Mobil 1 0W-20?

D-Style · May 10, 2007

I got this stuff from WalMart (they didn't have 5W-20)... bottle said it works in Honda, but local dealer was doing the oil change refused to put it in saying 0W-20 was like having no oil at all.

Since I was under warranty, I told them put whatever they want in it. However, now I'm out of warranty and wonder is there any reason not to use the 0W-20 oil?

rjm522 · May 10, 2007

I am having the same internal debate myself. I will be using Royal Purple or Amsoil 5W-20. Amsoil also makes a 5W-20 in their "XL" flavor. XL is good for 7,500 miles. I am planning on changing the oil every 6,000 miles no matter if I use the Royal Purple or Amsoil. Red Line also make a 5W-20. Its a good oil...just a little pricey at $8 per quart.

I know there are 0W-20 oils out there like Mobil 1 and Amsoil 0W-20 but since a good synthetic 5W-20 is easily available, that is what I ma going to use.

BenjiBoy168 · May 10, 2007

That's a complete load of bull. 0W-20 and 5W-20 work equally well at operating temps.

Shazbat · May 11, 2007

While I have not used the 0W-20, I use 0W-30 in my Dodge Caravan every winter. The book calls for 5W-30, but I like the 0W for those cold winter mornings. I hate the thought of waiting for the oil to warm up before coating all those moving parts! Now with 145,000 miles on the old Caravan, its time for a new minivan - the reason I am reading this forum.

KiteSquid · May 11, 2007

IF you look in the owners manual, it states the standard that the oil must meet, but it RECOMENDS a weight.............

The standard is that cool looking seal thinge printed on the label

IMHO Mobile 1 0W-20 would work just fine, and it would not void the warranty........

tdpark · May 11, 2007

I have used 0w 20 alot in my ody and have not had any problems. Actually back in 04 when I bought my ody you could not get mobil 1 in a 5w20. My dealer only put in 0w20 if you asked for synth. The dealer is an idiot; all the 0 means is that it flows better at cold temps. It is still a 20w oil.

Used oil analysis has shown that the 0w 20 is a good oil. Some some prefer it over the 5 w 20. Unless your an oil nut, you will not notice the difference. In either case it will no void your warranty.

make_shift · May 11, 2007

interstinly enough, the 06 civic hybrid uses 0w20

Odyssey X · May 11, 2007

AMEN!

tdpark said:
The dealer is an idiot!

Or, at the very least, that particular employee is an idiot. You may want to share his comments with the dealer principal. Sounds like a place Honda owners should think twice about, before dropping their vehicle off for "service".

Dealer name?

Employee name?

Still coasting... w/ "no oil at all" (0w30) :zoom:

D-Style · May 11, 2007

I won't name names... the Dealer has otherwise provided fine service.

There's so much voodoo and mystery around motor oil, it's amazing. I'm not that old, but I can say, everything I USED to know about motor oil no longer applies. So I feel like I have to rely on the advice of others. Which sometimes leads to getting bad advice.

I'll put the 0W-20 in the van this Fall... figure it would help with cold starts.

Guest · May 11, 2007

D-Style said:
I won't name names...

I don't get that. You're not in a courtroom here. Sharing information helps fellow owners and sometimes even dealers.

Odyssey X · May 12, 2007

D-Style said:
So I feel like I have to rely on the advice of others. Which sometimes leads to getting bad advice.

Bear in mind, the guy selling service at your local Honda dealer is just a salesman and could've been selling shoes yesterday. Yes, he SHOULD know his product but, after his comments on the oil, he obviously doesn't.

Still coasting....:zoom:

somekevinguy · May 12, 2007

Here is a direct quote from Mobil 1's web site for Mobil 1 0w-20.

"Specifically designed for Ford, Honda and 2005 Chryslers where an SAE 5W-20 is recommended."

So if you believe them you should be OK. I like to run synthetics in all of my toys because they are seeing full throttle operation a lot and my diesel truck because I do some heavy long distance towing with it but I am thinking regular oil will definitely get me through the 6 or 7 years I will probably own the Odyssey. I am still trying to decide if synthetic is worth it to me for my Odyssey. It does definitely give you that warm fuzzy feeling when you put it in though. I run Amsoil.

Laphroaig · Feb 12, 2009

0W20 viscosity varies less than a 5W20 oil.

At cold, 0W20 oil will be closer to 20 spec than the 5W one. Once hot, both will have 20 viscosity.

In an ideal world, cold and hot viscosity would be the same. 0W20 oil is nearer to that than 5W20 oil. All the 0W20 viscosity spectrum is within the 5W20 viscosity spectrum.

What's better :

A tire with 30 psi cold and 35 psi hot or another one with 33 psi cold and 35 psi hot?

dagmando · Feb 12, 2009

Guys/Gals - it's a Honda; bring it in when the indicator says and you will never have an oil related failure, EVER. Ever means well past any time you will ever own the van.
" I am planning on changing the oil every 6,000 miles no matter if I use the Royal Purple or Amsoil." - that is a total waste and defeats the purpose of using a synthetic. That is like buying a $2K 100ATM dive watch so you can have the time while swimming in your pool. This is 2009 not 1969, there have been some significant advancements in oil and automotive computers since then. Do you really think Honda would risk their reputation by using an algorithm in the maintenance monitor that may cause premature wear?

Kscha41 · Feb 12, 2009

dagmando said:
Do you really think Honda would risk their reputation by using an algorithm in the maintenance monitor that may cause premature wear?

It took them a cople of years to correct the tranny. Meanwhile they were ruining there reputation the whole time.

Mahansm · Feb 12, 2009

When I bought my Ody in fall 2003 ('03 model) Mobil 1 was not available in 5W-20. I researched the issue, saw that Mobil recommended the oil for use in Honda products where 5W-20 was recommended, and did further research and found that Mobil manufactured the oil that was sold in the Honda branded containers at the dealer.

The xW portion of the viscosity specification says how the oil will behave when cold. There's not all that much difference between 5W and 0W oils. Both will work quite well. If you want to use the 0W-20 oil it will serve you well; I use the 5W20 purchased in 5 quart jugs from Wally World along with the Purolator Pure 1 filter.
Honda filters are made by the same manufacturer that makes Fram; Purolator and others are better filters.

Laphroaig · Feb 12, 2009

dagmando said:
Guys/Gals - it's a Honda; bring it in when the indicator says and you will never have an oil related failure, EVER. Ever means well past any time you will ever own the van.
" I am planning on changing the oil every 6,000 miles no matter if I use the Royal Purple or Amsoil." - that is a total waste and defeats the purpose of using a synthetic. That is like buying a $2K 100ATM dive watch so you can have the time while swimming in your pool. This is 2009 not 1969, there have been some significant advancements in oil and automotive computers since then. Do you really think Honda would risk their reputation by using an algorithm in the maintenance monitor that may cause premature wear?

I use synthetic for it's superior protection. So I change my oil before it goes as bad as a mineral one.

davedrivesody · Feb 12, 2009

D-Style said:
I got this stuff from WalMart (they didn't have 5W-20)... bottle said it works in Honda, but local dealer was doing the oil change refused to put it in saying 0W-20 was like having no oil at all.

Since I was under warranty, I told them put whatever they want in it. However, now I'm out of warranty and wonder is there any reason not to use the 0W-20 oil?

Honda dealer has to stick with the Honda factory recommendation. But he went over the line by saying "0W-20 was like having no oil at all".

Fall has become winter and I'm sure the 0W-20 is working very well for you.

chiody · Feb 13, 2009

Kscha41 said:
It took them a cople of years to correct the tranny. Meanwhile they were ruining there reputation the whole time.

Well if you consider the latest gen with the 4 shaft Ridgeline the "corrected" tranny, then it took Honda from 99' till 07' to fix it...8 yrs.

Kscha41 · Feb 13, 2009

chiody said:
Well if you consider the latest gen with the 4 shaft Ridgeline the "corrected" tranny, then it took Honda from 99' till 07' to fix it...8 yrs.

Well we really haven't had any issues with 05 and up so I would say 99 to late 04.

chiody · Feb 14, 2009

Yes that seem so and with the advent of the 4 shaft tranny distributing out the load more evenly, it's bound to be better .... we all hope?

OdyDudy · Feb 15, 2009

I couldn't find Mobil 1 5W-20 at walmart either but they did have it Castrol Syntec so I went with that.

geronimomoe · Feb 20, 2009

D-Style said:
I got this stuff from WalMart (they didn't have 5W-20)... bottle said it works in Honda, but local dealer was doing the oil change refused to put it in saying 0W-20 was like having no oil at all.

Since I was under warranty, I told them put whatever they want in it. However, now I'm out of warranty and wonder is there any reason not to use the 0W-20 oil?

Well, here's what I understand:
1) The Mobil1 0w-20 is a PAO, Group IV, based synthetic.
2) The Mobil1 5w-20 is a Group III, not "truly a synthetic"

The "0w" basically means it will flow better at cold temps. The "20" in "0w-20" and "5w-20" means that both oils should be in the same viscosity range when at operating temperature.

That being said, the person who told you having 0w-20 is like having no oil in the car, or something to that effect, shouldn't be working in the service department of that dealership. He/she should be moved to paper shuffling or mopping the floor.

You should be okay with 0w-20. I'm running it right now.

Laphroaig · Feb 20, 2009

Re: Re: Mobil 1 0W-20?

2) The Mobil1 5w-20 is a Group III, not "truly a synthetic"

Do you have any evidence about that?

I think it's PAO based too.

PAO oils have a very low pouring point while group III ones don't.

BenjiBoy168 · Feb 20, 2009

Re: Re: Re: Mobil 1 0W-20?

Laphroaig said:
Do you have any evidence about that?

I think it's PAO based too.

PAO oils have a very low pouring point while group III ones don't.

It was...but people started noticing drops in M1 performance from UOA's. Several people emailed Mobil1 and nobody got a clear answer. So it sure seems like they're not doing PAO anymore. Been discussed a lot on BITOG, lots to read up on

Either way, whether it is PAO or GpIII, the poor UOA performance tells me to use something cheaper.

geronimomoe · Jun 13, 2009

Re: Re: Re: Mobil 1 0W-20?

Laphroaig said:
Do you have any evidence about that?

I think it's PAO based too.

PAO oils have a very low pouring point while group III ones don't.

Haven't logged into the site in a long time.

Anyway, I read it at BITOG a year or 2 ago, based on the UOA's results people were seeing. Tried to find it but their search function really stinks so I was unable to find it. Sorry.

So the best I can say for now is look through BITOG. If I come across it I'll be sure to post the link..

Mobil 1 0W-20?

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