I was surfing around for different types of sythetic oils and found that Castrol Syntek 5w-20 looks better than mobil-1 5w-20 spec wise, lower friction maybe would translate into better FE. Any thoughts?

 

The manual states you can use 5w-20.I've used it the last 2 changes and I'seen no difference in my mileage.Kevin

 

Finally got a hold of our friends at Pennzoil. The manufacturer (Shell, located in Texas) refered me to my local distributor who orders for the retail stores. Shell says they make it, but the distributors say they haven't gotten the OK from Shell to even order any!!! The distributor was quite shocked that Pennzoil is even advertising it on their website.
Sounds kinda wacky to me.

Howard

 

I was searching the web for alternatives to 0w-20 when I came across this site...

http://www.synlube.com/

I though I'd throw this on the board to see what you good people make of it. I know, I know....looks to good to be true (used and trusted by NASA). Just wondering if anyone here has heard of this company or used their products in the past. I for one wouldn't mind getting 15 years/150,000 miles out of my oil (good for the environment as well). Be sure to take a look at the Q & A's..

http://www.synlube.com/faq.htm

..chuck full of information.

Update: I sent this company an email inquiring about compatibility of their product and the HCH. I'll post it when I get a response from them.

 

Thought I would add Amsoil's synthetic 5w20 to Wayne's table of viscosity indexes (sorted by viscosity). It looks like a better candidate than Penzoil to use while we wait for the new 0w20 from Mobil. Notice it is closer to M1 0w-20 than Penzoil's 0w-20, sometimes you gotta love marketing. I wonder what Amsoil would call 0w20?

Kinematic Viscosity

Mobil1 SAE 0W-20
cSt @ 40 degrees C = 43.0
cSt @ 100 degrees C = 8.4

Amsoil SAE 5w-20
cSt @ 40 degrees C = 45.4
cSt @ 100 degrees C = 8.5

Pennzoil SAE 0W-20
cSt @ 40 degrees C = 46.5
cSt @ 100 degrees C = 8.7

Mobil1 SAE 5W-20
cSt @ 40 degrees C = 48.3
cSt @ 100 degrees C = 8.8

 

Sorry to be repetetive, but I am unclear as to when I should change my oil. I have a 2005 HCH with 2000 miles on it. Different people say different things, and my dealer recommended oil change at 5K.

Is there break-in oil?

I don't mind doing every 3K and I think the manual specifies 7.5K.

What do you guys recommend?

Thank you,
Lansing

 

If you're going strictly by the HCH owner's manual, its 5,000 mile oil change intervals for severe driving and 10,000 for normal driving. Decide which one fits your driving conditions/style and follow the corresponding schedule. Of course, there are varying opinions, but to simplify things, I recommend following what Honda says in the manual, which says . . .

Normal
The "normal" schedule is fine for most drivers, even if they occasionally drive in severe conditions.

Severe
Follow the "severe" schedule only if you drive in one or more of these conditions most of the time:

Trips of less than 5 miles (less than 10 in freezing weather)Extremely hot weather (over 90 degrees F)Extensive idling or stop-and-go drivingTrailer towing, car-top carrier, or mountain drivingMuddy, dusty, or de-iced roads

 

If you wait past 10,000 miles, the maintenance light on the dash will start blinking. Pretty annoying unless you just keep resetting it.

Howard

 

Good replies. I drive in a lot of stop and go here in So Cal, so maybe I go the safe route and change every 5K...

Thanks,
Lansing

 

Which Honda dealer in the valley do you use? I bought from Arrowhead, but am not opposed to using another dealer for service if they're more reliable.