NewStats: 3,261,449 , 8,174,057 topics. Date: Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 10:29 AM 2p364w

My engine says it requires 5W-20 engine oil but all I could find at the market is 50W-20. Since 5W-20 is so scarce here, I'm beginning to suspect the mechanic used 50W20 the previous time I changed the engine oil. What should I do? Should I go ahead with the 50W20?

There is no oil grade as 50w 20

Op it's 5w20. It's available in the market, but beware of the fake. I just check a popular online site, it's selling for 26k (Mobil 1).

1Alex:
There is no oil grade as 50w 20

I believe he meant 20W50.

gofigurena:
My engine says it requires 5W-20 engine oil but all I could find at the market is 50W-20. Since 5W-20 is so scarce here, I'm beginning to suspect the mechanic used 50W20 the previous time I changed the engine oil. What should I do? Should I go ahead with the 50W20?

what vehicle is this, do you have an idea how long the former oil grade has been used ?, does your vehicle suffer from oil shortage.
5w20 oil grade shouldn’t be too hard to find, I have one who supplies Liquimoly and has that oil grade, it’s quite pricy though cause it’s .

What?! 😧 There is o. It's everywhere I looked yesterday.

1Alex:
There is no oil grade as 50w 20

I wish I took pictures yesterday. The cans I saw had 50W20 written on them.

mu2sa2:
Op it's 5w20. It's available in the market, just beware of the fake. I just check a popular online site, it's selling for 26k (Mobil 1).

It's the Acura MDX. Raised quite a storm here in nairaland when I bought it late last year. As a matter of expedience, I changed the oil and filter the same month I bought it. I didn't pay much attention then. It's not shorting oil or anything but I just wanted to add a liter.

Louiscars:
what vehicle is this, do you have an idea how long the former oil grade has been used ?, does your vehicle suffer from oil shortage.
5w20 oil grade shouldn’t be too hard to find, I have one who supplies Liquimoly and has that oil grade, it’s quite pricy though cause it’s .

gofigurena:
I wish I took pictures yesterday. The cans I saw had 50W20 written on them.

You meant 20W 50

Yeah, I think. What I very well was the 50 instead of 5.

Kewtt:

You meant 20W 50

gofigurena:
It's the Acura MDX. Raised quite a storm here in nairaland when I bought it late last year. As a matter of expedience, I changed the oil and filter the same month I bought it. I didn't pay much attention then. It's not shorting oil or anything but I just wanted to add a liter.

Ohh I now, get 5w20/ 5w30 for that truck ( from a reputable brand) I’ll suggest Liquimoly though.

Truck?

Louiscars:

Ohh I now, get 5w20/ 5w30 for that truck ( from a reputable brand) I’ll suggest Liquimoly though.

gofigurena:
Truck?

Sorry I meant suv

Get a mobil 5w/30 its everywhere.

I believe the previous mechanic and owner uses 20w50.

If its a Nigerian used. And you don’t know the history of that car. You better use 20w/50 there there is high chance that’s what was use previously. To avoid smoking and future problems

fineboynl:
Get a mobil 5w/30 its everywhere.

I believe the previous mechanic and owner uses 20w50.

If its a Nigerian used. And you don’t know the history of that car. You better use 20w/50 there there is high chance that’s what was use previously. To avoid smoking and future problems

I think the vehicle was bought foreign used, yeah 5w30 works just fine too

Then I think I'll better change the oil with 5W-20 instead of just adding a liter. It would be bad if I added 5W-20 to an engine already containing 20w50, right?

fineboynl:
Get a mobil 5w/30 its everywhere.

I believe the previous mechanic and owner uses 20w50.

If its a Nigerian used. And you don’t know the history of that car. You better use 20w/50 there there is high chance that’s what was use previously. To avoid smoking and future problems

gofigurena:
Then I think I'll better change the oil with 5W-20 instead of just adding a liter. It would be bad if I added 5W-20 to an engine already containing 20w50, right?

you should be able to know the oil that is inside there if you have seen 20/30 before. It’s very light when the engine is warm.

gofigurena:
Then I think I'll better change the oil with 5W-20 instead of just adding a liter. It would be bad if I added 5W-20 to an engine already containing 20w50, right?

What is your reason for wanting to add a liter of engine oil if your engine isn't burning oil?

Your vehicle should not use any oil other than fully synthetic 5w20 or 5w30 whichever is recommended. This spec of engine oil is readily available but ensure to buy from a reliable dealer.

It is also better you pay closer attention to vehicle mentainance than just hand your vehicle over to a mechanic who doesn't understand what you went through buying the car or how you raised the funds. Buy your fluids yourself & stay with them to replace your engine oil.

The cost of another engine would be a serious setback so create time for it.

bravolad:


What is your reason for wanting to add a liter of engine oil if your engine isn't burning oil?

Your vehicle should not use any oil other than fully synthetic 5w20 or 5w30 whichever is recommended. This spec of engine oil is readily available but ensure to buy from a reliable dealer.

It is also better you pay closer attention to vehicle mentainance than just hand your vehicle over to a mechanic who doesn't understand what you went through buying the car or how you raised the funds. Buy your fluids yourself & stay with them to replace your engine oil.

The cost of another engine would be a serious setback so create time for it.

The mdx does not strictly require synthetic engine oil. It dies just fine with mineral 5w20. It runs fine on 5w30 too where 5w20 isn't immediately available but must go back to 5w20 at the next service.

He can add 1 litre if the previous service didn't get the oil up to the required level.

In fact, some engines can take another 2 litres of engine oil after getting to full mark on the dipstick without any issues.

Overfilling basically causes
1. aeration (reduced lubrication)
2. hydrolock if the piston comes in with the oil (rare but can happen and you would grossly overfilled the engine to cause this)
3. Reduced fuel efficiency as the crankshaft is fighting hydraulic losses when going through the excess oil
4. Waste of oil and money

So if he added just one litre above the full mark, no biggie.

gofigurena:
Then I think I'll better change the oil with 5W-20 instead of just adding a liter. It would be bad if I added 5W-20 to an engine already containing 20w50, right?

When is your next oil change?

If it's close, drain and use the recommended 5w20 or 5w30 oil. It doesn't have to be synthetic. Buy from a reputable dealer. Them plenty for here. Gazzuzz shop is still open and you can make order thu his number which is still active. Dru23 dey here (we often disagree on certain things). I also have adeco ultrasynth 5w30 engine oil if you are in lagos. If in lekki, radautos shop sells genuine oil too. You may also go to any total filling station and buy total Quartz 9000 (they have the 5w30 and even 5w20 variant).

You are spoilt for choice basically.

Happy motoring. Treat that mdx well and it will treat you well.

Thanks for this. I just swapped the oil and filter in late November, so I still have many miles to go before needing another one. I just wanted to add 1 liter now because we experienced spillage when the mechanic changed the oil that November. He tightened the filter with a chain and crushed it in the process. I drove for some minutes before people called my attention to the leak. I just drove back to the mechanic and had the filter replaced. All good since then. But I still think about how much oil had split that day. Of course I check the level. It's not too low. It's just my careful self that wants to replace what was lost that day. Now, I think I should just leave things until It's time to drain and replace the oil entirely. 5W-20 it is. Good to hear Gazzuz' business is still going on, by the way.

9icetoo:


When is your next oil change?

If it's close, drain and use the recommended 5w20 or 5w30 oil. It doesn't have to be synthetic. Buy from a reputable dealer. Them plenty for here. Gazzuzz shop is still open and you can make order thu his number which is still active. Dru23 dey here (we often disagree on certain things). I also have adeco ultrasynth 5w30 engine oil if you are in lagos. If in lekki, radautos shop sells genuine oil too. You may also go to any total filling station and buy total Quartz 9000 (they have the 5w30 and even 5w20 variant).

You are spoilt for choice basically.

Happy motoring. Treat that mdx well and it will treat you well.

gofigurena:
Thanks for this. I just swapped the oil and filter in late November, so I still have many miles to go before needing another one. I just wanted to add 1 liter now because we experienced spillage when the mechanic changed the oil that November. He tightened the filter with a chain and crushed it in the process. I drove for some minutes before people called my attention to the leak. I just drove back to the mechanic and had the filter replaced. All good since then. But I still think about how much oil had split that day. Of course I check the level. It's not too low. It's just my careful self that wants to replace what was lost that day. Now, I think I should just leave things until It's time to drain and replace the oil entirely. 5W-20 it is. Good to hear Gazzuz' business is still going on, by the way.

gofigurena:
Thanks for this. I just swapped the oil and filter in late November, so I still have many miles to go before needing another one. I just wanted to add 1 liter now because we experienced spillage when the mechanic changed the oil that November. He tightened the filter with a chain and crushed it in the process. I drove for some minutes before people called my attention to the leak. I just drove back to the mechanic and had the filter replaced. All good since then. But I still think about how much oil had split that day. Of course I check the level. It's not too low. It's just my careful self that wants to replace what was lost that day. Now, I think I should just leave things until It's time to drain and replace the oil entirely. 5W-20 it is. Good to hear Gazzuz' business is still going on, by the way.

Your mechanic did not need a chain or any leverage whatsoever to install your oil filter.

You may need to change mechanic.

On the mdx, you only need your hand to install the filter! Using a wrench often crushes the filter.

That's true. I had someone else install the new filter after the mechanic crushed the first one.

9icetoo:


Your mechanic did not need a chain or any leverage whatsoever to install your oil filter.

You may need to change mechanic.

On the mdx, you only need your hand to install the filter! Using a wrench often crushes the filter.

Let me spoil the thread.

After I read all the arguments here ing cap recommendations and I decided to ditch the cap recommend, I am happy to report that my 04 CRV

https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/5614792/drove-home-discharged-engine-oil#85518848

is now 12yrs old and 8 yrs back when it rejected Quaker 5w30 after I had used Mobil xhp when I was waiting for my Quaker to arrive, I have used many different oils and everytime mechanics always complain that my engine is still new ooo. See as e dey steam.

So, I dare to say that the cap recommendations does not matter provided you change your oils at the appropriate times.

Hmm. I disagree. If the cap recommendations don't matter, why do automakers do it?

Dtruthspeaker:
Let me spoil the thread.

After I read all the arguments here ing cap recommendations and I decided to ditch the cap recommend, I am happy to report that my 04 CRV

https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/5614792/drove-home-discharged-engine-oil#85518848

is now 12yrs old and 8 yrs back when it rejected Quaker 5w30 after I had used Mobil xhp when I was waiting for my Quaker to arrive, I have used many different oils and everytime mechanics always complain that my engine is still new ooo. See as e dey steam.

So, I dare to say that the cap recommendations does not matter provided you change your oils at the appropriate times.

gofigurena:
Hmm. I disagree. If the cap recommendations don't matter, why do automakers do it?

I do not say that they are stupid for stating it but what I said was that I read the arguments for and against and the analysis in between them. And I learnt a lot and I carried out my decision on it.

Which is why I am happy to report my findings and to point out that those who said that if we do not follow the manufacturer's specifications, our engines would get damaged are wrong.

I have used different types of oils which my oil and parts seller and mechanics says is ok as they have used them in other vehicles and my vehicles are 12years now and they are still working perfectly and always ready for travel.

And the key from that argument is service when due for obviously Nigerians only change oils when they want to travel, which means that the oil can be there for a year or 2. I once bought a Nigerian used car for my brother in law and the engine oil we drain was crude oil. The engine hole was brown black and even after we flushed the engine and put fresh oil, the fresh oil immediately became brown like oil that has already run 3months. So why would there not be problems with the engine?

For me, once my oils change from gold to brown I am already buying down its replacement and I even keep a book to remind me of when my last oil change took place, so that I would not be deceived by the fact that my engine sounds fine and has not yet given me problems.

Sounds like you have a good car maintenance culture. I laughed about the crude oil part, though. Nawa for people o.

Dtruthspeaker:


I do not say that they are stupid for stating it but what I said was that I read the arguments for and against and the analysis in between them. And I learnt a lot and I carried out my decision on it.

Which is why I am happy to report my findings and to point out that those who said that if we do not follow the manufacturer's specifications, our engines would get damaged are wrong.

I have used different types of oils which my oil and parts seller and mechanics says is ok as they have used them in other vehicles and my vehicles are 12years now and they are still working perfectly and always ready for travel.

And the key from that argument is service when due for obviously Nigerians only change oils when they want to travel, which means that the oil can be there for a year or 2. I once bought a Nigerian used car for my brother in law and the engine oil we drain was crude oil. The engine hole was brown black and even after we flushed the engine and put fresh oil, the fresh oil immediately became brown like oil that has already run 3months. So why would there not be problems with the engine?

For me, once my oils change from gold to brown I am already buying down its replacement and I even keep a book to remind me of when my last oil change took place, so that I would not be deceived by the fact that my engine sounds fine and has not yet given me problems.

gofigurena:
Sounds like you have a good car maintenance culture. I laughed about the crude oil part, though. Nawa for people o.

That crude oil car just made me go berserk and understood that Nigerians don't take care of the vehicles.

I see people buy vehicles and by the end of the year I start hearing their engines from the car park, something I never heard before. And then 3 years later the car sounds and looks old and the next thing they have sold it.

I did not want that for my self especially as I like travelling and so I need them ready to travel even without notice p