Use exactly what the manufacture recommends and nothing else.
I would go with the 20 since it's thicker. 20 is NOT thicker then 30. Yes you can use a 30 weight oil with no problems. 20W oil may be recommended in order to achieve maximum fuel efficiency but, using a 5W30 oil will protect the engine better!
5w20 is a little thinner at operating temps than 5w30
No, Honda recommends SAE 5w30 and not 5w20. Use exactly what Honda recommends and nothing else. Don't think 5w-20 exist until 2000, so they can't approve it if it doesn't exist.
In an emergency, 5w30 would be better.
According to your owners manual, it states that you should use 5W30. So, if you wanted the best, you should go with 5W30 Full Synthetic. 5W-20 syntech
Use exactly what Acura recommends and nothing else.
You should use what your car recommends 5w-20 is thinner than 5w-30.
Both have similar cold flow abilities but the 5w20 is thinner than 5w30 at operating temperatures. Typically 5w20 will be thinner across the whole temperature range than 5w30, but the cold flow ability is close to the same, thus the 5w rating on both.
Yes, you can use SAE 5W30. Mazda recommends it in cold climates.
5w30 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- According to the 2001 Ford Escape owners manual ( 5W-20 )
Use exactly what the manufacture recommends.