Synthetic or regular? benefits? speak from experience please....

 

***I already posted this on another thread, but it applies. Plus the other one I don't think people saw because it was FIRST oil change.

Hey guys, old thread, but relevant and no need to make a new one.

So - Just wanted to review a few oils Ive tried in the ILX so far. I had the dealer do a few of the original oil changes as the car was in there of things like body kit install, etc. I used discounts/promotions and politeness to keep the prices down.

Big disclaimer, off the bat. Biggest MPG difference I've noticed (that we can actually control) are personal driving preferences. Specifically, these things - shift point (2 -3k RPM gets better MPG then higher, obviously), aggressive acceleration/driving, braking, and/or economy of motion (going fast at the top of a hill, and cruising down the hill, simple stuff, not necessarily hypermiling type tactics.)

Traffic - that is out our control. Depending how it's moving, and how you drive... good or bad.

I generally change the oil at 15%, once it got to 10%.

Acura synthetic blend - Worked great, car gave that regular 30mpg average on the dot. Engine noise - not loud, not quiet. But as the oil change was coming, it was getting louder. Especially once I had to change the air filter. It sounded horrible. It started getting loud, and hit 15% like almost exact same time. Oil was barely starting to change colors. Oil got to 10%. This is a great option tho, there's a few dealers near me, especially Honda, $35- 40 bucks for the oil change. Honda genuine oil, and filter. I don't mind having "just a Civic" when it comes to cheap ass maintenance.

Acura Full synthetic. - MPG went up, at the time I first got it, I also had the cold air intake installed right before. I'd say it shot up a ton. Later, the computer adjusted. But It was still getting 32 mpg. Motor was slightly quieter, but, air intake (Injen) was making that nice audible induction sound. Oil was still golden amber when I changed it. But I think my dealer regular price wants $90 bucks.

After I got headers and exhaust, I had a lot of fun. It was also hot, summer time, bad traffic. My MPG steadily went down. I was getting like 27MPG average, even lower sometimes. This was on Acura / Honda synthetic blend. I also noticed 'performance' would definitely go down once it was close to oil change time, engine wasn't as peppy or responsive. Oil never got real dark. Maybe a dark brown, but still clear, amber.

My Honda mechanic did a full synthetic oil change, basically unknown company. Unknown what filter he used. I stupidly assumed it was Mobil One. I never asked. So, on this, my MPG went back up to around 32, driving habits and conditions were better as well. I actually hit my mt 36+MPG trip average high with this oil. BUT - with this oil, I noticed it was a little more "groggy" when i first changed it. Then it was also WAY louder, the more I used up the oil. My exhaust was SUPER loud. I actually kinda got used to it, plus it was slowly getting louder, but I was even pulled over a few times for loud exhaust. Also had more of a burnt (synthetic) oil smell, and MPG was starting to go down towards the oil change interval. Oil did get darkest, by far, of all oil used. But it was $30 bucks, and i didn't ask to many questions, just assumed. Won't be doing that again.

So now I'm currently on Castrol Edge Full Synthetic. They had/have an offer for free movie tickets (2 free if you get the Edge full synthetic). The 5 quart jug was $29 bucks out the door at Walmart, and I had a genuine Honda oil filter, think I got if for like 7 bucks a long time ago. My mechanic charged me 10 bucks. I hate dealing with used oil. Worth my $10 bucks. So far MPG has risen back up. I got 34+ MPG on a 100+ mile trip. And I was driving smart, but fun. Hit 100+ miles an hour a few times. The City MPG is WAY improved, which probably matters more. The car is quieter, BY FAR the quietest oil I've used. The exhaust note is also deeper now. Holds Lower RPM better, without starting to sputter or stagger. Engine has more pep. I might actually buy another jug already for the next oil change, and get a better filter, to see the difference. The 2 tickets are worth up to $13 each, so $26 bucks total. I love going to the movies, so this is like free/$3 dollar oil to me.

On a side note - You guys should check out Walmart and local mechanics for oil changes. You can probably get away with spending around $50 bucks with full synthetic, good filter, and a good mechanic charging you pretty cheap. Mobil One fans, they got 0w-20 Advanced Fuel Economy and Extended Performance for $26.88, $29.00 out the door at my local Wal-Mart. Will definitely try those out next.

They actually had Royal Purple on Clearance in 0w-20, not enough people were buying it, they're gonna stop carrying it near me... $30 for the 5 quart. But it was all gone when i saw it ... Check your stores man, good deal.

The Other spots that charge cheap around me are the Autozones and Oreilly's. Pep Boys around me charge more for oil and are never on sale. Oreillys a and Autozone, you'll get full synthetic and a good/great oil filter anywhere from $35- $43 bucks out the door, depending on brands. This is probably where I'll get the Castrol Edge from. about $36 bucks out the door with a filter.

 

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*** the tickets can be used for ANY Universal pictures movie, NOT just Furious 7.

I've used several oils, this is by far the best one I've used on it so far - it still says 100% on the oil minder, the car loves this stuff. I got the Castrol Edge 0w-20 full synthetic black bottle, I REALLY want to use the gold bottle, Extended Performance. Apparently no one carries it around me tho. I found it online, but if I buy it online, I think i won't be able to claim the tickets... They only let you claim one time per household, but of course I'll just use my buddies address. Fuck the system. Rich oil companies will be fine.

Whenever this and the next oil change are done (15,000 miles, it'll be awhile). Then I'll try Mobil One AFE or, most likely, Extended Performance. Especially to compare. I want to be able to actually compare my own experience , not just hearsay. They are both $26.88(+tax$29) at Wal-Mart, plus a $7 Honda filter, and $10 for the mechanic. $46 to roll with some great full synthetic oil. OR - if Autozone/ Oreilly has a deal, or if someone else has another promotion, I'll jump on it too.

 

There's going to be A LOT of opinions on this topic. Only 2 brands I trust for my supercharged ILX - Mobil 1 Full Synthetic or Royal Purple - both 0W-20. 1000's of people feel this way for a reason, not saying something else isn't just as good but very hard to say anything else is better. You want scientific data just google it - Blackstone Laboratories did a test between Mobil 1 and RP after 4,000 hard driven corvette miles and the results were nearly identical.

Go to Wal-Mart and buy the big jug of 0W-20 Mobil 1 Full Synthetic and their top of the line Bosch oil filter. GREAT price for GREAT products.

 

Hey man this is gonna sound a lil retarded but ive never really been into cars that much, what is the difference lets say between 0w-20 and 10w-40?

 

There is a slight increase in fuel economy in 0W vs 5W. This has to do with oil viscosity (sort of it's stickiness and/or thickness) during a cold start up. The lower the # the lower the friction (thinner oil) which in requires less energy from your motor (and therefore requires less fuel)

The 2nd # is the viscosity rating when the oil is hot.

Only thing us ILX owners need to know is that 0W20 is truly the best performing oil for our cars

 

0w-20 is a lighter weight oil, with a lower viscosity at cold temps (0w) and 20w at operating temp. 10w-40 is a heavier weight at operating temperature and at cold temps (10w).

A 0w oil will protect your engine better at start up, since it flows better at cold temps (most engine wear occurs at start up).

Honda/Acura calls for 0w-20 in all of their new engines now (I believe).

 

I personally prefer Mobil 1 0w-20, but you could really use just about any 0w-20 oil in your Acura. You cannot get a conventional oil in 0w-20, but you can get a semisynthetic.

However, I would recommend a full synthetic oil for the best protection possible in your engine, plus longer lasting.

 

I wanted to add in a couple things. I've owned and maintained 2 other cars, a Corolla and a Civic. The Corolla, I just made sure the oil was changed regularly by a local mechanic, that was it. Never looked into the oil type and stuff. Reliable little grocery getter. The Civic, I was VERY busy with Marine stuff all the time, especially being low on the totem pole, so I mostly did "quik lube" places. Valvoline and Castrol full synthetics worked great - MUCH better then regular stuff. I tried Eneos oil, the car ATE that oil, straight up evaporated, and that stuff was supposedly amazing bla bla bla. The engine didn't like it. I'm sure it is great in other applications, or they'd be out of business, just didn't work for my little Civic. So I would take to heart people's recommendations, unless you feel like trying out stuff for yourself. Everyone does seem to love Mobil 1 on this car, its the same price as the Castrol Full synthetic at Walmart, But I said fuck it for free tickets.

My mechanic says "Oil is oil, as long as you change it on schedule, you're good. Changing it on schedule is the most important part. Only difference's are full synthetic is better, but even then semi-synthetic is still great."

I'd say he's more or less right, but use what gives you peace of mind. To me, that's now full synthetic. Especially when the difference is maybe (2)-(5) bucks. Whatever brand is "top tier" stuff (and on sale/promotion) at Walmart or Autozone/O'Reilly's is what I'm gonna buy. I checked a local dealer - Honda OEM filter was $8.50. Bet If I call a few more its even cheaper. Royal Purple IS apparently on sale RARELY at my local Oreillys, They said $40 with a filter, so If I see that, I'm trying it.

 

I went with Mobil 1Full synthetic as well as a Mobil 1 filter. Was going to by a cheap generic paper filter but the guy at the counter made a point that hit a nerve and said why buy good oil if you have a crap filter, so I ponied up the extra cash, and got the metal filter. Not that the other one would fail, but i guess its better to be sure it won't fail and I'm pretty sure it lasts a bit longer than a normal filter but not that it matters, I would change filters at every change anyway.

I am a fan of Castrol and Mobil 1. Every one has their preference, I just use a brand that I know and trust/ have used on every car I have owned.

 

How about the Mobil 1 filter?

 

I've been using Mobil 1 5w-30 on my 06 TSX since the 2nd oil change at around 10,000 miles (have +118,000 miles now and +8 yrs). Engine doesn't use any oil between 5000 mile M.I.D. oil changes and a slight bump in mpgs of about 1/2 mpg compared to reg oil. I purchase all my oil from Walmart and take to the dealership to change. Acura only charges me $26+free car wash for the A1 service and Honda/Acura oil filter. I have to use Mobil 1 on my RDX; which, I don't have any issues with and uses no oil between the 5000 mile M.I.D. changes (+117,000 miles). I purchased my MDX used with 30,000 miles and just switched to Mobil 1 5w-20; but, the big girl already uses about 1/2 -2/3 of a quart between M.I.D. changes of 7700 miles avg. Not sure if Mobil 1 or having a proper break-in would have limited the oil usage on the lease return MDX?

 

Mighty fine oil filter, they just don't sell it at the Wal-Mart near me.

 

Its crazy, today I got a coupon for Autozone out of the Sunday paper. $10 bucks off Valvoline Synpower Full Synthetic. Think it'll come out to under $20 bucks out the door for the 5 quart (no filter, I'll probably get a Honda filter). The same oil at the Valvoline quick oil change near me is a $90 service. I used to pay about $70 for my Civic's full synthetic oil changes due to time and schedule constraints. Now I got a better schedule, my local mechanic, and offers and coupons to take advantage of. If I buy this Synpower with the coupon, the $90 oil change will cost me less then $40. ($20+$8.50+$10=$38.50)

Used Oil Analysis - Bob is the Oil Guy - Bob is the Oil Guy

These guys are deep into oil, LOL. If they say its good, I'm cool with it. If I was running forced induction or something, I would probably be paranoid and only use Royal Purple.

 

Thanks. They stop carrying it @ the Wal-Mart near us also. I buy it from the Advanced Auto Parts next door.