will 5w-20 work in tropical climates?

[an2ny888]

hi guys, i drive a honda with a b18 twin cam engine. my question is can i use a 5w-20 oil in a tropical country (philippines)? will the 20 weight hot viscosity lubricate my engine adequately at high rpm's? or is this oil only specc'd for hybrids and lower performance cars in colder climates?

 

[Camu Mahubah]

What oil does Honda say to run?

 

[gtx510]

Didn't Honda switch to 5W20 with some of the K-series engines? And the B-series spec'ed a 30wt?

 

[bar1]

I've rented Fords (Ka and Escort) and Hondas (Civics) when in Brazil. 5w30 was recommended there.
Looking at Petrobras oil recommendation (no link here, but google petrobras and lubrax, then clik link 'O Melhor Lubrificante para o seu Veículo'):
2007 Ford Focus 2.0, 5w30 and 5W-40,
2005 Honda CR-V, 5W-40 and 15w40,
2007 Honda New Civic SI 2.0, 5w30, 10W-40 and 5W-40

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Interesting how other countries are given options on the oil viscosity and here in the U.S. we're told "ONLY 5w-20".

 

[badtlc]

Is it known what oil viscosities are easily available in other countries? I know you pretty much cant find 5w20 outside of the US.

 

[Panzerman]

United States is the only country with CAFE standards. The paranoiia behind 5w20 continues.

 

[bar1]

I have no idea what the "best" oil viscosity for a Honda or Ford engine is. Just showing some examples from a country that has tropical climate..

 

[bar1]

Quote:

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Is it known what oil viscosities are easily available in other countries? I know you pretty much cant find 5w20 outside of the US.

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If ONE type of oil was needed, it would be available.

 

[an2ny888]

5w-20 is available here in the philippines, it's penzzoil i think, i can get some at the local tru value store. just not sure about the thin visosity providing enough protection

 

[mechtech2]

Go ahead and use a 5-30. Under severe conditions, it may be better, and otherwise will do no harm in your situation.

 

[ThirdeYe]

The Honda B18 is spec-ed universally for using 5w30. Use a 5w30.

 

[Odyssey36]

What about 5w20 on a F23 engine?

 

[1999nick]

The EPA requires that autos sold in the US specifically require that the weight oil used in the fuel economy tests be specified in the owner's manual. This does not mean that the engine must have this specific oil to survive.

Before this law came into effect, owner's manuals specified several different viscosities acceptable, depending on the ambient temperature. For example, I owned a Pontiac Bonneville from 1980 until 1986. Its manual specified oil as follows:

30 weight from 40 degrees to over 100
20W20, 20W40, and 20W50 -from 20 degrees to over
100.
10W30 and 10W40 from 0 degrees to over 100.
10 weight from 0 to 60.
5W30 from below -20 to +60
5W20 from below -20 to + 20.

Temperatures are in Fahrenheit. It appears that GM did not think much of the 5W20's and 5W30's back in the early 80's.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Well that's true, and I know of a few people that have used 5W20 in their Integra (or unless the OP has their B18 in another car) without any adverse effects. I ran Havoline 5W30 in my last OCI which is so thin you could almost call it a 5W20. I'm sending out the kit for analysis today so we'll see if the B18 prefers thicker or thinner. But as it stands, the manual states 5W30 for both the B18C1, B18B1, and all other variations in all countries.

 

[OilGuy]

Yes it will work in tropical climates. Keep it simple, do what the owners manual says. If it makes you feel better to go thicker to a 5w30, go ahead. You are giving up a fraction of a % of fuel economy - which is a big deal to OEMS, not necessarily to consumers. I don't think OEMs would recommend it if it would cause their engines to have poor engine life resulting in an unhappy customer (and a likely non-repeat buyer).

 

[Steve S]

What does the owners manual recommend?

 

[RAMEX]

I am using GC 0w 30 which is almost a 40 weight on my Acura TL spec'd for 5w 20

 

[ThirdeYe]

Quote:

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What does the owners manual recommend?

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It says 5w30 for all temps and 10W30 for above freezing temps. But I just got done running Havoline DS 5W30 in my B18B1 and it's in the range of a heavier 20W and still showed great wear so my uneducated opinion is that a 5W20 would probably be okay, but I would still go with what Honda says.

 

[AEHaas]

A 20 wt. oil would probably be fine if it met the API and SAE standards of SL or SM. If these oils are rated as such in your area then I would use them. Other things can be answered by reading more:

These may help you understand viscosity, the first one is more complete:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=new_faq_item#faq_haas_articles

http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...ge=0#Post258506

aehaas