I know it’s a Honda question, but iI bet someone here knows. My grandson’s 2012 Honda Accord 4 cyl eith 80,000 miles seems to be burning a little more than normal oil. No smoke from tailpipe, probably just ring wear. My question is, living in warm California, would it make sense to move from the factory 0/20 oil wt to a little heavier oil like 20/40?

2012 using 0/20? That seems unlikely. My son’s 09 was 5w/30. My other sons 2000 was also 5/30 and burns almost zero oil @250,000 miles

80k isn’t much for a Honda. My wife’s odyssey made almost 300k before someone totaled it and both our crv’s have over 150. We just stick with factory recommendations. Check your owners manual.

80k isn't much for any modern IC engine, possible the oil was never changed

Yep, 0/20 on oil cap, surprised me too…

Try it and see. Maybe start with 10/40, since the system expects "thinner" oil at start-up.

No mention of the rate it’s burning oil.

The owners manual recommends 0w-20 for all conditions. There is no mention of alternative viscosities across different temperature ranges.

Have you considered the possibility of wiping out bearings with a thicker oil?

Why not do a leak down and figure out what’s going on? Blocked PCV? Sludged? Plenty of things that can be checked before second guessing Honda on oil viscosity.

The newest stuff is 0w-16...

How much is excessive consumption to you?

If it uses a qt every 1k miles, then 100K going to cost you about $1000

You're going to be hard pressed to get a proper minor rebuild (rings and honing) done for 5K.

Not cost effective to go into a stock engine anymore IMO.

Now, IMO the K24 that is sitting in that car is the very best 4-cylinder engine of all time, any manufacture and they are not known to be weak/have many problems.

This engine is fairly reliable at 1000hp (blown).

If you leave it the stock 200 it normally outlasts the car...

The only thing that I'm positive that it will do/need is the damn VTEC solenoid gasket WILL have to be changed multiple times over its life.

Agree with others that 80k isn't much for a Honda..... If PCV valve has not been replaced recently, I'd proactively do so.. Also, it would be very safe to run 5w-30 in place of what you currently have....My Mazda calls for 0w-20 (here in the states) but I run 5w-30, as does the rest of the world in that engine.

PCV valve on most K24s is in a strange place.

Screwed into the top of the block near the front of the engine (front side as well) just below the cylinder head.

Pull off vac hose and a deep socket removes it (17/19?)

Gravy to change.

I've found it's best to use real Honda parts.

Not stupid expensive either.

It is a bit early to have trouble with it at 80K.
Most never get changed.

If the hose is degraded NOTHING aftermarket will live more than a year. Go factory here as well.

I don't have an issue running 5w/30 in them either.

I DON"T think the thicker oil will reduce your consumption...

On a 300K one I'd be prone to run thicker oil.

An 80K one should have NOTHING wrong with it!

You still haven't answered what your consumption is...

5W-30

How often is your grandson changing his oil? When the service indicator reads 15% oil life or every 5k miles and with regularity? I know the earlier K24's where known oil burners especially at high mileage. There aren't any oil leaks like valve cover gasket, oil pan, timing chain cover? How much oil is it burning within 5000 miles? 1 quart or less every 5k is normal for most Japanese cars.