Hello all --
My car: 1997 Honda Accord EX Wagon with auto trans. I purchased it 2 months ago. Bought it with 165k miles on it -- now has 167,500. It didn't come with maintenance records so I do not know much about its past.
The first thing I did when I got it was take it to the Honda dealer for an oil change. According to my receipt, they used 5w-20 despite the owner's manual specifying 5w-30.
My priorities for the car (in order) are:
a) protect/clean/maintain for long life
b) save money through longer change intervals or higher mpg
I really don't care about performance.
I drive about 75% city/25% highway.
Here are my questions:
a) Based on the price for the dealer's oil change ($29.95) I am assuming it was conventional oil. Should I stick with conventional or go with synthetic?
b) When I change it, should I stick with 5w-20 that the dealer put in or should I go back to the 5w-30 specified in the manual?
c) People (friends, coworkers) have been telling me I should consider "Seafoaming" my crankcase before I change the oil to help clean out gunk. Is there any real advantage to this? Any serious risks?
d) I am considering a change to Valvoline NextGen MaxLife/High Mileage when I hit 3k on the current oil. I like the recycled aspect, and there's a deal at my local Pep Boys. Thoughts?
e) As someone who just got a 15 year old car with unknown history, what else should I be considering re: engine lubrication?
Thanks for your thoughts and guidance.
My car: 1997 Honda Accord EX Wagon with auto trans. I purchased it 2 months ago. Bought it with 165k miles on it -- now has 167,500. It didn't come with maintenance records so I do not know much about its past.
The first thing I did when I got it was take it to the Honda dealer for an oil change. According to my receipt, they used 5w-20 despite the owner's manual specifying 5w-30.
My priorities for the car (in order) are:
a) protect/clean/maintain for long life
b) save money through longer change intervals or higher mpg
I really don't care about performance.
I drive about 75% city/25% highway.
Here are my questions:
a) Based on the price for the dealer's oil change ($29.95) I am assuming it was conventional oil. Should I stick with conventional or go with synthetic?
b) When I change it, should I stick with 5w-20 that the dealer put in or should I go back to the 5w-30 specified in the manual?
c) People (friends, coworkers) have been telling me I should consider "Seafoaming" my crankcase before I change the oil to help clean out gunk. Is there any real advantage to this? Any serious risks?
d) I am considering a change to Valvoline NextGen MaxLife/High Mileage when I hit 3k on the current oil. I like the recycled aspect, and there's a deal at my local Pep Boys. Thoughts?
e) As someone who just got a 15 year old car with unknown history, what else should I be considering re: engine lubrication?
Thanks for your thoughts and guidance.