0w-16 oil

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by Dewayne, Feb 27, 2019.

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  1. Dewayne

    Dewayne New Member

    So this seems to be the new hotness in the oil world. Any thoughts on this for the Clarity? Ow16 is supposed to be compatible with Ow20. I've still not changed my oil. Bought the car in May, 10k miles, but probably 2k only with ICE. I'll wait until May.
     
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  3. Sandroad

    Sandroad Well-Known Member

    Honda specifies 0-20. Why use anything else? I would not. You're brave to broach an oil question. ;)
     
  4. David in TN

    David in TN Well-Known Member

  5. Robert_Alabama

    Robert_Alabama Well-Known Member

    As little as I run the ICE in my car and as often as Honda will make me change the oil, I'll stay with the specified oil just to make Honda happy. I don't think I could wear the ICE any appreciable amount if I had to in the lifetime of the car.
     
  6. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    At the risk of losing my Man Card, just read and follow the instructions.

    BTW, my ICE had only ~13 hours and <700 miles (7,800 total) on it in the first 12 months when I dutifully changed the oil for the first time.
     
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  8. The Gadgeteer

    The Gadgeteer Active Member

    I would not try to guess about something the Honda engineers already know.
    Plus 0W-16 is inferior to 0W-20 anyway. They are both 0w base oils with the 16 having less modifiers for less upper heat range than the 20. So zero advantage and less protection, stick with 0w-20.
     
    ken wells likes this.
  9. Aaron

    Aaron Active Member

    I only have 6k miles and I bought mine in October but it is already telling me I need to change the oil. Ummmmmm, why?
     
  10. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    The Maintenace Minder will try to reduce the number of times you have to go in for service (just a coincidence that it increased dealer profit I'm sure) by advancing some maintenance intervals. In most cases it moves up the oil change (A) to coincide with the tire rotation (1) and maybe the inspection (O).

    If you just do the tire rotation (and maybe the inspection) and reset the MM for that service(s), you will more than likely see the oil change interval (A) pushed back a few months or more. This is especially nice for those who have relatively little HV miles.
    It seems to me that the MM is working off total miles for the oil change and not HV miles for the oil change which would make a lot more sense.
     
    stacey burke likes this.
  11. The Gadgeteer

    The Gadgeteer Active Member

    The maintenance minder also knows that your oil is getting to be about 6 months old. Yes, oil get old once put into service and should be changed at least every 6 months regardless of miles. Just about ever engine manufacturer recommends the same thing.

    To quote Consumer reports:
    "
    It’s not just about miles: If you don’t drive your car a lot, your oil still needs to be kept fresh. Even if you drive fewer miles each year than your automaker suggests changing the oil (say, 6,000 miles, with suggested oil-change intervals at 7,500 miles), you should still be getting that oil changed twice a year.

    Why? Oil becomes less effective as it ages, and by not getting the engine warm enough, excess moisture that forms in the engine will not be removed, which can lead to shorter engine life.
    "

    https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/things-to-know-about-oil-changes-for-your-car/
     
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  13. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    FYI, the manual says oil change interval can be up to one year if the MM does not indicate sooner. Also GM allows up to a 2 year interval in the Volt in some cases. Following the manufacture’s recommendation is always best. And no study so far has produced any evidence that changing the oil any sooner than recommended provides any benefit for engine wear.
    I trust Honda a lot more than CR.

    Resetting the MM for a service other than the oil change is not extending the oil change past the MM’s set point, it’s just keeping the MM from moving the oil change up sooner than necessary.
     
    stacey burke and ken wells like this.
  14. The Gadgeteer

    The Gadgeteer Active Member

    I stand corrected. Honda manual does say the MM might go to a year for the oil. I forgot the Honda 0W-20 is a synthetic blend oil and can go longer. I learned something today. Thank you.
     
  15. neal adkins

    neal adkins Active Member

    Oil is not rocket science. I would not use the 0w-16 in southern Arizona or other climates where the temp exceeds 100 degrees. It could be a possibility in cooler climates. But i would do some research before switching. In the past most manuals suggest different viscosities depending on ambient temp. My philosophy is while under warranty to adhere to what is reccomended by the manual.
     
  16. AnthonyW

    AnthonyW Well-Known Member

    This article is pretty interesting. They have been using it in Japan for 20 years with no problem. Seems like American car makers will be using it soon.

    https://noln.net/2017/06/30/skinny-ow-16-oil/


    Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
     
  17. Thomas Mitchell

    Thomas Mitchell Active Member

    Do the math. 0W-20 is 4 more than 0W-16. So it’s better. Duh!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  18. graure

    graure Member

    This article was interesting, it mentioned that Toyota is using 0W16 in a lot of their hybrids, so it seems like it'd also be a good fit for the Clarity at a glance. I was curious what the JDM manual instructed for the Clarity's oil and they suggested 0W20, just like the USDM version.
     
  19. Hoon

    Hoon Member

    Although 0W20 and 0W16 are supposed to be the same when cold, I'm thinking 0w16 is runnier than the 0W20. So if you do frequent and short engine on/off, which is typical of hybrids, 0w16 might actually be better for the engine. Who knows, Honda may have just stuck with 0w20 to satisfy bean counters and not due to technical reasons.

    If you tried pouring 0w20 and 0w40 on another car, you'll feel how thick the 0w40 feels at room temperature.

    Personally, I'm not going to switch unless the price is better than the 0w20 that I typically buy when they have rebates (Mobil/Pennzoil/Castrol). It's only a once a year thing anyway. I'm curious if there's an actual study that's been carried out for an engine speccing 0w20 that switched to 0w16.
     
  20. Mowcowbell

    Mowcowbell Well-Known Member

    Dangit, now I have to throw out a brand new 5 qt jug of Mobil 1 0w-20! :) I have everything together to change my oil for the first time. My MM didn't go off until about 11 months after purchase. Had the Michelins rotated at Discount Tire last week (6500 miles).
     
    Cash Traylor likes this.
  21. Why not try some 15-40? Those are much bigger numbers. It would probably last forever.

    Ok, now a show of hands. Who’s really considering using oil, other than what is recommended by the manufacturer, because they think it might be better or it may save $1.50?
     
    insightman likes this.
  22. Cash Traylor

    Cash Traylor Well-Known Member

    Hat in the oil... The only thing I may do is add some Duralube at the next change. I've had good experience with that product over the past 20 years or so getting mileage out of engines that historically did not perform so well for others, even when mistreated (dollar value unknown). Although the test case is "unique" here, often the comment section is full of user data. Several of the positive reviews I can personally attest to. More important with our very infrequent oil changes is the use of a very good oil filter brand that has good seals so they do not leak over the average one year service cycle.



    When I bought the Clarity I drove it primarily in HV Charge mode, often very conservatively for the first 1000 miles (unlike my usual lead foot) to attempt to break in the ICE as best as possible (not going to debate the need for break-in of a generator that is entirely computer controlled here, it is a habit from being a pilot). Now that I have about 100 hours on the ICE I am going to treat it like all my other hydrocarbon burning friends and put SR3 in it. Yes, I am fully aware of the FTC suite and all the controversy. Just doing what has worked for me. Even my Honda dealership sells Z-max as a "add on" for their OEM oil changes. As long as you use a minimum spec oil per the manufacturer your warranty is secure. Hat out of oil, now placed carefully in oil recycling tray to drip dry...

    Cheers,

    Cash
     
  23. My $.02 on oil/fuel additives and supplements is that they are an unnecessary expense, particularly on a spankin’ new Honda engine.

    As far as warming up and breaking in an engine, my Honda-powered-gasoline-fed-walk-behind lawnmower has 2 speeds. ON and OFF. Warm up and cool down are not options. Pull cord, mow lawn.

    Still performs perfectly after 10 years.
     

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