Just changed oil to Mobil1 0W-20 in our '15 EX-L. Just wanted to say there is a noticeable reduction in engine mechanical sound which was not intrusive to start with. This is the first full-synthetic and it was the 35,000 mi service (have been changing oil every 5000). Engine literally seems to run smoother too. I've used synthetic before on several vehicles and never noticed any real difference, so this is why I posted - engines 'like' certain fuels and oils and it appears the Honda V6 likes Mobil1.
191145
I was using what the dealer put in it. At first I was led to believe they were using Honda branded oil. The change before this last one, I was informed they were no longer using Honda oil but were using Mobil. Many dealers use Mobil Super, the oil designed for large volume use by dealers and oil-change shops. In this case they would use the synthetic blend and that's also what I asked for in the Honda brand. Synthetic blend is the default oil and is what the oil-life monitor is programmed for, so that will no longer be completely relevant although I have no plans to exceed 7500 miles on any oil.
As to viscosity, I never deviate from the vehicle manufacture's recommendation. I learned that the hard way many years ago. I'm assuming the dealer had been using the correct viscosity as stated on the service invoices.
Re-reading my opening post, I can see where my mention of changing to synthetic 0W-20 sounds like I was trying 0W-20 for the first time but as far as I know it has always had it since that was what I ordered.
As to viscosity, I never deviate from the vehicle manufacture's recommendation. I learned that the hard way many years ago. I'm assuming the dealer had been using the correct viscosity as stated on the service invoices.
Re-reading my opening post, I can see where my mention of changing to synthetic 0W-20 sounds like I was trying 0W-20 for the first time but as far as I know it has always had it since that was what I ordered.
We love Mobil 1, as well. I did think that I was hearing things (or lack of) after switching to a quality synthetic like Mobil 1 on one of our vehicles for the very first time.
However, after progressively, one-at-a-time, switching to Mobil 1 on each and every vehicle (three Odysseys, one accord, two Civics, one Nissan Altima), each and every single one appeared to run quieter in terms of mechanical sound generated by the engine. The ultimate test were two vehicles my wife drives exclusively. She noticed the difference without me asking. In both cases, it went like this:
"What did you do to the Accord (or Van)?"
"I just changed the oil."
"It's smoother."
"How do you mean?"
"Quieter."
Happy wife = happy life.
OF
However, after progressively, one-at-a-time, switching to Mobil 1 on each and every vehicle (three Odysseys, one accord, two Civics, one Nissan Altima), each and every single one appeared to run quieter in terms of mechanical sound generated by the engine. The ultimate test were two vehicles my wife drives exclusively. She noticed the difference without me asking. In both cases, it went like this:
"What did you do to the Accord (or Van)?"
"I just changed the oil."
"It's smoother."
"How do you mean?"
"Quieter."
Happy wife = happy life.
OF
I've used Mobil 1 in all my vehicles for decades.... two I had drove for 300,000 miles and experienced only trace oil use. My Odyssey has 187K and only trace oil use. I don't know if any were quieter but I sleep better!
Funny you mention that. We know you're a long distance traveler, John U, but despite the frequent stop-start-stop-start usage of our vehicles in primarily non-highway environments, we only get trace oil consumption as well on Mobil 1. Pretty much a ditto with your experiences, man.
Not unusual for us to exceed 7,500 miles between oil changes, and only use, maybe 20 ounces of oil between changes on our ancient Odysseys (one passing 185,000 miles, mine passing 180,000 miles). Cold starts and driving while warming up, before everything is up to operating temp, is a recipe for consuming oil, yet Mobil 1 definitely exhibits less consumption that the Castrol GTX we used to use.
I don't know if we'll get to 300,000 on either van, but I'm sure if the other major pieces on our vans are able to hold up that mileage, the engines will easily make it. When I last removed valve covers to adjust valves, the valve train and other visible areas looked remarkably clean (relative to other engines I've torn down).
My next oil changes on our lawn tractor (B&S Intek) and lawn mower (Honda GVC160-powered) will be Mobil 1. Our local powersports dealer put Mobil 1 into the crankcase of our generator (also Honda-powered), and it has always performed when needed.
Like dave mentions, good filters can only help. I have to replenish my supply of AmSOil Ea15K20 filters.
It all adds up to less worry. I know Mobil 1 performs well. Yeah, I sleep better, too!
OF
Not unusual for us to exceed 7,500 miles between oil changes, and only use, maybe 20 ounces of oil between changes on our ancient Odysseys (one passing 185,000 miles, mine passing 180,000 miles). Cold starts and driving while warming up, before everything is up to operating temp, is a recipe for consuming oil, yet Mobil 1 definitely exhibits less consumption that the Castrol GTX we used to use.
I don't know if we'll get to 300,000 on either van, but I'm sure if the other major pieces on our vans are able to hold up that mileage, the engines will easily make it. When I last removed valve covers to adjust valves, the valve train and other visible areas looked remarkably clean (relative to other engines I've torn down).
My next oil changes on our lawn tractor (B&S Intek) and lawn mower (Honda GVC160-powered) will be Mobil 1. Our local powersports dealer put Mobil 1 into the crankcase of our generator (also Honda-powered), and it has always performed when needed.
Like dave mentions, good filters can only help. I have to replenish my supply of AmSOil Ea15K20 filters.
It all adds up to less worry. I know Mobil 1 performs well. Yeah, I sleep better, too!
OF
Interesting you mention lawnmowers. I have a Honda and a 30" Toro Timemaster with a B&S. I found both would consume Mobil 1 (don't remember the weight) so I went back to 30w straight weight on the B&S and it all but stopped burning that? Makes no sense at all but the dipstick tells the tale!!!
On my mowers I have had great results with synthetic but I use Castrol Edge synthetic 10W-30 for the newer ones and the same but 'for high mileage' for the older ones. On one in particular I had been using SAE30HD since day one (2004) and changed it to the Castrol earlier this year. It used to give a puff of oil smoke on starting and the first thing I noticed, that was gone. Any mower I've put it in runs better/smoother than it did on any other oil I've tried.
As for synthetic in other vehicles, I should have mentioned that I had good results earlier this year when I changed from the dealer's bulk oil (Mobil Super) in my 2017 KIA Sportage SX (turbo) to Pennzoil Platinum syn.at 6600 miles. This one takes 5W-30 and I enjoyed the same engine noise reduction as on the Honda. I recently changed that out and replaced with the same again, but next time I'm going to look for the 'Euro' version.
As for synthetic in other vehicles, I should have mentioned that I had good results earlier this year when I changed from the dealer's bulk oil (Mobil Super) in my 2017 KIA Sportage SX (turbo) to Pennzoil Platinum syn.at 6600 miles. This one takes 5W-30 and I enjoyed the same engine noise reduction as on the Honda. I recently changed that out and replaced with the same again, but next time I'm going to look for the 'Euro' version.
My 2012 Odyssey had been serviced at dealer since it was bought, the price for the routine oil change was actually reasonable- $47 out the door. I switched to Mobil1 during the most recent oil change as an experiment (full synthetic) and the attractive promotion that is going on with Mobil...I saved about $10 doing oil change outside dealer. The difference is obvious if you are paying attention to your car. As the Threader mentioned, the engine sounds better and rev is smoother, less restrain when you hit the gas. The car pulls itself like a German big supercharged V8... Ok that's pushing it, but you get the point.
My continuous experiment is- does different brand of engine oil with same grade makes difference? Again, Pennzoil & Quaker State has promotions going on right now, I will be switching to these oils next oil changes and see if there is any difference.
Anybody has done your car with full synthetic but different brand? Any differences?
I wonder if oil filter makes any differences too?
My continuous experiment is- does different brand of engine oil with same grade makes difference? Again, Pennzoil & Quaker State has promotions going on right now, I will be switching to these oils next oil changes and see if there is any difference.
Anybody has done your car with full synthetic but different brand? Any differences?
I wonder if oil filter makes any differences too?
Agreed. A good oil is one that does the job, and it's at a price point you find agreeable.
OF
OF
I'm not just older, I'm ancient.
IIRC from the last time I perused an AmSOil web page, the Ea15K13 is specified for my 2003 EX. However, they specify the Ea15K20 for my wife's 2002 EX. They are the same identical drivelines (engines and transmissions).
Both the Ea15K13 and Ea15K20 have an 8-11 psi bypass. I've used the smaller Ea15K13 once many years ago, but switched to only purchasing the Ea15K20 for our Hondas because it is less expensive. It's a little bigger, but I've noticed no problems with fitting it to either Odyssey (or our 1998 Accord).
The Ea15K20 has fit every Odyssey we've owned. For a while, I even used AmSOil's humungous EaO44 filter, also 8-11 psi bypass, and that also fit with no problems, too. Oily Pablo, one of our forum members (also known as Pablo, the AmSOil dealer on the Bob Is The Oil Guy forums) turned us on to using the EaO44 before AmSOil ceased production. He used the EaO44 on his own Gen 3 Odyssey while that big filter was available. Just to put it into perspective, the EaO44 was the same diameter as the ubiquitous-for-Ford Fram PH8A, and that thing is almost the size of an old-school quart oil can.
I have not seen a 2016 from the point-of-view of a mechanic's creeper, but I just looked at the oil pump / oil filter mount parts breakdown diagram for your 2016 Ody on Bernardiparts.com. It's almost the same identical oil filter holder in the same location as my own older Odysseys. Here are some numbers:
Ea15K13
Height 3.402"
Diameter 2.685"
Volume 19.2625 cu inches
Ea15K20
Height 3.194"
Diameter 3.252"
Volume 26.5293 cu inches
Both filters have a 0.233"-thick gasket with 2.475" & 2.173" outer & inner diameters, so there is zero worry about getting a proper leak-free seal.
I would be 100% confident the Ea15K20 will fit.
OF
IIRC from the last time I perused an AmSOil web page, the Ea15K13 is specified for my 2003 EX. However, they specify the Ea15K20 for my wife's 2002 EX. They are the same identical drivelines (engines and transmissions).
Both the Ea15K13 and Ea15K20 have an 8-11 psi bypass. I've used the smaller Ea15K13 once many years ago, but switched to only purchasing the Ea15K20 for our Hondas because it is less expensive. It's a little bigger, but I've noticed no problems with fitting it to either Odyssey (or our 1998 Accord).
The Ea15K20 has fit every Odyssey we've owned. For a while, I even used AmSOil's humungous EaO44 filter, also 8-11 psi bypass, and that also fit with no problems, too. Oily Pablo, one of our forum members (also known as Pablo, the AmSOil dealer on the Bob Is The Oil Guy forums) turned us on to using the EaO44 before AmSOil ceased production. He used the EaO44 on his own Gen 3 Odyssey while that big filter was available. Just to put it into perspective, the EaO44 was the same diameter as the ubiquitous-for-Ford Fram PH8A, and that thing is almost the size of an old-school quart oil can.
I have not seen a 2016 from the point-of-view of a mechanic's creeper, but I just looked at the oil pump / oil filter mount parts breakdown diagram for your 2016 Ody on Bernardiparts.com. It's almost the same identical oil filter holder in the same location as my own older Odysseys. Here are some numbers:
Ea15K13
Height 3.402"
Diameter 2.685"
Volume 19.2625 cu inches
Ea15K20
Height 3.194"
Diameter 3.252"
Volume 26.5293 cu inches
Both filters have a 0.233"-thick gasket with 2.475" & 2.173" outer & inner diameters, so there is zero worry about getting a proper leak-free seal.
I would be 100% confident the Ea15K20 will fit.
OF
I have about 5500 miles on my 2016 Odyssey that 11 months old. Maintenance minder is at 30%.
I am wondering if I should use the dealer for the first oil change? Do they use synthetic blend in their under $50 change? Do they do anything else in the first oil change?
OR just do it myself with any brand full synthetic? (Any filter recommendations if I go DIY.)
I am wondering if I should use the dealer for the first oil change? Do they use synthetic blend in their under $50 change? Do they do anything else in the first oil change?
OR just do it myself with any brand full synthetic? (Any filter recommendations if I go DIY.)
I like going to the dealer for the oil change because of the extra checks they do and the fact that they see these vehicles every day and know what to look for. They also will take care of any recalls or TSBs at that time. You might ask if they will use your oil - most dealers will do that if the oil is as good as what they use or better, and the fee is adjusted accordingly. I can vouch for Mobil1 0W-20 but there are other good synthetics of course. The Honda filter is as good as you will need if you're not going to exceed 7500 miles on it, and it never hurts to have that in the records if an oil-related engine problem came up.
Full synthetic engine oil is like many other products - all are not created equal. Some can stay in service for longer than that specified by the factory schedule or the maintenance minder. Check the manufacturer's recommendation for the brand you are considering.
Most full synthetic oils contain more additives than conventional oil and so can deal with combustion contamination for longer. However, no additive can deal with suspended particles. To keep those in check longer than the normal oil service life, you need a synthetic medium oil filter. IMHO, a full synthetic oil with a standard paper filter should be changed per the factory schedule or the maintenance minder.
While longer service life can be a benefit of full synthetic oil, its main advantage is easier starting and better startup lubrication in cold weather. Most engine wear occurs at startup.
Dave
Most full synthetic oils contain more additives than conventional oil and so can deal with combustion contamination for longer. However, no additive can deal with suspended particles. To keep those in check longer than the normal oil service life, you need a synthetic medium oil filter. IMHO, a full synthetic oil with a standard paper filter should be changed per the factory schedule or the maintenance minder.
While longer service life can be a benefit of full synthetic oil, its main advantage is easier starting and better startup lubrication in cold weather. Most engine wear occurs at startup.
Dave
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