Break-In for '06 Honda Pilot AWD

[VK56VD]

I have an '06 Honda Pilot AWD. I am 3k right now and intend to run on the factory fill oil until the oil indicator goes down to 15%. After this point, I will switch to Castrol GTX 5w-20 for the next few oil changes doing 2,500 mile OCI. After 10,000 miles, i intend to switch to synthetic Pennzoil Platinum that I've stacked up on since it was on sale at Advance Auto Parts.

Now here are my questions. I've usually switched out factory fill oil after 3k. But I've read that the Honda factory fill uses a special break-in oil that helps the engine break-in properly. I've also read that the old theory of switching out early due to metal shavings does not apply here. I know switch early to synthetic may also cause problems later down the road with the engine consumiing/burning oil prematurely. This is why I intend to do a few GTX conventional 2.5k OCI to help me get up to the 10k odometer reading after which i will start using synthetic. Also the reason for the few 2.5k OCI is due to a rinsing phase I intend to put the engine through to get any particles from the engine breaking in out.

Please chime in if my above theory will help break the engine in properly, help in keeping the engine healthy for years to come, and eliminate any oil consumption issues later down the road.

Also chime in on your opinion of oils I will be using after the break in oil reaches 15% on the oil indicator. If you have suggestions other than the GTX and PP synthetic, please let me know.

Thanks

 

[joee12]

It is a widely debated topic here, but the "Special Honda Break-in oil" with super doses of moly is nothing more than assembly lube. I have an 05 Pilot with the VTM-4 all wheel drive system as well. I am sticking with 3500 mile changes due to the fact that I tow with the Pilot, and want no problems if something happens, since 3750 is the interval called for in my owners manual. Keep an eye on the transmission and VTM-4 fluids as well, make sure to change them regularly, Joe

 

[RogerKlugerAus05]

In my opinion I would put synthetic in now. I can see no logic to the argument that mineral oil be used for break in preference to synthetic, other than if you do several short oci in the first 5 or 10k miles then it will cost a lot with synthetic. Go synthetic now and enjoy your car for many years/miles.
Roger

 

[Roger]

I for one, think that sometimes the design and manufacturing guys who built your vehicle might just know what they are talking about and recommending. I'd run the factory oil as long as you can. On my '05 Pilot I did that until the severe OCI, or 3,750 miles. I stuck with that interval ever since and at 22K, still consume zippo oil.

I'm no engine engineer, but I suspect most of a new engine's real breakin takes place in the 1st 20-30 minutes of operation. After that it's all very fine "polishing" wear. IMHO, you have nothing to gain by using 2.5K OCI's, but that's just me.

 

[nascarnation]

Don't waste a lot of money needlessly.
That motor will do just fine with a 10 buck jug of Motorcraft and a 2.50 Supertech filter.
I would be changing transmission fluid ever 30,000 or so, I think that's the weak link in your drivetrain.

 

[trixman]

Quote:

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Don't waste a lot of money needlessly.
That motor will do just fine with a 10 buck jug of Motorcraft and a 2.50 Supertech filter.
I would be changing transmission fluid ever 30,000 or so, I think that's the weak link in your drivetrain.

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x2

I've seen great used oil analysis on MC 5w-20. I'll use PP for now b/c it's cheap with BOGO .........ST filters do the job.

BTW This is for the Matrix.

 

[VK56VD]

since I'll be using synthetic after the 10k mark on the odometer,will it be safe to run 6k-7k OCI with PP SYNTHETIC and an OEM oil filter?

 

[Lonnie]

I wonder if that assembly lube was good for an engine after startup, would it not be in bottles of oil to use on routine oil changes? In our fleet service we use MC 5w-20 every where now for those cars spec'd for that viscosity. We spent a bit of trouble and time with different oils and trying to figure out what to use. If performance in severe duty is needed then try a synthetic. We include extended intervals in our def of severe duty. If you want cheapest oil that does a realsonable job, then it's Chevron Supreme because you can get it at deep discounts. If you are in the in the middle there are two choices. One, any API cert oil and next, if you are willing to pay just a bit more it's MC.
But you also need to know, there is not a bad choice out there.

 

[Steve S]

The engine doesn't require synthetic oil. Seems the Honda engines can't tell the difference between the syn. and petro oil.