Motor Oil Change

[Alpo714]

Hi everyone.

I just purchased a used 2004 EXL Honda Pilot with 4WD that has +80K miles and I'm planning on doing my first oil change.

In all your experiences, what would you recommend I use for my oil filter and motor oil?

What I was planning on using was Mobile ONE Full synthetic 5W-20 and a Fram Filter.

-Alpo

[whizmo]

Mobil One is a fine oil and 5W-20 is Honda's recommendation, but many of us use 5W-30 also. Either is fine. Some would argue that with the typical oil change recommendations made by Honda that you're wasting money on synthetic and economically, this argument has some merit as any payoff in engine life would be way down the road. If the car has been run on conventional for its entire life, I'd tend to stick to that.

I use M1 5W-30 as it is a fine oil and readily available at Costco.

Fram is Okay, but reports surface now and then of poor QC. Personally, I use the Honda filter. Again, not a huge deal.

- Mark

[xGS]

If you are going to use a "Honda" filter, make sure that it's this one:

[Alpo714]

Awesome picture. Thanks for the help fellas. I'll probably swing by honda and pick up their filter... By any chance, do you guys work for honda? I couldn't help but notice that the website is very much PRO Honda parts, and avoids the after market stuff...

Thoughts please....

-Alpo

[humanoid]

I use some aftermarket parts such as oil filters, but when it comes to fluids, the Pilot is very finicky.

[Alpo714]

I am referring to this website. IE www.hondapilot.org

Most of the users are very much PRO honda parts.

[xGS]

Originally posted by Alpo714


I'll probably swing by honda and pick up their filter.

When you stop by the dealer, don't forget to get the oil drain plug gasket - which looks like a metal washer. In fact, get several so you'll have them on hand for subsequent oil changes.

Also, ask to see both the 15400-PCX-004 filter (which is made by Filtech and used mainly on the 2000-2004 S2000) and the 15400-PLM-A02, which is the standard (supposedly made by Fram) filter for all other models. Lift each of them up and see if you notice any difference. Using the PCX instead of the PLM filter, I've observed that the oil stays cleaner looking for a longer period of time.

If you prefer Fram products, the Extended Guard version has better internal construction (filter media and metal versus cardboard/paper end caps) as compared to the Tough Guard and Extra Guard versions.

Of course, somebody will respond that they've never had a problem with conventional oil and the least expensive filter while following the recommended service intervals, so you should take the free advice for what it's worth and proceed as you see fit.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by humanoid
. . . but when it comes to fluids, the Pilot is very finicky.

OIL?

?

?

[sjlee]

Originally posted by Alpo714
Hi everyone.

I just purchased a used 2004 EXL Honda Pilot with 4WD that has +80K miles and I'm planning on doing my first oil change.

In all your experiences, what would you recommend I use for my oil filter and motor oil?

What I was planning on using was Mobile ONE Full synthetic 5W-20 and a Fram Filter.

-Alpo

Oil filter - I've used SuperTech and Advance Auto Parts brand (made by Purolator). Both are cheaper than Fram oil filters and are constructed better.

Oil - Just about any oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 will work fine. I've used Chevron conventional and will be using Valvoline SynPower next time (got a couple cases on sale).

[ctobio]

I would avoid the so-called "High Mileage" filters from Fram, as they come with some sort of goo in the filter that is a "high mileage protection" oil additive. Oil additives are a waste at best, harmful at worst.

The only additive your oil needs is more oil when needed.

[Alpo714]

Thanks fellas! I'm very glad I joined this site. Everyone here is very helpful.

Thanks again.

[Armystrong]

There are a couple other things that can be brought up too.

If you are in a cold weather state, lets say -10 or colder......you might want to get synthetic fluid. I was stationed in Alaska where temps dropped to -50. Conventional oil would freeze after an hour. Synthetic still poured out of the container but not as fast. I immediately switched 18 years ago to Mobil One. I also use the PCX-004 filter.

Here are a couple sites that will tell you all you need to know about oil filters
http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfi...ilfilters.html
http://www.corolland.com/oil-filters.html
Hope this helps
Jim

[ctobio]

Absolutely correct- Mobil 1 0W20 will pour at -50. Most conventionals will cease to pour at -20 or so, so in absurdly cold environments synthetics are a great idea.

[bigdadi]

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy oils are fully synthetic motor oils engineered to deliver outstanding engine protection and provide improved fuel economy. The low friction formulations increase engine efficiency and fuel economy. Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy oils outperform conventional oils and meet or exceed the latest industry standards.

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy are low viscosity motor oils that offer low friction, fully synthetic formulations that increase engine efficiency and deliver outstanding fuel economy. It also contains the SuperSyn anti-wear component system to help extend engine life.


Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy exceeds many new car warranty requirements where SAE 0W-20 or 5W-20 oil is recommended. Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy provides the high temperature protection of 5W-20 oils while offering improved fuel economy. As a result, many consumers can benefit from improved fuel economy while also obtaining outstanding engine protection for their vehicle. Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy only be used in vehicles designed to operate on either 0W-20 or 5W-20 oil.

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy oils deliver up to 2 percent fuel economy improvement and can save drivers over $400 on gasoline over the life of their vehicles. That’s a savings of about six cents per gallon of fuel. A typical passenger car with a 20-gallon gas tank can go up to 9 more miles on a tank of gas when using Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy. That equates to up to 250 more miles per year under typical conditions. Fuel economy improvement is based on a comparison versus those viscosity grades most commonly used and a potential 2 percent fuel economy improvement. Actual savings are dependent upon vehicle/engine type, outside temperature, driving conditions and your current engine oil viscosity. Savings estimates are based on a gasoline cost of $3 per gallon, average fuel economy of 22.5 mpg, annual mileage of 12,500 and lifetime mileage of 150,000.

If your car manufacturer recommends a SAE 5W-20 ILSAC oil (starburst), we recommend either Mobil 1 5W-20 or Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy. You will not void your warranty. Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy can provide better fuel economy and better low temperature performance.

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally posted by bigdadi

...Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy oils deliver up to 2 percent fuel economy improvement and can save drivers over $400 on gasoline over the life of their vehicles. That’s a savings of about six cents per gallon of fuel. A typical passenger car with a 20-gallon gas tank can go up to 9 more miles on a tank of gas when using Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy. That equates to up to 250 more miles per year under typical conditions. Fuel economy improvement is based on a comparison versus those viscosity grades most commonly used and a potential 2 percent fuel economy improvement. Actual savings are dependent upon vehicle/engine type, outside temperature, driving conditions and your current engine oil viscosity. Savings estimates are based on a gasoline cost of $3 per gallon, average fuel economy of 22.5 mpg, annual mileage of 12,500 and lifetime mileage of 150,000. ...

Great Advertisement from Mobil but....
So if I do the math right... 150000/12500/yr=12yrs as their "lifetime".
Save a total of $400/lifetime or $400/12yrs=$33.33/yr.

With an average of 2 oil changes per year with Mobile 1 at about $7.80 per qt x 5 per change costs about $78.00 for the Mobile 1.
10 quarts of 5w20 brand name dyno oil would be about $2.75/qt or $27.50 for 10.

$78.00 M1 cost for 10qts
- $27.50 dyno 5w20 10qts
= $50.50 (oil cost dif)
- $33.33 (M1 est. gas savings)
= $17.17 MORE/yr or $206.04 increase per a 12 yr lifetime to use M1

IMHO Looks like it ends up costing MORE in Mobil 1 oil costs per year than you may save in gasoline. YMMV