Multi-viscose oils have the important advantage of being adaptable to extreme temperatures. These oils are designated as 10W-40, 20W-50, etc. "10W-40" means winter ("W" - winter in designation) the oil acts like a thin, 10 wt oil, allowing the engine to spin easily in cold weather and providing fast acting lubrication. However, as the engine warms up, the oil begins to act like 40 weight, providing good lubrication and protection for the engine's internal components. 20W-50 oil would therefore be heavier and not as ideal as 10W-40 in cold weather, but it would protect better at higher RPMs and temperatures because it acts like a 50 weight oil when warmed up.. Whatever viscosity of oil you choose when changing, make sure you expect the temperature at which your engine will operate to be within the limits for this type of oil. See the oil viscosity chart for recommendations for temperature use.
Honda does not recommend the use of any oil additives or additives in the engine. A normal engine doesn't need them; if the engine is worn or damaged it is usually too late to save it with additives.
API designation (American Institute of Petroleum) indicates the classification of the engine oil used under certain given operating conditions. To be used, only oils designated "Service SG". SG type oils perform a variety of functions inside the engine, in addition to the main function of lubrication. On older vehicles, the SG type can be replaced with an SF or SE oil type. By requiring SG oil, new vehicles can be damaged by using lower grade oils. An API classification may also have other letter classes such as CD or CC; these oils are only acceptable for use if the SG designation is also presented.
The SAE grade number and API designation can be found on the top cap of the oil can. Refer to chart for recommended viscosity.
Synthetic oil
There are a large number of superior synthetic oils available today that can provide better gas mileage, longer life, and in some cases better engine protection. However, in addition to these advantages, oil also has several disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the price of synthetic oils, which is three to four times higher than the price per liter of conventional oil.
Synthetic oil is not suitable for every car or every type of driving, so you must consider the condition of your engine and your driving style. Both new and older high fuel economy engines should not use synthetic oil. Synthetic oils are so slippery that they can prevent new engines from breaking in properly; most oil manufacturers recommend that you wait until the engine is properly broken in (5000 km), before using synthetic oil. Old, worn out engines have another problem with synthetics: they consume more oil during operation the older they are. Slippery synthetic oils easily coat these worn parts. If your engine "consumes" conventional oil, he will use synthetic even faster.
Consider your type of movement. If most of your mileage is at high speed (highway traffic), more expensive synthetic oil may be useful. Extended highway driving allows the engine to warm up, accumulate less acid in the oil, and put less stress on the engine. Vehicles with synthetic oils can provide improved fuel economy when driving on the highway due to less internal friction.
If synthetic oil is used, it must also be changed regularly as indicated in the maintenance interval manual. While the oil itself will keep in good condition longer than regular oil, contaminants such as soot, water and unburnt fuel will still accumulate in it. These are destructive elements inside the engine and must be regularly removed by draining the oil to prevent damage.
Vehicles used in severe conditions such as start-stop, city traffic, short trips, or long idling should be serviced more frequently. For engines on these vehicles, the use of synthetic oils is not justified. Internal wear increases even faster, leading to more oil consumption and leaks.
Mixing conventional and synthetic oils is not recommended. When using synthetic oil, it would be wise to take a few liters of it with you on the road, no matter where you go. Never use non-detergent or undiluted mineral oils.