2011 Honda Pilot

[AdamL]

Hi everyone, this is my first real post. I've been lurking for a few months.

2011 Honda pilot, 3500 miles, 3.5 vcm engine, still on ff. Manual calls for 5w20 (does not specify synthetic), changed per maintenance minder, which I intend to follow. We're on track to hit the one-year limit before hitting 5% on the MM. The year mark should come at around 7,000 miles. This is my wife's car so it sees daily 4-16 miles worth of short trips. We'll also have it on one or two long trips a year, and for outings on the weekends.

So, I can buy Mobil 1 5w-20 at Costco right now for $4.50 a quart. I can buy Honda synthetic blend 5w-20 at a dealership by my house for $3.47 per quart. My final option would be a quality conventional which I figure I can pick up for $2.50 a quart on sale. I'll be using factory filters.

We're in Las Vegas so the it freezes occasionally in the winter and breaks 110 occasionally in the summer.

What does everyone think? The difference in cost for a 5-quart change once a year is negligible. If all goes well and gas prices hold, I'll keep this vehicle for ten or twelve years.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[moto94536]

honda pilot will take conventional, syn blend or synthetic.. It is just up to you which one you want to go with it.

Dino cost about $2 - $2.50 / qt
synthetic $5 / qt.

since your pilot is brand new. Try with conventional first and see how it goes like mpg, and engine sound. if you don't like it, move to honda synthetic blend. then move to synthetic.

Honda engine can easily get 300,000 miles if you maintenance it. like 7,500 miles OCI, so on.

 

[mopar_monkey]

can't beat the factory syn blend for that price, also the factory syn blend is what your maint. minder is programmed to calculate against so i'd stick with that. if you can get conoco or motorcraft syn blend cheaper buy that they are the same exact oil as the honda stuff.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Once a year oil change with M1 at $4.50/qt from Costco is only about $10 more than conventional oil. For less than 2 dimes a week more than conventional oil, I say go with M1 5W20.

 

[crazyoildude]

5w20 anything sm or sn would be great for once a year oci

 

[moto94536]

I personally will use synthetic blend on the pilot. You say you can get honda syn blend for $3.47/qt. thats a great deal.

I heard autozone is selling kendall synthetic blend for $3.29/qt.

conoco philip oil = Honda synthetic blend = kendall = motorcraft

So I think synthetic blend is the best way to go in the pilot.

 

[Hounds]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Once a year oil change with M1 at $4.50/qt from Costco is only about $10 more than conventional oil. For less than 2 dimes a week more than conventional oil, I say go with M1 5W20.

QED

 

[Indydriver]

I changed the oil on my 2011 Accord VCM at 6300 (10%) and did a UOA on it and the oil was shot and loaded with wear particles. Based on my experience, I would recommend relieving the FF from duty at 5000. I would do at least one more OCI at 5000 before following the MM. Regarding which oil, I'd go with the M1 deal at Costco and just stock up. You can find good deals on OE filters in six packs online. Don't forget to buy new drain plug washers.

Interesting to note they spec 5W-20 in the Pilot but 0W-20 (meaning full syn) in the Accord. Also for the OP, there is a pretty lengthy thread right now on UOA for this vehicle you might find informative.

I just took another look at the UOA on my FF...256ppm copper! May be a record.

 

[artbuc]

Indydriver said: "I changed the oil on my 2011 Accord VCM at 6300 (10%) and did a UOA on it and the oil was shot and loaded with wear particles. Based on my experience, I would recommend relieving the FF from duty at 5000."

This is really important info for me. I have a 2010 MDX and have read many threads on various forums about pros/cons of leaving FF in until MM says to change it out as per the Owners Manual- many strong opinions on both sides. I replaced my FF at 5k and I am glad I did.

 

[AdamL]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies.

 

[moto94536]

hi indydriver, you recommend dumping FF at 5000. Of course you will see wear particles for the first 10,000 miles.. Maybe you should recommend that to the honda engineers.


I know you do alot of cold start on your accord and as well as city driving, and short trips.

For the people who DIY, they can change oil whenever they want.

If you are gonna take your car to the dealer to maintenance it, most likely they will follow the MM.