Funny thing about oil....especially synthetic..

edk370

Quick ? there oil experts.

If the car's manual says to use 0-20 oil, but I used 5-20 oil instead (unintentionally), is it bad for the car? The car is essentially new with less than 8000 miles.

onzedge

I do not know. When my cars need an oil change, I sell them and get new ones. Oil changes are scary and confusing.

__________________

Koni|Swift|Michelin|Motordyne|Berk|RJM Performance|Gates|SPL|Motul|Technafit|Ate Super Blue|Hawk
Tommy Kaira|Momo|Optima|Hella|Hotchkis|Red Line|ZSpeed|Stillen|B&M|H&R

Fuzzzy

+1

Oil changes are the poor man's "solution" to a simple problem.

JARblue

Having run into this exact same issue with my wife's Acura, I'll bite

The issue is 0W-20 oil is fully synthetic, while the 5W-20 oil is semi-synthetic. And where it came up was when I tried to get the oil changed at a neighborhood shop and found out the cost difference is $70 vs $40. The owner's manual states that 5W-20 can be used, but you should immediately switch back to the 0W-20 on your next oil change. I confirmed with the dealer unequivocally that their oil change (as advertised with the sale of the vehicle) uses 5W-20 for the ILX model. The guy started backpedaling at record speed when I asked why they don't use 0W-20 per the manual.

Did you buy or lease? If lease, just have them always put the cheap 5W-20. If you own, buy 5 quarts of Mobil 1 0W-20 at Walmart for $25 and DIY or take the oil to your favorite shop. We lease, but I use the fully synthetic because it's cheaper for me to DIY. The two oils cost the same at Walmart, so my oil change winds up being cheaper than a semi-synthetic change at a shop.

__________________