Overfilling Oil (Redline)

[kenjiMR]

I just did my oil change. First time for me to do it myself... I put 5 full quarts of Redline 10w40. I noticed that my oil pressure gauge was somewhat higher than it was before this. For those of you who change your oil yourself, I was wondering if 5 full quarts is actually too much or is ok?

Could you tell me what the oil pressure gauge should be reading at idle etc?

 

[NSXLNT]

I haven't done mine myself yet, but plan to very soon. I am under the impression that actual capacity is 5.3 quarts, and that by filling the oil filter before installing it, you get the extra 3/10's. also, isn't factory
recommended viscosity 10w30? Maybe that's why your pressure's different now..

 

[19inchNSX]

10w-30,and 10w-40 are both fine in my opinion. If you drianed the car properly, you should actually need a little more than 5 quarts. So if drained completely, i don't think you could have overfilled the car.

 

[nsxtasy]

Factory spec is 10W30 and that's the only oil I use in my NSX.

Easiest way to see if the oil is overfilled is to check using the dipstick.

 

[humanoidtyphoon]

I believe that the NSX hold about 4.5 quarts of oil.....give or take. That is what has worked for me in the past, and it is always filled just to the right point.

 

[nsxtasy]

The capacity on the 3.0-liter NSX is 5.3 quarts including the oil filter. 4.5 quarts is only if you're not changing the oil filter - not recommended.

The capacity on the 3.2-liter NSX is 6.7 quarts.

 

[NSXLNT]

Anyone have any tricks for measuring exactly
5.3 quarts besides checking the dipstick? I remember when I had a BMW motorcycle they sold a oil-change measuring/filler device that was pretty handy-just fill it to the line, then pour it into your engine using the built in filler spout, very convenient.

 

[nsxtasy]

Anyone have any tricks for measuring exactly 5.3 quarts besides checking the dipstick?

The first five quarts are easy.

After that, I can pour out .3 quart from a quart bottle of oil pretty easily. Some oil bottles have a plastic strip with enough transparency that you can see how much is inside. With others, I just slosh the bottle around a bit while my fingertips are on the sides, and I can tell pretty well where the oil level is. Either way, I can pour a bit and a little bit more, checking each time, and come pretty darn close to .3 quart down from when I started.

 

[Lud]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
The capacity on the 3.0-liter NSX is 5.3 quarts including the oil filter. 4.5 quarts is only if you're not changing the oil filter - not recommended.

The capacity on the 3.2-liter NSX is 6.7 quarts.

That is incorrect. 3.2 oil capacity is exactly the same as 3.0 (5.3 US quarts including filter)

 

[Lud]

KeniMR - Different brands and weights of oil produce different pressure readings.

Assuming you changed the filter using an OEM NSX filter and fully drained the oil from the car, you should need a bit over 5 quarts to bring it to "full" on the dipstick.

[This message has been edited by Lud (edited 19 August 2001).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Lud:
That is incorrect. 3.2 oil capacity is exactly the same as 3.0 (5.3 US quarts including filter)

Before I posted that, I double-checked the oil capacity for the 3.0-liter engine by looking in my owner's manual (LITFM).

Since I don't have a 3.2-liter engine, I looked it up in the General Specs section of the FAQ, and that's where I got the 6.7 quart figure from.

 

[sjs]

Don't sweat it down to the last drop, it just isn't that critical, but a few drops low is probably safer than too full. I always start with 6 quarts, and after draining the old oil (hot), I pour about 3/4 of a fresh quart through it before replacing the plug and refilling. Probably an absolute waste of oil, but I've done that on every oil change for all my cars since the first. With some it's a bit more useful because I can quickly pop of the valve cover and pour it over the cam and rockers.

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

sjs, why is s few drop low is safer than a few drop full?

In racing, without accusump system, we were always recommended to run about 1/8" more than the full mark. This is intended to prevent from oil starvation during cornering. Even in My M3 with oil pan baffle was recommended running at this level.

 

[sjs]

Originally posted by Andrie Hartanto:
sjs, why is s few drop low is safer than a few drop full?

Notice I said "probably". It was true on some of my cars in the past because you can cause problems when too full if there are few or no baffles and the crank weights are churning up the oil. I can't swear to anything from direct experience, but it was widely understood to be so with old Datsun engines among others.

 

[Lud]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Since I don't have a 3.2-liter engine, I looked it up in the General Specs section of the FAQ, and that's where I got the 6.7 quart figure from.

Yikes, you are right. That is straight from Acura so I never really proofed it before posting it. I will see if I can find out what is going on w/ that spec sheet.

 

[kenjiMR]

Andrie, when I talked to Don, he told me 10w40 is what he put in my car last time, so that exactly what I did.... Is there any chance that I misheard him? I put in exactly 5 quarts of Redline 10w40, should I redo and put in 10w30 and put in an additional .3 quarts? I'm getting mixed ideas from this thread...

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Kenji, I doubt that Don, put 10W-40 in your car. He doesn't even have 10W-40 in his shop, except for 1 box, specially for my bimmer. So I'm sure u misheard him. U can change it to 10W-30. I think 19inchNSXis right, I don't think it's a big of a deal to put 10W-40. Actually according to Redline, it is probably better to have 10W-40 on cars that driven hard. It is known fact that the operating temperature of oil in the NSX is over 240 degree. Which falls into 10W-40 range.

However, I don't want to be held responsible if something happened to your car

Don't get too fixated on the 5.3 quarts. The most important thing is check the dipstick. If the dipstick says full, and u only put 5 quarts, that means it's full. Don't just add .3 quarts to force it 5.3 quarts. However, that means there is a problem, if u didn't need the 5.3 quarts in there.

I suspect the problem is the way u drain the oil. I believe you are using jackstand, and probably only jack up the rear. It is important to have the car level, and at operating temperature when draining the oil. This way the oil is thin enough, and most of them get out , since the drainage is design to flow better when the car is level.



[This message has been edited by Andrie Hartanto (edited 20 August 2001).]

 

[nsxtasy]

He doesn't even have 10W-40 in his shop, except for 1 box, specially for my bimmer

That's funny. The independent mechanic near my house keeps one box of synthetic 10W30 in his shop, especially for my NSX.

 

[kenjiMR]

I put the car on all 4 jack stands when I did the oil change, so I'm almost positive most of the old oil was removed. I'm just worried about the 10w40 thing... sux.
I'm worried now... is it really a problem?
That means I have to do the oil change all over...

 

[ilya]

I use Redline 10W40 in my NSX. Why?
Knew very little after recently purchasing the car. Had it at NSX Modified for tune up, valve adjustment and fluid changes. Went to the store to get some oil for Larry. Asked what to get. He said Synthetic 10W40. I don't know enough to get into a detailed discussion regarding oil. However, I know that he prefers it so I wouldn't worry about having 10W40 in the NSX.

I recall hearing that many of the variants are safe, it's just the application that is important. Those who take their car to the track use something like 5W30 I think. Not good for traffic but preferred for track use.
I would be surprised if 10W40 vs. 10W30 made much difference at all... but then what do I know. I just trust the pros, keep my mouth shut, and listen to what they have to say.

Let me add, I think that 10W30 is fine and a good idea to use. I don't feel that 10W40 would be harmful in any way either. It has to do with preferences and properties of the particular oil. Neither will damage the car.
Kenji, I think if it worries you go ahead and use 10W30. However, don't go and redo the oil change now, just go back to 10W30 for yourt next one. The 10W40 won't harm it one bit.


[This message has been edited by ilya (edited 20 August 2001).]

[This message has been edited by ilya (edited 20 August 2001).]

 

[nsxtasy]

I use 10W30 because that's what Honda recommends. I've got 50+ track events on my car.

I don't think a single fill of 5W30 or 10W40 will hurt it, but I like to stick with the manufacturer's recommendations.

 

[19inchNSX]

I think that stating what Honda reccomends is misleading. For one you did not state whether your NSX is stock or modified. There are different grades of oils suited to different uses. Many people use 10w-40 in NSXs that see track duty. Also depending on your climate, different oil type may be better. People who are in hot weather climate areas actually are better off using 10w40, especially if they track their car a lot. Here is what Redline states about the teo different grades.

Red Line 10W30: Best all-weather viscosity grade for gasoline engines in cars and light trucks that are driven on the street on a daily basis. Reduces turbo lag and provides more power and economy while providing thicker bearing oil films at operating temperature than a petroleum 10W-40. Best all-round, synthetic oil for stock or slightly modified engines in high- performance cars that are street-driven. Best choice to replace a 5W-30 or 10W-30, petroleum-based or other-brand synthetic oil if maximum durability is preferred. Acceptable for engines that are occasionally operated in extreme cold weather.

Red Line 10W40: Best choice for engines that typically run high oil temperature. Best choice for engines in daily drivers operated in very hot weather on a regular basis. Best choice for medium and heavy duty gasoline engines in trucks. Best choice for high-performance engines that see street as well as frequent racetrack duty. Thicker oil film at operating temperature than a petro-based 20W-50.

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
I use 10W30 because that's what Honda recommends. I've got 50+ track events on my car.

I don't think a single fill of 5W30 or 10W40 will hurt it, but I like to stick with the manufacturer's recommendations.

 

[nsxtasy]

Each manufacturer develops its recommendations for its own specific cars. Honda/Acura, for example, recommends (with the word "preferred") 5W30 for most of its cars, and 10W30 for the NSX in the owner's manual, where it shows operating temperature ranges for each viscosity of oil.

I would not trust a recommendation by an oil manufacturer, intended to apply to all cars, over that of the car manufacturer, who has the ability to vary the recommendation based on the specific demands of a particular car's engine and technology.

Another reason for using the viscosity recommended by the manufacturer is that using any other viscosity could be grounds for denying a warranty claim (or goodwill coverage) in the event of any problems that arise.

Many people use 10w-40 in NSXs that see track duty.

I go to the track regularly with 15-20 NSX owners. To my knowledge, none of them uses 10W40. I think one or two may use 5W30 (perhaps unaware of Honda's recommendation) but almost all use 10W30.

Certainly, it's up to each owner to get all the information he/she can regarding his car and then make his own decision. If you feel that the mods on your car, or your climate, or some other factor, is so extreme that the auto manufacturer's recommendation is not valid, then by all means do what you think is best for your car.

However, in my opinion, Honda's engineers know what is best for the vast majority of its cars under typical usage patterns and environment. For all of these reasons, I will continue to use 10W30, as Honda recommends.