My thanks for all the postings about oil. I've learned from reading them and looking at some of the suggested links. Given oil recycling and low labor and oil cost (at a Jiffy Lube/K Mart for example) it makes sense to me to change it frequently. This allows one to maintain fresh and active oil additives and eliminate the need for extreme oil filters or oil cleaning modifications.
Purplegate: Thanks for all you wrote. "Scanner" is a much more accurate term than "troubleshooting gizmo!" My understanding is that the machine checks the car computer for "codes" meaning something is broken or about to, and it will also check stuff like fuel /air mixture and ignition timing. Training classes on how to operate the machine cost big bucks, but one can do wonders to a car with the knowledge - and a machine. All stuff that is not my area.
It looks like the 0-20 oil is the major problem down the lowest cost path. The service advisor told me other customers tried 5-20 wt. oil and noticed a small decrease in mpg.
All service has been at the Honda dealer where I bought the car. According to the invoices. I got the first oil change at 4,353 miles. The price included $7.04 for an oil filter and 4 qts. Honda oil at $7.22 a qt. Total cost was $71.24. However due to "factory discounts" and "free oil and filter." the cost to me was ZERO. In addition to oil change they checked tires/tire pressure (to 36 psi), lights, belts, hoses, CV boots, and tested battery.
Second oil change was at 9,019 miles. They did all the above services accept the battery check (I put tires to 40 psi). I bought 0-30 Mobil 1 oil at Wal-Mart for $23.45 for a 5 qt. container. Honda charged me $24.95, but that was after they subtracted a $17.41 "factory discounted labor and parts."
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2010 Insight EX-Nav Clear Sky Blue.
Driving the Blue Bird since May 30, 2009
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