Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

for a '03 v6 with 95,000 miles. it gets very hot here in NY\C in the summer, and very cold in the winter, as you guys know...

or would you guys recommend to use 10W-30(or 5W-30?) in the summer, and switch to 5W-20 in the winter? thanks in advance!

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

I would go with one of the two Honda recommends. I don't see 5w-30, or 10w-30 mentioned. Click on the link.
http://assets.dealeron.com/assets/mi...tion-guide.jpg

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

5W-30 is a good compromise if you are looking for the same oil year round

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

I would not use any 10w oil in your Accord. We use 5w-20 oil in all of our oil changes, and we're bouncing off the 100 degree mark here. If you're planning on driving hard, 5w-30 wouldn't hurt, but not necessary. HTH

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

Yeah what he said....

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

I was going to write a very lengthy post on the subject as I worked with engine oil for many years.

Well, as I get older, I also get lazy...

I'm going to provide a link to Wikipedia as it goes into detail on everything I was about to write. It is a fabulous article and well worth the 10 minutes or so it will take you to read it.

FYI I run 5w30 in all my Honda's (3 in the driveway). I have real time fuel consumption readouts on my navigation system in the Accord. I was getting an average of 8.6l/100km running 5w20 oil and now I get an average of 8.8l-8.9l/100km using 5w30 oil. Other factors such as air filter, tires, etc. Can easily account for the .2-.3 of a liter difference. So I cannot 100% pin that on the oil itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_oil

Happy reading.

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

Contrary to what other's have written, I'd go with 0W-30 year-round and be done with it. :)

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

X2, exactly what I use.

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

You could go to 0w-20 in the winter for easier starting and higher mileage. Then go with 5w-20 in the summer. I just go with 5w-20 all year, because in South Louisiana it doesn't get very cold.

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

Why mess with 5W-20 when 0W-20 will perform better in literally every environment cars see in North America?

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

I see no issues with running 0w20 year round.

Knowing that our heads are aluminium and aluminium is soft. I want the added protection on the hot side that the 5w30 gives me. It may cost me a little more in fuel, I am okay with that.

That being said. Honda has spent more money researching 20 side of the oil than I will ever make in my lifetime. Obviously, Honda has no intention of having to replace motor components in millions of cars. I'm sure a 0w20 or 5w20 will never cause you an issue.

If you are tuning your cars for more performance, they are most likely running a little hotter. that being said, a blended oil with a viscosity of 30 may be more suited to your needs...

If you read the article I posted from Wikipedia. It mentions that a person may want to tailor their engine oil to their required needs. A blanket statement such as run 5w20 in a Honda is exactly that... a blanket statement. YMMV :drag:

Re: Keep the 5W-20 oil, or go thicker to 10W-30?
 

Honda recommends 5w-20, so that's what I use (says it right on the oil cap). 0w-20 is also acceptable for my 03 V6 according to Honda. That is the only two weights listed for my engine. If you know better than Honda, go ahead and use what your higher intelligence tells you to use.