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cessnabmw

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
We have an 06 Touring. Have been getting oil changes done at the dealer but looking at doing it myself now.

They have been using 5W20.

Are there any advantages to going with synthetic and why?

EDIT: Vehicle is at 175,000 Kms if that matters.
 
I've been using the Mobil 1000 (non synthetic) in the van for about 2 years now. I usually buy the 4L jug from canadian tire when they have them on sale for $17-$20. I purchase my oil filter from the dealer and usually buy 2-3 at a time.

I haven't noticed any change in performance of the van (now has 183k km).

I decided to stick with non-synthetic because I haven't noticed any leaks and no sense in changing what isn't broke. I'll stick with the regular oil until otherwise needed :)

Just my two cents.
 
I'm not sure about that. The owners manual doesn't state synthetic and back in 2005 they were only requiring regular oil.

Regardless, I have always used non-synthetic and plan to do so for a while.
 
Synthetic allows for longer change intervals among other advantages. Search the web - there is a TON of info on this. Don't rely on a few replies on this site. Having said that, with as many miles (sorry - KMs) that you have I don't think that a change at this point will be of much help other than to allow you to extend the change interval. I'd probably stick with standard oil in your situation.
 
Just to be clear, I don't have a problem with conventional oil changed at regular but shorter intervals... if I had a car with that many miles I wouldn't switch to synthetic because it could possibly cause leaks due to shrinking gaskets. In all my new and higher performing cars it stays synthetic from the start. My point was I was surprised that even on my 2003 odyssey one day when searching for non dealer oil they said it all had to be at least partially synthetic for the 5w20 I started looking it up, even though it is not stated, the Honda oil is at least partially synthetic to start. I have not been to the store to find a conventional 5w20 so I'm happy buying any fully synthetic 5w20. Both vans I have are at 160,000 miles and 173,000 miles and still ticking strong.
 
Your Honda engine, fed a diet of dinosaur oil, with generic oil filters, will still be running long after the rest of the vehicle has disintegrated.

Your Honda engine will most surely outlast the Odyssey transmission; it can outlast 3 or 4 of them consecutively.

Your Honda engine, fed a diet of a quality synthetic with engineered media oil filters, could be running until forced to stop by Earth being struck by a planet-sized meteor.

You get the picture. :D

We use synthetic oil and better filters because of punishing temperature swings and short-haul driving with very little run time while fully warmed up. Sometimes 115-deg F (46-deg C) in the summer; snow and ice in the winters (minus 10-deg C...not too bad).

OF
 
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Well said, OF.
Jerry O.
 
The difference between conventional and synthetic at Walmart prices is about $12 / per oil change. Since you can run longer when using synthetic if you calculate the overall spending it is more economic to use synthetic plus the cold / hot viscosity of the synthetic is far better for the engine than the conventional. But it is your van your money your decision.
 
Based on their respective MSDS's as late as 2013, Genuine Honda oil is formulated by Conoco Phillips as is Motorcraft. The latter is considerably less expensive and readily available at parts stores and certain big box stores; notably Walmart where it sells for $17-18 in my locale for the 5 gal version. Notice even the bottles are the same with the angled design lines in the upper left corner. Conoco probably stops the assembly line periodically, changes the bottles from one brand to another, and starts it back up again with the same fluid. Thus, I use Motorcraft if for no other reason than I'm reasonably certain that the stuff inside the bottle is what Honda recommends.
 
How much did you spend on the van, and how much does an oil change cost? Synthetic oil may not be necessary, but there's no arguing it outperforms conventional oil in doing its job. After breaking in the engine, I have used synthetic oil exclusively.

No need to worry about it damaging seals by shrinking them or otherwise messing them up - that was somewhat true for synthetics many years ago, but certainly not for the past 20 years or more. If you have a leak already, synthetics do have a superior detergent capacity, so if you have a leak partially plugged with gunk, a synthetic might clean out the gunk and the leak would get more severe, but not because the synthetic caused any damage.
 
Based on their respective MSDS's as late as 2013, Genuine Honda oil is formulated by Conoco Phillips as is Motorcraft. The latter is considerably less expensive and readily available at parts stores and certain big box stores; notably Walmart where it sells for $17-18 in my locale for the 5 gal version. Notice even the bottles are the same with the angled design lines in the upper left corner. Conoco probably stops the assembly line periodically, changes the bottles from one brand to another, and starts it back up again with the same fluid. Thus, I use Motorcraft if for no other reason than I'm reasonably certain that the stuff inside the bottle is what Honda recommends.
Yes, Honda certainly doesn't have it's own proprietary oil refinery!

Your Honda engine, fed a diet of dinosaur oil, with generic oil filters, will still be running long after the rest of the vehicle has disintegrated.

Your Honda engine will most surely outlast the Odyssey transmission; it can outlast 3 or 4 of them consecutively.

Your Honda engine, fed a diet of a quality synthetic with engineered media oil filters, could be running until forced to stop by Earth being struck by a planet-sized meteor.

You get the picture. :D

We use synthetic oil and better filters because of punishing temperature swings and short-haul driving with very little run time while fully warmed up. Sometimes 115-deg F (46-deg C) in the summer; snow and ice in the winters (minus 10-deg C...not too bad).

OF
True true

Some people spend so much time arguing about oil and perceived benefits and spending twice as much for some snake oil. Yet we don't hear about Honda engines seizing up for anyone who keeps oil in the proper level. Doesn't need to be special oil. Just get the proper weight SAE approved oil and change it when the MM advises or within 500 miles after and I'll bet money that your car falls apart around the engine
 
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