"Chris" <criro1961@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:f68m81tlpfmg7840ujh1r1bvremuk4nl06@4ax.com...
> I did change yesterday, at the Honda dealer, the oil on my Honda
> Element 2004.
> I asked for Synthetic oil. They did change the oil.
> Later I did noticed the oil they put was Castrol, Synthetic, 10W30.
> In the Honda Element owner's manual is mentioned to use 5W20
> Someone told me later for Synthetic oil I should use special filter
> for synthetic oil.
>
> My question is if Honda dealer did OK when they put Castrol oil
> instead of genuine Honda oil and filter.
>
> Any comments would be appreciated

The clearances on the newer engines are tighter, which is why they recommend
the thinner oil. Many Honda dealers use 5W30 or 10W30, because it is
cheaper. My relative has a repair shop, and he uses 5W20 and Honda filters
when he does Hondas, and he buys the oil and filters at the wholesale Honda
parts department. The parts manager was amused, because even the dealership
to which the parts department is attached, doesn't use 5W20, and in some
cases doesn't use Honda filters. You can't buy 5W20 in bulk, delivered to
your oil tank.

As for synthetic, there may not be a 5W20 synthetic.

Many car dealers have one bulk tank of oil, and they fill it with 10W30. My
Toyota says 5W30, but the dealer used 10W30, and I made them change it, as I
would be driving the vehicle into very cold climates.