guzman

I have a 2002 Civic DX. It has 90 000 KM (56000 miles). I was wondering what would be better once I reach 120 000 KM (75 000 miles), these new "higher milage" oils in 5W30 (I can't seem to find any in 5W20) or sticking with the 5W20 that I have been using. Thanks for any advice

Boilermaker1

iTrader: (16)

If you've taken care of the car to this point, there's no reason to change. Those high milage oils are pretty much a scam, there's not much in them thats not in normal oil.
5-20 vs. 5-30? Who knows... I've always used 5-30 and the car works better with it than it did with 5-20 from the factory.

SevenCyrus

iTrader: (1)

yea the whole 5W20 and 5W30...i never got to any answer. Only logical thing i read was that manual and factory put at 5w20

Boilermaker1

iTrader: (16)

5W-30 is thicker. 5-20 is like ****. 30 weight will run the car cooler if you flog it because of its ability to handle higher temps.

SevenCyrus

iTrader: (1)

Haha yea, when the first 3K miles came up and i changed my oil i was like WTF..lol. I never had seen 20.

bullseye

"Those high milage oils are pretty much a scam"

Yep - you said it. And besides , when the hell is 75,000 miles considered high mileage? Yes , maybe back in 1975. Here in the 21st century 75,000 miles is no big thing and I sure as hell don't consider it to be high mileage - meaning the cars engine is past its prime running condition.

As to what oil to use - I have used nothing but 5w-20 and my 01 LX just turned 113,000 miles this morning. Runs great , won't be switching to "high mileage" oil!

S2000man01

iTrader: (1)

high mileage oils are NOT a scam. by ANY means. if you're going to make such a statement, back it up with a reason.

valvoline's maxlife synthetic is an AWESOME oil to use on engines over 60,000-75,000+ miles.

however, i'd be wary of going "up" in oil viscosity, as the engine age has worn certain parts, seals, etc. 5w30 is going to cause higher oil pressure than normal, since your car was made for 5w20. not detrimental for a newer enginge, etc, but i'd be wary of going to 5w30 as your car climbs in age and mileage. it probably won't blow up your engine, but worst case scenario, you blow a gasket or oil seal somewhere and get oil into your engine.


here's some quick info on valvoline max life as a "high mileage" oil.
http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/index....owtopic=189870

SevenCyrus

iTrader: (1)

^^ Thats what im talking about. Such a confusing subject.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

ya I don't think they are a scam. So around 60k is a good time to switch?

VTEC01EX

iTrader: (6)

From what I understand, most high mileage oils contain seal swelling agents to help fix any slow leaks that might be occuring on older cars. The detergent properties and other factors are largely the same. If you can find some Shell Rotella 10w30, that'd be my pick for a "high mileage" oil if you feel the need to change. Its a nice HDEO packed with cleaning goodness. Personally, I vote for sticking with what's worked.

jttegx

iTrader: (3)

10w-30 is what i use in my 88 corolla sedan w/125k miles. castrol gtx high mileage motor oil that is. idk, but i have no prob paying $3 per quart cause thats not much as me spending $20 per 5 liters for mobil 1 fior the civic.


after 56k miles, i would go with 5w-30 or 10w-30 depending how the car was ran and how will the car will run in the future. i drive moderately and spirited, i would prob stick with 5w-30 at 56k miles. then i would consider 10w-30 after the 100k mark.

S2000man01

iTrader: (1)

the first number.... 5w or 10w won't really make much a difference for you. that number is the oil's viscosity when cold. the higher number is the operating viscosity. And again, I dont know why you'd go UP in viscosity on a higher milage engine. the civic was made for 20w operating viscosity. higher viscosity means higher pressure, and if anything is weak, could cause a seal to blow.

VTEC01EX

iTrader: (6)

You go up in viscosity if you have a problem - either a leaky seal or shot rings that is causing a lot of oil consumption. The prime candidate here is my girlfriend's Corolla. Spec is 10w30, which it leaks and burns like its going out of style. However, with 15w40 (during the summer months, Ohio winters need something thinner), the consumption falls noticeably because it's just not burning as much. Obviously, these are the problems that HM oils aim to solve, but in the Corolla's case, Valvoline and Pennzoil's products were ineffective and much more expensive than the cheap jugs of Shell Rotella 15w40.

If you don't have a problem and your car is running fine, don't change your oil type. You have nothing to gain but a (potentially) lighter wallet.

S2000man01

iTrader: (1)

however, keep in mind that high mileage oil such as maxlife offer more benefit to a high mileage engine than just better sealing power.

bullseye

high mileage oils are NOT a scam. by ANY means. if you're going to make such a statement, back it up with a reason.

The reason? I don't consider 75,000 miles to be high mileage for a modern Civic engine? I passed 75,000 miles about 38,000 miles ago (now at 113,000+) and the LX runs just as good as it ever has. The fact the oil companies want the consumer to believe 75,000 miles is "high mileage" is a scam in itself.

thecheat

iTrader: (3)

the people who know the d17 best tell us to run 5-20. a thicker oil would be great if the engine had a crapy oil pump or loose bearing clearance but in a civic those things arent really a problem. You get those two numbers in an oil viscosity farther apart with more aditives. that can be good for engines that need lots of help, like old chevy and ford engines with crappy main bearings but our engines just dont need that crap. 5-20 is fine and a good synthetic is fine in our engines. wouldnt bother with a max life or thicker oil unless you hear those rods start knocking.

steak84ss

OK. I've read all the posts on this thread. What if I have 5 extra quarts of Valvoline Full-Synth 5W-30 kickin around (and yes I do)? Can I use it for now?

VTEC01EX

iTrader: (6)

Sure, that'd be great. Just be sure to only use 4 of those quarts

badodyssey

Use whatever honda recommends for that year..should be 5w20, period! I work for Classic Honda/Nissan and asked the service rep.

steak84ss

Do you really think a Honda service rep would DARE say otherwise?

badodyssey

LOL...ok, call TORCO oil and ask them what to put in a car that the manufacturer, not me, says it should use

come on guys...use some sense once in a while? Honda put the wrong oil in there cars??!!!


oh, BTW, i'm not a service rep.

steak84ss

TORCO, or anybody else for that matter, would simply look up the info somewhere and read what it says. What if Honda purposely puts thinner oil in the engines because they never wear out and they don't make any money on engines that don't wear out.

badodyssey

uh oh...sounds like a conspiracy theory to me! lol...now that's the funniest thing i've heard in a long time!

FYI...I've owned Honda for 14 years...that's why I sell them....not the other way around. I have yet to have a 'motor' issue and have seen these cars last longer than anything on the road. can't argue with history man!

steak84ss

Yeah I really didn't have an argument so I had to throw something on the table...LOL.

badodyssey

OMG! lol...well, always happy to help

swett2k6

hey guys. i have a 06 lx coupe that is giving me really bad gas mileage. i'm wondering if it can be caused by the type of oil. it recommends 5w 20. i'm pretty sure its not 5w 20 i'm using now. i get 190 miles from a full tank of gas. i did a diagnostic test everything was working perfect. can the oil make that much diff. my fren has the same car and gets over 380 miles on a tank

djmota

iTrader: (34)

it can make a difference but i don't think its the only problem you have. you need to check your tire pressure regularly, make sure your oil is the correct 5/20 and clean. check your air filter and change it if need be. ALso are you hauling around a bunch of wieght that you dont need.... like a bunch of junk in your trunk or a big speaker box? all of these can add up to bad mileage not to mention having a lead foot or diving in a lot of stop and go traffic.

swett2k6

i changed air filter. i have on 19s and two 10" in a box. but my fren cars has the same but he's getting great mileage. so i'm wondering if the castrol 10 30 can do any harm?

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

i actually just switched to 5w30 cause i was having problems with the thinner oil messing up when it got really hot from long drives. i think 5w20 is too thin and may cause problems depending on how you drive. on a side note, i noticed no difference at all in the way the car drives as far as power, mpg, etc. older cars have been using 30 for the longest time, then suddenly they decided to make a switch and i know its only for the gas mileage boost (however small and insignificant). the hybrids actually use 0w20 which would tear up the engine over time. that stuff falls apart at hi temps.

swett2k6

I'm Sure Rims And Music System Cant Make Me Lose 200 Miles On Gas. Please Give Me Some Help. Gas Is Killing Me