1.5T Civic UOA - Question

[lastofthebreed_ws6]

Hey guys,

I am currently running Mobil1 AFE 0W30, seems to have done very well on most recent test. Oil was in late Dec 2024, and dumped March 31, 2025 - there were no days above 0C, and all frigid temps this winter. I drained it at 50% oil life.

Based on wear numbers, and TBN, I'm entertaining doing oil change with Maint. Minder goes off which is likely 10,000km - 12000km (6200-7500Mi) Based on her doing 90% highway, and being a 6 speed (higher sustained RPMs/Heat) - I feel it would be less wasteful, and safe to follow given current oil report, and overall engine health at this point. Any insights?

First report was M1 EP 0w20 (more town trips - winter)
Second report was Honda bottled 0w20

 

[buster]

For an engine that has fuel dilution issues wear (assuming UOA's are accurate) doesn't seem to be an issue in this engine.

 

[Nessism1]

Latest sample 6,736 miles, OLM at 50%, which projects out to over 10,000 miles at the prescribed oil change interval. Personally, considering how nice those numbers look, I wouldn't change a thing. Your dreaded 1.5T will likely run forever.

 

[lastofthebreed_ws6]

Latest sample 6,736 miles, OLM at 50%, which projects out to over 10,000 miles at the prescribed oil change interval. Personally, considering how nice those numbers look, I wouldn't change a thing. Your dreaded 1.5T will likely run forever.

**Kilometers*

 

[Nessism1]

**Kilometers*

My bad.

Given your use case, 90% highway, I think you can extend your interval.

 

[lastofthebreed_ws6]

My bad.

Given your use case, 90% highway, I think you can extend your interval.

No worries!

Ya, I think following the MM will give me a shorter OCI in winter, longer in summer, and knowing the oil held up that well in very cold climate I should be more then fine to do so.

Car does shortest trip twice a week+ : 40Km (25mi) round trip - 2 times each day
Longest trip three times a week : 160km (100mi) round trip

Drive cycles seem favorable to extend. I think based on my math id be 11-12,000 KM per oil change, which would still be at or under 7500Mi.

 

[scoot]

If you're going to use a 30 weight I would use a real 30 weight, not AFE , use ESP.

 

[lastofthebreed_ws6]

If you're going to use a 30 weight I would use a real 30 weight, not AFE , use ESP.

I run the ESP in my Trans-Am.

I run the AFE, as I want a little thicker starting point, so worst case it runs down into the 20wt (which motor is designed to run on anyway)

The 0w30 ESP isnt SP rated, the 5W30 is.

 

[scoot]

I run the ESP in my Trans-Am.

I run the AFE, as I want a little thicker starting point, so worst case it runs down into the 20wt (which motor is designed to run on anyway)

The 0w30 ESP isnt SP rated, the 5W30 is.

AFE isn't thicker

 

[lastofthebreed_ws6]

AFE isn't thicker

0w30 isn’t thicker then 0w20? I didn’t mean between ESP and AFE I mean wanted thicker then OEM spec and SP rated.

 

[scoot]

0w30 isn’t thicker then 0w20? I didn’t mean between ESP and AFE I mean wanted thicker then OEM spec and SP rated.

Sorry my eyes read 30 vs 20

 

[Oliveoil2]

At almost 120k miles and no makeup oil I’d say you’d be fine using the OLM for your OCI’s. A little fuel dilution isn’t causing any excess wear. And no need to change oil brands or weight.

 

[lastofthebreed_ws6]

seeings it summer now and I changed it end of March. I’ll run this one to 15% on the Maintenance minder. Send out a sample and see.

The AFE 0w30 does seem to old up very well in this engine over that extreme cold sample, so I likely won’t have any issues doing so

 

[ka9mnx]

The 0w30 ESP isnt SP rated, the 5W30 is.

No, but, it carries heftier and meaningful manufacturer and ACEA specs which include LSP protection.

 

[FZ1]

Hey guys,

I am currently running Mobil1 AFE 0W30, seems to have done very well on most recent test. Oil was in late Dec 2024, and dumped March 31, 2025 - there were no days above 0C, and all frigid temps this winter. I drained it at 50% oil life.

Based on wear numbers, and TBN, I'm entertaining doing oil change with Maint. Minder goes off which is likely 10,000km - 12000km (6200-7500Mi) Based on her doing 90% highway, and being a 6 speed (higher sustained RPMs/Heat) - I feel it would be less wasteful, and safe to follow given current oil report, and overall engine health at this point. Any insights?

First report was M1 EP 0w20 (more town trips - winter)
Second report was Honda bottled 0w20
View attachment 275112

Easy drive , seems you could go 10-12 k. I like the exit viscosity with the 30w vs. the 20w. .02

 

[lastofthebreed_ws6]

Easy drive , seems you could go 10-12 k. I like the exit viscosity with the 30w vs. the 20w. .02

Hey, ya same I like knowing at end of the OCI it’s a 20 wt vs a 16 lol

I think I’ll run it to the 15% maint minder and see how things do.

 

[Hohn]

My experience with Honda is that using a reasonable synthetic on the OLM is sufficient to keep the engine in good condition in terms of wear, and your UOA agrees with that.

But a cheaper synthetic on the OLM may not keep the engine CLEAN.

Clean matters more than wear for longevity and a dirty engine doesn't show up on UOA. And unfortunately even a valve cover inspection on the L15 or K20 showing the top end surgically clean doesn't mean there's not a ring sticking issue developing or that you don't have power cylinders badly carboned up.

It's not what the oil is carrying out of the engine that is the problem-- it what it is leaving behind.

 

[Patman]

My experience with Honda is that using a reasonable synthetic on the OLM is sufficient to keep the engine in good condition in terms of wear, and your UOA agrees with that.

But a cheaper synthetic on the OLM may not keep the engine CLEAN.

Clean matters more than wear for longevity and a dirty engine doesn't show up on UOA. And unfortunately even a valve cover inspection on the L15 or K20 showing the top end surgically clean doesn't mean there's not a ring sticking issue developing or that you don't have power cylinders badly carboned up.

It's not what the oil is carrying out of the engine that is the problem-- it what it is leaving behind.

I think that the people who follow the Honda OLM but are getting oil changes done at the dealership or at a quick lube place (in both cases using bulk oil) are the ones more at risk of having dirty engines. Those of us following the OLM but using the better synthetic oils are going to have cleaner engines and less oil consumption.

But either way most Honda engines will live longer than their original owners will ever keep their cars.

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

I think that the people who follow the Honda OLM but are getting oil changes done at the dealership or at a quick lube place (in both cases using bulk oil) are the ones more at risk of having dirty engines. Those of us following the OLM but using the better synthetic oils are going to have cleaner engines and less oil consumption.

But either way most Honda engines will live longer than their original owners will ever keep their cars.

I have always get my oil changed at the dealership but I bring my own oil and ask for the empties back.

That way I also know right away if they put the correct amount of oil in without having to check.

 

[lastofthebreed_ws6]

I think that the people who follow the Honda OLM but are getting oil changes done at the dealership or at a quick lube place (in both cases using bulk oil) are the ones more at risk of having dirty engines. Those of us following the OLM but using the better synthetic oils are going to have cleaner engines and less oil consumption.

But either way most Honda engines will live longer than their original owners will ever keep their cars.

I agree.

I figure I'm safe using the AFE 0W30 for the OLM duration on this one.