Can I Use 5w20 Instead Of 0w20 Honda [Explained]

Can I use 5w20 instead of 0w20 honda? We get this question on different forums. Whether you use 5W20 instead of 0W20 or not will depend on under what conditions you drive your vehicle.

If you drive your car at normal operating temperature, you can use 5W20. On the other hand, you should use 0W20 if you live in an extremely cold temperature. 

In today’s guide, we break down everything about the use of 5W20 and the 0W20. We also describe when you should use these oils and what happens if you use another instead of other. So, continue to read. 

Can I Use 5w20 Instead Of 0w20 Honda?

You can’t use 5W20 instead of 0W20 if you drive your car in extremely cold regions. At more extreme driving conditions & temperatures, your car engine may encounter start-up difficulties.

Though 5W20 is thin too, 0W20 is thinner and can easily flow to the top of your engine at extremely cold temperatures. In other words, 0W20 engine oil provides better lubrication compared to 5W20 during cold start-up period. 

However, your engine won’t see a difference between those two viscosities at normal driving conditions. They are very close to each other. Both oils will have the same viscosity at operating temperature. So, using one or the other should cause no issues. 

We recommend you check the manual of your car manufacturer. If it suggests using 0W20, stick with it as we don’t know better than their engineers. You will get better engine protection as well as greater efficiency in fuel economy.

In midwest winters, your engine should start slightly more easily with 0W20 and lubricate better during the warm-up period. 

What Happens If I Use 5W20 Instead Of 0W20?

0W20 is a full synthetic oil and it’s recommended to use if you drive your car at extremely cold temperatures. As this is super thin, this oil can easily flow to the top of the engine and provide better lubrication at cold start-up.

If you put 5W30 full synthetic oil instead of 0W20, your engine will be at risk if it deliberately specifies a full synthetic oil. Most importantly, your warranty is more at risk than your engine if you use 5W20 instead of 0W20. 

On the other hand, nothing will happen if you put 5W30 instead of 0W20 in your engine when driving your car in ambient temperature. Indeed, it doesn’t matter whether you put 5W30 or 0W20 unless you drive your car in super cold climates. 

Most low or multi-viscosity lubricants have similar behavior. The difference between 0 and 5 oil weight is absolutely minimal. Your engine won’t see any differences between these two viscosities when driving at normal conditions. However, low motor oil weight like 0W20 is excellent for fuel economy. 

If you read your car manual, you can find they recommend different oil weights for different climates. Therefore, some manufacturers specify specific oils for winter rather than summer. 

Can I Use 5W30 Instead Of 0W20

It all depends on where you live and at what temperature you drive your car. If you live in colder climates, especially in extreme conditions, you should put 0W20 in your vehicle engine.

At cold temperatures, thin oil like 0W20 provides better lubrication and can go to the top of the engine with ease. On the other hand, we should use 5W30 if you live and drive your car in hotter regions. 

Therefore, what you should put (5W30 or 0W20) depends on the blend. Some cars like Toyota 86 or Honda Civic specify 0W20 as their standard oil. So, you should stick with the oil your car manual recommends. 

FAQs:

Is it OK to use 5W20 instead of 0W20?

Yes, it’s okay to use 5W20 instead of 0W20 if you drive your car comparatively in hot climates. On the other hand, 0W20 is preferable if you live in colder regions as it delivers better protection during cold start-up. 

Can I put 5W20 in Honda?

Yes, you can put 5W20 in your Honda if you drive your car in cold weather (not extreme) as it lubricates the engine at cold start-up. 

Can I use 5W20 instead of 0W20 Honda Odyssey?

Generally, the Honda motor company recommends putting 5W20 into the engine. However, you can also use 0W20 if you drive the car in extremely cold weather. 

Can I use 5W20 instead of 0W20 Mazda?

Yes, you can use 5W20 instead of 0W20 if you drive your car comparatively in a hotter area. In contrast, you should stick with 0W20 if the ambient temperature is below 0 degrees C. 

What kind of oil does Mazda 3 use?

Mazda 3 uses Mazda Genuine 0W-20 oil to operate the engine smoothly.

Conclusion

We hope you get the answer to this question: Can I use 5w20 instead of 0w20 honda? It depends on in what condition you drive your car. If you drive your car in extremely cold weather, you should use 0W20. It provides better lubrication and engine protection during cold start-up. 

On the other hand, you can use either 5W20 or 0W20 if you drive your car at normal operating temperature. 

About John M

John contributed as a technical head at an automobile company just 2 years after his post-graduation in Automobile Engineering. He loves to lead a free life, so he left his job & started blogging. Now, he does research on every automotive problem, part & product and seeks a better solution & best products & shares his findings with his readers to help them as well as to minimize their struggle.

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