<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Not true! Honda would have to prove that the 5-30 caused the failure. I believe the 5-20 is a recommendation-not a requirement.</font>
It's a requirement, according to the owner's manual.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">The only way they could flat out reject a warranty claim due to 5-30 use was if it was stated in the warranty that it was prohibited.</font>
Bingo. Honda 2002 Warranty Information book, page 12, middle column:
"The warranties in this booklet do not cover:
* The failure of any part of accessory due to:
(snip)
-- A low fluid level or the use of a fluid other than specified by Honda.
-- The installation of any part that is not equal to the original in quality of materials or workmanship.
* Any installed part or accessory that fails because it was not designed to fit that year and model of Honda."
It's pretty damned black and white.
So, do you have Ody engines sitting around, new in the box, to hand to people who listen to you when you make YOUR engineering recommendations?
I guess you know more than the Honda engineers. That's nice. But since YOU aren't providing warranty coverage on other people's vehicles, you might want to cover both sides of the fence. When you tell them to use whatever damn oil you think is appropriate regardless of Honda's specifications, you incur the obligation on yourself to point out the terms of the Honda warranty.
At least, a responsible person would do so.
[This message has been edited by adam1991 (edited 09-30-2001).]