# Synthetic Oil

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-oil/40071>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** odyssey, oil, honda\
**Created:** [November 28, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-oil/40071 "2009-11-28T15:25:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![roger.michaud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@roger.michaud](https://community.cartalk.com/u/roger.michaud)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-oil/40071/1 "2009-11-28T15:25:25Z")

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I have a 2004 Honda Odyessy with 125k miles.  
  
 Only “conventional” oil was used for the oil changes since vehicle was purchased new. Is it ok to switch to full synthetic oil (not a blend) without causing engine problems.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-oil/40071/2 "2009-11-28T15:32:32Z")

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You can change back and forth at will. Just make sure the oil you use meets or exceeds the specifications for oil from the manufacturer (see owner’s manual)

Remember that switching to synthetic does not mean you can extend oil change intervals. I would guess on most cars it would be OK, but there are a number of factors involved in setting the oil change intervals, I suggest sticking with the OEM recommendations.

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**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-oil/40071/3 "2009-11-28T16:15:51Z")

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Assuming Honda doesn’t require synthetic for your van, is there a reason you want to begin using it? Is there something that OEM-spec’d dyno oil wasn’t sufficiently providing?

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-oil/40071/4 "2009-11-28T16:47:13Z")

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Other than doubling your oil change costs, what do you hope to accomplish??