0W20 oil

Guy · 2010-04-16T04:39:30+00:00

I was reading the manual for my 2010 CR-V and it calls for 0W20 oil. Ialso checked the oil cap on the engine and it says the same. Beingthat the vehicle is garaged in Houston, Texas, I was wondering ifthere would be any harm in using 5W20 oil instead? I spoke to agrease money at a Kwik Lube and he said it should be fine. I spoke to2 Honda Dealers and they said I should not do it. I also asked themif this would void the warrantee and tho I think one of them said yes,they didn't seem to be definitive on that point. I also called alocal Autozone and found out that they only carry this grade as asythetic oil (Mobil 1) and their price is $7.49 plus tax. The kwiklube wants about $60 to do a oil change with synthetic oil. Likely I won't do this but my curiousity is getting the better of me,do you think it makes much difference in my case which grade oil Iuse? Do you think this voids the warrantee (I expected Honda to sayyes when I asked) ? From a dollar point of view, I know thisprobably makes little sense but just want to hear other opinionsanyway.

Apr 16, 2010 24 Replies

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Grumpy AuContraire 16 years ago

In a nutshell...

5/20 oil has the consistency of straight 5W oil when cold and straight 20W oil when hot.

No rocket science here..

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C. E. White 16 years ago

I think it is more complicated than you think. The "W" in 5W doesn't mean "weight" it refers to "winter."

The SAE specifications define "cold" and "hot". Hot is 100 degrees C (212 F). Multiviscosity oils will behave differently than straight weight oils at other temperatures. I think a more correct way to express things is to say a 5W20 oil meets the low temperature requirements of a 5W oil and acts like a 20 weight oil when hot. The requirements for a 5W oil include things like a low temperture cranking viscosity at -30 degree C, a low temperature pumping viscosity at -35 degrees C, etc. (other "W" oils have different requiremetns at different low temperatures see chart in

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). It doesn't mean the oil has the same viscosity as a straight 5 weight oil when cold, rather it means it has to meet the requirements for a 5W oil (where the "W" refers to "winter" not "weight"). Ed

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Grumpy AuContraire 16 years ago

Sounds good to me!

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ACAR 16 years ago

snip

If you really wanna get confused go to Bobistheoilguy web site and read how an oil's viscosity can change with use; i.e., that 0W20 you put into the car won't measure 0W20 when it comes out (it'll be "thicker").

Synthetic oil is probably cheapest at your local WalMart. A 5 qt jug is about $25. If it were my car, I'd feel comfortable running synthetic 0W20, 5W20,

0W30 or 5W30. Honda (or any other manufacturer) won't void the warranty over oil viscosity; but they will over missed oil changes or failing to keep the crankcase full (not more than a quart low).

Enjoy the new car.

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