oil typ for new honda

My 04 accord is due it's first oil change - I'm worried about taking it to
those 10 minute garages, what would the dealer charge? Should I just do it
myself? what brand/type of oil is recommended?

 

I changed my oil to Valvoline 5w20 synthetic. A good quality oil will do.

 

Most dealers have an oil change special for around $30. Or, do it yourself
like I do.

In looking for 5W20 oils, look for ones which say they meet or exceed Ford
Specification WSS-M2C153-H. It seems to be the strictest 5W-20 oil
specification published. Many, but not all, brand name oils list it on the
bottle.

John

 

The first oil change on my '03 Accord sedan was gratis at my local Honda
dealer, might be worth asking.

 

nb: this is interesting regarding the 5w20 oil specified by Honda...

http://www.lube4u.com/ford_5w20.htm

 

I would avoid the 10 min. places at all cost. Dealer is a good pick. Honda
oil, OEM filters, etc., Then again I had a Honda Dealer mess up an oil
change on my 00 Civic SiR.

Chris

 

The answer is in your owner's manual.

 

I have yet to find a Honda dealer which uses "Honda oil". Honda USA's
official oil supplier is ExxonMobil, yet our dealer proudly advertises that
they use Pennzoil.

Go figure.

John

 

I was pretty irked, frustrated, and confused about the oil situation
when I bought my '04 Accord. Why 5W20, when 10W30 had been perfectly
good before? Research showed that there were no discernable engine
differences compared to prior years. Should I forge ahead with 10W30,
or be 'whipped into using 5W20?

Then the situation got worse, when a new MDX joined the family. Two
expensive engines to screw up, instead of one. More research.

Turns out, a few years ago Ford went to the EPA wanting to use 5W20 in
the EPA mileage tests. Then Honda also requested it. The EPA allowed
it -- with very strict rules. The car has to have "5W20" on the
filler cap or an engine label. The car manual has to state 5W20 with
no alternatives given (other than an even lighter weight at extreme
cold temps). The car manufacturers have to get promises from the oil
manufacturers that sufficient 5W20 will be available to meet demand.
The car manufacturer also has to take steps to browbeat the dealer
into using 5W20 exclusively. If they don't do all this, the CAFE
tests are invalid. The latter amounts to a "gag" order on your
dealer. They aren't going to tell you anything except to use 5W20.

More research. What is the negative effect of using 5W20? What are
the oil analysis results? (Much thanks to bobistheoilguy.com)

Turns out, up to 3,000 or 4,000 miles, 5W20 works pretty well. If you
intend to push past that, to 6,000 or so, 10W30 is your buddy. Beyond
that, 0W20 synthetic, Mobil 1 or a couple of others, is the way to go.
(Yes, reportedly the 0W20 syn is giving slightly better oil test
numbers than even 5W20 synthetic.)

One other note-- Honda factory fill is just loaded with an amazing
amount of molybdendum. If you feel the need to change the oil prior to
the first normally scheduled change (3,750, V6, to 5,000 miles, I4),
at least use an oil with a good amount of moly in it. Such as
Pennzoil.

And it may very well be right to change a little early than a little
late. The oil tests show factory fill to be mediocre oil overall.
Being 5W20, it has no "long life" characteristics, as I noted above.
By 4,000 it's about done for.

JM

 

Technically - they're right. The dealer/carmaker must prove that improper
maintenance or parts were responsible for a failure. However - good luck
persuading a dealer.

That being said, I tend to believe that Honda and Ford have thoroughly
investigated the use of 5W-20. I would have no problem using it if I
had a new Honda. However - the sense I get is that 5W-20 is the
"preferred" oil, but not the only one allowed. Anyone with an owner's
manual out there who can conform this?

 

In the '01 and '02 manual they say use 5w20. You can use 5w30 if w20 is
not available, but switch back to 5w20 at the next change.

"5w20 oil is formulated for year-round protection of your Honda, to
improve cold weather starting, and to help your engine use less fuel."

That last quote lends credit to the Amsoil "Ford/Honda" EPA oil switch...

a

 

As an addendum, note that 5w30 was specified for the exact same engine
in 2000...

Hmmmmm...

a

 

True. And as far as I can tell, Honda didn't do any redesign of their
components when switching from 10W-30 motor oil to Honda MTF for their
manual transmissions. The dealer said go ahead and use MTF in my '95
Integra GS-R.

However - I've heard that Ford has a list of their vehicles going
as far back as 1996 that they've approved for 5W-20 motor oil.

 

i live in Toronto and i haven't seen any place selling 5w20 engine oil. Can
someone in toronto tell me where i can buy some other then the dealer. I
have a 2004 pilot.

 

Saw M1 5W-20 at Canadian Tire.

 

Mobil 1? I thought Mobil 1 didn't make a 5w20 and recommended their
0w20 instead...

a

 

Oops!

You're correct, my error.

 

No problem! I was in CanTire just ~ 2 hrs ago and Mobil1 0w20 is $8 a
quart. There was non-synthetic 5w20 for ~ $4.

Sucks when 5W30 is 2.79!

a