VUE 3.5 V6: Switch from Synthetic to Dino Oil

[spencerb]

I got my 2004 VUE used. The original owner used Mobil 1 synthetic. It has about 30K miles now, and is due for an oil change soon. I do not see a need to use synthetic based on my climate and driving habits, and I would like to switch to dino oil. How should I make the switch? Should I just change to dino, or use a blend for one change first?

Let's not turn this into a synthetic vs. dino oil thread! I've read too many of those already!

[Tom92SCm]

Just change it straight to Dino. You don't need to ween the engine off the synthetic. It's not "used" to one oil over another.

--Tom

[Bill Murray]

I've run Mobil 1 0W20, 5W30 and Motorcraft 5W20.
They all seem fine to me.

[burnout]

Because so many people say the 3.5L, and many other honda engines 'thrive' on molybdenum, I'm going to suggest havoline 5w-20 or 5w-30. That stuff has like, 400ppm (a lot) of moly, and is already a very high quality dino oil that isn't as expensive as the others. Havoline is usually $1.19, yet usually gives better UOA's (used oil analysis) than most dinos, and even sometimes synthetics!

Don't worry about switching from synthetic to dino right off the bat either.

Also, with havoline, you can safely use "the light" with no problems. I take that back, with ANY dino you can safely use the light with no problems. ;)

[sspeer]

Because so many people say the 3.5L, and many other honda engines 'thrive' on molybdenum, I'm going to suggest havoline 5w-20 or 5w-30. That stuff has like, 400ppm (a lot) of moly, and is already a very high quality dino oil that isn't as expensive as the others. Havoline is usually $1.19, yet usually gives better UOA's (used oil analysis) than most dinos, and even sometimes synthetics!

Don't worry about switching from synthetic to dino right off the bat either.

Also, with havoline, you can safely use "the light" with no problems. I take that back, with ANY dino you can safely use the light with no problems. ;)

Sounds like an BITOG guy here :)

Having good results with Torco MPZ engine additive..and I have a couple bottles of VSOT (Valvoline SynPower Oil Treatment) that I'll be using in the future

[burnout]

How could you tell? :p

[summbear48]

WHat is BITOG?

I have used Delo 15-40 for my toyota and my f150 (learned from my cousin who is a head mechanic for peterbuilt and uses in all of his autos) I know it says for diesels but I have some left over, is there any reason why I cant use it in my vue? I dont live in harsh weather (socal). Never looked into oil before, this is an informative thread. Is dino short for something?

[Tom92SCm]

Dino- oil that comes from dinosaurs.

Personally, I would think that 15-40 is too thich regardless of where you live. That 15 weight oil on start up is going to be thick. And the 40 weight when it gets hot will only add to resistance and poor fuel economy.

--Tom

[burnout]

Diesel oil IS really good oil, but the viscosity is excessive for the vue. Maybe down near the equator 15w-40 is acceptable, but I can only see reduced fuel mileage happening anywhere else.

[sspeer]

BITOG is www.bobistheoilguy.com

very interesting site regarding all things petroleum..oil, gas, additives..

There are alot of people with real knowledge..chemists, entrepeneurs, engineers...lots of stuff to learn

[David Harleyson]

WHat is BITOG?

I have used Delo 15-40 for my toyota and my f150 (learned from my cousin who is a head mechanic for peterbuilt and uses in all of his autos) I know it says for diesels but I have some left over, is there any reason why I cant use it in my vue? I dont live in harsh weather (socal). Never looked into oil before, this is an informative thread. Is dino short for something?


You should NOT use it in the Vue. Chevron Delo is a GREAT oil...for diesels. For starters it is too thick. The Vue's 3.5 was designed for 5W-20 oil not 15W-40. The bearing tollerances on this engine are too tight for that weight oil. You risk oil starvation to the bearings on cold startup with anything heavier than 5W on this engine. Also diesel specific oil (like Delo, Rotella, Delvac etc.) has a significantly different additive package due to the acids and the soot load that diesels have to deal with. Your Vue does not need these additives. It is also possible that it needs something that might not be in the deisel specific oil. I would not use it in mine.

[burnout]

I do agree that 15w-40 is pretty thick for the vue... but I believe that overseas in hotter climates, oils up to 10w-40 are recommended for the same 3.5L engine in the pilot, odyssey, etc. (Don't quote me on that though, not 100% positive) I AM positive that thicker oils are recommended in other markets though, and won't do damage, as long as you don't pour honey in your engine :-)

[Dante]

Yeah, I have to say, using a diesel 15W40 oil would probably not be a good idea. During the summer, I use 10W30 synthetic or synthetic blend. In winter, I use the weight listed on the oil cap. I know that Texas is generally hotter than, well, most of the US, so using a slightly thicker oil is, IMO, a good idea. I have had my used 10W30 oil tested after 3k miles and on the last test, they said the viscosity had actually been reduced to the range of a 20 weight oil. Considering that the factory tells you to run 5W20 for 6k miles or (or whenever the OLM comes on), you could be running an oil that is closer to a 10W or even a 5W by the time you get around to getting it changed!!! I don't think Honda intended you to run 5W oil in stop & go traffic in 105 degree weather, then floor it to jump onto the highway. Running a little thicker oil is not going to do you any harm, except that you will have a little more rolling resistance, therefore slightly lower mileage. I just got 27MPG (with my V6 AWD) on a 300 mile trip, so I think I'm doing pretty well with the 10W30 Mobil1 in there right now. :D

[spencerb]

...you could be running an oil that is closer to a 10W or even a 5W by the time you get around to getting it changed!!! I don't think Honda intended you to run 5W oil in stop & go traffic in 105 degree weather, then floor it to jump onto the highway...Maybe Honda does know that. Maybe 5W oil works fine, but you just can't let it degrade below that.

The type of oil and oil change intervals that are recommended are thoroughly researched by the engineers. They didn't just pick random numbers.

[ricksLS1]

Maybe Honda does know that. Maybe 5W oil works fine, but you just can't let it degrade below that.

The type of oil and oil change intervals that are recommended are thoroughly researched by the engineers. They didn't just pick random numbers.

Are these the same egineers who can't design a door handle or parts properly. Geeting tired of recalls. 3 on the L and 2 on the VUE. Look at the sludge problems on the Toyotas.

[Tom92SCm]

I have had my used 10W30 oil tested after 3k miles and on the last test, they said the viscosity had actually been reduced to the range of a 20 weight oil.

What type of oil was this? Dino or synthetic?

--Tom

[spencerb]

Are these the same egineers who can't design a door handle or parts properly. Geeting tired of recalls. 3 on the L and 2 on the VUE. Look at the sludge problems on the Toyotas.Powertrain engineers don't do door handles. I wonder if GM actually engineered the door handles. Automakers now are basically just auto assemblers. They basically buy parts from outside suppliers and then just put the car together.

Toyota didn't design the engines in Saturns, so I don't expect to see their sludge problems show up in our cars. I haven't heard of sludge issues in Saturns. I'm sure it's happened (every manufacturer has probably seen every problem show up in their cars at least once), but it was probably isolated incidences.