76 Engine oil @ Honda Santa Monica

[lefties]

Hi all,
I'm new here. My car is a 08 Honda Civic and I'm about to get my next oil change(Third time, first two at other dealer). I asked the Honda of Santa Monica they said they use 76 engine oil. I know 76 is a oil/gas company but never heard of anyone use their engine oil. Does anyone here know something about 76 oil?

Anyway, later on I was planning to take a Pennzoil (still thinking about whether to use syn. or not) to the dealer. That's because I would like to use Honda oil filter, but they said they'll charge me for 24 dollars for the filter and the labor. That's even more expensive than a regular oil/filter change offer they gave recently (22.81 with coupon).

Should I just go with 76 oil? Or should I find a autoshop that carries OEM filter and bring my own oil. I know I can order Honda filter online, but the shipping cost more than a another filter...forcing me to buy a load of parts....

Could anyone give me some suggestions? Thanks!

 

[addyguy]

'76' is ust another brand owned by Conoco-Phillips, along with Kendall, Trop-Artic and Motorcraft. All these oils are pretty well the same, and are good-quality products. It will work great in your Civic!

 

[EricF]

when Unocal used the 76 monicker, it was pretty good oil back then, I'm sure conoco-phillips hasn't changed the formula!

Just a question that's been bewildering to me.. why are Honda owners so into using honda oil filters, but owners of other manufacturers doesn't really matter all that much?
especially knowing that honda's currently using regular fram's painted blue?
The only thing I can think of is because honda has specific fluids that are different from the norm??

 

[daves87rs]

Interesting that they use 76....

 

[bepperb]

There's nothing amazing or special about the Honda oil filters that you'll get for an oil change at a dealer.

Honestly, you'd probably be fine with either. If it were my choice, I would probably prefer a name brand oil and an aftermarket filter from someone who wasn't the dealer. Valvoline or Pennzoil instant oil change.

What will your oil change mileage (OCI) be?

 

[Finklejag]

Welcome!

Your Honda dealer buys their bulk oil from their local Conoco/Phillips distributor. Most dealers go for the cheapest price. This doesn't mean the 76 oil is junk though. All of the CP line is top notch.

I would stay away from Honda OEM filters. They are nothing more then rebadge Frams these days.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Finklejag
Welcome!

Your Honda dealer buys their bulk oil from their local Conoco/Phillips distributor. Most dealers go for the cheapest price. This doesn't mean the 76 oil is junk though. All of the CP line is top notch.

I would stay away from Honda OEM filters. They are nothing more then rebadge Frams these days.


But they do have a silicone ADBV.

 

[tom slick]

UNOCAL 76 was originally a large California oil company in SoCal (El Sugundo to be exact) They probably still market that name there because it would be a little familiar.

The gas station at Dodger Stadium was UNOCAL for decades.
http://www.savethe76ball.com/

 

[BGK]

You may want to think twice about buying products from Conoco Phillips. Last year they managed to LOOSE almost 17 billion dollars due to problems with "Goodwill" and an investment in LUKOIL. Any other major oil companies doing so poorly?

 

[Durango]

Union 76 makes good oil so use it in confidence. better yet ask if they have a synthetic oil? If so then your much better off compared to dino but I'm synthetic oil junkie compared to dino.

Durango

 

[lefties]

BGK, what do you mean? Why does the quality of the oil from a company have something to do with their ability to earn money?

Durango, I would actually use Pennzoil Platinum if I'm going to bring my own oil. They are having rebate now and it's almost the same price as their normal oil.

BTW, I heard someone saying that Honda OEM filter is different from Fram. That's the reason why I would like to use OEM. Maybe that's not true anymore? If not OEM, what filter would you guys recommend for best Quality/Price? It would be best if it can be purchased easily.

 

[bustednutz]

We use OEM Hyundai filters on our Hyundai. Its a terrific filter for their vehicles. Great internals, and strong case. Plus its pressure relief valve is specific to the Hyundai automobile.

 

[Primus]

In its time (until 1998) Unocal 76 had a couple of very decent oils - Nascar Synthetic 10w30 API SJ, 76 Royal Triton QLT 15w40 CG-4 and 76 Quardol QLT 15w40. In 1995 two latters were awarded as the best truck oils. As for Nascar Synthetic, it was used in NASCAR® Winston Cup Series. If I'm not mistaken, for some time it was still produced under the name of 76 High Performance Track Full Synthetic Motor, then discontinued.

Viscosity @100ºC, cSt .......................... 10.4
........... @ 40ºC, cSt .......................... 65.2
Cold Cranking Visc., cP@-25C .................7,500
HT/HS, cP@150ºC ............................... 3.3
FP COC), ºC ..................................... 250
PP, ºC ............................................ -50
Sulfated Ash, ASTM D874, wt %................. 1.1
TBN, ASTM D2896 ............................... 9.0
Zinc, wt % ........................................ 0.128

 

[Durango]

Lefties,

PP is a fine synthetic too. I've never tried PP yet as my usual standard of Mobil 1. For my newly bought 08' Impala SS the dealership uses Castrol "syntec" so I'll go for that.

Durango