Hey everyone.

As an extension of this thread, I have another question: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1950295#Post1950295

The other day, I picked up a 5L jug of Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W-20. Now, this was new to me, as I had only ever saw it in 5W-20 and 10W-30 grades on the shelf, before. It must be new to us here in Canada, or at least that particular Walmart location.

Anyway, I know that Honda states in the manual that they recommend 5W-30 weight oil for the 1994 Honda Accord, and that's what I've been using for the previous 3 years I have owned this vehicle. It has never burned any oil, and has only consumed a very, very marginal amount once during a very cold week in the winter. It has never consumed any oil at normal operating temperatures above freezing.

However, the other day I picked up Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W-20, thinking, for whatever reason, that was what the Accord actually required. I knew that it was a new grade I had never seen before, but for whatever reason, I thought I had always bought it in 5W-30 only because 5W-20 wasn't available.

Now, the easy thing to do for me would be to just exchange it for the 5W-30 grade. However, what I'm wondering is, is that really necessary? Would 5W-20 be fine in this engine?

I'm thinking that perhaps the 5W-20 grade Castrol GTX High Mileage would be fine, and possibly yield slightly better fuel economy, because it is a high quality dino oil.

I just wanted to check with the experts on here, as I am far from an expert in engine oil yet.

The easiest solution, of course, is that I could just exchange it for 5W-30, but when I purchased the 5W-20, I did not see any 5W-30 on the shelf at all. Perhaps Castrol has replaced 5W-30 with 5W-20?

Cheers.

My take is it will be fine. Most conventional 30-weight oils that start at 10.3-10.7cst will shear down slightly to about 9.0-9.3cst; so a 30-weight will end up where this HM 20-weight starts.

Plus, a 20-weight in general, and a HM one specifically, will be very shear-resistant, so this oil will stay around 8.8-9.2cst for the entire interval.

The 4cyl F22 was 5-30, in 1999~2001 it changed to 5-20. Really, 5-20 wasn't around in 1994 in specable quantities.

Anyway, having had a F23 for 110,000 miles in my opinion it won't matter which you run.

No, 5-30 is probably the most common grade in Canada.

Thanks, both! I had no idea 5W-20 wasn't around in 1994, thanks!

So, I should feel comfortably safe sticking with the GTX High Mileage 5W-20? Good to know! May give a slight boost to the new owners in terms of fuel economy, too!

Cheers.

I agree with the posters above - it should be safe to run. I tried Maxlife 5W20 in my 1994 Accord and liked it at the time:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...578#Post1380578

But, since then I have switched back to PP 5W30. It is had to judge but I thought there was a bit more noise with the 5W20.

Thanks! I'm on the fence as to whether I'll return it or not for the tried and true 5W-30.

I wonder if the base stock in the 5W-20 is of higher quality than the 5W-30?

If you find any genuine experts around here, please let me know.
Opinions, OTOH, BITOG has in abundance!

Personally, I'd exchange it. I'm a big fan of HTHS.
But, FWIW, AFAIK, IMO.... xW-20 won't cause your Accord to explode. You just might experience fractionally increased bearing wear - but probably won't...

So long as you don't go pulling any trailers and stay away from the drag strip, you'll be fine.