On Sun, 22 Feb 2004 18:32:46 GMT, y_p_w <y_p_w@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>George Macdonald wrote:
>> On Sun, 22 Feb 2004 02:11:22 GMT, "Steve" <abc@123.com> wrote:
<<snip>>
>> Most of the lube mfrs now make 5W/20 in some of their grades so it is
>> available - your local vendors are probably just reluctant to dedicate
>> shelf space to oil which is recommended by only two auto mfrs, Ford and
>> Honda. The one notable exception is Mobil1 which is not available in
>> 5W/20; to tell the truth I think it may be quite difficult to make a true
>> synthetic with such a narrow viscosity range.
>
>There are a few synthetic blends in 5W-20 weight. One is Castrol
>Syntec, which some believe is dubiously labelled as such.
Castrol's own confession tells us the truth of the matter:
http://www.castrolusa.com/syntecresponse.html
<snip>>
>>>Q: Why does the HX coupe w/CVT call for 5W-20 (instead of a more "common"
>>>weight) ?
>>
>>
>> The question has been much discussed here in the past if you want to search
>> for previous posts at http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search
>>
>> It's everything from a plot to make our engines fail earlier to the
>> advancement of metallurgy and lubricants technology.:-) My POV is that
>> it's something the EPA is ramming down our throats by way of the auto mfrs
>> as an "energy conserving" measure. The difference in mpg is barely
>> measurable and easily voided by different individual driving habits.
>
>I saw the spec sheet for Havoline motor oil. All weights from 5W-30
>to 20W-50 and single weights contained 0.103% zinc (by weight). The
>exception was 5W-20, which is 0.112%. A zinc compound is an anti-wear
>additive - right?
>
><http://library.cbest.chevron.com/lubes/compprd9.nsf/c88c682625e06af6882568db00737ce8/d1099203c4293c4f88256b5600791e6c/$FILE/PCMO-2210.pdf>
>
>BTW - I've suspected that Chevron Supreme motor oil may be the same
>since the ChevronTexaco merger. However - the spec sheet seems to be
>different.
>
><http://library.cbest.chevron.com/lubes/compprd9.nsf/c88c682625e06af6882568db00737ce8/c748bacbd316e79a88256a0000786813/$FILE/PCMO-20.pdf>
Zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate, ZDDP, was the usual anti-wear additive, which
has been forcibly reduced by new regs and the auto mfrs. The more recent
anti-wear additive is molybdenum dialkyl dithiocarbamate. As for the
difference between Chevron/Texaco lubes, the Equilon/Motiva settlement had
a delayed effect which varied in differing parts of the country due to the
FCC ruling on the merger/breakup. Only recently have some of the Texaco
gas stations converted to Shell here in the N.East; I believe, in the West
things may have happened earlier with a conversion to Chevron. I've no
idea what Chevron's plans are for the other Texaco brand names - probably
depends on the market.
>>>Q: If I use 5W-30 (instead of 5W-20), what are the consequences?
>>
>>
>> My opinion: the 5W/30 willl give you a slight extra margin of engine
>> protection, over the 5W/20, at high ambient temps, say >90F. I'd use the
>> 5W/30. In fact, if you don't live in the frost belt, I'd use 10W/30.
>>
>> The next time you go to the Honda/Acura dealer parts dept, they may have a
>> counter mat which lists the oil grade reqts by model. Take a good look at
>> at it and ask yourself why Honda still recommends 10W/30 for the S2000 and
>> NSX.
>
>These are extremely high revving engines. However - the Integra GS-R
>and other DOHC VTEC engines are similar and 5W-30 is the recommended
>weight.
Even that was not always the case - for the earlier models, e.g. for the
'92 GS-R, 5W/30 was only approved up to ambient temps of 32F[sic], while
the 10W/30 was indicated as good down to 0F. I don't believe there has
been that much improvement in lubricants since then and there has been a
reduction in anti-wear additive... with the more recent replacement by
MoDDC. I *am* wary of the auto mfrs' willingness to experiment with the
longevity of *our* vehicles.
> MY new WRX recommends 5W-30, but says 10W-30 and 10W-40(??)
>are acceptable for normal driving above. The manual even advises
>using 30, 40, 20W-40, or 20W-50 if you're towing or it's really hot.
>Europeans are used to using heavier grades (with longer drains), and
>their motor oils are subject to a higher standard than API SL. OTOH -
>they typically won't keep a car beyond maybe 60K miles.
"Higher standard"? I'm pretty sure the API spec'd lubricants would pass
any of the equivalent Euro specs.
Rgds, George Macdonald
"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??