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Hello everyone. Looking for some advice with respect to oil in my 2007 Honda Fit MT:
I scheduled my first oil change today and am wondering if I should go with synthetic or not. It's about thirty dollars more per change. I understand that FE will increase a bit and the longevity of the engine will (perhaps) be enhanced. My question is this: Is it worth the monetary difference to use synthetic? Bear in mind that I drive approximately 30,000 miles per year for work. I also have the "maintenance minder" on my Honda and am also wondering if the computer will recognize the difference in oils and allow me longer intervals between changes if using synthetic. I also plan to keep the vehicle for six years- That would put me at about 180,000 miles on the odometer/engine. The disparity in cost would be about 700.00 over the life of the car (if changing the oil at the same intervals.)
Thanks in advance for the help,
brian

brian, have a talk to your Honda dealer about using the same oil they use in tha HCH2. It is a 0-20 and may be a synthetic blend or total synthetic, I'm am not sure. I went to 15000 Kil. to 5% for my first oil change. Oil only no filter. I did drain the old oil out of the filter however! Honda only recommends a filter ever other change, In the HCH2, so I do what they say. I would go with what it tells you in the manual. I beleive the MM does not destinguish between deno or syn. oil. How do you like your Fit? Cheers, H

Brian,

Synthetic has many advantages for your motor including much better resistance to thermal breakdown, better cling, better shear and much lower pour point. These things add up to increased protection (longevity) of your motor in both hot conditions and cold conditions, increased oil change intervals, easier starting of motor (especially for colder climates) and better efficiency (fuel economy). I generally change out the oil using a synthetic every 6 months or 7,500 miles although I could probably go longer.

As far as the the weight of oil, I think Honda specs a 5W-20 for the Fit so that is fine, 0W-20 would even be better as it offers better cold engine protection and efficiency. 0W-20 is not currently as widely available (at least not in California).

If you want to compromise, you can also get a synthetic blend oil which offers some of the synthetic benefits at a cheaper cost.

Thank you for the help. Any idea how much more FE per gallon I will realize with synthetic?
I am currently averaging between 44 and 46 miles per gallon of fuel expended.

Thank you for the help. Any idea how much more FE per gallon I will realize with synthetic?
I am currently averaging between 44 and 46 miles per gallon of fuel expended.

YMMV. You can't really quantify it because it all depends on the conditions under which you are driving. If there are a lot of cold starts, cold/hot weather driving and high revving (non-hypermiling) driving, there will be more improvement noticed in MPG. As the conventional breaks down (which basically starts the first time you start your motor after adding the oil), there is also an MPG improvement. These are the times where the synthetic oil would really make a difference in reducing the amount of friction inside the motor.

I remember reading somewhere where Amsoil claims to have tested a fleet of automobiles which saw an 8% improvement in FE. Again, it is YMMV because of the conditions in which the engine is operating in.

Aaron

Why not keep costs down and do Synthetic Oil changes yourself? 5 qts Syntec or Q Power at Walmart for $19.96! $2.50 Supertech filter! Or use Supertech Synthetic at $13.52 / 5 qts!

I'm gonna do all future Synthetic oil changes myself and save money!

Do they have any 0-20w at Walmart?

Do they have any 0-20w at Walmart?

I haven't seen the 5 quart jugs of it, that's for sure. The last time I looked (about a week ago), I was surprised to see that they did have some 0W-20 or 0W-30 quarts of Mobil 1 (can't remember which). I'm in the San Diego, CA area. I have heard in other forums that the Walmart stores in the colder states do carry the 0W-X oils.

Hello. Added the synthetic blend yesterday during my first oil inspection. Pumped the tires to 51 psi to celebrate! bring on the miles!!! by the way, I noticed a substantial increase during glides today after adding the 51 psi (from 46 psi.) five pounds of air does seem to make a big difference (of course, the rears were down to 42.)
Thanks to all for helping.
brian

In Minnesota they have 0w-20 mobil 1 synthetics in quarts at some walmarts. They only carry 5w-20 and 5w-30 mobil 1 in the 5 qt jugs.

Do you own oil changes and you wont even approach $30 total. 5qt 5w-20 mobil 1 is $22 and the fram filter is $4 for my civic. Fit would be comprable.