Mobil 1 0w-20 vs 5w-30 in Acura RSX

[Jay]

For this comparison I tried to keep variables to a minimum. The intervals, weather conditions, and driving conditions were roughly equal. The samples were pulled from the dipstick tube in the same way. The lab, filtration, and gasoline used was the same for both samples.

The most recent sample, the 0w-20, is on the right. Non-zero values from the virgin sample are in parentheses.

Car 2002 Acura RSX
Engine 2-liter 160 hp inline-4 K20A3
Miles on car 29,503
Miles on Sample 6,963
Type of miles driven ~75% city and ~25% freeway
Filtration Comptech/UNI oiled-foam air filter and Mobil 1 M1-110 oil filter

code:

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oil M1 5w-30 0w-20 (Virgin 0w-20)

interval 7110 mi 6963 mi

'

Iron 11 9 (2)

Chromium 0 0

Lead 0 0

Copper 4 4

Tin 3 3 (2)

Aluminum 11 7 (1)

Nickel 0 0

Silver 0 0

Silicon 15 12 (3)

Boron 156 168 (240)

Sodium 20 19 (17)

Potassium 2 2 (1)

Magnesium 223 68 (35)

Calcium 2644 2734 (2625)

Phosphorus 1174 1203 (1258)

Zinc 1251 1329 (1266)

Molybdenum 99 113 (133)

'

Fuel absent absent

Water
Glycol neg neg

Visc(100*C) 10.5cSt 9.4cSt (8.9)

TBN 2.04 0.10 (10)

Soot
Oxidation 34.00 35.00 (24)

Nitration 13.60 13.10 (7)

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I'm really happy with the wear metals this time. I'm less than happy that the lab is still having trouble giving meaningful used TBN values. George Morrison assured me that the oxidation index is well below the change point.

[ September 04, 2003, 12:43 AM: Message edited by: Jay ]

 

[Chris B.]

WOW! Both are great reports and look at how well the 0w20 did! I think this engine likes these M1 oils.

 

[Leo]

Good report. Looks like the 20wt is doing well!

Btw the zinc and phosporous has got me a bit miffed. They're pretty high, compared to other M1 formulations in other UOAs? The others show 700-850ppm...

[ September 04, 2003, 03:09 AM: Message edited by: Leo ]

 

[MRC01]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jay:

Phosphorus 1174 1203 (1258)
Zinc 1251 1329 (1266)

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I thought API "SL" required these to be less than 1000 ppm.

 

[Al]

Well they are both great UOA's. The thing that is troubling (like not believing) is the lead. Its 0 in both cases. Therefore I have no confidence in that value. And that's where the rubber meets the road in a 20 wt. oil vs a 30 wt. oil.

But having said that the difference in a 20 wt and 30 wt oil is only about 10% difference. So they make a thick 20 wt. and a thin 30 wt. And to boot the [/b]20 wt thickens up to a 30 wt. [/qb] -so big deal

The basic difference between M 1 20 wt. and 30 wt. is the color and writing on the bottle and (oh yea the price

)

 

[Jay]

I totally believe the lead is zero. Acura made a big point in their sales brochures of how they've beefed-up the bottom end of their new engines. The structure that holds the crankshaft in place is really massive and this is why these engines are turning in really low lead numbers compared to earlier engines. I've seen the same low-lead or no-lead wear on other K20A series engines.

The main advantage of M1 0w-20 over 5w-30, as I see it, is better gas mileage and cold-temperature performance. The main disadvantage is slightly worse consumption, higher cost, and it's harder to find. In the winter I'd definitely spend the extra money for the 0w-20.

 

[HOndaGuy]

jay, this might help a bit in the oil decision making(straight from mobil 1s site). "Mobil 1 0W-20 is only recommended where a 0W-20 or 5W-20 viscosity is specified. Mobil 1 0W-20 is particularly appropriate for any 1998-2003 Honda Accord, and 1996-2003 Honda Civics (except DOHC/VTEC)." I have a civic ex with the 1.7 sohc vtec, but i don't even think that would cause any problems with the oil compatiblity considering real vtec is with the si and such.

 

['00obw]

Jay Posted:

quote:

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In the winter I'd definitely spend the extra money for the 0w-20.

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Why? It rarely gets below freezing here.

 

[buster]

Good points everywhere! Al made a good point and that M1 5w-30, 10w-30 are light 30wts and the new 20wt is a thick 20wt so there is not too much of a difference.

Take note to the increase in Moly. Mobil's webpage says this oil has better cleaning abilities then the 30wts. Why, I don't know. You can make a light weight viscosity oil very good by adding a dose of good AW/EP additives like Moly which is what Mobil did. Other then Redline, it's probably the best built 20wt oil on the market. Lead could be zero, but remember, it's only a sample. If you took multiple samples I'm sure you would find lead at some point.

[ September 04, 2003, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: buster ]

 

[Jay]

quote:

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Originally posted by '00obw:
Jay Posted:

quote:

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In the winter I'd definitely spend the extra money for the 0w-20.

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Why? It rarely gets below freezing here.

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True enough, but I'm thinking of taking a trip to Idaho this winter.

 

[Jay]

The additive numbers that PMS generated were markedly higher than the numbers LubeRube got from Blackstone. It's possible that the two oils are really that different but I think it's more likely that the PMS readings are high. Notice that calcium is higher on the UOA than VOA.

I should mention that there was 1/2qt of makeup oil with the 0w-20 and no makeup with the 5w-30.

I'm getting a pretty solid 2% increase in gas mileage with the 0w-20, but the money I'm saving in gas is mostly offset by the higher cost of the oil. I can get the 5w-30 in the 5-qt jugs at a discount.

 

[Idrinkmotoroil]

nice report Jay, numbers look great. Mobil 0w20 looks real good. I am surprised that the 20 weight looks slightly better than the 30 weight. In my testing the results were the opposite, the 30 weight was slightly better in my k20a3, but I was using different oils. Good results. thanks for the info. I should be done a Mobil 5w-30 sample within the next month or so.

BTW, how long has it been since you cleaned your Comptech filter ?. I've gone all summer without cleaning it, mine still looks very clean. I would say about 10,000 miles on it so far (3 oil changes). I;ve heard some guys say every second oil change, but the filter looks so clean I cant see cleaning it so soon. I may do it at the 12,000 mile mark, thus twice per year interval.

Joey

 

[Jay]

As far as wear goes, I think these two are a tossup, but I get better gas mileage with the 0w-20.

I'm still trying to figure out a cleaning interval for my air filter. I initially cleaned it at 5kmi, but that was too soon and I doubled the interval to 10kmi. But even at 10kmi, the filter wasn't dirty at all. I think I'm going to try a 20kmi interval next.