My car always goes for regular maintenance and has had, on the maintenance report, 5W-20 oil put in it. The regular Honda dealer I took it to closed down, so I started going elsewhere, I had my car in for maintenance about a month ago at the new location, and they put 0W-30 in it. It has never had this type of oil before, and recently I noticed the car would start funny and rough idle. I took it back today due to a starting issue and they thought it was the oil causing the issue, so they removed the 0W-30 and put 5W-30 in it. Even though the owners manual and cap says 5W-20. Is 5W-30 still ok?

The good news is the rough idle/starting issue seems to have resolved with the switch in oil.

I'm a dumb woman so I have no idea about cars lol.

 

You are not a dumb woman.. and your car can use 0W-20, 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 just fine.

 

I'm annoyed because it's only ever used 5W-20, and they didn't at least ask or tell me beforehand that they were putting in 0W-30 initially, so then today they switched it but used 5W-30...but again only told me after the fact. I'd prefer to use what's always been used in my car, which is 5W-20.

If the 0W-30 oil they put it wasn't a problem, why would they have thought it was the 0W-30 oil causing the problem? It's only been 3 weeks since my maintenance was done.

 

Not sure why they would tell you that 0W-30 would be the cause of the noise issue.. unless they are just trying to cover their assets. Maybe the noise issue you are having was cause by another service they provided and they do not want to take responsibility for that..

Below is a chart for reference on the viscosity rating for the different types of oil. Your car will be fine on the current 5W-30 that it has in it.

Referring to the chart below.. the 0W-30 and 5W-30 oils are essentially the same when the oil is HOT... when it is cold below 0 degree C.. it has a slightly bit more range in the 0W versus the 5W.. Either way your car should be find with either of the oils they provided.

 

I must respectfully disagree with my good friend @mykizism . While, over the short term, these other weight oils will not harm the engine, you should use the factory recommended 5W-20 while driving in normal ambient temperatures.

I do not know why any oil would cause your car to "start funny and rough idle." It is possible that an oil that is heavier weight at cold temperature might cause the engine to be slow to turn over, but 0W-30 is lighter at cold temperature than 5W-20 at cold temperature.

I look forward to being corrected if I am wrong.

 

In other countries outside North America the Honda Fit / Jazz is reccomended using these oil types

Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC (2008 – 2011) L15A7
0w-40
5w-30
10w-40

 

I don't know either - that's just what the Honda technician told me lol.
What I do know is I haven't had any issues with it starting or running rough since they got rid of the 0W-30 and switched it to 5W-30.
Very odd indeed.

Only issue I still have is the scraping noise when accelerating, which happened immediately after B15 maintenance was performed. They said it was the heat shield and adjusted it, and the noise is quieter, but still there. They checked it again yesterday and said the heat shield is solid, and now have no idea what's still causing it.

 

Thought the OP said her car was spec-ed for 5W-20.

 

All North American Fits are spec for 5W-20 or 0W-20. In other countries outside of North America are spec for 5W-30 or 0W-40. Same engine.

 

Correct. Owner's manual and cap say 5W-20 should go in it.

 

-Just use either OEM honda or Mobile1 (which is the company that bottles up oil for Honda America....

-Use the correct weight/grade....
-Use the OEM filter....

You should be fine......

 

Has anyone had experience with LiquiMoly oils and additives in their Fit?
I spoke with a rep about lifter noise. Had 2 valve adjustments, last 2 years ago. Current miles 127,000.