Pilot Maintenance Minder - Nervous

[rc620]

Hi gang,

My '08 Pilot has around 19K on the clock, and the "B 1" maintenance minder just came on. I used to manage an oil change shop as a kid, and have always abided by the "3K miles" rule.

I know lubricants and engine design is far improved, but if I recall, my last maintenance minder was at around 11K miles. Honda keeps telling me to chill out, and follow the maintanance minder, as that's what is used for warranty purposes, but I'm having a hard time with this.

Do you simply follow the maintanance minder?

[samc]

yes if you were really worried you could have changed the oil. I mean you waited 8k?

My last went 7k and when the oil came out it looked the same as when I changed the oil on my old VW with 5k changes. Just make sure to use synthetic which you already know from experience.

And I forget what 1 means but perhaps tire rotation? Ofcourse only do that one if you see more wear on the fronts vs rear.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by samc
. . Just make sure to use synthetic . . .

Why?

[samc]

N_Jay why ask a question where you already know the answer. Let's not start another comparison thread.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by samc
N_Jay why ask a question where you already know the answer. Let's not start another comparison thread.

I don't kn ow "Why". I know it is a commonly held OPINION.

[whizmo]

Originally posted by N_Jay
I don't kn ow "Why". I know it is a commonly held OPINION.

It's not opinion that synthetic is a better motor oil - any number of tests can be run that clearly show synthetic is a superior lubricant.

Whether the extra protection it provides is worth the extra money or is "needed" is certainly open to debate. My recommendations: For a car on a 3-year lease or that is traded when the tires wear out, use conventional. For a car that is going to be kept for 100K+ miles, I think synthetic is worth the extra expense.

Back to the original question, Honda's maintenance minder recommendations seem very conservative these days - when many cars are recommending 15K+ intervals between oil changes, most Honda MM systems seem to be calling for 5K-8K oil changes. I'd just follow it.

- Mark

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by whizmo
My recommendations: For a car on a 3-year lease or that is traded when the tires wear out, use conventional. For a car that is going to be kept for 100K+ miles, I think synthetic is worth the extra expense.

Evidence?

Or are you just perpetuating a "myth" (using your language from another oil post)?

[whizmo]

Originally posted by N_Jay

Evidence?

Or are you just perpetuating a "myth" (using your language from another oil post)?

It was a recommendation based on my experience which the OP can take or leave.

My rationale is pretty simple: for a car that is going to be traded or sold in a few years, there is no evidence whatsoever that indicates conventional oil won't perform adequately and since the car is under warranty, why not save money and simply meet the letter of the warranty requirements?

But for a car that is going to be kept a long time and driven well outside the warranty, the small increment cost of a demonstrably better oil is probably worth it, especially if you live in a very hot or very cold climate or tow. It also provides extra headroom if you're on a trip and want to extend an oil change. These advantages seem worth the extra cost.

- Mark

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by whizmo
It was a recommendation based on my experience

What experience?

Originally posted by whizmo
My rationale is pretty simple: for a car that is going to be traded or sold in a few years, there is no evidence whatsoever that indicates conventional oil won't perform adequately and since the car is under warranty, why not save money and simply meet the letter of the warranty requirements?

Very true, except. . . .
For a car that is NOT going to be traded or sold in a few years, is there any evidence whatsoever that indicates conventional oil won't perform adequately?

Originally posted by whizmo
But for a car that is going to be kept a long time and driven well outside the warranty, the small increment cost of a demonstrably better oil is probably worth it,

Based on?

Originally posted by whizmo
especially if you live in a very hot or very cold climate or tow.

Looking for more evidence?

Originally posted by whizmo
It also provides extra headroom if you're on a trip and want to extend an oil change.

Do you have any evidence that a few "extended" intervals cost the average "long term owner" anything?

Originally posted by whizmo
These advantages seem worth the extra cost.

They might "seem" that way to you, but without evidence, I might seems more like myths to me.

[whizmo]

We've both made our points. I leave it as an exercise to the reader on who has provided more useful info on this topic.

- Mark

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by whizmo
We've both made our points. I leave it as an exercise to the reader on who has provided more useful info on this topic.

- Mark

OK, but to counter your overwhelming evidence, I would just like to state, that in almost every one of these discussions, I have asked if ANYONE has EVER seen an oil related failure of a properly (even if minimally) maintained Honda engine.

So far no one has presented any indication that there is any significant value difference between conventional and synthetic oils.

I leave it open for others to present their evidence (knowing that the lack of information is not "proof" and is only an indicator.)

[samc]

Originally posted by whizmo


Whether the extra protection it provides is worth the extra money or is "needed" is certainly open to debate. My recommendations: For a car on a 3-year lease or that is traded when the tires wear out, use conventional. For a car that is going to be kept for 100K+ miles, I think synthetic is worth the extra expense.


- Mark

Ok I'll rephrase my response. Obviously if you were leasing the car why would you care about the extra protection that synthetic oils will provide for you. That falls in line with using octane 93 gas on a loaner, who does that?

but if you plan to keep you car passed 100, 200k miles then get into the habbit of using synthetic. And as far as economics are concerned I've seen a 5-gallon bottle of sythetic sell for $19.99 (very very good sale) so look around and if you see the prices I suggest you stock up.

[rocky]

Is including 6 quote sections a new record for you N_Jay?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by samc
Ok I'll rephrase my response. Obviously if you were leasing the car why would you care about the extra protection that synthetic oils will provide for you.

EXCEPT that no one has provided a single stich of EVIDENCE there is any VALUE to that "extra protection"

Originally posted by samc
That falls in line with using octane 93 gas on a loaner, who does that?

I would guess people TWICE as foolish as those that put 93 gas in any car that does not require it.
(Unless you believe the MYTH that higher octane is BETTER gas?)

Originally posted by samc
but if you plan to keep you car passed 100, 200k miles then get into the habbit of using synthetic.

Why?
What evidence?
I have 145,000 on my pilot and 90,000 on my CRV. typical maintenance, conventional oil, no oil usage or other indication that either would be doing any better with synthetic.
ALSO:
165,000 miles on the Range Rover, no issues when sold,
108,000 miles on the Civic, No issues when sold and for many years after
140,000+ miles (Broken odometer) on the 924, and no issues when sold

Originally posted by samc
]And as far as economics are concerned I've seen a 5-gallon bottle of sythetic sell for $19.99 (very very good sale) so look around and if you see the prices I suggest you stock up.

The same savings process could apply to conventional, so it is not relevant.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by rocky
Is including 6 quote sections a new record for you N_Jay?

Maybe in this forum, but I doubt it.