06-26-2023, 08:10 AM
(06-25-2023, 09:39 PM)m in sc_imp Wrote: I'm trying to see your point. Honda literally banks their reputation on reliability, they have for 60 years. why would they cut corners on the literal 'life blood' of their engines? Having have actually worked at a honda dealership years ago & gone thru some corporate service training, I can tell you they will absolutely take a financial hit (ie sidestep profit) vs damage their reputation. I'm pretty sure their oils are up to the task just fine of protecting their motors, and I certainly have never heard of an oil related failure aside from somebody not filling it enough. I read the info you posted. I also know that Honda will absolutely randomly have dealerships occasionally send oil in for lab testing, I know they did when I worked there (it was a car dealer though). They are absolutely aware of what's in their oil.
Another point is that ZDDP over a certain amount ppm will/can damage 02 sensors and ruin catalytic converters, hence why 'racing oils' or 'diesel oils' have more in them, because it isn't a concern. this is partially a reason why I DONT run VR1 in my CB (the 02 sensor), but do in my old cars. Its also why honda doesn't spec it, you really can't in an emission controlled vehicle. .02
Excellent points, thanks for taking the time to give a thoughtful reply.
My experience with the Honda motorcycle dealers near me has given me a very different impression of the Honda corporation than the one you came away with.
I like their designs, but I am not impressed with their ethics... Honda has made some very bad engineering decisions in the past 20 years. Innocent people have died.
If my experience with Honda was more like yours, I'd be more inclined to trust them.
Your point about ZDDP is well taken. I can’t guarantee that the amount of zinc in the T5 won't come back to haunt me, but I've already taken the plunge.
Do you know what the current limits are? Or what the limits were 20 years ago? It seems to me that the limits are a moving target based on EPA and/or political considerations...
I do know that my Eleven runs well on the T5 10w30, better than any of the MA listed oils Ive tried including the Honda GN4.
Thanks again for your detailed reply.