piggydog

are there any precautions I should note? Previous owner used regular 5w20.

sixsixfour

you should be fine.

erick3

it's recommended to stick with one specific type of motor oil (dino/synth). from what I remember, it's okay to switch from dino oil to synthetic, as long as your motor is relatively new (new = no leaks). it's NOT recommended to go back and forth though...
if you're picky as hell, you could run synth for a few hundred, then flush it out...

i recommend mobil 1 5w20 + a k&n filter
i use royal purple + a k&n filter

4.6 quarts if i recall correctly. also, check out walmart if you have one near you...they sell mobil 1 via 5 quart jugs for $23!

andyc123

You're fine. Mobil1 is the best out there, anyone buying anything else for more is feeding someone Lobster for breakfast.

Once you switch to synthetic though, you can't go back.

lemonade

No precaution needed.

Can always go back and forth no matter new or old engine. (if it's leaking you should get it fixed no matter dino or synthetic)

Mobil 1 is no where near the best out there (not my opinion but base on oil test, virgin and used), talking about best bang for the back, Mobil 1 is definitely not.

If you stick with MID on changing oil, it's not necessary to spend extra money buying expensive filter, use the OEM blue honda filter, or any bigger brand, for example go to Kragen or Pepboys buy those white Purolator filter for $3.XX .

Remember statistically speaking, our engine will most likely last longer than the car as a whole. Don't worry too much, save some money on simple thing like oil change and use that money to do other major maintenance.

nfnsquared

That used to be the mantra, but not true anymore due to improvement in seal technology and oil additives.

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

"There was a time, years ago, when switching between synthetic oils and mineral oils was not recommended if you had used one product or the other for a long period of time. People experienced problems with seals leaking and high oil consumption but changes in additive chemistry and seal material have taken care of those issues. And that's an important caveat. New seal technology is great, but if you're still driving around in a car from the 80's with its original seals, then this argument becomes a bit of a moot point - your seals are still going to be subject to the old leakage problems no matter what newfangled additives the oil companies are putting in their products."

You're not driving a 1980's car. You'll be fine switching either way.

nfnsquared

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GIVEII

$9.48 for 2 (twin pack). Order 3 twin packs, get free shipping.

lemonade

x2 That's what i did.