InVTEC

Hey guys, just thought i would get a couple of opinions as to what engine oil i should use on my DD integara. She's an old one; a 1997 ls but in good condition. I use 10-w30 normally but what do you guys think if i changed the oil to 5-w20 just for one oil change. The reason im doing this is b/c i have A LOT of 5-w20 sitting around from my honda element. Just thought i could save about $30 using new oil sitting in my garage.

Will changing from 10-w30 to 5-w20 for one oil change and then going back to 10w30 hurt my engine. I researched and couldn't find any real hard evidence. Any help is welcomed

fishfryer

Maybe wait until winter to try it, but if it were me, I'd read the owners manual and follow it. My gut instinct is if it were a synthetic oil I might do it, a conventional oil maybe not.

liquid_helix136

I do a 10w-30 in the summer and a 5w-30 in the winter for my S. Thats the biggest difference I'll ever go with my car. All fully synthetic of course. If the manual says 10w-30, I'd think 5w-20 might be too thin. Im no mechanic though.

InVTEC

thanks guys

deepbluejh

The first number is the cold temperature viscosity while the second number is the operating temperature viscosity. You can change the first number depending on where you live (colder weather can utilize a lower first number) . However the second number should not change unless you have added a turbo or something similarly drastic to your engine.

Long story short, I would not use 5W-20 where 10W-30 was recommended.

NuncoStr8

Realistically, the difference between 10W30 and 5W20 is going to be a mpg or two. It's not going to destroy your motor. I'd use whatever the owners manual recommended, but using something very close for a few thousand miles isn't going to hurt it.

InVTEC

thats what i thought in the end nunco

tiger1964

Those are made in South America, right? Cannot help you, it seems you get a lot of cars in Canada we never see in the US.