I just bought a "biblically maintained" Honda Fit with 171K miles on the clock. It was maintained by Honda dealers which has me believe it wasn't receiving the absolute best oil to be had. My other cars use no oil and I run Mobil1 Extended Performance and it gets changed once a year regardless of mileage, which is usually less than 10K.
The Fit is using about 1/2 quart or so every 1000 to 1500 miles. The USA owner's manual calls for 5w20 oil and that's it. There is guidance to be found that says to use anything else will upset the operation of VTEC and basically just ruin the engine in ways that no one but a Honda mechanic will understand. Sounds legit until you read an owner's manual for the very same car and same engine from another country, where they will allow you to run all the way up to 5w40 and even 10w40 or 15w40 above freezing temperatures. The conclusion, from what I have read, is that Honda sacrifices a bit of protection to earn that little bit more MPG on the EPA cycle. With that, I will be moving towards a full synthetic oil for high mileage cars,and probably at the 5w30 weight.
I guess I am wondering how many other cars have a thin oil recommendation for no other reason than MPG numbers and would actually benefit from a heavier oil.
The Fit is using about 1/2 quart or so every 1000 to 1500 miles. The USA owner's manual calls for 5w20 oil and that's it. There is guidance to be found that says to use anything else will upset the operation of VTEC and basically just ruin the engine in ways that no one but a Honda mechanic will understand. Sounds legit until you read an owner's manual for the very same car and same engine from another country, where they will allow you to run all the way up to 5w40 and even 10w40 or 15w40 above freezing temperatures. The conclusion, from what I have read, is that Honda sacrifices a bit of protection to earn that little bit more MPG on the EPA cycle. With that, I will be moving towards a full synthetic oil for high mileage cars,and probably at the 5w30 weight.
I guess I am wondering how many other cars have a thin oil recommendation for no other reason than MPG numbers and would actually benefit from a heavier oil.