I'm driving a 2002 SiR, but thought I would ask you guys of your opinions on 5w-20 oil in your K20 engines. Personally I think that stuff is way too thin, I am leaning towards swapping in 5w-30 after break-in is complete. I think Honda is pushing this stuff to improve their fuel efficiency as the first priority. I know they designed the engines for 5w-20 oil use but I just think that is on the thin side. Any opinions on this ?

 

Yup, I agree.

For example, my friends own a 98 Honda Accord V6 EX coupe, the other owns a 2001 Accord V6 EX coupe. Note that these cars are the exact samething in terms of engine and style. Only difference is some comsmetic/external stuff on the 01s.

The 98 uses 5w-30 while the 01 uses 5w-20...... makes you wonder.......

Also if you notice, the RSX-S uses 5w-30 while the regular ones use 5w-20........


[Modified by mickey513, 8:26 PM 6/19/2002]

 

i just picked a bottle of 5w-20 from the dealer, man that stuff is thinner than I thought, it runs like water out of the bottle. I will definitely be switching to 5w-30 as a minimum. I've got a picture of the Type S engine in from a Acura brochure, the oil cap on it says 5w-30 oil, I thought that was strange, so leads me to believe this 5w-20 stuff aint so hot.


[Modified by JSIR, 3:04 PM 6/19/2002]

 

5w20 is in most new ford/mazda and honda products, main reason behind this i believe is fuel efficiency, my girlfriend has a 2k1 accord and i put 5w20 in it b/c that is what the motor is designed to have and is also what's recommended. i'm not a huge fan of the oil b/c i doubt these motors will have the long gevity most are use to 300k before a rebuild (if you race shouldn't matter anwyays), but you never know i could be surprised. some oil manufacturers offer limited warranties on thier 5w20 oils, maybe to calm the skeptical masses??? supposedly there is a synthetic in 5w20 weight coming out. we'll see, i use 10w30 in my DC2.

 

there is 0w-30

 

Yes, the reason why some new engines use 5w-20 is directly related to fuel economy. However they justify this because the engine manufactures claim that superior, more efficient engine construction and design allow for a 5w-20 oil to work safely.

So, i guess it's all about personal opinion if you would like to believe this or not.