suggested oil for new Honda

Pennzoil motor oil
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harrydog

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I'm about to buy a 2013 Honda Accord with the 2.4 direct injection engine. I believe Honda specifies 0w20 for all of their engines now but I'm having a hard time convincing myself that an 0w20 will offer the best wear protection.
My wife has a 2010 Accord with the 2.4 engine and Honda specifies 5w20 for that engine. I tend to drive my cars pretty hard and that combined with the the move to direct injection makes me really question the use of 0w20.
I know car manufacturers are trying for the best fuel economy possible as it is a big selling point with lots of people but a few mpg one way or the other makes no difference to me. I'm much more concerned with getting the best wear protection possible.
What do you all think?
 
If you're worried about wear protection, use a higher quality oil, like, say, a 0W-20 one.
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What were you thinking of using?
 
Hondas tend to be pretty easy on oil if you read the analyses people around here order. I wouldn't sweat it.

P.S. I heard that Honda actively discouraged early change of the factory fill. Is that true?
 
Pennzoil Platinum 0w-20.

Run the factory fill to AT LEAST 50% Oil Life Monitor. Personally... I would change it at 40%, then fill it with Honda synthetic-blend 0w-20 to continue the break-in process. THEN switch to Pennzoil Platinum 0w-20
 
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I have also heard that Honda wants you to leave the factory fill in until oil life is down to about 15%.

Regardless of what viscosity I end up using, it will be a synthetic. I'm using Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 in my wife's Honda and was thinking about using that.

Hondas do tend to be fairly easy on oil I guess but then this is their first DI engine so I expect it to be a little tougher on the oil.
 
I would assume that Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 is stouter than Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 but I don't know that for a fact. I was even wondering if a 0w30 or 5w30 would be a bad thing. I'm guessing I should at least stick with a w20 though.
 
Honda does not suggest FF be changed out early.

I don't think an average Honda owner needs to go from Brand A to Brand B and back to Brand A for the purposes of break-in.
 
If you drive it hard, M1 and Redline 0w20 are good options for you. Both have higher than normal HTHS values to give you the protection and peace of mind you seek.

Keep the factory fill in till the OLM gets to 20% or lower. Honda puts in a special break in oil from factory and requests that owners keep the factory fill in till 15% or so oil life left.
 
Originally Posted By: harrydog
I would assume that Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 is stouter than Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 but I don't know that for a fact. I was even wondering if a 0w30 or 5w30 would be a bad thing. I'm guessing I should at least stick with a w20 though.


I'd feel the same way if it were going to be my car. If it wasn't for the warranty issues I'd go with a "thin" 30. 0w30 at least during the winter and 5w30. 20 to 30 should not affect mpg as it hasn't on my smaller Honda 2.0.

One question...do you plan on keeping the Accord after the warranty? I ask because if you are going to sell it/trade it before it expires then you won't have to be concerned if you are damaging the engine with 0w20. After-all, this is the oil they recommend.
 
At the engine's operating temperature, the viscosity of a 0W20
and a 5W20 oil is the same. In Ohio's cold winter starts, the 0W20 oil provides better lubrication.

So, what is your concern about engine wear running a 0W20? At any rate, the engine will outlast the vehicle body (and perhaps the owner's body) in most scenarios.

Perhaps there is too much apprehension here over miniscule wear differences that have no practical impact.
 
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Originally Posted By: harrydog
I would assume that Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 is stouter than Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 but I don't know that for a fact. I was even wondering if a 0w30 or 5w30 would be a bad thing. I'm guessing I should at least stick with a w20 though.


Not if you go on the last PDS published by SOPUS, but who knows? They're pretty horrible with their data sheets, and I've never actually seen Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 anyway? That said, the last published sheet shows it's a low noack 0W20 and it may be a good choice for a Honda DI engine.

I'd use Pennzoil Ultra 5W20 if I were in your shoes. This engine is brand new, but past DI engines have been rough on oil. An oil with low volatility and slightly higher hths seems like a good idea until it's proven otherwise that there's not a problem with fuel dilution. I think all of the warranty nail biting is silly, but everyone has their own tolerance for that sort of thing. Personally I wouldn't think twice about it. I just don't see a warranty claim denied because someone uses a high-quality 5W20 oil. People who have claims denied are generally people who simply don't maintain their vehicles.
 
BMW wants you to change out all the factory fill fluids at 1,200 miles in their M cars, and previously all their vehicles. Now Honda wants you to leave the factory oil in for 5,000+ miles.

Take from that what you will. But i would change the FF at 40%m which is roughly 5,000 miles. Plenty of time for the engine to break in.
 
Originally Posted By: randomhero439
BMW wants you to change out all the factory fill fluids at 1,200 miles in their M cars, and previously all their vehicles. Now Honda wants you to leave the factory oil in for 5,000+ miles.

Take from that what you will. But i would change the FF at 40%m which is roughly 5,000 miles. Plenty of time for the engine to break in.


AFAIK, BMW does not use any special break in fluids in their vehicles. Honda uses a high Moly mix oil to help seat piston rings and such.
 
Many people on this forum love an oil named Castrol Edge 0w30 that is made in Germany. I bought some the other day at Advance Auto with their buy one get one free.
 
We are taking about a Honda four cylinder here. Use whatever you like. It won't matter. The main issue I'm interested in is, has Honda solved the fuel dilution we've seen in every other DI motor?
 
My opinion is that you should run what Honda recommends at least until the warranty is up especially on a "new" engine design.

Isn't the 11 back specked to 0w20 as well?
 
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