2012 Oil Question

[HangtownMatt]

I'm a bit old school and would like to use a "dino" 5w20 instead of a synthetic 0w20 in my 2012 Honda Pilot. I live in central California so am not subjected to extreme temperatures. My wife does, however, make several short 10 mile round trips to the High School daily which probably qualifies as severe use. My plan is to take the factory fill down to 10-15% for break-in purposes, than change the oil at 50% MM intervals. More than likely that will equate to OCI's between 3,500 - 4,000 miles.

Any thoughts?

Matt

[humanoid]

That's just a waste of perfectly good oil. The days of 3K mile oil changes gone the way of the dinosaur. You can go at least 5K miles on dino oil with no worries. Don't try to out-think the MM. It takes many factors into consideration when determining the life of the oil. You'd get at bit better mileage with 0w-20 too.

[xGS]

Given those short trips, you'd be better off with 0W-20.

Why apply "old school" thinking to a new car and second guess the manufacturer's recommendations?

[whizmo]

There is nothing wrong with what you're planning, but it is probably overkill. If it helps you sleep at night, go for it. But if you're overkilling, I'd begin by not leaving the factory fill in as long as you are. If there is anytime to do an earlier oil change, it is the first one. (And no, I'm not a believer that the Honda "break in oil" is anything special or that it needs to be in there longer to do a proper break-in.)

- Mark

[HangtownMatt]

Originally Posted by humanoid

Don't try to out-think the MM. It takes many factors into consideration when determining the life of the oil.

That is true, but it doesn't know if the engine is using dino or synthetic.

I know there are a gizzillion threads on this topic elsewhere, and I've read a lot of them. What confuses me is the manner in which Honda makes their recommendation for the 2012 Pilot. They specifically say to use 0w20 and than go on to say you "may" use synthetic. I've yet to find a 0w20 dino.

[pntballgunz]

Only place so far I know to get dino oil in 0-20w oil is at the dealer

[rocky]

So the cost of servicing the Pilot had in 2012 gone up as the dealer will claim that to meet Honda fluid vicousity recommendation you HAVE to use synthetic.
No much for ant theoretical dollar savings from higher mpg

[HenryBravo]

Originally Posted by rocky

So the cost of servicing the Pilot had in 2012 gone up as the dealer will claim that to meet Honda fluid vicousity recommendation you HAVE to use synthetic.
No much for ant theoretical dollar savings from higher mpg

The "official" Honda 0W-20 oil is a synthetic blend, just like 5W-20 has been for several years - so nothing has really changed except for the winter viscosity.

[mrcheap]

Originally Posted by pntballgunz

Only place so far I know to get dino oil in 0-20w oil is at the dealer

i bet most dealers use 5w-20 dino oil. there's really no incentive for them to use more expensive synthetic 0w-20. nobody will be able to know the diff.

last month i took in my dad's crv for a recall and had them do an oil change while it was there and they invoiced "5w-20" even though 2010 and up crv's use 0w-20. i didn't make a stink of it cuz my dad only drives a couple thousand miles a yr anyway. bottom line is dont expect any dealer or shop for that matter to do more than the minimum for you, especially for things you won't be able to tell the difference on. that's just the nature of the biz.

[shaggymatt]

Originally Posted by pntballgunz

Only place so far I know to get dino oil in 0-20w oil is at the dealer

I know Amazon has Mobil 1 0w-20 synthetic.

6 pack is ~$52:

Amazon.com: Mobil 1 96995 Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil - 1 Quart, Pack of 6: Automotive

Amazon.com: Mobil 1 96995 Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil - 1 Quart, Pack of 6: Automotive

I haven't made it to my first change yet, so I haven't started shopping for oil.

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally Posted by shaggymatt

I know Amazon has Mobil 1 0w-20 synthetic.

6 pack is ~$52: Amazon.com: Mobil 1 96995 Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil - 1 Quart, Pack of 6: Automotive

I haven't made it to my first change yet, so I haven't started shopping for oil.

5.1 qts jugs of M1 @ wally world is about half that....also O'Rielly auto has their labeled 0W20 on sale frequently reg price is =/- $5.50/ qt...
Wally world will let you use competitors coupons and/or price match other's adv's price....

[pntballgunz]

That is true! I was having my wife's 2011 Accord in for an oil change at Carmichael Honda in Sacramento, which is the "handa.com" for internet sales. The Accord calls for 0-20W and the invoice said 5-20w. I'm sure it was dino oil too and not the synthetic blend. That is where I also saw the 0-20w dino oil for something like $3.50 qt.

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally Posted by pntballgunz

That is true! I was having my wife's 2011 Accord in for an oil change at Carmichael Honda in Sacramento, which is the "handa.com" for internet sales. The Accord calls for 0-20W and the invoice said 5-20w. I'm sure it was dino oil too and not the synthetic blend. That is where I also saw the 0-20w dino oil for something like $3.50 qt.

Interesting discussion link from the CR-V forum on 0W-20 Honda Oils....it may help you understand the diffferences...
Honda ow-20 Fully Synthetic or not? [Archive] - Honda CR-V Owners Club Forums

[HangtownMatt]

I appreciate all the replies.

Is anyone currently, or planning to use 5w20 in their 2012 Pilot?

[HangtownMatt]

Originally Posted by whizmo

There is nothing wrong with what you're planning, but it is probably overkill. If it helps you sleep at night, go for it. But if you're overkilling, I'd begin by not leaving the factory fill in as long as you are. If there is anytime to do an earlier oil change, it is the first one. (And no, I'm not a believer that the Honda "break in oil" is anything special or that it needs to be in there longer to do a proper break-in.)

- Mark

Whizmo. I'm old school and have always done the 1st oil changes pronto. However, the Owner's Manual of my 2007 Accord specifically said not to drain the factory fill early. This bothered me and I cheated a bit. Unfortunately my Accord burns a bit of oil. I've attributed this to the early change. I'm not sure if that is why or not, but I find it interesting that the 2012 Pilot's Owner's Manual makes no mention of avoiding the early 1st oil change.

I could probably save myself a lot of unnecessary concern if I'd just take the manufacturer's recommendation. But like I said, I'm old school. I always think they have a different agenda.