The CRV comes from the factory with Honda's synthetic blend 0w-20. Be careful with dealer oil changes; some Honda dealers may use bulk (non-Honda) motor oil and some may use conventional 5w-20 instead of a synthetic blend 0w-20. It may be worth asking the parts department guys what oil is used rather than the service writer who may only have a stock answer.

 

Dan nailed it in regards to your question. I asked my dealer and they use a blend and only use Honda products, so they do charge a little bit more.

 

Thanks so much guys. The dealer with the blend wanted $49.95 and the dealer with the full wanted $79.95. I'm going to switch over to the full synthetic unless anyone has a reason why that's a bad idea?

 

Only money. How long to you plan to keep the car? A synthetic blend will allow it to last a very long time. You could ask your dealer what they would charge if you brought your own oil: 5 quarts of Mobil1 full synthetic 0w-20 can be had at WalMart for $25 or so, and is as good or better than Honda's full synthetic.

The $30 premium for full synthetic seems high. The msrp difference between Honda's full syn and syn blend is $3.90/quart ($8.90 vs $5.00), so 5 quarts should cost an extra $19.50. It takes no more labor to pour in a full synthetic.

 

Full synthetic is the absolute best oil for your vehicle. Lubrication qualities are superb. Personally, I use Mobil 1 in all of my equipment. To date I have never had an engine failure. Period.

Enjoy your ride!

 

One thing worth mentioning is that your Maintenance Minder is assumes you are using at least a synth blend. It has no way of knowing if you go to a full synthetic. So, it won't extend Oil Change Intervals.

 

I use Full Synthetic and change it with the MM. I do not extend it. With my mileage and usage, I usually do less than 2 oil changes a year, so about 3 oil changes every 2 years.

 

Good Point Carbuff2! Thanks for mentioning that. I'll have to remember that when the msg comes up after this oil change.

 

We extend the OCI on our Fit by resetting it when it reads ~50%. Then we change the oil when the Wrench appears.

The Fit's MM is calibrated for mineral (dino) oil, as recommended....

 

I've been using full synthetic in my '04 Accord EX and my '12 V LX since I've owned them...and cars previously owned as well.
I prefer full synthetic for its' benefits rather than extended oil life. I still change the oil in my Accord every 3000 miles, though for my wife's driving habits that means two changes per year. I've increased the mileage in the V to 4000 which still results in two..ish...changes per year.

I'm not fussy about brands but use either Mobil, Castrol or Valvoline.

 

I use Mobile 1 5W30 in my 2015 CR-V EX-L and it's full synthetic. If you watch the Costco flyers, they offer a 6 quart case for roughly $27 every couple months. I go to O'reilly's and buy the Wix 57356 filter for about $7. Wix is the best filter that I know of. I change the oil and filter every 7K miles.

More info: I also use Mobile 1 in my F150 and the last oil change I did at 7K miles I sent an oil sample in to be analyzed. The results came back and their tech commented that next time I should try going 9K miles. I'm sticking with the 7K interval but at least it's good to know that the Mobile 1 has a long useful life.

 

As your owners manual specifies 0w-20, using 5w-30, even if it's Mobil1, could jeopardize your warranty in the event of an engine problem. Maybe Honda would ignore this deviation, but maybe not. Why ask for trouble during warranty?

 

I can't even find blended 0w20 accept at my dealer.

 

Wal-Mart sells 5W-20 Motorcraft brand (at least, around here they do). Unless your car is outside in sub-zeroF weather it should work OK.

Motorcraft sells a 0W-20 blend also.

But for the same price at WalMart you can get their 5W-20 full synthic house brand made by Warren Petroleum. Good stuff.

There are also rebates on SOPUS products that get the price down to $15 for 5 quarts.


I usually look here
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/forums/33/1/Product_Rebates,_Sales_and_Pro
Before buying oil or filters....

 

To the OP, if you have your choice, go with the synthetic. It isn't going to matter at all whether or not your car came with blended or synthetic. I myself do all my oil changes myself and the cost is less than what you were quoted for a blend, by $15 to $20. That is with full synthetic and a factory oil filter and a new crush washer. I myself prefer the Valvoline products over others that are out there. Also found that the local Toyota parts department sold a factory cap wrench for the Camry that fits the Honda 15400-PLM-A01 perfectly. I tried several aftermarkets and they all slipped. It was however $50, but if I remember correctly it was cheaper than what Honda wanted by about half.

I also stay away from those oil change places as I have seen it where they said they changed the filter and didn't. Over tightened the drain plug and have stripped it out. And who knows if they change the crush washer with a new one. I doubt it as that is why they put the drain plug back in so tight. And who knows what oil they use and whether or not it is of the proper weight.

 

Handa-Accessories sells the OEM filter wrench, OEM oil filters, and washers (transmission and oil). The oil filter wrench is $25.

Walmart seems to have the best prices on synthetic oil. I bought two 5-qt jugs of the Pennzoil 0W20 Platinum Full Synthetic for $45 total (plus taxes).

 

As long as the engine is clean (no varnish on the valvetrain, etc) that would indicate that the oil is being changed often enough.

There are disgusting pictures of engines on the 'net where the maintenance has not been done.
Here's one:

Here's a properly-maintained engine:

The difference is quite apparent...

 

I change my own oil and use Castrol edge from Walmart for 24 bucks in a 5qt jug.

 

Good oil and would be my second choice after Mobile 1

 

I change my own oil and use Castrol edge from Walmart for 24 bucks in a 5qt jug.

Last month Autozone sold same 5 Qt for $10 or $2 per Quart, also Mobil 1 0W20, 0W30 and other(s) for $2 / Qt

 

Hi everyone, I'm a new CRV owner after having my 2009 Civic EX destroyed due to a guy fainting at the wheel or texting on the phone. With my Civic, i used to run Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 while either using a Purolator One or a Parts Plus EX filter made by MicroGuard and i'd change my own oil every 6K miles. Now with the 2015 CRV, Honda said they'd extend my power train warranty out to 200K miles if i bring it to them for all the oil changes. I don't drive the CRV as much as i did the Civic because i moved behind the counter and when i do make deliveries, i get to use the company truck; I was a contract driver before, now i'm full time employee. Since taking possession of the CRV, i've only put on 2400 miles and some change. It's a great car and i hope to keep it a very long time, possibly longer than i got to keep my Civic, but what do you guys think? Should i take advantage of that power train offer or should i continue to do my own oil changes? Really i do love doing my own oil changes because it lets me know what is going in there and i know that i won't screw up my oil pan, drain plug or over tighten the oil filter when installing . I've changed the oil in my mother's 2006 CRV since the first change and it still runs strong with almost 140K miles on it.

 

Sounds like a Dealer thing, not a Honda Corp. offer. Is the warranty against manufacturer's defects?

You can be assured that your engine will last 200K miles on your previous oil change regimen.

Since you enjoy doing your own oil changes (I do too!) I'd bank the money that you would be paying, whether it's money up front or the difference between the cost of materials VS the dealer cost for oil changes.

Note that often, dealers consider oil changes a loss leader because they can recommend other services at the time of the OCI.

JMHO.

 

.. said they'd extend my power train warranty out to 200K miles if i bring it to them for all the oil changes. I don't drive the CRV as much ...

Many dealers allow you to bring your own oil and filter. They can indeed strip your drain plug but you can install a Fumoto valve and show dealer how to use it without tools. If they agree to these conditions, the extra 200k in your case could be well over a 15 years of use, body of the car would rot by then.

 

Oh really? i was always under the impression you had to use what they had.

 

"they'd extend my power train warranty out to 200K miles if i bring it to them for all the oil changes."

Most states, and mine Illinois, have a law providing auto owners the ability to have their service work done where ever they choose. A 'dealer' cannot void any warranty if they do not perform the work. You are free to choose who and where your vehicle is serviced. If you are a DIY then you too can do it. Just document the work, i.e. receipts and records. Honda Care Warranties are available from other sources than your selling dealer, even online you can find reputable sellers. That is total BS what your dealer said to you about the extended warranty and that they have to do the oil changes as a stipulation for selling that warranty to you. Call them on that!

"The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, says no. In fact, it's illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had routine maintenance or repairs performed by someone else.
source: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0138-auto-warranties-routine-maintenance

Here is one example of Honda Care availability: http://www.curryhondacare.com/coverage.cfm
and there are many others to choose from. All Honda dealers are bound to honor Honda Care Warranties.

 

No what i mean is that i already get the 100K warranty from the factory. The dealer is just doubling it if i bring my car to them to have the oil changes done as a promotion.

 

Hi I'm the original post of this thread and thought I would update.
I'm still thoroughly confused.

I decided to go with Midas. I called and was quited a price for a full synthetic oil change ($89). When I got there I was told that $89 was not for full synthetic. I went round and round with the manager and was finally told (this is where I'm confused) there I could have synthetic blend, synthetic or full synthetic. He said the $89 was for synthetic and that was what the computer said Honda recommended for my car. That they would NEVER put Full synthetic in my car. That FULL Synthetic would only go in a corvette or Cadillac or something like that. Does any of this make sense to anyone here? Thanks! I went ahead and let them put the synthetic in because I was getting frustrated with all of this and just wanted to get my oil changed.

 

You can use whatever oil you want whether it be synthetic, semi synthetic, or conventional. Just make sure that your using the proper weight of oil, 0W-20 for example. If I have the choice I will use full synthetic. His explanation of using it only in a Cadillac or Corvette is just his opinion. If your able to do your own oil changes, you can do a full synthetic oil and new filter for about $35. As opposed to the $89 you were quoted. I personally will only use Valvoline and Mobil 1 products. Have heard a lot of good things about Royal Purple too.

 

Should have just went to the dealership.....

 

Thanks Coastie. Going to the dealership on a regular basis is not really a great option for me. I was hoping to find someplace close to home that I could have all my maintenance done on a regular basis. More likely to get it done if it's convenient and don't have to leave my car. My dealership does not give out loaner cars, etc. Thanks though.

Still would like to know if this makes sense to anyone??

 

Oh ok I understand. No it doesn't make sense, they were just being difficult. A lot of people run full synthetic in their V's. I use the synthetic blend that the dealership puts in. Once I'm out of my factory warranty I'll start doing the oil changes myself and switch to full synthetic.

 

Still not making sense though. They had 4 different prices for the oil - Reg oil, syn blend, syn and full syn. If they were just trying to be difficult wouldn't they have just let me pay the extra money for the full syn? I'm hoping someone here is more familiar with oils that can maybe explain this - Thanks

 

I wouldn't trust those quick change places as far as I could throw my car !! Minimal training and their only goal is speed. I've had 2 friends end up with a drain plug with striped threads - no good. 5 qt jug of Mobil 1 at Wally World is under $30. I'd find a good indie mechanic if I decided to not do it myself. Craig

 

Freedom1

The definition of Synthetic oil varies depending on what country you are in. (by law) Below is a (clearly) 'layman's' definition of the types. (No flames please) To get REALLY into the differences, go to BobIsTheOilGuy.com and read some of their technical papers.


In the USA, "traditional" or Full Synthetic is termed Type IV. It is expensive to make but has the best wear and protection properties. It has never seen a dinosaur.

Type III synthetic oil is made from ultra-refined mineral oil. It is vastly superior to regular mineral oil, offering better wear and protection. But, last I heard, they can't call this 'synthetic' in Europe.

Syn Blend is (varying) percentages of mineral and synthetic oils. Most is blended with Type III synthetic these days.

Mineral or "regular" oil is just that. It is the cheapest of all but the drain interval is less miles because it relies on heavy doses of additives, which are what 'expire' first in oils. Type III and Type IV oils are mostly base stock, less additives needed, so they are effective longer.


Hope this helps you make a decision in the future. (Based on Honda's recommendations and specifications, of course)