You’re going to use 3.9 quarts of SAE 0W-20 when you fill up. Don’t rely on our word alone, though. Consult your owner’s handbook again. You want to be certain because there can be changes based on your trim level and other selections.
This solution raises a few additional queries, such as what exactly does “SAE mean,” what the W stands for, and is it beneficial to replace your oil before the recommended time? All of this will be covered here. Read on.
In This Article...
What sort of oil is best for my Honda Civic?
How thoughtful of you to assist your friend! You are wise to ensure that the car is using the appropriate oil. Your engine’s performance may suffer if you use the incorrect one.
A synthetic SAE 0W-20 grade oil is required for a Honda Civic. Keep in mind that synthetic oils have a lower viscosity than conventional oils because the Honda Civic engine is designed to operate optimally with them.
Utilizing the proper engine oil is crucial because it helps your car with a number of tasks:
- Oil, especially synthetic oil, which is free of contaminants, aids in keeping your engine clean. To prevent particles from adhering to your engine parts and being transferred to the oil filter, the oil keeps the particles suspended inside of it. Detergents that separate, degrade, and neutralize minerals and other possible engine contaminants can also be found in synthetic oils.
- Oil lessens friction in the working parts of your car. The oil offers a barrier that prevents parts from rubbing against one another as it coats the parts. Metal parts will rust and wear down more quickly without oil or the incorrect oil.
- Your engine stays cool thanks to oil. The proper oil transmits heat and energy in a way that ensures it is spread uniformly throughout the engine, preventing any one part from overheating.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for how frequently to replace the oil once you’ve selected the proper oil. One approach to increase the lifespan of your car is to adhere to the suggested maintenance schedule.
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Your Owner’s Manual
Although it’s really easy, owners manuals are frequently disregarded. To find out the appropriate viscosity of the motor oil you should use, always consult your owner’s handbook. Use the 0W20 and 5W20 variations interchangeably, depending on the weather, if they are both on the list.
Location
Given that both 0W20 and 5W20 motor oils operate in much the same temperature range, it is critical to think about where you will be using the car. The operating temperature range for synthetic oil is -40C to 20C for 0W-20 and -35C to 20C for 5W20 (5W20 synthetic oil). Being aware of these facts means two things:
- In places like Florida when the temperature is above 20C/68F, you cannot use either 0W20 or 5W20.
- If you reside in a region with extremely low temperatures, such as Alaska or Maine, it is preferable to use 0W20 oil.
Viscosity
The motor oil will flow more smoothly the lower the number is. At beginning temperatures, a 0W20 will be more fluid than a 5W20, but both will function similarly at normal engine operating temperatures. Keep in mind that engine oils naturally become thinner during heating and thicken while cooling.
Quality Testing
Any oil brand with the appropriate viscosity grade and the API donut symbol is acceptable. The oil has passed the testing required for SL service, as indicated by the starburst sign.
The API donut indicates that your motor oil passed the current SL service rating test after being tested by the American Petroleum Institute. ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Europeens d’Automobiles) is the counterpart of API in Europe.
Manufacturer Requirements
If your vehicle is substantially loaded, the machine designer would typically advise using an oil that has a high viscosity and is heavy like honey. However, if it moves quickly, a lubricant that can move out of the way and then move back in is preferable.
Fuel Economy
Despite the fact that both 5W20 and 0W20 (0W20 synthetic oil) can be used at 20C/68F, 0W20 is thinner than 5W20 at cold engine temperatures, particularly in the initial minutes after starting your automobile. Because it gives the car slightly higher fuel economy than the 5W20, new models specify it. The 0W20 model satisfies a turbo-diesel engine’s requirements as well.
Do Honda Civics require synthetic motor oil?
- Where You Live: Because synthetic oil is considerably more adaptable than conventional oil in extremely cold and thin air, it works best if you live in a hot, cold, or high altitude climate.
- Your engine’s age and condition: Synthetic oil contains uniform molecules, which makes it more likely to pass through engine rings and cylinder walls. You should continue using conventional oil if your engine is already prone to leaks and/or excessive oil usage. Why spend more money on synthetic oil if it would merely leak out more quickly?
- How You Drive Your Civic: Even in stop-and-go traffic, do you frequently idling your Civic? Don’t be natural. It’s because air flow is necessary for your engine to stay cool. Synthetic oil, as opposed to regular oil, might aid in keeping your engine cool while it is idle. If you utilize your Civic for activities other than commuting, like racing, synthetic oil is a wonderful alternative because it provides greater protection.
- How Frequently You Drive Your Civic: If you don’t drive your Civic very often, synthetic oil will benefit you because traditional oil has a tendency to degrade quickly, even when not being used, whereas synthetic oil will last over time.
What is engine oil 0W 20?
In colder temperatures, 0W-20 motor oil flows as freely as 0 Weight oil, but once the engine reaches operating temperature, it behaves more like 20 Weight oil. This guarantees that oil will begin to flow through the engine right away, lubricating important engine components even in cold weather.
The ‘W’ in viscosity descriptions does not, contrary to popular belief, stand for weight. In actuality, it represents Winter. This means that synthetic 0W-20 oil performs as a 0 Weight oil in cold areas but becomes as thick and viscous as a 20 Weight oil once the typical engine temperature has been attained.
Castrol EDGE, a cutting-edge full synthetic 0W-20 motor oil, is part of the company’s line of low viscosity 0W-20 lubricants. It is our toughest oil and is made to endure high temperatures and pressure. For those who want to push their car to the limit, it’s the perfect choice. Full synthetic 0W-20 motor oil liquid Castrol GTX MAGNATEC is designed with protective, clever ingredients that offer outstanding wear prevention.
Which motor oil is recommended for Honda?
Honda Genuine Motor Oil is made especially for your car because it satisfies American Honda’s strict engineering requirements. These requirements are on par with or better than many traditional fluids’ normal industry performance specifications. Honda Genuine Motor Oil, tried and true by American Honda’s Research & Development team, aids in keeping your Honda in line with its factory specifications.
Honda Genuine Motor Oil, offered and accessible at Honda dealers, is advised by American Honda. If conventional motor oil of a premium grade or an ultimate full synthetic mix is used instead of Honda Genuine Motor Oil, it must have the necessary viscosity grade listed in your Owner’s Manual. Additionally, the oil must be marked with an API Certification Seal, which certifies that it complies with the most recent API requirements and that it is energy-efficient. Oil additives are not necessary and are not advised; using them could have a negative impact on the durability and performance of your car’s engine.
For a list of fluids recommended by the manufacturer, please refer to your owner’s manual’s Recommended Engine Oil.
How often should an oil change be performed on a 2012 Honda Civic?
Honda advises changing the oil and filter in your 2012 Honda Civic every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but it’s important to consult your owner’s handbook and your dealer to determine the intervals that are most effective for your car.
Do Hondas require 100% synthetic oil?
According to Mel Yu, a car analyst for Consumer Reports, Honda is not alone. About 70% of new automobiles for the 2019 model year come with 100% synthetic or mixed oil.
Although some companies, like Honda, don’t specifically ask for synthetics in their engines, Yu notes that the low-viscosity lubricants those engines need are only available in synthetic form. Some companies employ “synthetic mix oil,” which combines synthetic and conventional oils. Blends are far less expensive but don’t offer all the advantages of synthetics, he continues.
Additionally, a lot of places that replace oil also sell synthetic oil as a substitute for regular engine oil.
The 2018 National Oil and Lube News annual study, according to Will Hixson, spokesman for the Automotive Oil Change Association, reveals that more than half of car owners select synthetics or synthetic mixes when they get their oil changed.
Does using synthetic oil make sense? The decision to is a good one, but only if your car has particular requirements.
Synthetic motor oil has some benefits over regular motor oil. They are intended to be more successful at:
preventing oil deterioration, allowing it to last longer than regular oil
Does Honda include synthetic motor oil?
Regular and synthetic oils are fundamentally different from one another because synthetic oil is more resistant to breakdown than conventional oil. This enables substantially more time between oil changes. The majority of modern Honda vehicles use 0w-20 synthetic oil that was developed by Honda starting with the 2011 models.
Who manufactures Honda synthetic oil 0w20?
Idemitsu is a pioneer in the development of synthetic oils with lower viscosities, such as 0W-20.
Idemitsu and Honda teamed up to create a lower viscosity oil almost 20 years ago in order to improve the fuel efficiency of their hybrid automobiles. Honda started to fill their new Insight Hybrid at the factory with Idemitsu 0W-20 after extensive testing and refinement. Unique additives were utilized in this lower viscosity, higher quality synthetic oil to improve stability and decrease volatility—the traditional downsides of low-viscosity oil.
Honda soon started putting Idemitsu 0W-20 in non-hybrid vehicles in 2005. As soon as other automakers noticed, all the big Japanese brands swiftly followed suit. Nissan and Toyota both started utilizing it in 2006.
In 2010, Idemitsu introduced 0W-20 to the US. Since that time, it has been the factory-fill oil in countless American-made Honda, Toyota, and Nissan automobiles. Additionally, US automakers are increasingly considering 0W-20 as a feasible option in response to increasing regulatory pressure to improve fuel efficiency.
Therefore, why wouldn’t you choose Idemitsu Lubricants for your vehicle if these reputable manufacturers do?