[Insighter]

I recently changed my oil for the first time on my new Insight and sent a sample of the original oil to Blackstone Laboratories for analysis. Here is the information from there report:

COMMENTS: This is a new engine for us too so we are starting the average wear (universal averages) based on the 1.5L. We will blend in 1.0L samples until wear is solidly standard and represents this type. you can write off the high metals (and silicon) in this sample to manufacturing left-overs. Since the engine is all aluminum that element may continue to read higher than our averages show is typical for a while. It will be interesting to see where it finally resides. The gas in the oil should disappear in the next sample The TBN [Total Base Number] was 8.5, plenty high. Use 5,000 mi next sample.


Mi/Hr on oil: 4,777 [miles on oil analyzed]
Mi/Hr on unit: 4,777 [miles on engine]
Sample Date: 05/22/03


Aluminum: 44
Chromium: 1
Iron: 16
Copper: 114
Lead: 2
Tin: 1
Molybdenum: 642
Nickel: 1
Manganese: 3
Silver: 0
Titanium: 0
Potassium: 0
Boron: 617
Silicon: 60
Sodium: 9
Calcium: 2142
Magnesium: 11
Phosphorus: 838
Zinc: 1027
Barium: 4

SUS [email protected] 210 degrees Farenheit: 48.6
Flashpoint in degrees Farenheit: 355
Fuel %: 0.5
Antifreeze %: 0.0
Water %: 0.0
Insolubles: 0.4


I have posted this information in forums on a website dedicated to oil analysis. Here is a link to that post and any responses that follow: http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000548

I guess so far, so good. I have switched the car to Mobil1 0w-20 with an Amsoil filter and will have that oil analyzed when I change it.

 

[Tim Maddux]

I didn't understand any of those numbers, but the link to the oil geek site was very helpful. Thanks, and good luck with your continued analysis.

I'm still searching for Mobil1 0W-20 synthetic in my area (Cape Cod, MA) with no luck. Was hoping to get some in on my 56250mi oil change, but now I'll have to wait until 60k mi.

 

[Insighter]

...

Tim--I found Mobil1 0w-20 at a local WalMart, but only one of about a dozen local WalMarts is carrying it. So you should try all of your local WalMarts as they do sometimes carry different things.

 

[Guillermo]

This is an execellent example of why it's best to do your first oil change right away when you buy a new car. There is always metal particles left over from manufaturing and/or removed from friction when the new tight engine is first driven.

 

[Resist]

Like those small particles hurt anything.

 

[amplifiedmouse]

my walmart doesn't carry it. i asked them today when i went to buy oil and they were like 'huh, whats '0w-20'? i ain't never heard of nothing like that.' and then my head exploded because of all the bad grammar.

 

[joe4ska]

Penzoil 5w 20

I find it hard to find 0w 20 anything, I'm not willing to go to honda and put out 40 bucks everytime i need an oil change so, I've been using Penziol 5w-20 since i bought my car in late 2001 havn't noticed any problems with it. 0w-20 in Southern California is mostly a myth and i havn't noticed a decrease in milage from the few times i used the 0w-20 Honda oil.

 

[b1shmu63]

0W30 oil

Thought I would try out Amsoil 0W30 synthetic oil. I reasoned that synthetics have less friction which might compensate for the heavier oil and that the engine would last longer. On two recent trips to Kingston I achieved my best mileage yet at 91 and 92 miles per US gallon. (The roads are windy, hilly, with some gravel road and there are small towns on route). Last summer's best was 87 MPG (Honda oil) on a 75 mile trip to Ottawa. Could be wishful thinking but I believe the engine sounds quieter, smoother. Lifetime mileage is 70 MPG. Has anyone else tried 0W30?

 

[SeanW]

Thought I would try out Amsoil 0W30 synthetic oil. ... Has anyone else tried 0W30?

Any reason you went with the TSO 0W30 and not the XL-7500 5W20? I have not tried either (since I found some Mobil 1 0W20 I'm going to use for my first change) but I was more tempted to go with the 5W20. It is the same oil I use in my 2002 CR-V and I've had great mileage results with it.

 

[liteflier]

Interesting thread, good information. thinking that I will probalby need to change the oil my self.

http://intershop.amsoil.com/cgi-bin/Ams ... talog/1117

The mobile1.com website recommends 5W-30 for the insight :shock:

Has anyone found a good resource for oil online?

 

[b1shmu63]

Sean: it is my impresion that the first number refers to the thickness of the oil and the second number to it's capabilities for lubrication. (That is probably a gross simplification and may not be correct.) I needed a thin oil for easy cranking and fast circulation at temperatures that reached as low as -25 Farenheit last winter. Of course in the summer a thinner oil should also give better mileage than a thicker oil.

John: Amsoil claims that 2000 series 0W30 provides significantly better wear protection in the ASTM D4172 test than Mobil 1 Tri synthetic 5W30 (0.373 wear scar diameter as opposed to 0.595 for Mobil) I buy the Amsoil from a neighbor/distributer.

Why use synthetic oil for the Insight other than mileage?

Multi grade refined oils deteriorate way faster than synthetics which is why synthetics have the reputation for stopping engine wear almost completely. Honda engines invariably outlast Honda bodies but the Insight is aluminum and could last several decades. (Note: The average age of general aviation planes is 43 years, and the majority of them are aluminum.)

You might say that I'm taking steps now to insure that I don't have to have the engine worked on should I wish to sell it in 30 or 40 years for triple it's original sticker price!

Kip

 

[Kobushi]

Walmart 0w-20 oil

If you have a Wal-Mart near by, they may not stock 0w-20, but Wal-mart purchases in bulk for thier entire corporation, so anything walmat A stocks, Walmart Z can get if requested.

You may have to talk to a few people, but WalMart should be able to stock a limited amount of 0w-20 for you.

(I know this because there is a Soda I like only sold in walmarts in the north/east, and I've had walmart order it for me here in east Tennessee. )

Fortunately my regional WalMarts, Autozones, and Advanced Auto stores all stock both 0w-20 and 5w-20.

 

[Madeline]

Fascinating info, Insighter. I looked at the Blackstone Labs site, because I haven't yet changed the oil in my Insight and I was thinking about sending them more Insight oil for analysis... Did you collect some oil before you drove the car at all, so they had something to compare your used oil with? Did you pay extra to get the TBN?