2018 Honda Pilot towing with VRP

[STMech]

I have been running VRP 0W-20 in my 2018 Pilot for about 14k miles, and holding with a 4k OCI. I have sent samples to Blackstone at every oil change. Wear metals have been low. We are planning another camping trip in two weeks, pulling our r-pod trailer which is about 3000 lbs. This is a challenge for the Pilot, and RPM’s run 2500 to 3500 with occasional 4k runs. So far, 0W-20 has done a good job, with wear metals in UOA very low.

I’m considering switching to VRP 5W-30 for our next camping trip. I assume that the 2018 J35 can handle this oil. I am requesting feedback from BITOG on this.

Perhaps this is a thick vs thin vs VRP post?

 

[rijndael]

I now run VRP 5w-30 in our ‘17 Odyssey with a J35. I have no complaints.

 

[ctechbob]

Certainly won't hurt the engine. You might take a little hit in MPG unloaded, but towing you're not going to see the difference.

Work that J Series, it won't care. Long as it is maintained it will do whatever you ask it to.

I too have switched to 5W30 in my J cars, mainly out of convenience for keeping one oil on hand for the household.

 

[Johnny248]

I have been running VRP 0W-20 in my 2018 Pilot for about 14k miles, and holding with a 4k OCI. I have sent samples to Blackstone at every oil change. Wear metals have been low. We are planning another camping trip in two weeks, pulling our r-pod trailer which is about 3000 lbs. This is a challenge for the Pilot, and RPM’s run 2500 to 3500 with occasional 4k runs. So far, 0W-20 has done a good job, with wear metals in UOA very low.

I’m considering switching to VRP 5W-30 for our next camping trip. I assume that the 2018 J35 can handle this oil. I am requesting feedback from BITOG on this.

Perhaps this is a thick vs thin vs VRP post?

I've been running 5w30 in our Honda 3.5 for years. It seems to be completely happy with it.

 

[fantastic]

Personally, I think it's a good idea for your towing Pilot's J35.

 

[edyvw]

I have been running VRP 0W-20 in my 2018 Pilot for about 14k miles, and holding with a 4k OCI. I have sent samples to Blackstone at every oil change. Wear metals have been low. We are planning another camping trip in two weeks, pulling our r-pod trailer which is about 3000 lbs. This is a challenge for the Pilot, and RPM’s run 2500 to 3500 with occasional 4k runs. So far, 0W-20 has done a good job, with wear metals in UOA very low.

I’m considering switching to VRP 5W-30 for our next camping trip. I assume that the 2018 J35 can handle this oil. I am requesting feedback from BITOG on this.

Perhaps this is a thick vs thin vs VRP post?

People run 0W40 in those engines.

 

[STMech]

People run 0W40 in those engines.

But not VRP !

 

[STMech]

I get the vibe that 5W-30 VRP should be just fine. Sometimes a person just wants other people to tell him what he already believes. The 0W-20 would probably be ok as well.

 

[STMech]

I'm just really liking VRP over the last 14,000 miles.

 

[edyvw]

But not VRP !

Ok. Is there something special about VRP kinematic or dynamic viscosity?

 

[STMech]

Ok. Is there something special about VRP kinematic or dynamic viscosity?

I like this oil for the way my Honda runs with it. I know. That’s an untested opinion. Of course, untested opinions are pretty much par for the course online. As far as viscosity values, I certainly am no expert. I believe that VRP viscosity index is acceptable. 5W-30 looks to be better than the other VRP grades. Looks better for a towing situation.

 

[STMech]

Ok. Is there something special about VRP kinematic or dynamic viscosity?

Of course, the special thing about VRP is cleaning of low tension rings.

 

[edyvw]

Of course, the special thing about VRP is cleaning of low tension rings.

That doesn’t have anything to do with what I asked and your dilemma.

 

[STMech]

My dilemma is pretty mild. 0W-20 vs 5W-20. Probably either one is fine. My question is which one is better for towing.

Kinematic viscosity vs dynamic viscosity? IDK, my bad.

I'm sticking with VRP because of the ring cleaning ability. And a quiet idle and better power and better fuel economy.

I don't pretend to know what you are talking about. My bad, I will have to go back and read the motor oil University thread again.

Perhaps you could enlighten me on the fine points of viscosity, and how it applies to towing with a Honda Pilot?

 

[dbias]

You don’t have a dilemma, you have a problem. Not a very big problem but solving the problem depends on what you prioritize. You keep mentioning towing. Use the 5w-30 and drive more and worry less.

 

[STMech]

Good advice. Thanks.

 

[edyvw]

My dilemma is pretty mild. 0W-20 vs 5W-20. Probably either one is fine. My question is which one is better for towing.

Kinematic viscosity vs dynamic viscosity? IDK, my bad.

I'm sticking with VRP because of the ring cleaning ability. And a quiet idle and better power and better fuel economy.

I don't pretend to know what you are talking about. My bad, I will have to go back and read the motor oil University thread again.

Perhaps you could enlighten me on the fine points of viscosity, and how it applies to towing with a Honda Pilot?

5W30 has higher HTHS (look around for explanation). That will definitely give you more protection margin if your oil temperature during towing gets high. I would definitely feel warmer around the heart having 5W30 and towing. That is the easy part.
But I would really like to know where is my transmission fluid temperature. That is where towing problems are. Get some OBD where you can read both engine oil and transmission fluid temperature.
Where do you live? Are you towing over mountain passes?

 

[Sequoiasoon]

5W30 has higher HTHS (look around for explanation). That will definitely give you more protection margin if your oil temperature during towing gets high. I would definitely feel warmer around the heart having 5W30 and towing. That is the easy part.
But I would really like to know where is my transmission fluid temperature. That is where towing problems are. Get some OBD where you can read both engine oil and transmission fluid temperature.
Where do you live? Are you towing over mountain passes?

The Pilot does not show oil temperatures that I have been able to find with VeePeak and OBD Fusion. I couldn't find it when I had the ScanGauge 3 either. ECT1, ECT2, transmission. SG3 did show rear diff temperature and TC slip% which I couldn't find PID's for yet for OBD fusion.

@STMech - I posted my VRP 5W-30 UOA here in the used oil analysis thread. It's also on Piloteers in I think the the newest 0W-30 thread. After 5600 miles with 2.2% fuel dilution, 100C viscosity was 9.2 which means it diluted/sheared to top of XW-20 range and just low out of range of still being a XW-30.

Use the 5W-30 VRP, be happy, do the temperature monitoring of transmission so you know if you need to adjust speeds or anything (if you can)

 

[edyvw]

The Pilot does not show oil temperatures that I have been able to find with VeePeak and OBD Fusion. I couldn't find it when I had the ScanGauge 3 either. ECT1, ECT2, transmission. SG3 did show rear diff temperature and TC slip% which I couldn't find PID's for yet for OBD fusion.

@STMech - I posted my VRP 5W-30 UOA here in the used oil analysis thread. It's also on Piloteers in I think the the newest 0W-30 thread. After 5600 miles with 2.2% fuel dilution, 100C viscosity was 9.2 which means it diluted/sheared to top of XW-20 range and just low out of range of still being a XW-30.

Use the 5W-30 VRP, be happy, do the temperature monitoring of transmission so you know if you need to adjust speeds or anything (if you can)

Yeah, I would forget engine oil unless traveling over very high mountain passes.
Transmission is where the focus should be. Does that Pilot have any kind of transmission cooler?

 

[Sequoiasoon]

The ‘16+ Pilot’s did not come with one. It was a Honda option to add at dealer, yourself etc. I added one to mine, I don’t know if stmech did. It helps but also depends on overall transmission. He has 6 speed like me, there are TSB’s for torque converter IF you meet the criteria or dealer can advocate etc.

I want to get a larger cooler but the one I’ve been searching for is unobtanium from Long Manufacturing, one of their Tru-Cool Max that would fit nice with hose barbs in correct place. I don’t feel that the factory one gets enough air pulled through from the fans when stuck in slow crawling traffic. I only tow a small 5x8 utility trailer that weighs 840lbs empty. Heaviest I recall loaded was about 2200 lbs on scale so 1400 load inside. My highest temp (255F) was actually empty trailer, crawling bumper to bumper followed by many stop signs and small hills.

I wasn’t going crazy with cooler as I wasn’t sure I’d be keeping the Pilot due to tranny concerns. It is currently at Honda dealer getting a new TC (and brake master cylinder/booster). Once I get it back I’ll focus on a larger cooler. Sadly so many people don’t know how bad it actually gets just doing around town and slow traffic trips, not towing. I hit 244F with just myself, wife, stuff in back of SUV to go to VA to visit my son. VERY slow crawling traffic through NY for 4 hours on a mid 80F day.