24,500 miles, What kind of oil now?
08-27-2003
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24,500 miles, What kind of oil now?
Well this is my first car, and I've been doing my own oil changes for the past 6 months. Now I've reached 24,500 and I need to change again. I've been using 5w20 like the manual recommends. Since my mileage is starting to get up there, do I use anything else? I've read that some people use 5w30. I live in San Diego, and the weather here is about 70-85 degrees 2/3 of the year. Lately its been in the 90's and has reached up to 100. I'm sure it will cool down as Fall approaches.
So yeah, I'm confused on whether to keep it at 5w20 or get something different. What do you guys think?
*Oh, and if you guys have a Black stock or altezza grill for sale, I'll buy it from you.*
So yeah, I'm confused on whether to keep it at 5w20 or get something different. What do you guys think?
*Oh, and if you guys have a Black stock or altezza grill for sale, I'll buy it from you.*
08-27-2003
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If i'm not wrong...
10W30 gives you the best protection in hot weather but decreases mpg.
I'd stick to Mobil 1 Synthethic 5w30 (or 5w20 if you can even find it) + a Bosch Premium filter.
Not sure if 0W20 is acceptable for hot weather.
10W30 gives you the best protection in hot weather but decreases mpg.
I'd stick to Mobil 1 Synthethic 5w30 (or 5w20 if you can even find it) + a Bosch Premium filter.
Not sure if 0W20 is acceptable for hot weather.
08-28-2003
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Rep Power: 0 I'll just get confused time to time by reading on this forum. People will say that our cars don't need synthetic, then some say to use synthetic. I guess I'll stick to 5w20 or maybe change to 5w30. I had a Fram filter, but people say that the paper material sucks. So now I only use the Genuine Honda filters.
So as my car gets older and older, keep using 5w20? I think I'll pay the extra few $$$ and start using synthetic. Thanks for the help guys!
So as my car gets older and older, keep using 5w20? I think I'll pay the extra few $$$ and start using synthetic. Thanks for the help guys!
08-28-2003
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Rep Power: 0 IMO, once you hit like 100,000 miles you should switch to 10W30 for added protection.
For now 5w20 for best gas mileage
For now 5w20 for best gas mileage
09-04-2003
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Rep Power: 0 I live in san diego too, I bought my 2003 civic at 120 miles on it. Now it has 2000 miles. Im thinking of changing the oil when it gets to 5000 miles. Is MOBIL 1 5w 20 the same as or comparable to factor Honda engine oil 5w 20?
And also What kind of Coolent do 2003 civics use?. Owners manual does not say.
And also What kind of Coolent do 2003 civics use?. Owners manual does not say.
09-05-2003
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Coolant - You have to use Honda brand b/c it has stuff in it made for all Aluminum engines. Don't use the green Prestone stuff because it has solids in it that will cause your water pump to prematurely fail. Don't use Dex-Cool Long Life coolant either cause there are some funky issues with it turning to sludge if it's exposed to air in your system. Go with Honda Type 1 (undiluted) or Type 2 (diluted 50/50). I suggest that you run a combo of 40% antifreeze and 60% water along with Redline Water Wetter because you're in hot SoCal.
With oil you could comfortably use Mobil1 5W-30 or perhaps even their 10W-30. You can get it at a good price at Wally World. Forget the "synblends" because it's just too difficult to know how much syn you're really getting.
Don't buy the Honda brand oil cause there isn't anything in it that makes it extra special for your car. I've have an 03 EX and I'm going to run Castro Syntec 0W-30.
This is a high performance oil that is made in Germany by Castrol and imported here. You can find it at some AutoZones but check the back of label. It will say Made in Germany. That's the good stuff. Buy as much as you can. It will say 0W-30 with a red background. The domestic stuff has a yellow background.
What makes it so good? In extended tests it doesn't thin out as much as M1. In fact, M1 5W-30 is only slightly thicker at high temps than their 0W-20. The Castrol is made for high RPM/performance European cars and stays closer to a true 30W at temp. It's a thick 30W which is good for our little high RPM squirrel motors.
If you are concerned about warranty issues (I'm not) you should go with a syn such as M1 0W-20 but it's pretty thin stuff. Mobil told me you can find it at some AutoZones and it will be more readily available in the future.
Coolant - You have to use Honda brand b/c it has stuff in it made for all Aluminum engines. Don't use the green Prestone stuff because it has solids in it that will cause your water pump to prematurely fail. Don't use Dex-Cool Long Life coolant either cause there are some funky issues with it turning to sludge if it's exposed to air in your system. Go with Honda Type 1 (undiluted) or Type 2 (diluted 50/50). I suggest that you run a combo of 40% antifreeze and 60% water along with Redline Water Wetter because you're in hot SoCal.
With oil you could comfortably use Mobil1 5W-30 or perhaps even their 10W-30. You can get it at a good price at Wally World. Forget the "synblends" because it's just too difficult to know how much syn you're really getting.
Don't buy the Honda brand oil cause there isn't anything in it that makes it extra special for your car. I've have an 03 EX and I'm going to run Castro Syntec 0W-30.
This is a high performance oil that is made in Germany by Castrol and imported here. You can find it at some AutoZones but check the back of label. It will say Made in Germany. That's the good stuff. Buy as much as you can. It will say 0W-30 with a red background. The domestic stuff has a yellow background.
What makes it so good? In extended tests it doesn't thin out as much as M1. In fact, M1 5W-30 is only slightly thicker at high temps than their 0W-20. The Castrol is made for high RPM/performance European cars and stays closer to a true 30W at temp. It's a thick 30W which is good for our little high RPM squirrel motors.
If you are concerned about warranty issues (I'm not) you should go with a syn such as M1 0W-20 but it's pretty thin stuff. Mobil told me you can find it at some AutoZones and it will be more readily available in the future.
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