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I have a 2002 civic EX and the manual says to use 5w 20, but in Florida it seems a 5w 30 would be better? Right now I use Amsoil Xl 7500 5w 20 but wanted to switch to their full synthetic 5w 30. What do you all think. By the way I drive hard...

 
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Definately move to the 5w30....it doesn't do anything bad, and it gives your engine a little more protection....I've ha d 5W30 mobil 1 in it since the break in and there are no problems, my dealer actully recommended that I use 5 30

 
Rep Power: 350

Don't, I repeat, don't use the 5w20 that Honda recommends. Instead use 5w30 or 10w30. I use 5 in the winter and 10 in the summer. Xw20 does not provide enough protection to engine parts because the viscosity never reaches the thickness needed for LONG LASTING protection. You get better mileage because of the reduced viscosity. However, your car will run warmer and you might risk pre-ignition or detonation if you drive under extreeme conditions.

The higher the second number is the more protection you get at higher engine temps. The Xw20 is fine if you don't ever rev your car past 3000 RPMs and stuff. That's how it's tested in the factory.

As far as engine oil goes, the thicker it is the more heat it will draw away from your moving parts. This said, it is thicker so it also causes the pistons to move slower and hurts your gas mileage. The thinner the oil the easier it is to move the piston up and down but, too thin and you don't protect against thermal wear and you might even cause excess friction. The viscosity of the oil will actually make your engine perform worse at high RPMs because it's not tuned for oil that thick. But, as long as the top weight doesn't exceed 30 I don't see any problems.

Also, depending on where you live (hot or cold) and you already said you drive hard, I'd look into some synthetic blends or full synthetic. I don't use them because it's a waste of my money for the way I drive. It might be beneficial for you, though. Give it a shot, it's not that much more and it might help a lot!

 
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The higher the second number is the more protection you get at higher engine temps. The Xw20 is fine if you don't ever rev your car past 3000 RPMs and stuff. That's how it's tested in the factory.



I would think the factory would test past 3000 rpm's.

 
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Use 5w-20 like the HONDA MANUAL says to use. It says in the manual itself that "...a 5W-30 oil may be used...should be replaced with 5w-20 at the next oil change."

Don't be fooled, "thicker oil does not mean better."

Honda wouldn't sacrifice the durability of their engines for a few mpg. Honda is know for it's engines. Why would they use a thin oil to raise mpg and sacrifice longevity?

The tight tolerences in the engine require a thin oil and thicker oil will cause undue stress on the engine.

Look at it this way: Honda knows what is best for the engines that THEY design and build. Do you really think that a layman or anyone for that matter knows better than the designer's themselves? No, I didn't think so.

 
Rep Power: 350

Yup, I dare to think so. As a matter of fact, our engines have the same clearances and tolerances as the d16, so why do we need a thinner oil? We don't! I really do think they are sacrificing reliability just as they sacrificed with the suspension and the cheep rear deck that will not stop rattling in our cars. They really went downhill from the 6th gen IMHO. I'm sticking to Xw30 because the difference in viscosity is not that great but it'll help alot when it comes to thermal protection.

Oh, and thicker is better to a point. There are extreems you don't want to be on but, for the most part the thicker the oil the more heat it can pull away from your engine. My FC used 20W50 and it ran super smooth and cool compared to others I've seen using a 40 weight.

 
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they use 5W-30 when i get my oil changed at the dealership, and i asked them and they said its fine to use it..

 
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It looks like Silverdevil knows his shiet. Check this out. Need to know info on 5w20

 
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That site makes good sence, but its published by a motor oil company, so it could be a little bias. I think as long as you change your oil regularly, and when you do the change, the old oil isn't black, you'll be fine with any weight oil.