engine oil selection

i just recently bought a 2004 honda pilot and it says to use 5w-20 oil, but
can i use 5w-30 engine and not cause any engine damage. what oil type do u
recommend me to use for the break in period and after the break in period

 

So what is the question?
You've got a owners manual, obviously...follow it.

 

The oil that it comes with is what you use for the break-in period (it's
already in there).

And what's wrong with using the recommended oil going forward? Why would
you want to use 5w-30 is the vehicle asks for 5w-20?

 

if ya got a stash of 5/30 kicking around, use it. not sure id use 10/30,
definately wouldnt use 10/40.

 

When Honda switched to 5W-20 oils there was absolutely no change to engine
specs - it's a fuel economy thing and due to a directive or recommendation
from the EPA. Note that the two companies specifying this stuff both got
bent over by EPA a couple of years back.

Note also that 5W-20 is a U.S. only oil spec but if you look at European
lubricants availability, e.g. www.castrol.co.uk you'll see that they have
reduced the availability of various grades of engine oil: 0W-30 and 0W-40
are common. I guess the EC is doing similar bending over exercises there
and compared with the EC, the EPA are a buncha pussycats.

I'm not sure how much longer we're going to get any choice in the matter of
engine oils... or engines for that matter since the EPA now has a err,
research dept. which designs engines.<gulp> If you live in the South of
the U.S. I'd be wary about following Honda's recommended 5W-20 - IOW if you
can get 5W-30 use it.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??