Newbie and 2008 Honda Ridgeline

Pennzoil motor oil
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raffy

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Hello everyone! I just joined today and thought I'd ask if any of you own a Honda Ridgeline and what motor oil (and other fluids, for that matter, such as differential fluid) you are using, how often you change it, etc. I know that this vehicle uses the same 3.5L engine or very similar as the Honda Odyssey, so I'd like to hear from you Odyssey owners, too!

The oil change history of our Ridge is approx. 3500 miles on the factory oil (which I think is a semi synthetic or synthetic blend), 2500 miles on Valvoline Conventional 5w20 oil (got lazy and took it to Express Oil Change for its first oil change), and about 5500 miles on Amsoil 0W-20. I just recently changed the oil and am still using Amsoil 0W-20, with the EaO-13 Amsoil filter. I noticed the engine ran noisier with the Valvoline conventional oil, which is why I got rid of it so quickly. It ran great and quiet with the factory oil and now likewise runs great with the Amsoil. Gas mileage is not too bad with this vehicle; I average about 20 mpg in mixed city and highway driving. I do not do any towing with this vehicle and don't plan to in the near future.

Any comments or recommendations are welcome! Lots of great info on this site!

Cheers,
Raffy
 
Originally Posted By: raffy
I know that this vehicle uses the same 3.5L engine or very similar as the Honda Odyssey, so I'd like to hear from you Odyssey owners, too!



Hello Raffy, and welcome aboard! I have a 2006 Odyssey, currently 33,000 miles. I change out the 3.5's oil when the OL monitor gets to 20%. Thats typically 6500 (highway) miles for me. Anyhow, I will ONLY use FULL synthetic. Usually Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum. I am not loyal to any specific brand, though.

My reasoning is that since it calls for a very thin 5-20 oil, and I live in the Texas heat, I want as much protection from thermal breakdown as possible, especially with intervals on the long side.

Amzoil is one of the absolute best out there, but the price is high, and I won't violate the OL monitor by trying to push it to 10,000 (or whatever) with Amzoil. Simply by using any full synthetic, and staying within the OLM,you will be just fine.

Great to have you aboard! GH
 
First 2 oil and filter changes on our 2008 Ody LX 3.5L were with Super Tech 5w20 and a Super Tech filter. Last change was Napa full synthetic 5w20 (got a case on sale for $2.69/qt. I ride the OLM out until it starts alarming at 15%, which puts it close to 7Kmi on the same oil. IMO, what ever you put in the Honda 3.5, it's going to purr like a kitten and outlast the vehicle it's bolted into.

Joel
 
Thanks for the replies, guys! My OLM was down to 30% at about 5500 miles when I changed out the oil a few weeks ago. I'll stick with Amsoil for a while at least since I have a couple of cases of 0W-20 at the moment. Like gfh, I don't want to run over the OLM (and risk the warranty).

So what do y'all think about alternatives to Amsoil? Any other full synthetics that give a bigger bang for the buck, even if it maybe is not quite as good? I have used Mobil 1 in the past, and my father-in-law used it in his '91 Accord. It's a little cheaper than Amsoil but not by a whole lot.
 
I purchased a used 2006 Ridgeline with 18K on it in 2006. I now have 48K. I change the oil when OLM is around 0% (usually around 7K ). My last oil changed was about 800 miles past the OLM. Around 8K ( one year ) on Pennzoil Platinum 5w-20. I also use Quaker State Q Horsepower. Check out a great Ridgeline owners club at: http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/
I also changed out the VTM when i did the oil using instructions from the Ridgeline owners club. Good luck and enjoy.
 
Originally Posted By: raffy
Thanks for the replies, guys! My OLM was down to 30% at about 5500 miles when I changed out the oil a few weeks ago. I'll stick with Amsoil for a while at least since I have a couple of cases of 0W-20 at the moment. Like gfh, I don't want to run over the OLM (and risk the warranty).

So what do y'all think about alternatives to Amsoil? Any other full synthetics that give a bigger bang for the buck, even if it maybe is not quite as good? I have used Mobil 1 in the past, and my father-in-law used it in his '91 Accord. It's a little cheaper than Amsoil but not by a whole lot.


To the letter of the law (at least according to Honda
smirk2.gif
) you already have some "issues" not using an API rated oil.

If it was me, I'd save the 0w-20 and get with Pablo or Gary and order up some 5w-20 Amsoil XL oils till you get 60k miles on the rig if you want to run syn.

That engine will stay protected and clean with ANY 5w-20 oil and following the OLM. My Dad has the same engine in his Vue and its doing great @ 90k and clean as a NEW from what I can see in the oil fill port.

Take care, bill

PS:
welcome2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: gfh77665

I will ONLY use FULL synthetic. Usually Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum.


But these are still made from petroleum.
 
Originally Posted By: maximus
Originally Posted By: gfh77665

I will ONLY use FULL synthetic. Usually Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum.


But these are still made from petroleum.


Ah. I was just waiting on that.

(I was trying to differentiate from using synthetic blends, which are typically 15-20% synthetic.)
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: raffy


So what do y'all think about alternatives to Amsoil? Any other full synthetics that give a bigger bang for the buck, even if it maybe is not quite as good? I have used Mobil 1 in the past, and my father-in-law used it in his '91 Accord. It's a little cheaper than Amsoil but not by a whole lot.


I would not choose M-1 over the Amsoil. Get a preferred customer license if you don't have one or speak with the Amsoil guys on here and see if you can get a better price.
 
Like Bill said, you've already caused yourself 'problems' by using a non-API certified oil. Oh yeah, Amsoil 0W-20 easily exceeds the requirements, it just hasn't actually been put through the testing.

Honda is fussy on the whole 'oil thing', so they see you've used that oil, your warranty is GONE, so it doesn't really matter what you run now. You shoulda just stuck with an API SM/GF-4 dino...

Hope you're truck is relaible, and doesn't need any repairs!
 
Oh it's not like his warranty is completely gone. Honda may or may not honor it if they prove he has an engine issue that may have some interplay with lubrication. But that's going to depend on the stinginess and knowledge of the district warranty folks. Honda HAS been known to be generous in many situations like this. It's just going to depend on who handles the claim.
 
I ran Amsoil in the TL since new and never once thought about potential engine failures and warranty. The odds are so slim of that happening. I can understand letting the OP know the potential dangers but lets not make it into more than it really is.
 
One OCI on a non-approved API oil is not going to kill you as far as the warranty.

Yes to the letter of the Honda "LAW" *IF* you have some possible problems.

But I WOULD start using a API approved oil until you get around 75k then do what you want. Honda is known to fix things just out of the 5 yr 60k miles anyway.

Don't give them any more "ammo" to shoot down a claim (pun intended)
48.gif


But you still have a warranty if there was only a OCI or 2 and they were not extended ones. The more or longer non approved API OCIs past the OLM and Honda *could* cause you some grief.

Take care, Bill
 
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