For those who worship at the altar of high RPMs, the Honda Integra Type R DC5 is a true icon. It transcends the definition of a mere daily commuter, offering a driving experience rooted in tactile feedback, chassis poise, and the frantic energy of the K-series engine at full chat. It is no wonder the DC5 is widely regarded as one of the finest machines to ever wear the Red 'H' badge.
Naturally, a car engineered to be driven hard demands meticulous maintenance, and the lifeblood of that high-strung engine is its oil. Navigating the endless rows of synthetic blends and viscosities can be daunting for an owner trying to do the right thing. If you treat your Type R to spirited B-road drives or track action, what is the optimal oil to keep that engine singing?
Why Oil Matters
Before honing in on the top contenders, let’s first appreciate the significance of engine oil. It serves pivotal roles in:
- Lubrication: Minimising friction among moving components.
- Cooling: Dispersing and mitigating heat.
- Cleaning: Keeping the internals free from unwanted deposits and dirt.
- Protection: Shielding against potential oxidation and corrosion.
Oil Specifications for DC5 Integra Type R
The DC5 Integra Type R is built around a high-revving naturally aspirated K20A engine that thrives when driven hard. To keep it running smoothly and reliably, it’s important to use a full synthetic 5W40 oil. This viscosity provides the right balance of protection and flow, keeping the engine well-lubricated even at high RPM and under sustained load.
Thinner oils might improve fuel efficiency on paper, but the DC5 benefits far more from maintaining consistent oil pressure, strong wear protection, and stable performance under heat and stress. Using the recommended oil grade and following regular service intervals will help the engine stay healthy and responsive for years, whether you’re on the daily commute or enjoying spirited drives.
A change with filter usually takes around 4.7 to 5.0 Litres. Buy a 5L bottle, but keep a 1L top-up bottle in the boot. VTEC engines naturally consume a small amount of oil when driven hard.
Top Oil Recommendations:
1. Fuchs Race Pro S 5W40: Our favourite all-round performance oil for the K20. A fully synthetic, ester/PAO blend built for high‑performance engines, offering excellent anti‑wear protection, oxidation stability and cold‑start flow, which helps protect a high‑revving K20A under hard road or track use while reducing deposits and oil consumption.
2. Millers CFS NT+ Nanodrive 5W40: A competition‑grade, fully synthetic oil with Millers’ Nanodrive triple‑ester tech that significantly reduces friction and wear, boosts power and torque delivery, and keeps high‑revving engines like the DC5’s K20A running cooler and more reliably under spirited or track use.
3. Fuchs Titan GT1 Flex 3 5W40: An excellent cost-effective service oil. Fuchs formula further refined with XTL tech that supports easier cold starts, reduced oil consumption, and durable wear protection, while helping maintain consistent lubrication through typical British weather.
Filtration:
The other side of the oil service equation, decent filtration is just as important as the fluid you put in. Contrary to popular belief, all filters are not created equal and getting a decent quality filter ensures the long life and optimal performance of your engine.
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Honda OEM: By far our most popular filter, the OEM Honda does exactly what it's meant to with no frills. Perfect for worry-free servicing.
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HAMP Oil Filter: HAMP (Honda After Market Parts) is essentially an OEM filter, but with some very small revisions which slightly improve quality and filtration. At the time of writing, it's also the cheapest on our list!
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Spoon Sports Oil Filter: A high performance filter incorporating a magnet to isolate metal contaminants and a specially designed filter material that removes 98% of particles with minimal viscosity loss.
Change Intervals:
For the DC5 Integra Type R, under regular driving conditions, it's advised to change the oil every 7,500 miles or annually. However, if your driving habits lean towards the more rigorous end of the spectrum (e.g., regular 'spirited' driving or even track days), it would be prudent to shorten the interval to every 5,000 miles or semi-annually.
In Conclusion
Your DC5 Integra Type R deserves top-tier care. Picking the right oil not only keeps the K20A running at its best but also helps protect the engine for the long haul. Whether you go with Millers or Fuchs make sure it’s a high-quality 5W40 fully synthetic and follow Honda’s recommended oil change schedule.
