I use Mobil 1 5W30 and Fram Xtended Guard filter. Fram makes Honda filter and Xtended Guard is the most expensive that the local Walmart and Autozone carry. Therefore, I think it is as good if not much better than the Fram Honda filter. Honda recommends changing the filter every 15k and the oil every 7.5k. Well, I change the filter every 5k and the oil at every 15k. I do draw about 1.5 quart out and top off every time I change the filter.

Each time I change the filter, I notice that the oil is about 60% yellow and 40% black. After 200 miles on the 2nd filter, the oil is about 75% yellow and 25% black. At the time of the 3rd filter, the oil is about 35% yellow and 65% black. After 200 miles on that final filter, the oil is about 50% yellow and 50% black. When the 15k miles mark is reached, the oil is about 20% yellow and 80% black.

Synthetic oil is still good when it is black. It is dirty, but its property is still very good. Another filter will clean it up good. However, it is only 4 dollars a quart and a car is too expensive and prescious to use the same oil over and over. I am looking for a better filter than Fram. The filter I use costs 10 dollars. Honda filter cost about 5 dollars on the web.

I used Honda 5W20 oil for the first 4k miles and it was dirty by then. It is much better than other regular oil, but it should be changed every 4k miles instead of 7.5k miles suggested by Honda. It cost 3 dollars a quart at the store and 6 dollars a quart at the dealership. I stick with Mobil 1. For summer, spring, and even fall driving the new SuperSyn by Mobil 1 is much better because it has better Viscosity Index, which means it last much longer in high temperature. It doesn't have a good pour point like the regular Mobil synthetic, so I wouldn't use it for freezing winter.

Mobil 1 5W30 has -65 degree pour point. That is pretty good. Most quality regular oil has -40 when new and that number is more like -20 after the first 1.5 miles. This is why people change regular oil every 3k miles even though the filter is still filtering.