Honda guys - '09 Pilot EX-L

[Falcon_LS]

Helping a buddy out with his 25,000 mile service, and so far this is my list:

- Engine Oil: Motorcraft Full Synthetic 5W-20
- Engine Oil Filter: WIX 51356
- Engine Air Filter: WIX 49042
- Cabin Air Filter: WIX 24815
- OE Transaxle Filter
- OE Thermostat
- OE Radiator Cap
- OE Serpentine Belt
- ATF: Honda ATF-Z1
- Transfer Case Fluid: CRC GL-4 80W-90
- Rear Differential Fluid: Honda VTM-4
- Brake Fluid: Prestone DOT 3
- Power Steering Fluid: Honda Power Steering Fluid
- Engine Coolant: Honda Type II Premixed (flushing out with distilled water)

Seems fuel filter is 'lifetime'. I realise thermostat, radiator cap and serpentine belt is overkill, but cheap insurance...especially in our driving conditions. Anything else I should consider? How often should the PCV valve be replaced? Thanks!

Engine oil wise, we're going with the Honda OLM. He did a bit of reading, and came to realise the dealer's bulk Group I 20W-50 wasn't the same as the recommended 5W-20.

So he's not going back there again.

 

[nthach]

I'd use a better more moisture resistant brake fluid like Castrol GT LMA or ATE Type 200/Super Blue Racing.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Thanks for the input. I can't find those locally I'm afraid. Would Motorcraft High Performance DOT 3 suffice?

 

[cwing6]

I would recommend using Honda brake fluid. There is a recent thread on here about this and it seems there are some differences in brake fluids.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Thanks! Will check to see if the Honda brake fluid is sourced from the US like the Toyota stuff. Sometimes the suppliers are local, and there's no telling what's in the bottle.

 

[dtt004]

Ok, first of all, if your dealer is giving you bulk Group 1 20W-50, then you should contact Honda Sales. Although they do not have a handle over their dealer network going down to the oil, they are definitely not adhering to the OEM warranty requirement that Honda puts forth for its vehicles. I have no clue why, when we recommend a 5W-20, that they would use a 20W-50.

The thermostat, radiator cap, and serpentine belt are indeed overkill. Unless you do plenty of towing, heavy off roading, I don't see why you need to do that. No offense, but the Pilot isn't even built for that kind of abuse. It's built on a sedan's frame, and the VTM-4 (even with its differential lock) isn't built for that.

However, if you do, then I would recommend changing out the differential fluid and the brake fluid more often. I don't necessarily agree with the "oil life indicator" that we put on our vehicles because it's not for "all" people. I'm sure your friend puts the Pilot through some different conditions that don't fit the mass market.

I'm an engineer at HPD/HRC...I don't spend too much time around the consumer products but that's just my opinion.

 

[sangyup81]

aren't you supposed to use GF-5 on the Transfer Case rather than GF-4?

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: dtt004
Ok, first of all, if your dealer is giving you bulk Group 1 20W-50, then you should contact Honda Sales. Although they do not have a handle over their dealer network going down to the oil, they are definitely not adhering to the OEM warranty requirement that Honda puts forth for its vehicles. I have no clue why, when we recommend a 5W-20, that they would use a 20W-50.

The thermostat, radiator cap, and serpentine belt are indeed overkill. Unless you do plenty of towing, heavy off roading, I don't see why you need to do that. No offense, but the Pilot isn't even built for that kind of abuse. It's built on a sedan's frame, and the VTM-4 (even with its differential lock) isn't built for that.

However, if you do, then I would recommend changing out the differential fluid and the brake fluid more often. I don't necessarily agree with the "oil life indicator" that we put on our vehicles because it's not for "all" people. I'm sure your friend puts the Pilot through some different conditions that don't fit the mass market.

I'm an engineer at HPD/HRC...I don't spend too much time around the consumer products but that's just my opinion.


Thank you for the input! Group I 20W-50 is common practice here. The only dealerships I know of that do not practice this is Ford and Chrysler. Even the GM dealer dumps this garbage in the slump, and I've had many unpleasant incidents because of this.

The typical response or explanation for using syrup as oil is 'the weather is too hot'. Considering engine temperature is regulated, I personally do not see the problem. 20W-50 also doesn't fare well in winter, where temperatures can get pretty cold in the open desert.

The vehicle does not see any towing or off-road use, so I suppose there's no point replacing the thermostat, cap and belt.

Having said that, I will have to do some reading into Honda's OLM.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: sangyup81
aren't you supposed to use GF-5 on the Transfer Case rather than GF-4?


Manual states GL-4 or GL-5. I have GL-4 in my stash, which is why I've got that down.

 

[dparm]

That is a really extensive list for 25,000 miles. Is that the factory list of stuff to replace/change?

 

[stockrex]

Wow, I mean why not swap engines? 5w30 or 20 is all I would use.

I would just do
Engine oil, transmission, front and rear diffy
Air and cabin filters.
Brake with Honda brake fluid. Might help to read manual.

 

[crw]

Originally Posted By: dtt004
I have no clue why, when we recommend a 5W-20, that they would use a 20W-50.


Dyslexics working in the service department? Or, a better answer, 20W-50 is cheaper in bulk.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: stockrex


Wow, I mean why not swap engines? 5w30 or 20 is all I would use.

I would just do
Engine oil, transmission, front and rear diffy
Air and cabin filters.
Brake with Honda brake fluid. Might help to read manual.


Thanks. Manual doesn't list maintenance intervals unfortunately...at least the copy I have. Just capacities and what to use.

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: cwing6
I would recommend using Honda brake fluid. There is a recent thread on here about this and it seems there are some differences in brake fluids.

Japanese brake fluids - even though they are considered DOT 3 fluids contain borate esters - which are also found in better German fluids such as ATE Type 200/Super Blue Racing/SL.6 and Pentosin's DOT 4 Super as well as OEM Mercedes/BMW/VW fill.

The Honda/Toyota CCI stuff's good stuff but the ATE fluids are less hygroscopic.