Honda Element improper oil change?

Discussion in 'Element' started by Chris, May 18, 2005.

  1. Chris

    Chris Guest

    I did change yesterday, at the Honda dealer, the oil on my Honda
    Element 2004.
    I asked for Synthetic oil. They did change the oil.
    Later I did noticed the oil they put was Castrol, Synthetic, 10W30.
    In the Honda Element owner's manual is mentioned to use 5W20
    Someone told me later for Synthetic oil I should use special filter
    for synthetic oil.

    My question is if Honda dealer did OK when they put Castrol oil
    instead of genuine Honda oil and filter.

    Any comments would be appreciated
     
    Chris, May 18, 2005
    #1
  2. Chris

    Gary Guest

    Would not worry about the brand, my dealer uses Quaker State, but they used
    the wrong weight

    Do not think synthetic uses a special filter

    Gary
     
    Gary, May 19, 2005
    #2
  3. Chris

    MAT Guest

    Your car will be just fine if not better off. Where do you live? It's just
    about summer for the entire lower US so you'll definitely be fine! The
    slightly thicker oil has less viscosity improvers for the lower spread of
    10w-30 and is perfectly adequate for the 2.4 I4 in the Element. You will be
    OK by following Hondas 5w-20 recommendation but you will be just as well off
    running 5w-30s and 10w30s especially if you want it to be a 'lifer'.
     
    MAT, May 19, 2005
    #3
  4. I have been using synthetic oil since 1993 on all my vehicles including a
    honda accord and honda civic. My manual calls for 5w30. As far as using
    Castrol synthectic, that is just fine. I used to use that but switched to
    Mobil one synthetic. (personal choice). Both are very good!! My 93 civic
    has 280000miles as proof. There is no special filter that I know of for use
    with synthetic oil, however some filters are better than others. They just
    have better filtering characteristics. Usually the more expensive the
    filter the better, but if you regularly change your oil at 3k to 5k miles it
    isn't going to make much difference. Just my two cents :)
     
    Craig Sherman, May 20, 2005
    #4
  5. Chris

    Todd Guest

    I have a 2002 CRV with the same engine as you. Right on the dipstick it
    says use 5W20 but when I get a oil change at the dealer they have always
    used 10W30.
     
    Todd, May 20, 2005
    #5
  6. Chris

    TomP Guest

    Yes Castrol is a good oil. I've used it and Valvoline oil for years.
    The merits of switching to synthetic lubrication is debatable. You
    will see posts here about how this car or that engine went some
    unbelievable mileage, and it was due to synthetic oil. Well let me
    tell you, the Element's engine was designed to use regular petroleum
    lubricants. And if you change it at the recommended intervals, the
    engine should last just as long as if you used synthetic oil.
    So what's the difference? You'll be paying more for the same
    performance. It's your choice if using (paying more) for synthetic
    lubricants makes YOU feel better; then use it. Me, I'd rather go out
    to dinner on the savings.


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    TomP, May 21, 2005
    #6
  7. Chris

    garray Guest

    Sounds like you're okay. Just as a side note, service departments just
    started using a different filter for the Element and it does not have near
    the filtering capability that the previous filter had. One of the mods on
    the Honda Element Owners Club forum did a full analysis of these and several
    other filters and it was interesting stuff. His advice was simply to not go
    over your schedule recheck/change oil date or mileage. Good luck.
     
    garray, May 23, 2005
    #7
  8. Chris

    Chris Guest

    Thanks for comments.
    The main raison I choosed for synthetic is I am towing a camping
    trailer (in limit) from time to time. People recommend using synthetic
    when tow.

    Thanks, Chris
     
    Chris, May 26, 2005
    #8
  9. The clearances on the newer engines are tighter, which is why they recommend
    the thinner oil. Many Honda dealers use 5W30 or 10W30, because it is
    cheaper. My relative has a repair shop, and he uses 5W20 and Honda filters
    when he does Hondas, and he buys the oil and filters at the wholesale Honda
    parts department. The parts manager was amused, because even the dealership
    to which the parts department is attached, doesn't use 5W20, and in some
    cases doesn't use Honda filters. You can't buy 5W20 in bulk, delivered to
    your oil tank.

    As for synthetic, there may not be a 5W20 synthetic.

    Many car dealers have one bulk tank of oil, and they fill it with 10W30. My
    Toyota says 5W30, but the dealer used 10W30, and I made them change it, as I
    would be driving the vehicle into very cold climates.
     
    Steven M. Scharf, May 27, 2005
    #9
  10. Chris

    jmattis Guest

    Tighter clearances? I want to see the numbers to prove this. No one
    has been able to come up with that on this board.
     
    jmattis, May 28, 2005
    #10
  11. Chris

    Chris Guest

    Thanks for all comments

    Chris
     
    Chris, Jun 1, 2005
    #11
  12. Regardless of the merits or not of 5W-20 or of dealers not following
    the oil specification in the owner's manual, aren't there 5W-20 synthetic
    oils now from Mobil and Castrol?
     
    Timothy J. Lee, Jun 2, 2005
    #12
  13. Yes, my mistake.
     
    Steven M. Scharf, Jun 2, 2005
    #13
  14. The 5W20 is for a reason. Honda would not have gone and annoyed dealers,
    independent shops, and DIY owners, if there was not a legitimate reason for
    the 5W20. It could be that they simply found that their engines worked
    better with 5W20, or that it increased the fuel economy.
     
    Steven M. Scharf, Jun 2, 2005
    #14
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