It has been common for service center to recommend 5000km for mineral oil, 8000km for Semi-Synthetic blend, and 10000km for the expensive Fully-Synthetic lubricant. Then all of sudden in recent years, more SC will recommend the 0W-20 grade of fully-synthetic oil, which claim to provide better fuel consumption. More manufacturers join the bandwagon and stating this as the recommended lubricant. What trigger the lighter viscosity of this blend is the overall increase in the worldwide crude oil, and those more stringent mileage claim that manufacturers report to the authority. In fact, for light footed user, this could be the best choice, which could provide maybe a 1-2% petrol consumption in overall.
Looking at what Honda has published for their 0W-20 lubricant, do however note that comparing to the standard 5W-40, has a lower heat resistance and anti-wear rating. Honda's SC selling the 0W-20 4-litre bottle for only about RM150, which is much lower than the normal 5W-40 blend, and only recommend a usage of 8000km. I have tried it and the could not feel the fuel saving benefit, and stretch it to 10000km since it is fully-synthetic. Look at what I get from some mix driving of city and highway speed. It was completely "dark and black".
I have now switch back to the standard 5W-40, which Honda has better rating and a lot more expensive at about RM265 for 4-litre bottle. Let's come back 10000km later to see how this actually work out.
However, in short, oil change is the cheapest car insurance one could get over long term ownership. Thus recommend to change it as often and if one could smell burning smell from the dipstick, you could have a bad engine. When it turns "dark, black and dirty", get it change soon, do not wait till the recommended mileage.
