[The Citrus Smoothie]

Following the less than satisfactory service last year by a Honda dealer, I am following the lead of others on this Forum and carrying out the service myself with the help of a mechanic neighbour.

I ordered the air filter, oil filter and washer (total £33) from the Honda dealer, but they cannot get the Honda 0W-20 oil I would like (last year they put in semi-synthetic 5W-30).

This year they want to sell me Mobil 1 0W-40 (4 litres for £38 which is cheaper than 3 x 1 litre). I know that Mobil 1 0W-20, or any other branded 0W-20 (except Silkolene at £60 a pop) is not available in the UK. I also may be able to purchase the Mobil 1 0W-40 cheaper elsewhere.

My question is whether the 0W-40 will be too thick for my Insight engine and whether it would be better to buy a 5W-30 from a motor shop?

 

[kapps]

I'd wait for several posts before you decide but my take on the matter is that the 1st number is the cold viscocity and the 2nd number is the at operating temperature viscocity. With that in mind, 0w-40 may be too thick for the insight if you want max efficiency. 5w-30 may be your better choice. But as I said earlier, wait for more posts before you make up your decision.

 

[Delta Flyer]

The irony of The Silver Streaker's problem is I'll be at Walmart looking for 0-20W. When I found it, the label reads:

Recommended for European vehicles :?:

 

[Yves M.]

Hi,

The only reason I would put 0w-40 would be if I was going to do a 1 straight 6000 km ride all at once and then after the ride it would be time for an oil change: and then I would put the 0w-20 for the rest of the time. Or I would probably use 0w-30 (I did that in the past to go to Walt Disney Fl. from Canada, 25 hrs drive there and 25 hrs drive back)

40 is too thick for nothing in normal car use. It protects better the engine in long time/high rev usage but in Auto-Stop it takes longer for the oil to go up the engine to all the top parts so would not use it.

So my answer is Too Thick !

 

[Corey872]

Any chance of finding 0w-20 oil outside the Honda dealer? I suspect that 0w-20 oil from a reputable mfr. (even though non-Honda) would be better for your engine and mileage than the other two Honda oils you mentioned.

 

[RWBUENTE]

I have used Mobil 1 0w30 for my last 2 changes and did not notice a drop in milaege or any problems. This is my second Insight a CVT vs 5 speed the first time with a Honda Civic SI in between and I used the 0w30 Mobil in the 5 speed with a lifetime of 67mpg. the Cvt has lifetime of 59.6.

 

[Tim Maddux]

Any chance of finding 0w-20 oil outside the Honda dealer?

Mobil1 makes a 0w-20 synthetic. Some people have found it at WalMart.

 

[The Citrus Smoothie]

Thanks for the replies so far. It confirms my suspicions that a 0w-40 oil would be too thick. I will look to buy an oil with the lowest second number possible, probably a 5w-30.

Any chance of finding 0w-20 oil outside the Honda dealer?

Mobil1 makes a 0w-20 synthetic. Some people have found it at WalMart.

Unfortunately, Mobil 1 do not supply the 0w-20 in the UK. The best I can find is a Silkolene 0w-20 on specialist websites, but at £60 (or around $100) it is a bit too expensive!

 

[Rick]

Well, I'd say it might almost be worth it to import some 0W-20. I'd be willing to hunt you down a case of Mobil 1 and ship it over, but maybe someone on the east coast would be willing to because it would probably cost significantly more for me to ship it across the US then to the UK. If I had to guess I'd say shipping would probably be something like $40 if it cost me $9 to ship a magazine to Germany. But this would be cheaper than the $100 for the Silkolene oil.

So is 5W-30 really the thinnest they have? I know that a lot of the Honda vehicles here now are specing 5W-20, which would be better than 5W-30. Can you get 5W-20? I know my local dealership uses 10W-30 bulk oil for their oil changes, but if you request another oil you can get whatever they carry in the bottles.

 

[climber]

after-market oil

I have used Amsoil 0W-30 for the last six months (includes winter in Chicago ice and snow). It is a full synthetic(di-ester-based), superior cold weather viscosity performance lube. I change my own, and also am using Amsoil filters, which are specifically designed for use with synthetics with smaller pore size.
The oil is immaculate!! The mileage has definitely NOT deteriorated in any way. I am currently changing the oil per recommended intervals, though I am convinced that longer intervals with this system would be quite acceptable.
If this oil is not available locally, I'd be using Mobil 1. (the price is quite similar) Given that this is all about synthetic, I'd have no problem using the 0W-40 if that's all I could find. This oil will NOT be too thick, as would a petroleum-based oil, which contains a great deal of chemically abberrant stuff, such as waxes and longer-chain oils.
These engines are little jewels, and deserve the best. We can do better than OEM in this area, and I read others' experience with interest, and am learning!
Jerry

 

[Guillermo]

You will be fine using Mobil 1 5W30 or Amsoil 0W30.
Just keep searching for a source of synthetic 0W20 without a hurry.
Really, you and your car will not notice a difference.
There is no reason to delay an oil change over this matter.

 

[The Citrus Smoothie]

For information, I ended up buying fully synthetic Castrol SLX 0W-30 for my Insight service. £40 for 4 litres from a motor shop.

I will plan further ahead next year to get a 0W-20.

 

[The Citrus Smoothie]

P.S. Had my Insight serviced today after a year and around 6,000 miles since my last service. The air filter and oil definitely needed changing.

The engine is now quieter and smoother (as expected).

P.P.S. Converted the mechanic to the wonders of the Insight.