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Different car models come with different oil specifications. There are some models of Honda that use 5w20 as the base recommendation by the manufacturer.
Similarly, there are other models that use 5w30. Apparently, many people are yet confused about 5w20 oils and 5w30 oils; they are very much close, and you can mistakenly buy one of them thinking it’s the other. But can I use 5w30 instead of 5w20 in my Honda?
Well, using 5w30 instead of 5w20 on a Honda engine isn’t bad, and won’t actually cause serious engine damage. Some mechanics may even recommend 5w30 because it’s thicker and flows the same as the 5w20 in high and low temps.
Will 5w30 Cause Damage on a 5w20-Specified Engine?
Basically, pouring 5w30 into your vehicle that is specified to use 5w20 won’t cause any harm. 5w30 will flow at the same rate as 5w20 in low temperatures – or in cold seasons – because they have the same low temp viscosity rating.
More so, 5w30 is liable to offer more solid protection to your engine than the 5w20. This is because 5w30 oils are made to be slightly thicker. Regardless, what determines the performance of an oil is the additives used in the formula.
Automakers recommend oil manufacturers you should buy their product for your engine. They make these recommendations by testing the additives and formulas used by the “selected” brand(s) to produce their oils.
It is the additives in oil that make it more effective than another as no two oils are made with the same additives.
Related Post: What Cars Take 5w20 Oil?
Can I Use 5w30 Instead Of 5w20 In My Honda?
The simple answer is YES. But doing so would instantly void the warranty coverage on your vehicle. This can be a serious concern if you just bought the car brand new with the manufacturer’s warranty coverage.
Also, depending on the model of your Honda vehicle, using 5w30 can trigger the centralized computer to send wrong signals to other components; thus, you may notice that your car starts showing unusual signs as you drive.
But under normal circumstances, pouring 5w30 into an engine specified for 5w20 won’t cause any harm. Some drivers even mix 5w30 and 5w20 oils to get a fully synthetic oil that’d flow smoothly at any temperature without thinning out.
Mixing oils also would cause instant damage to your engine. However, because the additives used in motor oils differ, if you continue to mix oils for your engine, the engine is most likely to break down pretty sooner than you thought.
What More?
Most newer engines work well with thinner oils; hence, you’d notice that new cars are mostly specified to run with 5w30 or 5w20. If you use these oils interchangeably, nothing bad would happen to your engine, but your car may not drive at its best.
So, in summary, you can use 5w30 on your Honda vehicle, but it’s still advisable to stick with the exact recommendation in your owner’s manual. Hopefully, this article gave you all the explanations you needed.