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I at first had a bit of difficulty understanding the oil requirements for our CT. On page 333 of our owner’s manual under RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL Honda states: “Always use premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil displaying the API Certification Seal.” Using the word ‘Always’ is pretty strong language. But then on the next page under SYNTHETIC OIL, Honda states: “You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements given for a conventional motor oil;” I was not aware that 0W-20 could be found as a conventional motor oil???
A conventional oil by definition is an oil refined from petroleum crude oil that has been pumped from the ground. Meaning basically, a NON - Synthetic oil.
In doing a search for Honda Motor Oil 0W-20 I could only find Honda Part Number 08798-9036 which is listed as a synthetic blend (not a full synthetic) selling for about $5 per quart. I suppose you could call a synthetic blend a conventional oil?? The owner’s manual recommends Honda Motor Oil, which means Honda is recommending a synthetic blend. Why didn’t Honda just use a full synthetic? Anyway, I have to think that for proper break in of the engine, Honda did not want a full synthetic for whatever reason and instead is using a synthetic blend to help break in their engines. It bothered me that occasionally on various forums I would see a Honda owner complaining that even after 10 or 15 thousand miles, their engine is not properly broken in.
Until recently, 0W-20 was difficult to find. I know I have looked in most auto parts stores and such, but it is appearing on the shelf more and more. Wal-Mart had a 5 quart container of Mobil 1 for around $24.
I just changed the oil and filter on my CT. I used Pennzoil 5W20 (conventional oil) as my choice of oil and then also used a WIX Oil filter $8. I only have about 2,000 miles on my CT. I will eventually switch from 5W20 conventional Pennzoil to synthetic soon.
With the price and availability of 0W-20 now the same as 5W-20 oil, I don’t see why I would want to use 5W-20? Why should I not follow what Honda recommends and take advantage of the .1 better fuel mileages due to the thinner oil? I suppose if I was in a pretty much year round hot climate that would be justification to move to 5W-20 or even a thicker viscosity. For my mix of climate here in the Midwest, I think 0W-20 will be just fine.
Hope this explains the confusion in the owners manual a bit.
A conventional oil by definition is an oil refined from petroleum crude oil that has been pumped from the ground. Meaning basically, a NON - Synthetic oil.
In doing a search for Honda Motor Oil 0W-20 I could only find Honda Part Number 08798-9036 which is listed as a synthetic blend (not a full synthetic) selling for about $5 per quart. I suppose you could call a synthetic blend a conventional oil?? The owner’s manual recommends Honda Motor Oil, which means Honda is recommending a synthetic blend. Why didn’t Honda just use a full synthetic? Anyway, I have to think that for proper break in of the engine, Honda did not want a full synthetic for whatever reason and instead is using a synthetic blend to help break in their engines. It bothered me that occasionally on various forums I would see a Honda owner complaining that even after 10 or 15 thousand miles, their engine is not properly broken in.
Until recently, 0W-20 was difficult to find. I know I have looked in most auto parts stores and such, but it is appearing on the shelf more and more. Wal-Mart had a 5 quart container of Mobil 1 for around $24.
I just changed the oil and filter on my CT. I used Pennzoil 5W20 (conventional oil) as my choice of oil and then also used a WIX Oil filter $8. I only have about 2,000 miles on my CT. I will eventually switch from 5W20 conventional Pennzoil to synthetic soon.
With the price and availability of 0W-20 now the same as 5W-20 oil, I don’t see why I would want to use 5W-20? Why should I not follow what Honda recommends and take advantage of the .1 better fuel mileages due to the thinner oil? I suppose if I was in a pretty much year round hot climate that would be justification to move to 5W-20 or even a thicker viscosity. For my mix of climate here in the Midwest, I think 0W-20 will be just fine.
Hope this explains the confusion in the owners manual a bit.