Oil for Pilot

[acornct_dad]

I just purchased a used 2004 Honda Pilot. I do a majority of my own maintenance except for the major ones. I do not have the space or tools or expertise these. Can I use 5W-30 instead of 5W-20 when I go to change oil? I plan to go fully Synthetic (Royal Purple) when I change.

Thanks,

acornct_dad

[humanoid]

Sure, it won't make that much of a difference.

[jay]

A search on 5w30 pops up this list:

http://www.piloteers.org/forums/sear...by=&sortorder=

Some threads in that list:

Is 5W 30 OK?


5W-20 vs 5W-30

Mobil 1 5w30 rub power

Happy reading, and Welcome!

[colorider]

Originally posted by acornct_dad
I just purchased a used 2004 Honda Pilot. I do a majority of my own maintenance except for the major ones. I do not have the space or tools or expertise these. Can I use 5W-30 instead of 5W-20 when I go to change oil? I plan to go fully Synthetic (Royal Purple) when I change.

Thanks,

acornct_dad

You may see an ever-so-slight decrease in gas mileage, but that is it. Unless you are planning to use your Pilot for competition, I would suggest saving your money and use a good quality dino oil vs the full synthetic. Change it and the filter every 5K miles and enjoy your Pilot for a LONG LONG time!!!

Oh yes, welcome to HP.org!!!

[jarizzo]

Welcome to Pilot ownership!

You can use 5W-30, but the engine was designed for maximum performance and economy using 5W-20. Your fuel economy may drop slightly but you may never notice the difference. If you can get a 0W-20, that would probably be a better choice. If you've got your mind made up on synthetics, I know Mobil1 has a 5W-20 and a 0W-20 and Amsoil has at least a 0W-20. Redline has a 5W-20. Pennzoil Platinum is getting good reviews over at www.bobistheoilguy.com and they have a 5W-20 and a 0W-20. Castrol Syntec has a 5W-20. Looks like Royal Purple has a 5W-20 also. Several good options there. An 06 Pilot takes 4.5 quarts at oil change time. I assume an 04 would be the same but not sure.

Use a good filter while you're at it. Wix generally makes good filters and a Purolator PureOne is a very good choice. Some people won't settle for anything less than a Mobil1 filter or an Amsoil EAO13 but that gets a little more spendy. You can buy the Honda genuine filters pretty inexpensively online at several places including www.hondaacuraworld.com or www.handa-accessories.com.

Don't forget to change the oil drain plug washer and don't overtighten the plug. Torque wrenches don't cost much and it's probably worth the investment if you're doing the work yourself. Nobody else to blame if a thread gets stripped or the oil pan gets cracked...

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Cheers!

John

[acornct_dad]

Thank you for the responses. I am NOT new to oil changes, just to the HP. I will be using good filters. I have learned that in my 20 years of doing my own oil changes. NO Fram filters. Might as well be using toilet paper when you screw on a Fram. I like Wix. My second choice is Purolator. Many auto store brand filters are Wix or Purolator. Pennzoil and Quaker State filters are Fram, so avoid them.

I looked at the Auto Zone the other day, but they only had Royal Purple in 5W-30. I will look to see if they have the Mobil One 5W-20.

In looking at the 2004 manual, it says 5.1 quarts, including oil in filter.

I have been using Amsoil in my car (2006 Nisan Altima with good results). But I bought it new. Since the HP was bought used, I don't know the maintenance history so I will be changing oil, tranny fluid, filters, & plugs here shortly.

I need to fashion a funnel for the tranny fluid, buy a better filter wrench, and a few other items before I start. I also need better weather than it's been here lately.

[jarizzo]

I hear ya on the weather... Chicago has been brutal this winter. Too much snow. But our neighbors in Wisconsin got a lot more than we did so I won't complain too much. I burned up probably $60 in kerosene heating the (uninsulated) garage for various car accessory install/maintenance jobs.

As far as trans. fluid, on the 06 there is a trans fill bolt behind the dipstick. Just in front of the firewall on top of the trans. That's easier and faster than making up a funnel for the dipstick tube. Might want to get the crush washers for the drain and fill bolts for the trans while you're getting the ATF-Z1 at the dealership. The trans. drain and fill is very easy. There are a couple DIY threads for it in the Maintenance section. I use a trans. funnel with a long flexible hose to fill it up and it works perfectly.

You might consider replacing the differential fluid if there is no record of it being done. It takes about 3 quarts of Honda VTM-4 fluid and there are good DIY threads for that as well. Cabin air filter also has a few good DIYs and that's an easy job. Check the axle boots while you're down there and make sure nothing's cracked. Plugs probably aren't necessary but can be good peace of mind. Altogether I'd have to say maintenance on the Pilot is probably the easiest of any car I've ever owned.

OK, OK, I can't be totally non-controversial. the maintenance minder on the dash is an excellent tool for reminding you when the oil needs changed. It is designed to take into account things like RPMs, trip duration, temperatures, load levels, etc. More frequent changes, especially with quality synthetic oils and filters, really are unnecessary expenses.

Good luck and let us know how it works out or if you have any questions.

Cheers!

John

[humanoid]

There's no MM on a 2004 Pilot.

[colorider]

Originally posted by humanoid
There's no MM on a 2004 Pilot.

unfortunately.......

[ctobio]

FWIW, my local Wal-Mart sells a 5 qt jug of Mobil1 5W20 for something like 22.50. For those of us who like synthetics, this is a pretty damned good price.

[humanoid]

Also, if you visit the bobistheoilguy.com forums, you'll find that the Wal-Mart branded synth is pretty good too.