2025 Honda Pilot, HPL Premium Plus PCMO, and Shell V-Power Nitro+

[rstsco]

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.

 

[JavierH19]

Could the difference have come from winter to summer fuel? Got this from a website

The transition from winter to summer fuel begins in March and April when refineries start producing summer-grade gasoline. May 1 is the federal compliance deadline for fuel terminals to switch to summer blends, while gas stations have until June 1 to complete the changeover. However the transition often starts earlier in regions with stricter regulations such as California where some areas require summer-blend fuel by April 1.

Winter blend is cheaper to make than summer blend so they're encouraged to take as long as possible to transition from the cheaper higher margin and lower mpg butane stuff to the more expensive to make lower margin higher mpg summer blend.

I fill up at costco and their 93 usually costs the same as what shell wants for regular even without the 5% with the costco card and it's less than shell 87 with the card and costco claims top tier plus on all grades with 5x more detergents than epa so it's good stuff especially with the costco card. I have one nearby and I only fill up early morning or near closing where it's empty. Going there outside of those hours can result in a long 5-10 min wait.

 

[dkryan]

“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……..”

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?


Wow!

How many oil changes did you actually do between 494 miles and 13k miles using Amsoil Signature Series?

And why the perceived need to use fuel system cleaners in those first 13k miles?

What were you trying to clean and from what engine component?

You’re running HPL Premium Plus for 4k mile OCIs?

And if you’re “confident in what I know works for me……,” why would you want to take two steps back, as you termed it?

You are using way too much fuel system cleaner in this engine, especially if you switched back to Shell V-Power Nitro.

And if you’re going to run OCIs of less than 5k, save the money for the Shell premium gas and simply use Valvoline Restore and Protect.

Pablo and David Ward would likely be disappointed at losing the business, but I am willing to bet with your OCIs they would agree with me.

 

[KrisZ]

There is no way an oil could contribute to such a drastic MPG change in any direction.

 

[Danno]

Winter blend gas to summer blend, and what is the ethanol content in the gas before and after the switch? Less ethanol content should result in better mpg.

 

[rstsco]

How many oil changes did you actually do between 494 miles and 13k miles using Amsoil Signature Series?

And why the perceived need to use fuel system cleaners in those first 13k miles?

Oil changes with Amsoil Signature Series were done at 494, 4,493, and 10,053 miles. Switched to HPL Premium Plus PCMO at 13,007 miles. Since this OCI had some carry-over of the remaining Amsoil SS, I changed it again with HPL at 16,975. Current mileage sits at 21,701 and I don't plan on changing the oil and filter for a while. With 4,726 miles on the current OCI, the OLM is showing 60% remaining oil life.

Honda's J35Y8 engine is prone to having quite a bit of carbon buildup, even compared to other GDI engines. If adding a bottle of fuel system cleaner once or twice per OCI helps in the tiniest to prevent buildup, it's worth the investment.

And if you’re going to run OCIs of less than 5k, save the money for the Shell premium gas and simply use Valvoline Restore and Protect.

Pablo and David Ward would likely be disappointed at losing the business, but I am willing to bet with your OCIs they would agree with me.

Had I known about Valvoline Restore and Protect motor oil and it's cleaning/prevention capabilities before ever putting Amsoil in this engine, and later drinking the HPL Kool-Aid and buying five cases, I would be running VRP right now at 5k OCIs. My daughter drives a 2016 Pilot and I've stocked up on VRP to start using in her car, so I'm putting my money where my mouth is. She's been taking her car to a Valvoline quick-lube place for oil changes, but this may be hard to believe, but the several Valvoline quick-lubes in my area I've called, none stock Valvoline Restore and Protect. None. they were kind enough to tell me I could bring my own and they charged $36 for the labor to change using your own oil and filters.

I've bought and given away more Amsoil in the past four years than ever went into my own cars. Still have 15 quarts on a shelf that needs a new home.

There is no way an oil could contribute to such a drastic MPG change in any direction.

I also find it hard to believe. My only experience with significant increase in fuel mileage was in 1976 when I first started using Amsoil. I had a 1975 Toyota Corolla E5 which consistently got 29mpg. After switching to Amsoil 10W-40 (no Signature Series back then) and Amsoil gear lube in the manual transmission and rear differential, within a thousand miles, I was getting 33mpg. Stayed at 33mpg until I sold the car. Because of that increase in mileage, I've always thought of Amsoil as being capable of increased mileage. Now into the second OCI of HPL, I'm wondering what magic is blended into HPL's oils.

Winter blend gas to summer blend, and what is the ethanol content in the gas before and after the switch? Less ethanol content should result in better mpg.

In Texas at the Shell stations I've stopped at, including my local, the pumps say up to 10% ethanol content for all octane ratings and the premium octane is 93. On our trips to our daughter's in Wisconsin, Shell premium in Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin are ethanol-free and 91 octane. I concur using ethanol-free gas could be a contributing factor, but we make this round trip several times per year and this was the first time seeing this significant difference in mileage.

 

[Zee09]

I was going to say I won't use Shell 87 even in outdoor power equipment as I lived next to one for years and tried it up and down the coast with dismal mpgs and other issues but won't say it as I don't want to get into it but maybe @walterjay will...

I'm just old and tired
Good luck.....

 

[rstsco]

I was going to say I won't use Shell 87 even in outdoor power equipment as I lived next to one for years and tried it up and down the coast with dismal mpgs and other issues but won't say it as I don't want to get into it but maybe @walterjay will...

I'm just old and tired
Good luck.....

Thanks. I should just stop overthinking and stick to what I've found to work for my vehicle and how we drive.