I have a 2000 Honda Accord EX 4cyl, with 114,000mi and have owned it since it had 104,000mi on it. When I bought it I had a full service on it, water pump, timing belt, trans flush, and I have done every oil change on it myself always around 3,000 to 4,000mi on it. I want to know if going to a full synthetic oil at this point is ok. A buddy of mine gave me a case of Kendall Full Sythetic 5W-40 motor oil and would like your thoughts on making this switch. My car has no leaks of any fluids and appears to have be well taken care of by the 2 owners before me. Thanks for any advise and I look to chat with you soon.


Chris in Sacramento.

 

Your engine will HATE you if you put 40 weight oil into it. Go to the auto store near you and shake a bottle of 5w20 in one hand and 5w40 in the other. The 40 is approximately twice as thick! That stuff is good for old cars that have compression issues and for race engines that run hot and need the viscosity to coat parts. Your accord wants 20 weight oil. This is what the main bearings are gapped for. 40 weight will cause unwanted engine noise and decreased performance, MPG, etc.

 

I typically run 30W but unless your in a hot climate you really don't need 40W but I don't think it would be that horrible if it truly is a full synthetic. there is a website called bobistheoilguy.com that has more information on oil than you will ever want to know. I'd go do a search overthere and I bet you will find plenty of discussion/research on this issue.

 

And please....don't ever do another transmission flush. Drain & refill only.

 

Does the 4-cyl want 30 weight? If so, the 40 won't cause major problems, but won't be as good as 30 weight.

My 6-cyl wants 20 weight. It would HATE 40 weight! ...... then again, I hear things that most people won't from engines.

 

Welcome! I would recommend to stick with the correct weight as Honda says and get a different synthetic oil

 

synthetic vs. dino isn't the issue. just the weight.