[InsightfulBob]

I bought my Insight used a while back and I need to change the oil soon.
So I know that Honda recommends 0W-20 Motor Oil. Can I get a lower viscosity oil than 20? Would it be harmful to the engine? Is 0W-5 too low?
http://www.neosyntheticoil.com/0w5.htm
Also, what about Oil Stabilizer? Would Lucas or something similar be helpful?
http://www.lucasoil.com/products/displa ... 2&loc=show
Opinions?

 

[HafNHaf]

i think most of us are using mobil-1 0w20 or 5w20. i wouldnt go any thinner than the oem specs.

 

[Guillermo]

The owner manuals says which oil you should use and which alternative oils are acceptable. 0W20 is recommended and alternatives like 5W20 and 5W30 are acceptable. Do not use anything lighter then 0W20.

Engine oils are specially formulated to provide alot of functions.
DO NOT add any additives to the engine oil because it will screw up with it's proper function. Just buy quality engine oil.
The only significant difference in performance comes from upgrading to synthetic engine oil made by companies like Mobile1 or Amsoil.

 

[Resist]

Can I get a lower viscosity oil than 20?

Yes

Would it be harmful to the engine?

Yes

Is 0W-5 too low?

Yes

 

[Insightful Trekker]

Can I get a lower viscosity oil than 20?

Yes

Would it be harmful to the engine?

Depends

Is 0W-5 too low?

Depends

While your going too low for adequate protection in anything but sub arctic conditions _and_ a 0W-20 synthetic will give you a wide enough temperature range even in those conditions it does depend.

Engine oil viscosity ratings aren't absolutes in regard to damage until you factor in temperature.

IMO conditions that would benefit from 0W-5 would also be cold enough to make steel brittle. And any plastics used in the Insight shatter like glass when flexed. So there's no reasonable need or conditions that it would be a good choice.

 

[InsightfulBob]

Thanks, and don't worry I won't put in any thing lower than 0w-20 now.

 

[Arturo]

I'm running 0-30 amsoil high milage oil with great results! Contemplating putting their dual oil filter that allows oil changes to be done at far greater milage intervals as it filters down to 3 microns and wear is caused by particles in the 5 micron range. Ive dealt with amsoil products with great results and run it in my f350 v10 crew cab also. I like mobil 1 also but feel that amsoil is superior. I woke up early 1 morning and decided to go for my milage record. With hardly any traffic I got 86.5 miles to the gallon running amsoil 0-30. When using cruise contol I only got 66.7 mpg. Arturo

 

[LoNOx 1]

I also use the Series 2000 Amsoil with HIGH mileage intervals. The Insight now has 134000 miles. In November, I traded in a 2000 Nissan Maxima with 114000 miles with no problems. My 01 Nissan Frontier CC (106000 miles) also uses no oil and has no leaks. I am a firm believer in the Amsoil filter.
Last year, we had an oil/filter discussion at work. I removed the can from a Fram, Walmart Supertech, and an Amsoil filter.
Quality of the Fram was terrible. Supertech was good, and Amsoil great.
Autozone stores did have a display of the different brands that they sold that you could pull the can off of and inspect.

 

[InsightfulBob]

Thanks for the heads up on the Amsoil. I have to change my oil and filter soon, too. I'm pretty sure that I'll use the Series 2000 and EaO filter. What air filter would you suggest? Or should I clean my stock filter?

 

[LoNOx 1]

I use a K & N in my vehicles. I like the idea of having the ability to clean it. I would NOT clean a stock filter. If it is dirty enough to clean, replace it. If you go with the oem style, I would NOT use a Fram. I comared a Fram with a oem Toyota filter couple of weeks ago and there was a big difference in quality also. Not as many pleats and they weren't as deep either.

I do not sell filters or oil of any brand. All of the above is my opinion.
You can find much information at: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

 

[b1shmu63]

0W30 is one of 3 oils recomended for the Insight in the shop manual.

I use Amsoil series 2000 0W30 that I purchase from a neighbor. On my 46 mile drive to Kingston today I averaged 91 miles per US gallon. After 11 stops over 13 miles in town, I was down to 78 MPG. 46 miles back in the dark brought me to 82 MPG for the round trip.

I consider any small mileage loss to be worth the extra sense of protection. Nevertheless, the biggest protection gain comes from switching to synthetic. I would not consider using anything else except in an emergency.

 

[InsightfulBob]

So I'm planning to change my oil and filter soon, but I was wondering where the oil filter is. I opened my hood and looked and couldn't find it. Is it underneath? Is it easy to get to and change? Do I need to remove the underbody panels to change the oil/filter? And I think that the current air filter is not stock (bought it used, don't know what came with it); Is the stock one green? If it is not stock and one of those cleanable filters, would any filter cleaning kit work? Thanks, any help is appreciated.

 

[originalbadbob]

The oil drain and filter is easiest done by removing the under panels. It's on the front of the engine. It takes about 5 minutes to take them off, and again to put them on. It takes longer to jack up the car and put it on jackstands. I've thought about putting dzus or southco fasteners to be able to remove them quicker, but then I blink and get back to reality.

I had a K&N filter on my car when I bought it and used the K&N cleaning kit on it. The most important thing is to make sure the oil you put on the removable filters to catch the dirt is the correct one. I now just use the stock filters as they do a better filtering job, and the mileage gain is negligible.
robert

 

[kapps]

Once you get the underbody off, it's a snap. Here's a tip...there are three underbody panels (two sides and one up front connecting the two together). Undo the fasteners around the edges and remove the entire 3 piece assembly in one piece. It makes things much easier.

 

[InsightfulBob]

Thanks, and sorry for all the questions, but here are some more. I am not quite clear on this one, is the oil filter on the underside of the engine? Is it easy to get to? Also, would you suggest the Fram oil drain plug replacement valve/hose (sorry I can't remember what it is called, but it replaces your oil drain plug with a valve that lets out the oil when you screw in a hose)? And what size thread is the oil drain plug?

 

[kapps]

Thanks, and sorry for all the questions, but here are some more. I am not quite clear on this one, is the oil filter on the underside of the engine? Is it easy to get to? Also, would you suggest the Fram oil drain plug replacement valve/hose (sorry I can't remember what it is called, but it replaces your oil drain plug with a valve that lets out the oil when you screw in a hose)? And what size thread is the oil drain plug?

The filter is on the front side of the engine but down almost at the bottom. I personally don't like the drain plug replacements but that doesn't mean they don't work. Just make sure it doesn't start leaking.

Can't comment on the thread.

 

[Guillermo]

Oil drain plug threads are the same size as all other hondas.

 

[InsightfulBob]

I finally did it. I used the Amsoil Series 2000 with their Absolute Efficiency oil filter. Its way expensive and took forever to get here, but thats besides the point. Now, how do I reset the "Maintainence Req'd" light? Do I just have to go to the dealership? Will they charge for that? Thanks.

 

[Insightful Trekker]

See this very recent thread here:

Flashing maintenance light
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=5161