Switching to Kendal?

[HBCALI]

2001 Honda Accord, 120K. Here's the thing, I'm really busy and usually have my local dealer change my oil while I'm at the office. I've been bringing my own oil to the dealer (Valvoline SynPower) for a cheaper way to get a Full Synthetic change. Additionally, with prices going up, not sure its worth the effort to keep a full synthentic in the Honda (even in the Texas heat).

Firestone is closer to work and way easier for me. However, you cant bring your own "products". So my Valvoline would have to go. They use Kendal Semi-Syn for around $25.00. How big of a step "up" or "down" is Kendal when compared to other semi-syns? Especially in Honda's? And what the heck is the "Liquid Titanium" Kendal pushes? Should I take that literaly or is that just a fancy name for their add pack? I can't imagine it literaly has metalic deposists in the oil (hope not).

 

[demarpaint]

I think you'll be fine. Since you are only going to be getting opinions, you could send the Valvoline product you've been using off for a used oil analysis. Then after the second run of the Kendall product send that off for a used oil analysis. Keep in mind the Firestone shop might be using whatever flavor bulk oil is on sale in your car. So in all fairness to the Kendall product make sure they are using sealed bottles of the advertised Kendall product in your car. JMO

 

[daves87rs]

How is the commute?

You'll be fine either way, and I know quite a few people who use it without issues at all. Plus, you'll save a few bucks...

 

[pbm]

If you're changing the oil every 5 or 6K you should be fine with Kendall.
Kendall is made by C-P and should be very similar to Motorcraft syn-blend which has proven to be excellent.
Honda 4 cylinder engines will last nearly forever on any good oil, IMO.

 

[oggb]

How often are you changing the oil? If you aren't extending your OCI synthetic is hardly worth it for a daily driven vehicle.

 

[Durango]

HBCALI,

Currently I'm using Kendal 'synthetic" in my 01' Durango V-8 and found it to be a fantastic oil to use. Normally I'm a Mobil 1 user but due to the higher price it's started to get a little outta my pocket book now.

Ever since I saw this oil on the shelve a couple years ago I've been trying to get a cance to try it but couldn't cuz it's always been pretty much sold out. based on that alone that's gotta tell you something!!! In addition each quart of this fine oil was only $4.99/quart.

Right now this has got to be the best oil bargain on the market as it's made by Conoco Phillips so either way you can't go wrong. I'm very satisfied with this oil and will use it again as long as I can get enough for my Durango.

Durango

 

[qdeezie]

As mentioned above, you'll pretty much be getting opinions here. Me being me, my frame of thought regarding my oil is that I want what I want exactly how I want it. No ifs, ands or buts about it. If I was in your shoes and they refused to use the oil I brought, screw them, I'd take it somewhere else.

If you're looking to drive your car "until the wheels fall off" so to speak, I think you should go with your current preference in oil. If you're not looking to keep it forever, the flavor of the day oil at the Firestone place should be sufficient.

 

[hate2work]

As someone else eluded to, if you don't watch them crack the caps and pour in the oil, they can put anything in your rig and tell you it was Kendall. Hopefully you found an honest FS dealer( if that's possible ) and you now have the quality Kendall product in your rig.

 

[Indydriver]

HBCali, my Firestone dealer also uses bulk Kendall semi, and I'd guess they all do as they leverage their tremendous national volume. Here's an interesting point: both Kendall and the private labeled "Honda Genuine" semi and Full Synthetic are reportedly made by CP. Of course that doesn't mean they're the same but, they might be a lot closer than you might think. It would be very interesting to do a side by side virgin oil analysis.

 

[Ken2]

ConocoPhillips76Kendall are good oils--four labels, same oil, good stuff.

"Liquid Titanium" is a new additive from Afton Chemical Co., one of the major additive suppliers to oil blenders, that works with ZDDP much like moly works with ZDDP to produce a hard, wear resistant, low friction coating on wear points. Liquid Titanium is lower cost than moly.

There are no metallic bits of Liquid Titanium in the oil, just like there are no metallic bits of zinc or molybdenum in oil--they are all in the form of oil soluble compounds.

 

[Durango]

Just saw a morning commercial on the "Speed Channel".... It appears that BP's "Edge" has the same type of technoligy in their oil now. Now I figure just pick what ever one is the cheapest and go for it. Why pay 8.99 for a quart of synthetic oil with Titanium in it when you can get the same technology on another synthetic oil for 4.99???

Durango

 

[moto94536]

why spend so much money on castrol syntec.. You can buy chevron supreme SN GF5 for cheap.. Chevron Supreme is slepper oil..

 

[Durango]

moto94536,

Your not reading the threads throughly.... I only stated I saw BP's Edge has this same technology too. It seems to be a very popular/rage additive now.

If Chevron Supreme's dino is so much better than synthetics then why would anyone bother to make a synthetic anyway? I didn't know of this but I haven't seen any Chrvron brand around in any of my local stores.

Durango

 

[k24a4]

Kendall GT-1 semi-syn was the oil used after the factory fill was dumped and for the first 35,000 miles thereafter at 5,000 oci in my '04 Accord. The car had no issues with it. The tire place I went to had pallets of it and put it in by the bottle.

I picked up 12 quarts of the titanium version a few months ago for $1.99/ quart (reg. $3.49) at Autozone in the 5w30 for the Miata. No 5w-20 was available.

I think what may be equally important, if not more so, is the quality of the oil filter Firestone uses. I have no reservations about Kendall oil. Numerous used oil analysis seem to indicate that Honda 4cyl engines are "easy" on oil and that any api oil, changed at reasonable intervals, will be just fine.