UAL Bagsmasher From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 2131 posts, RR: 11 Posted (9 years 1 month 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 3471 times:
I have a 2001 Honda Civic. The book calls for 5W-20 oil to be used year round, which I have been using. Recently I came across an article that claims the only reason Honda switched its engines from 5W-30 to 5W-20 was for fuel economy. The 5W-20 supposedly shortens engine life. My question is if I switch to 5W-30 in the summer, will I harm my engine? I don't care about 1-2 mpg loss in mileage. I want my engine to last. Also, is it permissible to mix 5W-20 with 5W-30? Thanks.
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29350 posts, RR: 62 Reply 1, posted (9 years 1 month 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 3470 times:
Your owners manual should have a chart that shows a number of different oils that can be used for different conditions.
I still haven't seen a whole lot of 5W-20 reach store shelves. I have the exact same motor in my truck as my brother does in his, both are F-150's. His is 5 years older and used 5-30 mine goes for 5-20.
Go figure.
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UAL Bagsmasher From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 2131 posts, RR: 11 Reply 2, posted (9 years 1 month 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 3466 times:
Yeah 5W-20 costs more than the 5W-30 too. My owners manual says to use the 5W-20. But running that thin an oil in the summer months makes me nervous.
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29350 posts, RR: 62 Reply 3, posted (9 years 1 month 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 3461 times:
There is no range chart given? That is weird. Usually the chart is either with the instructions for checking and servicing the oil, or near the back with the tire pressures and such.
I remember the days when trucks used 10-40.
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7673 posts, RR: 18 Reply 4, posted (9 years 1 month 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 3457 times:
I'd be willing to accept what your owner's manual says. Honda certainly did warm weather testing with that engine and car with the 5W-20. So it should be fine in the warm summer weather.
I might also suggest finding a Honda enthusiast website, I am sure there are millions of them, and try poking around there for an answer. Somebody probably knows for sure. But somehow using 5W-30 or 10W-30 will likely not kill your car.
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Sleekjet From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 2045 posts, RR: 24 Reply 6, posted (9 years 1 month 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 3447 times:
I don't think it will make much difference. But the 5W-20 formula is correct. I have put several hundreds of thousands of miles on Hondas using 5W-20 with almost perfect results.
UAL Bagsmasher From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 2131 posts, RR: 11 Reply 7, posted (9 years 1 month 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 3432 times:
Thanks guys. I think I'll try 5W-30 next time I change, which will be this summer.
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From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 2131 posts, 
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