10/23/17
I have a 2012 Honda Pilot Touring with 41K miles on it. I bought it brand new. Over the years that I've owned it, 10/2012 to date, I've had the oil changed at the recommended intervals. Soon after I bought it I was told by a "Service Mgr" at the Honda dealership where I bought it, that I could use 5W20 conventional oil in the car and that Honda recommended 0W20 synthetic oil.
I brought my car to a different Honda dealer today with coupons for a special price oil change and the "Service Mgr" insisted that I had to use the Honda 0W20 synthetic oil or he would not do an oil change for me. I explained that another Service Mgr had told me it was O.K. to use a conventional oil and he said that he didn't care and that the oil filler cap read 0W20 oil and that's all he would put in the car. Naturally the Special Sale price would not apply to the synthetic oil. I told him to just use the 5W20 conventional oil and he refused and took my car out of the service line and told me he would not do an oil change for me. Period... Wow ! Very rude behavior.
I told him that the service manual said that 0W20 was "recommended" but it does not say "Required" anywhere. He said he would not do the oil change and walked away.
I drove home and checked the service manual again in case I missed something and on page # 576 it reads:
"RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL.
Oil is a major contributor to your engine's performance and longevity. Always use a premium - grade oW-20 detergent oil displaying the API Certification Seal. This seal indicates the oil is energy conserving, and that it meets the American Pertoleum Institutes latest requirements. It is highly recommended that you use Honda motor oil in your vehicle. Make sure the API Certification Seal says "For Gasoline Engines."
Please note that no where does it read "Required" only "Recommended".
So, my question is, must I use a 0W-20 "Synthetic" oil or can I use a different oil such as a conventional 5W-20 or a Synthetic Blend in similar weights.?
On page # 577 it reads:
"Synthetic Oil"
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements given for a conventional motor oil: it displays the API Certification Seal, and it is the proper weight. You must follow the oil and filter change intervals shown on the odometer/trip meter display or on the multi-information display"
Apparently this "Allows" you to use a synthetic oil but does not require it.
So is Honda pulling a fast one? Does anyone know if the use of a synthetic oil is a requirement or is it merely a recommendation?
I know that I'll be contacting Honda Corporation as well as the dealership and regional manager to file a complaint about the very rude Service Mgr.
Thanks,
Keats
Peoria, Arizona.
I have a 2012 Honda Pilot Touring with 41K miles on it. I bought it brand new. Over the years that I've owned it, 10/2012 to date, I've had the oil changed at the recommended intervals. Soon after I bought it I was told by a "Service Mgr" at the Honda dealership where I bought it, that I could use 5W20 conventional oil in the car and that Honda recommended 0W20 synthetic oil.
I brought my car to a different Honda dealer today with coupons for a special price oil change and the "Service Mgr" insisted that I had to use the Honda 0W20 synthetic oil or he would not do an oil change for me. I explained that another Service Mgr had told me it was O.K. to use a conventional oil and he said that he didn't care and that the oil filler cap read 0W20 oil and that's all he would put in the car. Naturally the Special Sale price would not apply to the synthetic oil. I told him to just use the 5W20 conventional oil and he refused and took my car out of the service line and told me he would not do an oil change for me. Period... Wow ! Very rude behavior.
I told him that the service manual said that 0W20 was "recommended" but it does not say "Required" anywhere. He said he would not do the oil change and walked away.
I drove home and checked the service manual again in case I missed something and on page # 576 it reads:
"RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL.
Oil is a major contributor to your engine's performance and longevity. Always use a premium - grade oW-20 detergent oil displaying the API Certification Seal. This seal indicates the oil is energy conserving, and that it meets the American Pertoleum Institutes latest requirements. It is highly recommended that you use Honda motor oil in your vehicle. Make sure the API Certification Seal says "For Gasoline Engines."
Please note that no where does it read "Required" only "Recommended".
So, my question is, must I use a 0W-20 "Synthetic" oil or can I use a different oil such as a conventional 5W-20 or a Synthetic Blend in similar weights.?
On page # 577 it reads:
"Synthetic Oil"
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements given for a conventional motor oil: it displays the API Certification Seal, and it is the proper weight. You must follow the oil and filter change intervals shown on the odometer/trip meter display or on the multi-information display"
Apparently this "Allows" you to use a synthetic oil but does not require it.
So is Honda pulling a fast one? Does anyone know if the use of a synthetic oil is a requirement or is it merely a recommendation?
I know that I'll be contacting Honda Corporation as well as the dealership and regional manager to file a complaint about the very rude Service Mgr.
Thanks,
Keats
Peoria, Arizona.