Bought the Pilot new in May of 2025 and now have close to 22k miles on it. First oil change was at 494 miles using Amsoil Signature Series. Continued to use Amsoil SS through several OCIs until 13k miles, then switched to HPL Premium Plus PCMO. During those first 13k miles, I started out using Shell premium, then switched to Quik Trip 87 octane, since it was convenient, less expensive, Top Tier certified, and what the owner's manual recommended. Over the next several OCIs, I noticed more carbon deposits in the oil filters. During those first 13k miles, I experimented with using Amsoil PI fuel system cleaner as well as regular maintenance doses of Amsoil Upper Cylinder Lubricant. I later used Redline SI-1 instead of Amsoil PI. At 13k miles, I switched to HPL Premium Plus PCMO and went back to using Shell V-Power Nitro+.
The first run of HPL PPPCMO was just shy of 4k miles. During this run, I added one bottle of Valvoline Restore and Protect Fuel System Cleaner. When I last changed the oil and filter on the 4k run of HPL, the oil and filter showed no signs of carbon deposits. The Pentius PLXL7317 filters did a good job of removing most of the carbon and the Amsoil SS did a great job of holding the rest of the carbon in suspension until flushed out during the OCIs.
This current HPL run has 4.7k miles on it. We just returned from a 3k+ trip and got the best fuel mileage yet on the Pilot, averaging ~2mpg better than any other trip we've made (lots of the same route between our home and Wisconsin). Last trip to Wisconsin was in March, so not that long ago and was during the first OCI with HPL. About 500 miles from home, I added a bottle of Valvoline Restore and Protect Fuel System Cleaner.
To be honest, I'm a bit flabbergasted by the increase in fuel mileage. Amsoil SS has always been an economical oil, but the only thing I can attribute the increased fuel mileage to is the switch to HPL Premium Plus PCMO. I guess it could be the engine and drive train are finally broken in, but this change was relatively dramatic, so question that hypothesis. Regardless, I think I've hit on a winning combination for our 2025 Pilot and how we drive it. HPL Premium Plus PCMO, Shell V-Power Nitro+, and adding a bottle of Valvoline Restore and Protect Fuel System Cleaner somewhere along the OCI.
I would love to experiment with using Shell 87 octane instead of the premium, but concerned with taking two steps backwards. Now that I'm confident in what I know works for me, should I try switching to Shell 87 octane and give it a go? Currently at my local Shell, it's a dollar difference between the two blends. On our trip, there was one station where the premium was more than $2/gallon more expensive than 87 octane. It'd be great if the Shell 87 octane would be almost as good as the premium, as long as there aren't any additional carbon deposits.
The first run of HPL PPPCMO was just shy of 4k miles. During this run, I added one bottle of Valvoline Restore and Protect Fuel System Cleaner. When I last changed the oil and filter on the 4k run of HPL, the oil and filter showed no signs of carbon deposits. The Pentius PLXL7317 filters did a good job of removing most of the carbon and the Amsoil SS did a great job of holding the rest of the carbon in suspension until flushed out during the OCIs.
This current HPL run has 4.7k miles on it. We just returned from a 3k+ trip and got the best fuel mileage yet on the Pilot, averaging ~2mpg better than any other trip we've made (lots of the same route between our home and Wisconsin). Last trip to Wisconsin was in March, so not that long ago and was during the first OCI with HPL. About 500 miles from home, I added a bottle of Valvoline Restore and Protect Fuel System Cleaner.
To be honest, I'm a bit flabbergasted by the increase in fuel mileage. Amsoil SS has always been an economical oil, but the only thing I can attribute the increased fuel mileage to is the switch to HPL Premium Plus PCMO. I guess it could be the engine and drive train are finally broken in, but this change was relatively dramatic, so question that hypothesis. Regardless, I think I've hit on a winning combination for our 2025 Pilot and how we drive it. HPL Premium Plus PCMO, Shell V-Power Nitro+, and adding a bottle of Valvoline Restore and Protect Fuel System Cleaner somewhere along the OCI.
I would love to experiment with using Shell 87 octane instead of the premium, but concerned with taking two steps backwards. Now that I'm confident in what I know works for me, should I try switching to Shell 87 octane and give it a go? Currently at my local Shell, it's a dollar difference between the two blends. On our trip, there was one station where the premium was more than $2/gallon more expensive than 87 octane. It'd be great if the Shell 87 octane would be almost as good as the premium, as long as there aren't any additional carbon deposits.
