Hi everyone. I have an '08 Accord 4-cyl. It's been really hot here in Southern California (above 100F). My car is due for an oil change. I'm thinking of using 5w-30 synthetic oil because of the hot temperatures. Any issues this can cause, besides louder engine noise at start up? Thanks.
Considering using 5W-30 synthetic oil because it's really hot right now
Chris_G
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
Joined
·
95 Posts
- Reaction score
- 9
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
Hi everyone. I have an '08 Accord 4-cyl. It's been really hot here in Southern California (above 100F). My car is due for an oil change. I'm thinking of using 5w-30 synthetic oil because of the hot temperatures. Any issues this can cause, besides louder engine noise at start up? Thanks.
Joined
·
1,094 Posts
- Reaction score
- 253
Use what the manufacturer says. They tested and know the engine inside and out.
- Reaction score
- 3,065
Only thing a 5W-30 may be good for in your car is to try to control some oil burning, otherwise use what is on your oil cap, it will be good enough, Honda's are easy on oil not shearing them out of grade. You are over thinking.
Joined
·
95 Posts
- Reaction score
- 9
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
Thanks guys. I just assumed that 5w-20 was too thin to use during hot days. But wouldn't 5w-30 provide more engine protection in extreme heat?
- Reaction score
- 3,065
Always "thick vs thin" argument. What may of been true with oils years ago doesn't apply with the current made GF-5 oils.
Joined
·
95 Posts
- Reaction score
- 9
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
So driving in 100 degree weather with the A/C on, is okay with regular 5w-20 oil?
Joined
·
14,443 Posts
- Reaction score
- 7,146
- Location
- Chicago
It is for your Accord- YES!
But for that slow 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V (2.5L 6spd-MT), you will want the lightest oil possible to keep those slow pistons moving as quickly as possible- engine longevity be damned!
- Reaction score
- 3,065
Yes ! If you are concerned about high oil temperatures then install an oil cooler but it isn't needed.
Joined
·
2,304 Posts
- Reaction score
- 1,011
- Location
- Watertown, Connecticut
Your radiator has a thermostat so that your engine will run at the same +/- 200F all year, regardless of outside temperatures of -20F or +120F. To me, this means that outside temps only matter for oil for the first 3-5 minutes of run-time. After that point, the engine and oil don't care what it is outside as long as your coolant is doing its job.
Joined
·
14,050 Posts
- Reaction score
- 597
- Location
- North TX east of Dallas
I used Mobil 1 0W20 from the first oil change in my '04 Accord. That was in central and south Texas where the A/C was on 95% of the time. The car always ran perfectly and never used oil with 7500 mile oil changes. You are indeed overthinking this.
Switch to synthetic for peace of mind if you wish but no need to change to a different viscosity.
Joined
·
4,484 Posts
- Reaction score
- 1,336
- Location
- Victoria, BC, Canada
If you are concerned, run the 5W-20 and then get a UOA during the next oil change.
That will give you information on what oil you need.
And no, thicker oil doesn't necessarily mean more protection. I don't really think there is a need for thicker oil unless you track your Accord(which I guess you don't since you will just use the Sentra SER Spec V for motorsport).
That will give you information on what oil you need.
And no, thicker oil doesn't necessarily mean more protection. I don't really think there is a need for thicker oil unless you track your Accord(which I guess you don't since you will just use the Sentra SER Spec V for motorsport).
Joined
·
68 Posts
- Reaction score
- 12
- Location
- San Jose,California
Stick to 5w-20 full synthetic oil as suggested by Honda .If you want the engine to be smoother upon starting up, add some Bestline engine treatment into the oil at a fresh oil change.
- Reaction score
- 582
- Location
- Toronto
HIGH recommend staying on 5w 20
I used 5 30 and INSTANTLY heard the engine sounded much much louder than it should be. Instantly turned the car off, drained the oil on the spot and put in 5w 20 and the car sounded normal again.
I have charged the weights of oil on other cars including hondas and never really heard a difference. But this.... this was incredible the difference. And from now on I would only ever use 5w 20 on the accord engine at least from that experience.
I used 5 30 and INSTANTLY heard the engine sounded much much louder than it should be. Instantly turned the car off, drained the oil on the spot and put in 5w 20 and the car sounded normal again.
I have charged the weights of oil on other cars including hondas and never really heard a difference. But this.... this was incredible the difference. And from now on I would only ever use 5w 20 on the accord engine at least from that experience.
- Reaction score
- 47
- Location
- Milwaukee County, WI, USA
What year, engine and mileage on your car?
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
