I ripped this off from someone elses post on another forum and found it interesting reading. It's from EXXON and explains a bit about the 5W-20 move on Honda and Fords part.
Maybe something similar has already been posted, I didn't look.
-Mark
'02 EX-L
'96 Maxima SE
'87 Honda mower
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5W-20 OIL SPEC'S
SUPERFLO Super Premium Passenger Car Engine Oil
SUPERFLO 5W-20 represents a new quality level for passenger car engine oils. It is engineered to meet the proposed ILSAC GF-3 and API SL standards and is designed specifically for model year 2001 Ford and Honda Accord and Civic vehicles.
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Meets warranty requirements for model year 2001 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles except those with 4.0L V6 and 3.9 L V8 engines
Meets warranty requirements 1998-2001 model year Honda Accord and 1996-2001 Honda Civic
¨ Is not recommended for vehicles other than those mentioned above
¨ New 5W-20 grade offers improved fuel economy over conventional grades.
¨ Uses new low volatility basestock for reduced oil consumption and emissions
¨ Licensed against API SJ and ILSAC GF-2
¨ Meets Ford Engineering Material Specification WSS-M2C153-H
¨ Passed double length Sequence IIIE oxidation test which demonstrates significantly improved oil life over previous generation oils
¨ Exceeds the proposed industry API SL standard for the Thermal Engine Oil Stability Test (TEOST MHT-4) .
Primary Applications
SUPERFLO 5W-20 has been developed for the latest model year Ford and Honda gasoline vehicles to improve fuel economy and reduce high temperature engine deposits.
Although most late model North American built cars specify an SAE 5W-30 grade engine oil for use year-round, Ford and Honda have selected an SAE 5W-20 grade as the preferred grade for their vehicles to reduce fuel consumption. Extensive field testing by the engine manufacturers have demonstrated that there is no compromise in engine durability in gong to this fuel saving oil grade.
Superflo 5W-20 has been engineered to meet the proposed ILSAC GF-3 and API SL improved oil standards.
Next Generation Oil Standards
The current oil categories that are approved and licensed by API are ILSAC GF-2 and API SJ. For the last 3 years the industry has been developing an upgrade to these categories to be called ILSAC GF-3 and API SL. These new standards have significantly improved fuel economy and improved high temperature deposit performance. They have been delayed from the Jan 2000 initial proposed timing and may not be licensed until late 2001.
However, these proposed categories offer performance advantages that Ford and Honda chose to use in most of their 2001 model year cars. Superflo 5W-20 is engineered to meet this new quality level and is supplied as factory fill for some of these 2001 model year cars.
Performance Features
Fuel Economy
SUPERFLO 5W-20 contains a potent friction modifier system for improved fuel economy to meet the new standard proposed in ILSAC GF-3. This is significantly higher than the current standard in ILSAC GF-2
Excellent Engine Wear
SUPERFLO 5W-20 contains effective anti-wear additives that minimize wear and scuffing of heavily loaded parts such as the valve train.
Deposit Control/Engine Cleanliness
The detergent-dispersant additive system in SUPERFLO 5W-20 has passed a double length Sequence IIIE test demonstrating that it can minimizes ring zone deposits, ring sticking and liner scuffing. The potent additive system in SUPERFLO 5W-20 also prevents sludge formation that can lead to plugged oil filters and screens, stuck valve lifters and other related problems.
Maximize Oil Drain
SUPERFLO 5W-20 contains potent oxidation inhibitors to retard oil breakdown and reduce varnish and lacquer deposits.
Low Temperature Performance
SUPERFLO 5W-20 exceeds the low temperature requirements of 5W engine oils ensuring that adequate oil flows to critical engine components during start-up.
Improved Catalyst Compatibility
SUPERFLO 5W-20 is formulated with an additive package that is designed to protect the exhaust catalyst ensuring reliable operation.
Lower Volatility
SUPERFLO 5W-20 is formulated against the proposed ILSAC GF-3 requirements to protect the emission system and minimize oil consumption.
High Temperature Foam
SUPERFLO 5W-20 meets the new foam requirement, ensuring your engine is protected from wear in high engine speed accelerations.
Precautions
Superflo 5W-20 is manufactured from high quality petroleum basestocks, carefully blended with selected additives. As with all petroleum products, good personal hygiene and careful handling should always be practiced. Avoid prolonged contact to skin, splashing into the eyes, ingestion or vapour inhalation. Special care is also recommended in handling used motor oils. An ESSO Service Data Sheet entitled "Safe Handling of Used Motor Oils" is available on request from your ESSO Representative. Please refer to our ESSO Material Safety Data Sheet for further information.
Note: This product is not controlled under Canadian WHMIS legislation