My toddler daughter had my sufficiently distracted last night - such that I grabbed a bottle of 5w30 instead of 5w20 oil. I added about 1/2 a quart before I realized what had happened.

It seems I have nothing to worry about - although I shouldn't make this mistake repeatedly - but I wanted the opinion of people more knowledgable than myself.

So ... is there any action that I need to take now, or soon - or is this really not a big deal?

 

No.big.deal.

We use 5w30 as standard in the uk.

 

No worries mate, youll be fine.

 

You are OK.

 

You need to drain the oil, and replace it with the correct weight as punishment for your mistake.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied, including six_shooter. I've come down with a stomach flu - which while totally unrelated, makes for the first time that I don't want to even see my car.

The 25 minute ride home midday from work today was far too painful.

I'll get over it quickly, I'm sure.

 

No Biggie!

 

so why cant american cars use 5w-30

 

well i mean american rx-8 versions

 

Don't worry about the mix-up, seinfeld.

American cars can use 5w-30, it just isn't the weight specified in the manual. I doubt there is any mechanical difference between the cars from different regions that would require different oils. More likely, the motivation for the different weights is driven by other factors (climate? mileage? emissions?).

-Max

 

I have used 5w-30 twice and I feel it last longer than the 5w-20.. but either one is fine..