Would not worry about the brand, my dealer uses Quaker State, but they used
the wrong weight

Do not think synthetic uses a special filter

Gary

Your car will be just fine if not better off.  Where do you live?  It's just
about summer for the entire lower US so you'll definitely be fine!  The
slightly thicker oil has less viscosity improvers for the lower spread of
10w-30 and is perfectly adequate for the 2.4 I4 in the Element.  You will be
OK by following Hondas 5w-20 recommendation but you will be just as well off
running 5w-30s and 10w30s especially if you want it to be a 'lifer'.

I have been using synthetic oil since 1993 on all my vehicles including a
honda accord and honda civic.  My manual calls for 5w30.  As far as using
Castrol synthectic,  that is just fine.  I used to use that but switched to
Mobil one synthetic. (personal choice).  Both are very good!!  My 93 civic
has 280000miles as proof.  There is no special filter that I know of for use
with synthetic oil, however some filters are better than others.  They just
have better filtering characteristics.  Usually the more expensive the
filter the better, but if you regularly change your oil at 3k to 5k miles it
isn't going to make much difference.  Just my two cents :)

I  have a 2002 CRV with the same engine as you.     Right on the dipstick it
says use 5W20 but when I get a oil change at the dealer they have always
used 10W30.

Yes Castrol is a good oil.  I've used it and Valvoline oil for years.

The merits of switching to synthetic lubrication is debatable.  You
will see posts here about how this car or that engine went some
unbelievable mileage, and it was due to synthetic oil.  Well let me
tell you, the Element's engine was designed to use regular petroleum
lubricants.  And if you change it at the recommended intervals, the
engine should last just as long as if you used synthetic oil.
So what's the difference?  You'll be paying more for the same
performance.  It's your choice if using (paying more) for synthetic
lubricants makes YOU feel better; then use it.  Me, I'd rather go out
to dinner on the savings.

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No Lawsuit Ever Fixed A Moron...

Sounds like you're okay. Just as a side note, service departments just
started using a different filter for the Element and it does not have near
the filtering capability that the previous filter had. One of the mods on
the Honda Element Owners Club forum did a full analysis of these and several
other filters and it was interesting stuff. His advice was simply to not go
over your schedule recheck/change oil date or mileage. Good luck.

The clearances on the newer engines are tighter, which is why they recommend
the thinner oil. Many Honda dealers use 5W30 or 10W30, because it is
cheaper. My relative has a repair shop, and he uses 5W20 and Honda filters
when he does Hondas, and he buys the oil and filters at the wholesale Honda
parts department. The parts manager was amused, because even the dealership
to which the parts department is attached, doesn't use 5W20, and in some
cases doesn't use Honda filters. You can't buy 5W20 in bulk, delivered to
your oil tank.

As for synthetic, there may not be a 5W20 synthetic.

Many car dealers have one bulk tank of oil, and they fill it with 10W30. My
Toyota says 5W30, but the dealer used 10W30, and I made them change it, as I
would be driving the vehicle into very cold climates.

Thanks for all comments

Chris