Dekorum

I already mentioned in another thread that I will be moving to upstate New York from Florida, for at least 6 months. Is it necessary that I change my antifreeze mixture or the weight of oil in my car?

Right now I am using Honda Type 2 Antifreeze (I believe it is a 50/50 mixture from the factory) and I am using 10w30 oil. I am thinking I may need to switch to 5w30 oil, is that needed?

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

No change really necessary.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

No change for the coolant. The car calls for 5W30. I would use 5W30 (or certain brands of 0W30) whether you're in FL, Canada, AZ, NY, or Africa, or almost anywhere in the world. I would not recommend 10W30 as it's very thick at start up and still a 30 oil at operating temp.

Dekorum

Hmmm.. I have been using Castrol GTX 10w30 for the entire 25k miles that I have put on the engine since I swapped it in from HMO (96spec Type R B18C).

TomCat39

You are only hurting yourself by using the 10w30. The only time I would do that is if I was in the south and only for summer, or some place crazy hot like Africa or Australia or maybe even the Sarah Desert. As soon as temps even slightly started dropping I would be back to the 5w30. Personally with older Honda motors, I stick to the 5w30 as recommended/designed for.

The only time you aren't hurting yourself at start up with the 10w30 is if you use Lucas Oil Additive. That has been proven to leave a coating of oil on the bearing journals to reduce start up wear. It's the only additive that I've seen that isn't snake oil. I still don't trust any other additive though Lucas or not.

The other area you are affecting is your gas mileage. The motor works harder to push 10w30 around until it warms up so that means even more fuel consumption, so during winter it's even worse being these aluminum engines really dissapate heat well.

Dekorum

Oh, I see. That is unfortunate that I did not know this 3 years ago. You think I did any permanent damage to my engine?

kab00m

No. Since you are/were in Florida while running 10w30, you're fine. The warm weather negates the first number. It is only a factor at 0 degrees F*, if memory serves. But definitely switch over to a 5w30 for the winter cold you are about to see in upstate NY. It will be easier on the cold start of the engine.

Dekorum

Great! So it looks like I am on my way to getting this car winter ready. Next, I need to find some good winter tires...

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

Blizzak's are acceptable. I'm personally a fan of the Pirelli Winter Carving Edge.

TomCat39

I'm sorry I don't have info about the coolant though.

You will need to research what the bottom end (coldest) rating of the Honda fluid. Then research the history of the coldest it's gotten in the area you will be at. If the coldest spike is beyond you coolant ratings then you will need to update your coolant to a different coolant that can handle the possible tempuratures you will be exposed to.

Do this for your window wash too. Some people don't realise the window wash can also be an issue when you bounce north and you've been using wash from the south. The south generally doesn't use the lower temp rating window wash.

94EG8

This is true, pulling the washer bottle out (which usually involves removing the front bumper) in the middle of winter to thaw the frozen lump of summer washer fluid inside is no fun. Ask me how I know.

deschlong

iTrader: (8)

I always use -45C stuff because you never know when it's going to turn into winter here in Canada, haha.

BrianB16A2

I don't recommend using any oil other than 10 30 or 10 40. Whether in Florida Cali New York whatever. Thicker oil is better for the motor. Thin oil is not sumn u wanna use in a performance motor specially a DOHC. If it's a sohc then i guess uncan use whatever oil u want. I personally use Quaker state 1040. Love it. It's thick and is much better for the motor. Make sure if u do this to warm the car up when u move up there before U drive it.

94EG8

I do now. When I worked for Honda we used the -40C stuff all year.

There is no truth to this whatsover, none! Thicker oil does not help with oil consumption, wont flow well when cold potentially leading to spun bearings, and tends to gum up the oil control rings leading to stuck rings.

BrianB16A2

All my buddies that have Hondas all either use 1030 or 1040. If they all use this type of oil it's because there's a reason. To each his own tho. Not here to argue. Everyone has their preference.

deschlong

iTrader: (8)

That 10W30 or 40 may be suitable for a vehicle in Southern US, but it is not the best advice to give someone who will endure 4-5 months of below-freezing winter weather in a calendar year.

Dekorum

Even for a vehicle in the Southern US, 5w seems like the best advice if it really improves efficiency (gas mileage) of the engine all year round.

HondaPartsHero

Read your owners manual or download it, it has tons of valuable information

B serious

iTrader: (1)

^ that looks like it's for a H22?

kab00m

The vehicle/engine does not matter in this case. Go compare different owners manuals pertaining to that oil chart. My Kawasaki manual is the same.

Dekorum

So that chart is saying that 5W30 is only good for temperatures of 30 degrees F and below..

It's strange that this topic is very controversial.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

Straight from a dealership.


Straight from the EK9 Owner's Manual


Just called the dealership (we have a full variance of weather around here), and they said "5W30 or 10W30 will both be fine. We use 5W30 on all of our changes, and 0W20 on our hybrid motors."

Cliffs: Even Honda doesn't have a straight answer. Like I said in my first response, you're fine with 10W30.

Dekorum

Ok, I think I will just change to 5W30 on my last oil change before I bring it to New York.

94EG8

That's probably the most sensible thing to do.

BrianB16A2

What part of New York u moving too cause I'm actually from New York. Just curious