Oil switch on high mileage vehicle

[mrwillie]

Hello. I've used this site as one of my "go-to" sites for anything automotive and have always found it very helpful. Now, its my turn to ask a question. Please excuse the long post, but I want to be detailed as possible.

We have a 2005 Odyssey w/ 200k miles on it. It currently only gets driven about 100miles/wk. Its a one owner vehicle, and the previous owner used Quaker State 10w40 for all of his oil changes. It was originally a northen car( upstate NY ) and he used it for their yearly trips that usually were several hundred miles each. Its been well maintained and well documented the entire time, and is currently coming due for an oil change. I would like to get the thick, conventional oil out of the car.

I have used Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 or 5w30 w/ a wix silver or premium puralator filter on our other hondas and would like to do the same on this car.

Other than the chance of leakage, is there a reason why I shouldnt make this switch? The van feels sluggish to me and we could def use the added gas mileage and wear protection. This will also likely be a year-round oil as we have mild winters and the car does not get driven alot.

Thanks for your time.

 

[dparm]

Switching will not be a problem. I would probably use Valvoline MaxLife 5w20/5w30 or something along those lines.

 

[crazyoildude]

change the timing belt if that breaks chances are the engine is destroyed
5w30 would be good i would not use syn

 

[Kuato]

5w30 sounds great, nothing to worry about IMO.

 

[mrwillie]

Wow. Thanks for getting back to me so fast!

Any particular reason for the Maxlife versus the PP other than price? I like both, but would rather use the same oil in both cars. I would use it in the volvo if it didnt leak so bad.

 

[mrwillie]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
change the timing belt if that breaks chances are the engine is destroyed
5w30 would be good i would not use syn


We've got the timing belt covered for another 50k.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: mrwillie
Wow. Thanks for getting back to me so fast!

Any particular reason for the Maxlife versus the PP other than price? I like both, but would rather use the same oil in both cars. I would use it in the volvo if it didnt leak so bad.



MaxLife is well-regarded on this site. I can't speak out of personal experience.

 

[UNC151]

If it is not using/leaking oil there is no reason to use Maxlife over PP (I would use PP if given the choice). Maxlife is often touted to reduce or stop leaks on high mileage vehicles. Personally, I would have no problems using a synthetic after using a conventional so switch away.

 

[CATERHAM]

Since the 2005 Odyssey has been back spec'd for the 0W-20 grade you can use that assuming your oil consumption is okay and you don't mind the possible higher cost of running a premium synthetic oil.
The Toyota 0W-20 would be an ideal choice.

In a 5W-20 grade, PP would be the best choice or just use the cheapest API 5w20 conventional you can find on sale.

 

[gman2304]

mrwillie,welcome to BITOG and NC,...My experience with PP: I done one oil change with PP a couple years ago and my 95 Nissan D21 pick up with the 2.4L 4 cyl engine that I bought new in August of 1995 started leaking at the rear main seal. I had previously used Pennzoil conventional with no leaks whatsoever. My next change I went with Maxlife 5w30 HM and the leak has almost stopped...a couple drops on the garage floor after sitting over night. My truck has 163,000 on the clock so I personally will not recommend PP for use in a high mileage vehicle. I know there is some diehard PP folks on here but this is from my personal experience. I'm sure the PP will do a great job if the engine has used it for it's full life...but I wouldn't recommend it for a vehicle thats high mileage especially if it hadn't been used in the engine previously. There ...I said it, so let the flaming begin! Thanks, G

 

[901Memphis]

Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 is a top choice, I would certainly try it at least two changes to track consumption and leaks if necessary. The thick conventional oil may have masked issues that are there such as consumption.

Another option is Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w20 which strikes a nice balance between a 20 and 30 plus you get the robust additive pack that comes with that oil.

 

[Rolla07]

I dont think you will see much difference between 5w20 and 5w30. Why not go to a 5w30 Mobil 1? If you notice any leaks or consumption you can always switch back or go with an High Mileage oil. Id go with Mobil 1 5w30. Or Pennzoil Platinum 5w30.

 

[fdcg27]

10W-40 in a mid decade Honda V-6?
The original owner must have been pretty old school.
Maybe he was from Australia?
Anyway, Honda engines are usually very oil-tight, or at least the eight we've had always were.
Go ahead and try PP in your pick of 0W-20, 5W-20 or 5w30.
This is an older design V-6 and has had all three grades recommended at one time or another.
If you have no leaks or excessive consumption, you're good to go.
If you have either on the lighter grades, try the 5w30 and if that doesn't help much, try Maxlife syn blend 5w30 in either the lime or cherry flavor.
If needed, you already know that a 10W-40 will work, since you're driving the empirical proof.
Try PP first and see what happens. You may very well have no problems.

 

[Arctic388]

internally you'd have no issues using the PP. Honda isn't known to have leaky engines so i'd use PP either weight and see. especially with the miles you plan to drive annually.

 

[mrwillie]

Again, thanks for the info.

We seemed to have more lifter noise when we used the 0w20 in the past, plus it is harder to find on a reg basis for me. Even the Mobil 1 High Mileage is hard for me to find on a reg basis( meaning at the local Walmarts that I shop at for cheap oil). I usually Pennzoil Platinum 5w30, but it is in cars that we've owned and maintained for several years.

Maybe I should start w/ Pennzoil Conventional and move to PP later? Last few months, I run out of the house to goto work and back in later in the day to relieve my wofe of our kids. I dont have alot of time to spend outside. A leak could go several days or longer w/4 I could catch it.

Basically, since I want the lighter oil weight and good cleaning properties Im going w/ either the conventional Pennzoil Conventional or valvolene for now and switch to PP later. Just hope that it does not get too cold this winter.

Thanks again............

 

[Finz]

We have an 06 Odyssey that sees about 7,500 miles annually. Occasional long vacation runs but predominantly short hops.

Been using synthetic since new (Mobil 1 0W-20). Last oil change, used TGMO 0W-20 and felt/heard the difference almost immediately - much, much quieter at start up (never thought it was loud to begin with) . My car loves this oil

But mine's an '06... An '05 may be different

Switching to a 5W-20 synthetic, IMO, would be a good move and I wouldn't expect any adverse effect

One word of caution: A guy named Trav has brought up a lot of issues with these cars and their tendency to sludge... The VCM seems to be the culprit. Not sure it's as much of a problem with newer models but search his threads as I believe the 05's and prior were subject. Because of Trav's comments, I, personally, am keeping to a 5,000 OCI

Good luck with your new car....!

 

[crazyoildude]

hope you used the original Honda belt we buy that belt only from the stealer the aftermarket ones break

 

[mrwillie]

@Finz -- Nice to meet another ody owner here. What is "TGMO"? If it helps any, my accord didnt like Mobil 1 0w20 either. It got quieter and "used" less oil after switching to PP. What transmission fluid did u use?

@crazyoildude -- the belt was changed by the shop that did all of the PO's maint.

 

[Finz]

Originally Posted By: mrwillie
@Finz -- Nice to meet another ody owner here. What is "TGMO"? If it helps any, my accord didnt like Mobil 1 0w20 either. It got quieter and "used" less oil after switching to PP. What transmission fluid


Mrwiilie... They're great cars. Versatile and comfy... Can't say enough about them

TGMO is Toyota Genuine Motor Oil...

I guess all cars have personalities as my 05 accord loves the Mobil 1 0w-20 but then there's a guy named Greg and another named Phishin on here that don't like it... Use Pennzoil Platinum / Pennzoil Ultra and an Mobil 1 0w-40 mix I think

In all fairness, though, I've never used anything but Mobil 1 in either of them so maybe they ARE loud and I just don't know it...? Too many years in a paper mill so my ears aren't what they used to be

For the transmission, I've been sticking to the Honda brand. If you've never changed the ATF, you'll be surprised at how easy it is

 

[bigt61]

So let me get this straight - it's gone 200k miles on Quaker State Conventional 10w40 and now you want to switch to synthetic? I'll bet a dollar to a donut it'll be leaking soon somewhere. Stick to a cheap dino or MaxLife RB, don't rock the boat. 5w30,10W-30 or more of the 10W-40 - doubtful you'll have any problems with any of those.