One excellent approach to reduce your costs is to perform your own auto maintenance. 2012 Honda Accord owners are advised to use High Mileage 5W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 Quart.
Keep in mind that depending on your vehicle’s engine, the oil requirements may differ. In general, turbocharged engines use more oil, therefore synthetic oil may be preferable to traditional.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the following things when you take care of your Accord’s maintenance:
In This Article...
The Honda Accord (2012) accepts synthetic oil.
Given the enormous variety, buying oil can be a confusing process. The distinctions between synthetic and conventional oils can be rather considerable, even though brand preference is frequently more a matter of taste than actual distinction.
Both oils are petroleum products that go through a variety of complex, highly technical processes, including fractionation. This method produces regular oil, which has been used to lubricate and protect your engine for well over a century.
Although synthetic oil is a petroleum product as well, it goes through a lot more filtration and purifying processes. As a result, it becomes a purer oil with greater ability to preserve and perform better than conventional oils with less refinement.
Synthetics are often just a combination of a highly-purified base oil, specialized additives, and a carrier oil to keep everything uniformly suspended in the finished mix. The phrase “totally synthetic” is nothing more than a marketing gimmick because there isn’t a universal synthetic oil standard.
As opposed to many contemporary vehicles, the 2012 Honda Accord doesn’t require synthetic oil, so it’s up to you to decide whether the improved performance and protection are worth the increased expense of an oil change. Either way, your Accord will perform well.
What amount of oil does a 2012 Honda Accord consume?
The 4.2 quart engine oil volume of the 2012 Honda Accord. That is the amount you will add to your engine when you perform a new change, and this is roughly the range in which your oil level should stay while driving normally.
The oil level will naturally decrease a little over time, but as long as you check it frequently to make sure it’s within the safe range, everything should be fine. About every other time you fill up your petrol tank, or once every month, check your engine oil. If it ever drops below the range shown on your dipstick while you are in between oil changes, you should add a little additional oil.
What kind of oil does a 2012 Honda Accord need?
It’s recommended to follow the recommendations made by your engine’s manufacturer because using the incorrect type of engine oil could ruin your engine. Genuine Honda Premium Grade 0W-20 Motor Oil is advised by Honda.
Although it might sound incredibly specific, not all engine oils are created equal. Depending on the engine they are servicing, they are available in various viscosity weights and temperature ranges. With 0W-20 oil, your Honda Accord’s engine will perform at its peak.
Although it’s ideal to use the brand Honda suggests, you can substitute other brands if you’re in a bind. Use Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil or Mobil 1 Extended Performance Synthetic Motor Oil as substitutes.
Here is a brief explanation of what each of the letters and digits in your engine oil type mean:
Your engine oil’s viscosity, or the fluid thickness, that it possesses in cold temperatures, is indicated by the 0W that you see above. Winter is represented by the W. When the viscosity is zero, the substance is extremely thin.
The 20 represents your oil’s viscosity at the temperature at which your car normally operates. If your engine oil has a rating of 20, it is still rather viscous and thin at high temperatures.
Can I substitute 0W-20 oil for 5w20 oil?
My car is intended to use 5W-20 motor oil, a reader writes. I unknowingly purchased 0W-20 and changed my oil without realizing it. Is it okay to keep using the 0W-20?
Our response: 0W-20 is typically a completely suitable replacement for 5W-20. Both goods are 20-weight motor oils when used in normal conditions. However, if the car is still covered by warranty, employing 0W-20 might not be appropriate in your situation (see more below).
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.
What sort of oil will work in a Honda Accord?
The same kind of fuel is required by both of the Accord’s various engine configurations for this model year. That oil is completely synthetic SAE 0w-20. Consult the owner’s manual for the 2019 Honda Accord for more detailed information. You should check there to find all the information you require about your car.
Open the hood of your car if you still need some assurance. The oil type is frequently printed directly on the motor oil cap next to your engine. That may provide you some extra information.
How often should an oil change be performed on a 2012 Honda Accord?
Typically, synthetic oil needs to be changed every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. One of the most essential and crucial procedures for your car is an oil change. For traditional oil, Honda advises changing your 2012 Honda Accord’s oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Hondas require synthetic oil, right?
Can I run my Honda engine on synthetic oil? Motor oils made of petroleum are used to lubricate Honda engines throughout development, testing, and certification. Synthetic oils are permitted, but any motor oil used in our engines must adhere to the owner’s manual’s oil specifications.
How frequently should a Honda Accord have its oil changed?
We advise changing the oil in vehicles utilizing synthetic oil every 7,500 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. Oil changes for traditional oil-powered vehicles should be performed every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first.
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.
Is 0W20 harmful to engines?
an inquiry from a reader “For my new pickup truck, the recommended engine oil is 0W-20. This is a significant adjustment for me because I have never owned a car that required anything other than 5W-30. 0W-20 oil appears excessively thin, and I have serious doubts. I requested that my dealer allow me to use at least 5W-20, but they claim that 0W-20 must be used in order to keep my warranty in effect. For my new engine, is 0W-20 safe?
Answer: Without a doubt, 0W-20 is safe for your engine. Since the beginning of the previous decade, manufacturers have required 5W-20 and 0W-20, and there is absolutely no proof that engine wear rates have gone up. Engine wear has never been lower because of the enormous advancements made in the last 15 years in engine designs, materials, and motor oil chemistry. The 5W-20 and 0W-20 grades are quickly replacing the 5W-30 grade in new cars. A brand-new car with the specification 5W-30 will be uncommon by the end of this decade. In fact, in the upcoming years, anticipate to see even lower viscosities, such 0W-16.
Why do auto manufacturers advise using thinner motor oils? merely to maximize fuel efficiency. However, this pattern has persisted long enough for us to draw the conclusion that there are no negative effects in terms of shortened engine life.
Regarding the second half of your query, which asks whether it is advantageous to use 5W-20 instead of the advised 0W-20, we see no justification for doing so. Let’s utilize the characteristics of the 0W-20 and 5W-20 AMSOIL Signature Series oils to demonstrate our point.
The measured in is the industry standard for assessing viscosity at operational temperature “at 100C, centistokes.
- 8.8 centistokes for the AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-20.
- 8.7 centistokes for AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-20.
The 0W-20 and 5W-20 are consequently nearly equal in terms of thickness or viscosity at working temperatures. Because it would provide a very minor increase in terms of cold weather start-up protection, the car maker chose a 0W-20 oil.
We choose a 0W-20 for year-round use even though our daily driver requires a 5W-20 in order to have the optimum start-up protection. Even in sweltering weather, we observe absolutely no oil usage in between oil changes.
In conclusion, you may be sure that a high-quality 0W-20 motor oil will provide the best wear control. Enjoy your new truck, and you may use 0W-20 motor oil with confidence.