New Pilot owner, first question

[TacomaPilot]

Hello. Just purchased my first Honda, and it is a '05 Pilot LX. It has a hair over 30,000 miles. My question is about oil. I've read the manual, and it says to use a 5w20 weight oil, or something like that. My question, can I use a full synthetic after 30,000 on the motor. I believe that I read something about that not being ideal, something to do with gaskets? Not sure. Also, what does everyone else use? I've used 10w30 on my VW VR6 since new, and never had a problem. Changed it every 5k or so, although supposedly it can go longer.

-Cheers.

[jestmaty]

A BIG welcome to hporg!!!!! Congrats on the new Pilot.

You can certainly use synthetic 5w20 in your Pilot. I've used it since about 10k miles in mine.

Even though I still change no longer than 4k miles, I believe in synthetics. I tow with my Pilot and do all my own oil changes.

5 quarts of regular dino oil = +/- $11
5 quarts of synthetic on sale= +/- $21

Well worth the peace of mind I get when towing my boat or camper down the highway.

BTW..... the Pilot oil changes take EXACTLY 5 quarts when changing oil and filter.

[ctobio]

Originally posted by TacomaPilot
My question, can I use a full synthetic after 30,000 on the motor. I believe that I read something about that not being ideal, something to do with gaskets?

Pure myth. This got started years ago when the detergent properties of synthetic would cause accumulated crud to be drawn away from gaskets and seals leading to leaks. The seals had long been starved of oil because of crud, and now leaked oil because the crud had gone away.

This is, by a stretch, possible in an extremely high mileage engine. Not at 30k. Feel free to use synth now if you desire.

Also, what does everyone else use? I've used 10w30 on my VW VR6 since new, and never had a problem. Changed it every 5k or so, although supposedly it can go longer.

Required fill on the Pilot is 5W20. This is available from several brands. I think a safe interval, synth or not, is 5k. This falls more or less between severe and normal duty. My Pilot, which has the maintenance minder, averages around 6k per oil change.

As for your VW, is it a late model VR6? If so, I believe you should be using synthetic 5W40 (or 0W40 Mobil1). Check your manual, but 10W30 is probably not the right oil to be using.

[TacomaPilot]

I was guessing the oil weight for the VW, and I think that you're correct. VW is gone now though, traded it in. I loved that little rocket, motor and tranny was strong, electrical and other items were a different story. It was a love/hate relationship.

Thanks for the info. I think that I'll go ahead and do the oil and possibly the tranny fluid this weekend. I'm guessing that there is synthetic's for that as well? I never did that one, but I've read on here that it's being done by other Pilot owners.

[ED27]

Stick with the Honda fluid for the tranny (ATF-Z1). Honda trannies are very particular when it comes to the fluid being used. I would recommend to change the VTM-4 fluid as well.

[TacomaPilot]

Thanks for all of the advice. If I can get the Pilot one day this weekend from my wife, then I'll work on getting the fluids changed. I'm not sure if the dealer did them prior to selling the vehicle, so for peace of mind i'd rather spend a little time, money, and elbow grease getting this project going and done.

Honda sure makes a nice ride. Thank god I stayed away from the Volvo that she really wanted.