Newbie trying 0W-20, breaking old habits

[Gordo2001]

Hello, newbie here and my first post.
I have been lurking and learning from this site for quite a while.
I was a Mobil1 user until recently, and, well, what a shock to find out it is not a true synthetic (In the European sense). Interesting, because a few years ago I had the task of trying to sell Elf synthetic oil in SoCal, and they considered Mobil1 a genuine competitor. This was in 2004, I don’t know when they went the Castrol route (Or if they ever did).
Reading posts on this site and others, it started to sink in that a lot of wear takes place on startup. It makes sense. But 20 weight at high temperatures was hard to swallow. However, I have been persuaded to give it a try. Old dogs can learn new tricks I guess…
My vehicle is a 2005 Honda Accord Coupe 2.4 4 cyl manual 5 spd with 28K mi. Yes, another frikking Honda. Have been doing 5K OCI w/ Mobil1 5W-30. Factory recommends 5W-20 and 5K or 10K OCI’s depending on driving style.
I have just purchased my first case of Amsoil 0W-20. I bought a case because I have to add 1 quart in 5K miles with Mobil1. From what I have read, this may not be the case with Amsoil. We’ll see. I would like to go 15K mi OCI’s, but I plan to have the oil tested at 10K.
I would appreciate comments, good, bad or indifferent. Has anyone had a bad experience with Amsoil 0W-20 or any 0W-20? Oh, I also use Hamp JDM oil filters because Honda went to Fram, etc., etc. Was life always this complicated, haha?

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

I think you have a good plan with the sampling at 10,000 miles. So far, the 0w-20 has had good reviews and the only UOA of it is great.

 

[Junior]

Wow, a newer Honda 2.4 that uses oil. That is a first for me.

Do you have a UOA history on this engine? If not, I would pull a sample at around 7000 the first time before going blindly all the way to 10,000. Just my opinion.

 

[Seth]

I have had 0w20 amsoil asm for a while now. But I dont see the point in using it in summer. But thats just me.. YMMV. If it were me, I'd keep the 20wt for winter and use dino Xw30 in summer.

 

[buster]

I have the same car. Mine uses 1/2qt per 5k miles. I do mostly all highway driving avg'ing 80 mph. I believe that is where my oil consumption comes from.

The Honda 2.4L really doesn't need any particular oil. It shows great results on any brand however for extended drains a full synthetic is preferred IMHO. I'm using Amsoil 0w-20 now and so far so good. Want to go at least 12k miles on it. I will test it as long as I can keep the oil usuage down.

 

[Dad2leia]

I know that ANY Honda engine that uses oil under normal circumstances would be considered odd, but compared to my '91 Saturn SL2, which used a quart depending on how hard I drove it (from 1 quart per 1500 down to 1 quart per 500), a 1/2 quart per 5K miles doesn't seem too bad.

Looks like though, you've got a lemon there buster!!!

 

[buster]

Actually may Vtec's do use oil during high speed/ high rpm use. Most cars actually will use oil when driven hard.

 

[Junior]

Out of curiosity, what do the 2.4s spin at say 70mph? The 3.0 V-6 are geared for about 2100 @ 70MPH

 

[Pablo]

Use the ASM with confidence. Your plan sounds fine.

Too bad you didn't buy the oil from a site sponsor!

 

[Gordo2001]

Thanks for the responses guys!
I was also a little concerned about the oil usage, as other older family Hondas with more miles didn't use a drop. I did buy it used with 21K miles, and even though everything checked out fine (And it's still under factory warranty) I don't know how often the oil was changed...Maybe a baseline UOA at 7K mi as suggested is a good idea.
If Amsoil works out I will buy from a sponsor next time, I got it from an acquaintance this time.
Junior, I don't recall the RPM at 70MPH, but I think it is higher than yours, I seem to recall 2000RPM at 50, but I really need to check. I usually drive at 80 plus on the stretch of Interstate 15 between Escondido and Temecula, it is by far the fastest stretch of highway around here, the left lane is often doing 90 or more!
Thanks again for the inputs, and I'll keep you informed of the results I get with Amsoil 0W20 once I put it in. I still have around 3K to do on the M1 5W-30.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

RPM's in my CR-V at 70 are around 2300. Now it may be geared differently so that's just my input and may be incorrect for the Accord manual.
I haven't seen any consumption in that engine, whether it's factory fill, M1 5w20, or PP 5w20. However, in my Civic, the 0w30 I used to run (Amsoil) used up more than the current PP 5w20. Who knows why....

 

[Gordo2001]

Well I had to go and check my RPM at 70MPH! It is (Approx) 1900-2000 at 50, around 2300 at 60, and about 2700 at 70MPH. So considerably higher than your V6 Junior! I always wondered how the V6 got mileage almost as good as the four, and gearing seems to be a big part of it.
For the record mine is a 2005 Accord LX coupe, 2.4 4 cyl with a manual 5 speed. Also I noticed the readings were not all that consistent especially if reading coming up to the indicated speed compared to coming down to the speed.

 

[buster]

At 80 mph rpms for the 2.4L are 3,100.