OIL and Filter Recommendation please

[Jackate]

Hello, I just purchased a 2009 pilot 4WD EX-L and was wondering what type of oil and filter to use? I plan on going by the MM and changing when it indicates between 5 and 10 percent oil life.

[humanoid]

Use whatever oil is on sale at the moment that meets the specs outlined in your owner's manual. As for the filter, most any one will do the job as long as it fits.

[rocky]

5-20 though Honda has moved the 2012 to 0-20. No harm in following suit. I don't see any need for synthetics and use Dino. Filters no special preference

[theirishscion]

Search function, up near the top of the page, 3rd from the right. Should be able to find enough opinions for a whole afternoon of not getting a definitive answer to your question.

My 2c;
The Pilots don't seem at all sensitive to engine oil or filter type, insofar as our anecdotal evidence allows us to tell (they are very picky about 'differential' fluid though, Honda VTM-4 only.) They do sometimes consume a bit of engine oil, a quart in 5000 miles isn't considered unusual, a quart in 2000 isn't unheard of, especially when new, but sometimes later in life as well. For that reason, make sure your check your oil level every one or two thousand miles until your get a feel for your particular engine's consumption profile. There is updated engine management software available from your dealership under a TSB that may help if you happen to have a high consuming engine.

Even if yours does consume, I'm aware of no correlation between slight oil consumption and early engine failure, unless of course you don't keep the level between the marks on the dipstick.

With all that said, I personally use exclusively Mobil 1 and Honda oil filters (specifically the part ending in A01 which is manufactured by Filtech rather than the part ending in A02 which is manufactured by Honeywell/Fram) in my Pilot and RDX. I am however under no illusion that I'm doing something wonderful (or possibly even meaningful) for my engine. The $25/year delta is just cheap cheap insurance for me, the filters cost $5.50 in bulk, the oil costs me <$25 for 5 quarts, so the synthetic oil change costs me 1/2 an hour of my time and no more money than having a dino oil change done at a reputable shop. I also use a Fumoto and I don't over-torque my filter so the whole job can be done without jacking or tools.

[rocky]

Re Diff fluid. Rear diff VTM4, front diff "normal" 90wt.....

frankly it would be best if Honda just stuck a normal diff in the rear

[theirishscion]

Well, the front diff on the 2nd gen is lubricated by the ATF, though the little transfer case takes 1/2 a quart of conventional 80w90 hypoid gear oil which might be what you meant.

[Jackate]

Thanks everyone - especially for the heads up on the front and rear Diff fluids. I'll have to check my owners manually and verify the diff fluids I need in the front and back.

[mmm666]

well it is better to use honda vtm4 fluid, and atf-dw1, and honda A-1.

for motor oil, you can use any brand you like.

such as
Mobil Super 5000. about $14
Castro GTX Dino $15.97
Pennzoil Dino $15.97
Valvoline Dino $16.24
Mobil Super Syn. $20.71 ( some say this is close to HONDA OEM ).
Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil $26.62

I am still debating what oil I want to go with.

[carguy07]

"With all that said, I personally use exclusively Mobil 1 and Honda oil filters (specifically the part ending in A01 which is manufactured by Filtech rather than the part ending in A02 which is manufactured by Honeywell/Fram) in my Pilot and RDX. I am however under no illusion that I'm doing something wonderful (or possibly even meaningful) for my engine. The $25/year delta is just cheap cheap insurance for me, the filters cost $5.50 in bulk, the oil costs me <$25 for 5 quarts, so the synthetic oil change costs me 1/2 an hour of my time and no more money than having a dino oil change done at a reputable shop. I also use a Fumoto and I don't over-torque my filter so the whole job can be done without jacking or tools."

X2, I do the exact same thing. A01 is a very good filter, Mobil One is very good oil, fumoto valve makes changes ridiculously easy.

[mmm666]

yeap. I heard A-1 is good. Mobil 1 is very good oil too. Chevron Supreme is sleeper oil.u know.

[94eg!]

Keep an eye out on the main page of the Autozone website. Every couple weeks they run a $10 off coupon for 5-qts of Mobil1. You can print that coupon and take it to Walmart and have the customer service manager do an "Ad-match". This gets you 5qts of Mobil-1 for $14. Walmart sells the 5qt jugs in pretty much every flavor in these jugs now. I'm using 0w20 in our pilot, but 5w20 is good too.

[theirishscion]

Originally Posted by 94eg!

Keep an eye out on the main page of the Autozone website. Every couple weeks they run a $10 off coupon for 5-qts of Mobil1. You can print that coupon and take it to Walmart and have the customer service manager do an "Ad-match". This gets you 5qts of Mobil-1 for $14. Walmart sells the 5qt jugs in pretty much every flavor in these jugs now. I'm using 0w20 in our pilot, but 5w20 is good too.

This works? Really? This I might have to try. Kinda feels like cheating, but since Mobil 1 is the only thing I ever buy from Walmart (as a matter of principle) I don't much mind screwing 'em out of any possible profit they might have made on it.

I buy M1 5w30 from Costco whenever it goes on sale for the RDX, which works out at 6 quarts for about $23, but they never seem to carry 5w20, to my sorrow.

[whizmo]

M1 5W-30 and Honda filters used here. This is mostly motivated by the convenience of buying oil from Costco (looking the for the M1 coupon they run every year or so), and doing a big parts mail-order with one of the online Honda vendors every year or two. I don't think oil or filter brand is a critical decision - use what is convenient and on-sale. I do think synthetic is worth the price delta, but there is nothing wrong with using regular oil if you want.

On VTM, diff, AT, and power steering fluid, I generally use the Honda stuff.

- Mark

[mmm666]

Yea. costco doesn't carry 5w20.. Only Chevron/Mobil 1 5w30.. too bad. You don't need to use synthetic to reach half million miles..

I use 99% dino on my 2006 toyota camry v6. 4k or 5k OCI.. It is now at 234,000 miles.. Still running strong.. The key is to change oil/filter regulary. 5k OCI according to toyota in 2006 manual.

I personally want to use dino on my pilot.

[94eg!]

Originally Posted by theirishscion

This works? Really? This I might have to try. Kinda feels like cheating, but since Mobil 1 is the only thing I ever buy from Walmart (as a matter of principle) I don't much mind screwing 'em out of any possible profit they might have made on it.

Yes it works. When I did it, I just took the oil & coupons (2 jugs & 2 coupons) and headed straight to the customer service counter. Of course the girl at the counter didn't know what to do cause the coupons don't scan. I was very polite and patient, and just kinda kept with it. Of course she had to call the customer service manager over who said "Oh yeah, no problem. We just do an ad-match!". Needless to say I was very happy. Funny part was that the young girl at the customer service counter was still iffy about doing it. Her boss had to keep explaining it to her again and again... lol

It's not accepting a competitor coupon, it's called an ad-match. They simply match the advertisement. Nothing shady about it.