Synthetic or Regular?

[basils]

Just curious what type of oil, synthetic or regular, that you folks put in your Ridgeline....and why.
I use synthetic oil because I believe it MAY help in keeping the engine cleaner, provide less wear at startup due to better flow, provide better protection during towing and temperature extremes (mountain passes), possibly improve gas mileage, and because I plan on keeping my Ridge for over 100k miles.
Currently I use what I believe may be a group IV synthetic (Mobil 1) and a Purolator PureOne filter. I've used Pennzoil Platinum (grp. III base) and Redline (grp. IV). I stopped using my favorite oil, Redline, due to my concerns over any possible warranty issues (it's not a certified API oil and the warranty requires this). In the past Mobil 1 seemed to cause a bit of engine noise in my wifes old CR-V, so I didn't want to use it in my Ridge. But when I decided to give it a try this past oil change I didn't notice any noise at all and found it comparable to the Redline in engine quiteness.

[rms56]

Same oil and filter. Wasn't there some argument over M1 being a blend? I voted synthetic.

[basils]

There has been some conjecture that the current Mobil 1 Extended version was a blend of group III and IV base. As far as I know it has not been proven to be the case with the 5w-20 that we would use in our Ridgeline. I still believe it may be all group IV....but I have zero data to support this.

[Ultra-Hog]

I have my dealer do 99% of the service on my late model vehicles. They have Mobil 1 so that is what I have had them put in my Ridgeline since it's first oil change. The oil costs a little bit more at the dealer than I could buy it for locally but I would rather have them make a buck and be happy about it than go through the trouble of purchasing it myself. Also, there can't be any question about who put what oil in when if all of it is done at the dealer. I have an extraordinarily good Honda dealer that takes good care of my Ridgeline, my wife's Accord and my daughters Element. The Ridgeline gets Mobil 1 but the other two get the normal dino oil because I didn't pay any attention or know much about the benefits of synthetic oil when those vehicles were new. All future vehicles will get synthetic. The reason, frankly, is that I am following your advice basils. In this case I do believe what I read on the Internet. :wink:

[gugman]

I have not made up my mind if I am going to use Synthetic yet. also have not changed my oil in the RL
I voted regular because I usually use regular oil with a rating for diesel engines. I buy it in 5 gallon pails and can use it in all the equipment. this way I am less likely to have a senior moment and put the wrong oil in the engine.

[colorider]

Although I no longer own my RidgeLine, I figured I might as well cast my vote based on what I generally use in my other cars.

I've been using dino all my life in all my cars/trucks, changing it every 5K (with filter) and really see no reason to change now. For my motorcycles, I do use synthetic, but this is because of the wet clutch and that most all dino oils have friction modifiers, which are a "no-no" for a wet clutch - hence my decision to use synthetic.

YMMV

:D

[basils]

Quote: › docWrite("quote")For my motorcycles, I do use synthetic, but this is because of the wet clutch and that most all dino oils have friction modifiers,
Be careful though, I believe many synthetics also contain these modifiers. Isn't moly a modifier?

[Ridgeline2006]

I use synthetic in an old Miata that I have, but dino in all my other cars. The synthetic was used to solve a problem and it worked. I don't have any problems with my other cars.

[colorider]

basils wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Quote: › docWrite("quote")For my motorcycles, I do use synthetic, but this is because of the wet clutch and that most all dino oils have friction modifiers,
Be careful though, I believe many synthetics also contain these modifiers. Isn't moly a modifier?

You are correct that some do. I use a MC specific from Amsoil which does not..

[Bong]

How would you classify the HONDA oil?
Blend or Regular?

[basils]

As far as I recall Honda oil is a dino oil made by another manufacturer. I've forgotten at the moment who makes it but I remember it wasn't anything special. Not to say it doesn't meet the specs of the vehicle.

[hondatruckguy]

i personally use sythetic in all my cars and trucks. you can usually stretch out your oil changes more. plus i have never heard of synthetic casuing a problem.

[BillynDeb]

I recently switched to synthetic for 3 reasons.
1) Improved protection
2) Improved MPGs
3) The most important reason... Time. I do all my own services and most repairs. With the dino oil I would change oil and filter every 3K miles. With the syn oil I feel comfortable with changes every 5K. With 4 vehicles it seemed like I was changing oil every 5 or 6 weeks. With the extended intervals, slightly better MPG, and the time saved I can justify the extra expense for the synthetics.

[Waterbug]

BillynDeb wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
With the dino oil I would change oil and filter every 3K miles. With the syn oil I feel comfortable with changes every 5K.

The oil change interval for the Ridge with dino oil is 7K miles. What are you trying to do, deplete the world's oil supply? No wonder oil is at $114 a barrel. :)

[stinger]

I switched to synthetic(Mobil-1) after 25000 kms on my Ridge, I also use a K&N oil filter.
main reason was for peace of mind, I tow my boat a fair bit during summer and winter temps can get pretty severe up here.
I have always followed the MM for oil changes and all other maintenance.

[nbaggio10]

stinger wrote: › docWrite("quote")I switched to synthetic(Mobil-1) after 25000 kms on my Ridge, I also use a K&N oil filter.
main reason was for peace of mind, I tow my boat a fair bit during summer and winter temps can get pretty severe up here.
I have always followed the MM for oil changes and all other maintenance.basils wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
As far as I recall Honda oil is a dino oil made by another manufacturer. I've forgotten at the moment who makes it but I remember it wasn't anything special. Not to say it doesn't meet the specs of the vehicle.


mobil makes all of honda oils. which i was told that to make a 5-20 blend it basically has to be a blend. as long as you change your oil and filter regular. it really makes no difference what you use. oil is better today than it has ever been. so i cant justify spending all that extra money for the full synthetic unless your racing or towing all the time.