First oil change. Synthetic or ?? Opinions
12-27-2018, 02:44 PM
#1
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
First oil change. Synthetic or ?? Opinions
My first oil change is coming soon and was wondering what the members feel about synthetic oil or ??? My previous Acura TL I used Mobile 1 synthetic from the first oil change until
buying the new RDX. Was this a good choice who knows. I can say that I had no engine problems and that gas mileage was always great for the 120,000 miles of driving it.
This current vehicle engine is obviously different. I know in the users guide it does not recommend synthetic oil.
Thanks Phil
buying the new RDX. Was this a good choice who knows. I can say that I had no engine problems and that gas mileage was always great for the 120,000 miles of driving it.
This current vehicle engine is obviously different. I know in the users guide it does not recommend synthetic oil.
Thanks Phil
12-27-2018, 02:55 PM
#2
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I just called the service department at my local dealership and they said they use full synthetic oil 0W-20. I haven't looked at the owners manual yet. If it came with full synthetic oil from the factory then you should be fine with full synthetic oil going forward. A lot of brand are great these days. Castrol, Mobil 1, Pennzoil, etc. I like Pennzoil.
12-27-2018, 04:32 PM
#3
I'm surprised that the manual does not ask for full synthetic. On my 2007 RDX full synthetic was mandatory. Turbo engines tend to be harsher on the oil than regular engines and thus have shorter oil change intervals. I personally would not use anything other than full synthetic.
12-27-2018, 06:01 PM
#4
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
Sorry my mistake as I should have turned to next page in owners guide as it does say you can use synthetic as does the owners manual.
As I said earlier I was just wondering what choice most were making.
As I said earlier I was just wondering what choice most were making.
12-27-2018, 06:07 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
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I would never use anything but full synthetic in any new car...especially a turbo. It really doesn't cost that much more and I buy 5qt jugs of Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil1, Castrol and Valvoline at Walmart for about $22 so pick your favorite. If you're leasing, use dino oil...if you bought it, use full synthetic:wink:
12-27-2018, 06:11 PM
#6
I'm surprised that the manual does not ask for full synthetic. On my 2007 RDX full synthetic was mandatory. Turbo engines tend to be harsher on the oil than regular engines and thus have shorter oil change intervals. I personally would not use anything other than full synthetic.
12-27-2018, 06:14 PM
#7
I would never use anything but full synthetic in any new car...especially a turbo. It really doesn't cost that much more and I buy 5qt jugs of Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil1, Castrol and Valvoline at Walmart for about $22 so pick your favorite. If you're leasing, use dino oil...if you bought it, use full synthetic:wink:
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12-27-2018, 06:31 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
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12-28-2018, 08:06 AM
#13
Suzuka Master
You can find synthetic blend 0w-20. Conventional 0w-20 is impossible to find, though theoretically it may exist.
I would go with full synthetic. Mobil1 and Pennzoil are excellent choices and are cheap at wallmart.
I would go with full synthetic. Mobil1 and Pennzoil are excellent choices and are cheap at wallmart.
12-28-2018, 08:08 AM
#14
Suzuka Master
12-28-2018, 09:04 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
12-28-2018, 09:28 AM
#17
12-28-2018, 05:18 PM
#18
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
Ok this is what I was hoping for in regard to reg. or synthetic. After spending $48,000 its not a matter of what a oil change will cost but what would be best for the engine.
Thanks everyone.
Thanks everyone.
12-28-2018, 05:30 PM
#20
Suzuka Master
synthetic is the best, but often times it will not make a huge difference under normal use. nowadays engines are so reliable that you practicaly dont hear engine failures (unless abuse was happening or poor maintance). Putting synthetic oil is a way of cheap insurance and peace of mind.
12-29-2018, 08:16 AM
#22
The name of the game is minimizing metal parts from contacting each other. Any 0W20 on the market will do that until it starts to break down and oxidize. The OLM looks to be taking these engines to 7,000+ miles between oil changes, probably not an issue for any 0W20, or Honda would recommend full synthetic only, a-la the first gen RDX. I like the advice above, if you are leasing use the cheapest, if you want to go more than 100k miles in your ownership, pay the incremental extra for FS if for nothing else: peace of mind.
12-29-2018, 08:43 AM
#23
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The name of the game is minimizing metal parts from contacting each other. Any 0W20 on the market will do that until it starts to break down and oxidize. The OLM looks to be taking these engines to 7,000+ miles between oil changes, probably not an issue for any 0W20, or Honda would recommend full synthetic only, a-la the first gen RDX. I like the advice above, if you are leasing use the cheapest, if you want to go more than 100k miles in your ownership, pay the incremental extra for FS if for nothing else: peace of mind.
12-29-2018, 08:52 AM
#24
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@horseshoez ...very true but why even bother with a blend??? Never understood why it even exists as it serves no real purpose other than to hit a consumer price point and make them feel "better" about using something with SYN in it. Either go FULL SYN or don't go at all I say. If you can afford the RDX, you can afford FULL SYN.
12-29-2018, 08:59 AM
#25
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LOL, that isn't a point I'll argue; in my vernacular, there are full synthetic oil options, and then there are a bunch of other options which are unworthy for any of my engines.
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12-29-2018, 09:25 AM
#26
First gen was 5W30 or 5W20 I believe, both of which were available in semi-synthetic. They developed a special spec. for that engine that could only be met by Mobil 1 (at first, then other full synthetics) due to what’s called “coking” from the high heat of the turbo charger. No blend ever met the HTO-6 spec. to my knowledge.
12-29-2018, 09:29 AM
#27
@horseshoez ...very true but why even bother with a blend??? Never understood why it even exists as it serves no real purpose other than to hit a consumer price point and make them feel "better" about using something with SYN in it. Either go FULL SYN or don't go at all I say. If you can afford the RDX, you can afford FULL SYN.
12-29-2018, 10:28 AM
#28
Suzuka Master
First gen was 5W30 or 5W20 I believe, both of which were available in semi-synthetic. They developed a special spec. for that engine that could only be met by Mobil 1 (at first, then other full synthetics) due to what’s called “coking” from the high heat of the turbo charger. No blend ever met the HTO-6 spec. to my knowledge.
12-29-2018, 03:36 PM
#29
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12-29-2018, 05:59 PM
#30
Speaking of oil changes, you folks may want to read this thread about possible gas contamination in the '19 RDX oil. A few owners have noticed the oil levels on their dip sticks increasing over time, and one had high levels of gas in his oil after an oil analysis. This is something we should all keep an eye on given Honda's gas contamination issues with the 1.5 engines. https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...l-guys-975121/
Again, I'm not saying everyone's having this issue, or if it is an issue at all, but if you guys are changing your oil, it would be great to have some additional data/user experience.
I know my oil smelled of gas when I had it changed...but the level was also very low.
Again, I'm not saying everyone's having this issue, or if it is an issue at all, but if you guys are changing your oil, it would be great to have some additional data/user experience.
I know my oil smelled of gas when I had it changed...but the level was also very low.
Last edited by dukeh62; 12-29-2018 at 06:04 PM.
12-29-2018, 07:54 PM
#35
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The fact is, regardless of which filter you use, the engine will most likely outlast the rest of the car.
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securityguy (12-30-2018)
12-29-2018, 07:59 PM
#36
if u have oil questions, head over to https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forum.../forum_summary When it comes down to it..follow ur manual.....And check ur oil on a regular basis!!...its not brain surgery!! https://www.wimp.com/its-not-brain-surgey/
12-29-2018, 09:41 PM
#37
Suzuka Master
people just get excited about their new cars and like to pepper them(myself included)
12-30-2018, 12:30 PM
#38
Unless there is something very wrong with your engine, an oil filter, cheap or expensive, all but irrelevant on modern engines. If you like the Honda filers, keep using them; if you want to switch and want to feel better about buying a good quality filter, any of he higher end (i.e. synthetic media) Fram, STP, Bosch, Wix, Pure, or Napa filters will suffice.
The fact is, regardless of which filter you use, the engine will most likely outlast the rest of the car.
The fact is, regardless of which filter you use, the engine will most likely outlast the rest of the car.
12-30-2018, 02:05 PM
#40
Suzuka Master