · 09-25-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iVTEC

Con: The car feels like it does not accelerate as quickly as before, like the engine has to work against the heavier weight oil. But then it could just be my imagination, since the engine does not roar like before.

It's your imagiation.

iVTEC · 09-25-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbae007

It really got quieter? Or is this just your imagination? How noticeable is this improvement in smoothness? Very interesting...

Yes, it really got quieter. I didn't take a SPL meter and measure before/after, but I can hear my watch ticking now if I'm cruising at 70 MPH with the radio off, sunroof and sunshade closed and ventilation fan off. Now I mainly just hear the road and wind noise.

iVTEC · 09-25-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moxom

It's your imagiation.

You may have a point. I didn't do before/after 0-60 acceleration and 1/4 mile times, so I'll never really know for sure.

lightlypurified · 03-28-2007, 10:12 PM

i Too used 5w30 on my r18 coupe but then it was royal purple i did notice a lost in acceleration it makes me wanana just throw out the oil and buy another set but with the right formula.

06civictx · 03-28-2007, 10:22 PM

thats funny,my dumbass used a 10w-30 quaker state oil,i shouldnt have listened to my idiot friends,i lost alot of power,didnt improve on fuel economy,plus it was more expensive than your usual 5w-20

GMech · 03-29-2007, 12:23 AM

Actually Amsoil has already started retailing their XL 5W20 full synthetic for extended oil life.

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/xlm.aspx

09-25-2006, 01:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
iVTEC Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NBA Kings Courtside Posts: 411 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Amsoil 5w-30 in R18 EX Sedan Just did my first oil change at 6200 miles using Amsoil ASL 5w-30 and an Amsoil Ea13 oil filter. I know, the USA manual recommends that we use 5w-20 weight oil in the R18. I had some Amsoil 5w-30 lying around left over from my RSX-S. I checked with the local Honda tech and also some members here and found that it shouldn't cause a problem despite it being heavier weight than recommended. The only issue, per the Honda tech, was that I might notice a "slight drop in MPG". Previous average MPG in mixed city/highway driving: 30-32 MPG MPG after first oil change (same conditions): 35 MPG Granted, this is just the first tank, but my previous best MPG was 34 MPG in all-highway driving. So I'm impressed. In the RSX, I didn't notice much of a difference in MPG. But the R18 seems to really like the Amsoil. Pros & Cons: Pro: Better fuel economy (at least from the first tank after the first oil change). Pro: The engine is much quieter and smoother at idle, freeway speed and under acceleration. Pro: No problems with oil leakage or burning so far, problems I sometimes hear about when switching to synthetic oil. Con: The car feels like it does not accelerate as quickly as before, like the engine has to work against the heavier weight oil. But then it could just be my imagination, since the engine does not roar like before. Con: Amsoil is more expensive than standard dino oil or Mobil 1 synthetic. Con: The @$#%& Amsoil people wouldn't let me sell my leftover oil from the RSX on eBay (they sent me threatening legal notices). So I figured that I would use it in my new EX Sedan instead of letting the expensive stuff go to waste. What a pain in the behind to be told by Amsoil legal people that I could not sell my excess oil in eBay. Hopefully Amsoil will come out with an ASL 5w-20 oil so that when I'm out of 5w-30, I can switch to the recommended weight oil. Or I'll just go to Mobil 1 at that time and avoid the hassle with the Amsoil legal team. Last edited by iVTEC; 09-25-2006 at 01:14 PM.

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09-25-2006, 01:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
gbae007 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 27 Posts: 878 iTrader: 0 / 0%	It really got quieter? Or is this just your imagination? How noticeable is this improvement in smoothness? Very interesting...

03-28-2007, 10:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
lightlypurified Senior Member Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,162 iTrader: 0 / 0%	i Too used 5w30 on my r18 coupe but then it was royal purple i did notice a lost in acceleration it makes me wanana just throw out the oil and buy another set but with the right formula.

03-28-2007, 10:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
06civictx Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Your Mom's Room Age: 69 Posts: 5,283 Tim iTrader: 2 / 100%	thats funny,my dumbass used a 10w-30 quaker state oil,i shouldnt have listened to my idiot friends,i lost alot of power,didnt improve on fuel economy,plus it was more expensive than your usual 5w-20

03-29-2007, 12:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
GMech Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, ON. Posts: 86 Gary iTrader: 0 / 0%	Actually Amsoil has already started retailing their XL 5W20 full synthetic for extended oil life. https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/xlm.aspx