Who makes 0W‑20 oil for Honda?

Honda’s “Genuine” 0W‑20 motor oil is primarily blended by Idemitsu (Idemitsu Lubricants America in North America and Idemitsu Kosan in Japan), with additional licensed suppliers used by region and program—such as Phillips 66/Kendall for some North American batches and Castrol for many European dealer fills. Honda specifies the formulation and performance standards, then sources the oil from approved blenders rather than refining it in-house.

How Honda sources its “Genuine” 0W‑20

Honda contracts multiple lubricant companies to formulate and package Honda Genuine Motor Oil (HGMO) to Honda’s requirements and current industry standards. As of 2025, the relevant service-fill specification for most late-model Honda gasoline engines is API SP and ILSAC GF‑6A in viscosity 0W‑20. Depending on country, plant, and logistics, the bottle you buy may be blended by different approved partners while meeting the same Honda performance criteria.

Known suppliers by region and program

The following reflects commonly documented suppliers and dealer arrangements that produce Honda‑branded 0W‑20 or provide official dealer-fill equivalents. Availability can vary by market and over time.

• North America: Idemitsu Lubricants America has long been the primary supplier for Honda Genuine 0W‑20 (factory fill and service fill). Phillips 66/Kendall has also produced some Honda‑branded 0W‑20 batches for the region.
• Japan (factory/dealer fill): Idemitsu Kosan and JX Nippon Oil & Energy (ENEOS) have supplied 0W‑20 meeting Honda specifications for domestic factory and dealer use.
• Europe: Castrol (BP) has supplied Honda‑branded/dealer‑fill 0W‑20 in several countries under partnership agreements with Honda’s dealer network.
• Other regions: Local licensed blenders may package Honda Genuine oils to specification; bottle labels or Safety Data Sheets typically identify the blender or distributor.

Because Honda uses multiple approved blenders, the specific name behind your bottle can differ by batch and location even though the oil meets the same Honda and industry standards.

How to verify who made your bottle

You can usually confirm the actual blender of a Honda Genuine 0W‑20 bottle with a few quick checks.

1. Read the back label for “Manufactured by/for” lines. Many bottles note Idemitsu, Phillips 66, BP/Castrol, ENEOS, or list American Honda as the distributor.
2. Check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for your exact Honda part number; the SDS often lists the blender or uses the blender’s emergency contact.
3. Look at batch codes or embossing that can indicate the bottler tied to a specific plant.
4. Ask the dealer or contact Honda customer service with the part number and lot code for confirmation.

These steps provide the most reliable way to identify the company that blended a given bottle of Honda Genuine oil.

What oil can you use instead?

While Honda Genuine 0W‑20 is the default recommendation, Honda permits the use of any oil that meets the required viscosity and industry standards for your engine. This gives you flexibility without compromising warranty or protection.

• Choose 0W‑20 oils labeled API SP (or newer) and ILSAC GF‑6A from reputable brands (e.g., Idemitsu, ENEOS, Mobil 1, Pennzoil, Castrol, Valvoline, Kendall).
• Follow your owner’s manual and oil cap: some specific engines or markets may call for different viscosities (e.g., 0W‑16 in certain models).
• Look for the API “Starburst/Shield” and the exact viscosity to ensure compliance with Honda’s requirements.

As long as the oil meets the correct specs and viscosity, you do not need a Honda label to maintain performance or warranty coverage.

Why Idemitsu shows up so often

Idemitsu is a long-standing lubricant partner to multiple Japanese automakers and has extensive expertise formulating low‑viscosity, fuel‑efficient oils. That heritage—plus established factory-fill and service-fill programs—explains why Idemitsu is frequently behind Honda’s 0W‑20 in North America and Japan.

Summary

Honda doesn’t refine its own oil; it sets the standards and uses approved suppliers to blend Honda Genuine 0W‑20. In practice, Idemitsu is the primary supplier (especially in North America and Japan), with additional licensed blenders such as Phillips 66/Kendall and Castrol used by region and program. Check your bottle’s label or the SDS to see who made it, and remember that any API SP/ILSAC GF‑6A 0W‑20 from a reputable brand meets Honda’s service requirements for most modern engines.

What kind of oil does a Honda 0w20 take?

Mobil 1 0W-20 for Honda
Mobil 1 0W-20 is a fully synthetic engine oil suitable for a number of Honda car models. Mobil 1 0W-20 meets or exceeds the requirements of API SN, API SM, API SL and ILSAC GF-5.

Who manufactures Honda synthetic oil?

Honda does not manufacture its own synthetic oil but partners with Idemitsu to develop and supply its branded “Genuine Honda” motor oils, which are formulated with Idemitsu’s high-quality base oils and a Honda-proprietary additive package to meet specific engine requirements. For high-performance and motorsports applications, Honda also works with Pennzoil through its Honda Performance Development division. 
Partnership with Idemitsu

• Honda has a long-standing partnership with Idemitsu, a major Japanese petroleum company. 
• Idemitsu provides the high-quality base oil. 
• Honda then adds its own unique additive package to the base oil, tailoring it for their specific engine designs. 
• This collaboration allows Honda to sell branded oils that are formulated to the exacting specifications of their engines. 

Other Honda Partnerships 

• In North America, Honda Performance Development (HPD), which handles Honda’s high-performance and motorsports programs, has a partnership with Pennzoil for some of its oils.

What to do

• For your vehicle: . Opens in new tabUse “Genuine Honda” oils, which are formulated by Honda engineers in collaboration with their partners. 
• For motorsports: . Opens in new tabConsult with Honda Performance Development or check for Pennzoil products designed for their performance applications. 
• For general use: . Opens in new tabYou can use any reputable motor oil brand that meets the specific viscosity (e.g., 0W-20) and API specifications listed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. 

Who makes the best 0W-20 motor oil?

Here are the best motor oil brands of 0w-20 synthetic oil today:

• MAG1 20139.
• Toyota Genuine Motor Oil 0W-20.
• Liquimoly 2208.
• Pennzoil 550046122-3PK.
• Mobil 1 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy Motor Oil.
• Royal Purple 01020-6PK.
• Idemitsu 20102-042B.
• Shell Rotella Gas Truck Oil.

Does Mobil 1 make Honda oil?

Choose Mobil 1™ motor oil for your Honda
We offer a full range of synthetic and synthetic blend motor oils to keep your engine in peak condition throughout its lifetime.