I am going to change my oil in my 04 tsx. Im not sure if it ever ran on synthetic, so what do you recommend I use? Can I just put synthetic in now or will that mess my car up, or should I just use regular 5w-30?

 

1. This has been answered many times before, in countless debate threads. Please search before posting a question you think someone else might have asked before.

2. Wrong section, moved to general discussion.

 

i don't think there is any reason using synthetic now would harm your car. the way i see it, your car is either
A) using regular oil and your switching over to synthetic, or
B) is currently using synthetic, and you're replacing it synthetic

 

Since you don't know if the car has been running synthetic and your car is an '04, I would play it safe and use the regular Dino oil.

 

its a myth, switching to synthetic now will not harm you car

 

I'd also advocate going fully synthetic (PAO Ester, not hydrocracked dino!) but would recommend an oil flush treatment.
Liqui Moly Proline is what I'd use, but not sure if the US distributor does that one.
So, you could look at Bardahl for one of their sludge removers.
Once you've done that, then change filter and put in the new oil.

 

Here's a good faq (one of many) about switching to synthetic.

They recommend an engine flush if switching in a car with more than 60,000 miles.

http://www.synlubes.com/about/faqs.html

 

I like the response to the question: "Do synthetic lubricants cause seal leaks?"

Spot on.

 

can you switch to synthetic, and go back to dino oil later on?

 

Go here and get the answers you need.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

 

Why though?
There's a point to spending the small extra for full synthetic, aside from extending the oil change interval to manufacturer's recommended - 12.5K miles or 12 months if running on standard schedule.
If $25 per year extra has to be justified for the oil, then you should be either taking the bus/tram/train or bought a cheaper car leaving more money to spend on fluids without having to overthink the expenditure.
Either that or you'll have to do without 2-3 pizzas.

 

FWIW, I have an 04, been running dinosaurs for 70k. I just switched to blend. Will do that for a few changes, and will run full synth after 100k...

 

Change now to synth - surely it's better to remove any sludge and varnish build-up and seeing if the seals are all fine.
The point of doing synth is to increase the longevity of the engine, and the savings in fuel will pay back the extra spent on the oil.
If you haven't, then like above, put an additive in the oil and fuel to clean the cylinders, head, O2 sensors, etc.

 

I've been taking my TSX to the dealer and letting them change the oil in mine (as well as scheduled maintenance). Would there be a benefit to using other oil than factory oil?

 

(too many oil threads)

 

^^
Possibly. Maybe it's time for a sticky FAQ or "Everything you need to know about oil but still started a new thread!"

 

Chances are the dealer is using what they can lay their hands on for the least each month.
If not and there's a contract in place, they'll be restricted to Castrol or OEM (same thing!), and it'll be "hydrocracked dino" synthetic.
As per the rest of my replies - there is a point to PAO Ester based synths, and the cost is minimal in real terms over the duration of ownership.