[EleMN]

I know there are a lot of threads on oil, but I only found info on preference and mpg gains. Today, I got my oil changed at Valvoline Instant Oil Change and they had a new sales line I had not heard before: "According to our computer, your engine needs a synthetic oil or the pistons won't be lubricated properly...we can continue to give the conventional oil, but you will have to sign a waiver releasing us from responsibility." I think this is total crap and have found oil change places to be some of the most dishonest...Anyone else think there is any validity to their claim that Elements NEED synthetic?
Thanks.

 

[FiAsco]

I know there are a lot of threads on oil, but I only found info on preference and mpg gains. Today, I got my oil changed at Valvoline Instant Oil Change and they had a new sales line I had not heard before: "According to our computer, your engine needs a synthetic oil or the pistons won't be lubricated properly...we can continue to give the conventional oil, but you will have to sign a waiver releasing us from responsibility." I think this is total crap and have found oil change places to be some of the most dishonest...Anyone else think there is any validity to their claim that Elements NEED synthetic?
Thanks.

No. Synthetic oil is not specified in the owner's manual.

Synthetic oil is specified for other cars--althought I'm unaware of a single Honda. Maybe they got mixed up. I'd ask to see their computer or a printout.

 

[marksbug]

yes that is valid!!! and I have some space for sale just past pluto!!! just another line,but I did just but 3 5QT juges of castrol edge syn at wally world for $26 each reg $35. yes syn will help.but in all fairness I would find another place to get your oil changed ,you dont know what there putting in your E. just because it meets the requirements dont mean it is any good,most aere polution std stuff.&general req data that dosent help your E.a good oil will. when I was a yamaha tech (marine) the wallyworld brand witch had all the latest certifications was killing yamahas like you would not beleave.and we had to warranty it,the waly oil was almost 1/2 price than the yamalube. some times you actuly get what you are paying for. kinda like the bars that refill the bottles with cheeper alcohall. I have seen refilled bear bottles at bars.25 cent draft or $1.00 bottle beer!!! (refilled with draft)
use a good oil.

 

[protaganis]

Not the first time I've heard that line. I go to a tire plus and the sales guy cleared it up. You can run either, most places will say you NEED synthetic, but that's because they get a kickback for selling it. ONLY differences are how long it takes to get oil from the pan to the top of the engine (15-30 seconds difference) and how long the recommended life of the oil is (use the owners manual as a guideline).
AVOID that Valvoline and call their manager to tell them why you'll never go there again. They need to get snake oil salesmen out of the industry.
BTW - If you are in the Twin Cities, the place I recommend is the Woodbury Tires Plus. They've always treated me decent there. Keep an eye of their coupons too.

 

[EleMN]

Not the first time I've heard that line. I go to a tire plus and the sales guy cleared it up. You can run either, most places will say you NEED synthetic, but that's because they get a kickback for selling it. ONLY differences are how long it takes to get oil from the pan to the top of the engine (15-30 seconds difference) and how long the recommended life of the oil is (use the owners manual as a guideline).
AVOID that Valvoline and call their manager to tell them why you'll never go there again. They need to get snake oil salesmen out of the industry.
BTW - If you are in the Twin Cities, the place I recommend is the Woodbury Tires Plus. They've always treated me decent there. Keep an eye of their coupons too.

Thanks much; I will check out the Tires Plus. And yeah, I feel like those oil places are among the worst...my favorite example was the time I asked the serviceman, after looking at the receipt, if he was SURE that they topped off my washer fluid. When he said he was, I explained to him that I removed the washer fluid container the night before because it was cracked. Have to watch those guys.

 

[ryland]

no the element dosent need synthetic. The only reason why you would want to is if you really wanted to stretch the oil change interval out to 8-12 thousand miles for one to two changes a year. I always used synthetic when I first got my e because I was paranoid but its not needed. The E does run best IMO with pennzoil platnium 5w20 but regular pennzoil yb 5w20 or honda genuine 5w20 also work well.

About the oil chage places telling you that you have to use synthetic thats a flat out lie! They do that because they charge so much more for the synthetic (like $60-$90 for an oil change) I think if you want to use synthetic then do it yourself and change it less often if you dont enjoy doing it. A jug off synthetic is between $18-$30 so you can do it for much less.

The other thing to look out for and the reason why I dont go to oil change places is that when you choose the conventional oil they really dont use the 5w20 that your E was designed for. They use bulk 10w30 and in some places they even use 20w50!!! Way too thick for the E. They do it because they buy it buy the barrel for .25 a quart and they dont have to worry about people with junkers burning through the oil quickly, they also only have to carry one grade. They'll tell you its 5w20 but its not. I got my oil changed in the winter at a quick change place and they put in a super thick oil that made my car sound like crap on start up and killed my gas milage.

 

[BigTzElement]

The only reason why you would want to is if you really wanted to stretch the oil change interval out to 8-12 thousand miles for one to two changes a year.

I believe the Honda's recommended oil change interval is 10,000 miles or 7,500 miles if you fall into the severe duty category, and that is using conventional dino oil.

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

I personally use Royal Purple in all my vehicles and since switching to it, they seem to be running smoother and mileage has improved.

I have an Accord with 223,000+ miles and she is getting almost 31MPGs.(btw the oil change interval is 7,500 miles on my Accord and she is a 1995.)

People who still change oil every 3,000 miles are throwing money away. Oil today(even conventional, non synthetic) is SOOOO much better than is was 30-50 years ago when "they" were recommending 3k oil changes.

That said...It is your money and oil and vehicle change it when you want.

 

[oljef]

Every engine needs synthetic after the initial break in. It's a little more expensive, but it lasts longer and protects your baby better. Synthetic is slicker than petro and stays cleaner longer because it doesn't break down as easily. I've been running Mobile 1 synthetics in all of my vehicles for well over twenty-five years. All my past and present cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including road race bikes that would be at or near redline for most of a 2 or 3 hour endurance race. I have never had a oil related breakdown. I live in Texas also, it gets pretty hot in the spring, summer and part of the fall here. You could say I'm a believer. You can save a few bucks on oil changes if you buy the oil and filter from walfart and call around, somebody will change it for a reasonable price. The local shops are a better bet, my guy does it for 12.50.
By the way, I go 5000 between changes. And my oil is reasonably clean at change time. I'm well below Hondas recommended mileage. You'll get a mile per gallon better fuel mileage too, that by itself will foot he bill for the difference.

 

[mkh]

I agree with oljef, use synthetic. Protects better, which is what the oil is there for in the first place. The Saab that just was bought back for the Sasb museum, with one million miles on it and no engine rebuild, just standard maintenance - guy who owned it since new used Mobile-1 synthetic oil, and changed it every 7,500 miles.

 

[nextgenxx]

I got a lifetime oil replacement card when I purchased my E. Great value, although the dealership always tries to upsell me on services when I go in for a oil change.

 

[EleMN]

no the element dosent need synthetic. The only reason why you would want to is if you really wanted to stretch the oil change interval out to 8-12 thousand miles for one to two changes a year. I always used synthetic when I first got my e because I was paranoid but its not needed. The E does run best IMO with pennzoil platnium 5w20 but regular pennzoil yb 5w20 or honda genuine 5w20 also work well.

About the oil chage places telling you that you have to use synthetic thats a flat out lie! They do that because they charge so much more for the synthetic (like $60-$90 for an oil change) I think if you want to use synthetic then do it yourself and change it less often if you dont enjoy doing it. A jug off synthetic is between $18-$30 so you can do it for much less.

The other thing to look out for and the reason why I dont go to oil change places is that when you choose the conventional oil they really dont use the 5w20 that your E was designed for. They use bulk 10w30 and in some places they even use 20w50!!! Way too thick for the E. They do it because they buy it buy the barrel for .25 a quart and they dont have to worry about people with junkers burning through the oil quickly, they also only have to carry one grade. They'll tell you its 5w20 but its not. I got my oil changed in the winter at a quick change place and they put in a super thick oil that made my car sound like crap on start up and killed my gas milage.

Thanks for the info. That's really too bad if oil change places do that. I used to always change my own oil, but now I live in the city and my condo association forbids oil changing in our underground garage. I hate that people in situations like mine are basically at the mercy of these oil change places.
As an aside, today, I went to Firestone for new tires and asked about their oil changes. According to them, they won't even put conventional oil in my E and guess what; they charge $90 for their synthetic oil (no, that does not include service or any other charges). How disgusting.

 

[EleMN]

Dealership much cheaper and honest

I just called my local Honda dealership and was amazed to find out that they are the same price as Valvoline Instant Oil Change...Also, I asked them about Valvoline's new sales pitch that "we are not responsible for engine damage caused by conventional oil," and here's what the Honda dealership's service department had to say, "They lie, we put in conventional all the time." I will be going here from now on.

 

[ORANGEE]

Oil comes with the car, why would I want to change it?

 

[iamjudge]

decent price

Just on price...there is an online coupon for Pep boys for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more. I brought 2 coupons in to buy my Royal Purple 5w-20 in two separate batches of 7. The regular price of 1 Quart is $7.89..and after the coupon it's $6.46 per quart for 7 Quarts. 14 Quarts for $96 bucks after taxes. I love Royal Purple....but it's so damn expensive.;-)

 

[Gilboy]

Advance

I just got Castrol GTX at Advance. They have a $15.99 deal that you get 5 quarts AND a filter. You then just buy one more quart to make it 6 and you have a less than $20 oil change.

 

[E_BikeR]

Thanks for the info. That's really too bad if oil change places do that. I used to always change my own oil, but now I live in the city and my condo association forbids oil changing in our underground garage. I hate that people in situations like mine are basically at the mercy of these oil change places.
As an aside, today, I went to Firestone for new tires and asked about their oil changes. According to them, they won't even put conventional oil in my E and guess what; they charge $90 for their synthetic oil (no, that does not include service or any other charges). How disgusting.

I use the Mobil 1 Super Synth, always have. EleMN, I would take a big piece of cardboard down and change my own in the garage between the hours of midnight and 6 am! It is so easy to not get a drop of oil on the concrete with the cardboard..... and who would know? Condo associations.... in general, I don't agree with most of their rules, and they don't enforce most of the needed ones anyway. Develop a covert operation plan and just do it yourself!

 

[breese524]

Just on price...there is an online coupon for Pep boys for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more. I brought 2 coupons in to buy my Royal Purple 5w-20 in two separate batches of 7. The regular price of 1 Quart is $7.89..and after the coupon it's $6.46 per quart for 7 Quarts. 14 Quarts for $96 bucks after taxes. I love Royal Purple....but it's so damn expensive.;-)

This is the main reason I don't by synthetic oil. The worst I've paid was about $3 for a quart of conventional oil. I've generally found that any synthetic is about double the price of the same brand's conventional oil.

When synthetic cost the same or less than conventional oil, I will buy it.

 

[don sailing]

Mobil 1

I made the "switch" from Castrol GTX to Mobil 1 with my SC. Also, my daughter's CRV...my son's CRV and his Fit. All Mobil 1 5/20. I made the decision to switch when I read that the Acura RDX comes equipped with Mobil 1.

 

[psschmied]

. . .Anyone else think there is any validity to their claim that Elements NEED synthetic? Thanks.

"According to our computer?" What a crock!!

If you can't trust them to know and tell the truth, don't trust them with the work. Take your Element somewhere else. Even if you decide you want to use synthetic, you want to be working with a competent shop.

I can hear it now "According to our computer, we don't have to replace the crush washer thigamajiggy, and some oil dripping on the exhaust is normal.."

Just for grins, call your Honda dealer's service department and find out what they charge for a change. The one I use for other services charges $1 more than the JiffyScrew type in my area, and WASHES the car before returning it.

 

[marvin the marshen]

I don't trust any quick lube place, they all suck and work of commision. Take it to someone you trust or do it your self.( I use Moble 1 5W20 and a Moble 1 Filter, change every 5000 on the dot and alwase replace my crush washer 14mm)