Your Guide to Honda Oil Types

Honda Oil Change

Honda drivers love their vehicles, and they stay on the road thanks to routine maintenance like a high mileage oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. The frequency of your oil changes depends on a number of factors, including the type of oil your car, SUV, van, or truck uses. Here’s everything you need to know about different oil types, courtesy of the experts at Pacific Honda.

Conventional Oil vs. Synthetic Oil

One of the main ways that oil is classified is by its ingredients — and there are some huge differences. Conventional oil contains crude oil, which is a natural product of petroleum. Synthetic oil, on the other hand, is made of human-made components like chemicals and hydrocarbons.

There’s no universal answer to which oil is best for your vehicle. In general, new Honda models do well with synthetic oil, whereas older pre-owned Honda vehicles might have engines that perform better with conventional oil. The best way to determine the right type for your vehicle is to either consult your user manual or call the professionals at our service center.

Common Oil Weights

If you’ve ever been in an automotive store, you’ve probably noticed letters and numbers on the oil containers. In addition to being categorized by synthetic and conventional types, motor oil is also grouped by its weight. For example, you might see a bottle that says “5W-30” on the sticker. Here’s what that means:

  • The first number tells you how thick the oil is when it’s cold. The lower the number, the thinner the oil. So, 5W-30 oil is thinner than 10W-30.
  • The “W” simply stands for “Weight”.
  • The second number indicates how thick the oil is when it’s hot, and how quickly it will flow through a healthy engine. Just as before, the lower the number, the thinner the oil.

Putting the right oil into your vehicle is vital for its health and longevity, so if you’re not confident in which oil to use, just ask our experts.

Schedule Your High Mileage Oil Change in San Diego, CA

We love performing routine maintenance because it means we’re helping keep our customers and their favorite vehicles on the road. When you need an oil change, wheel alignment, tire rotation, or any other service, let our experts handle the dirty work. Come to the service center at our Honda dealership in San Diego, CA today!