Am I doing OK here with my choices??

[kozman01]

Just wanted to check with some of the experts here on my choices of oil in my vehicles. It's funny I think because my beater car that I use for work gets NO love from me whatsoever and keeps running and running. It's the wildcard that shows, I think, that good engineering is just as important, if not more, than the oil going in it. Here's my list. If you want to suggest improvements, please, please do.

2006 Acura TSX Still on factory fill at 700 miles. Considering changing out at 1500 miles to Castrol GC 0w-30, (Yes?No?)

1996 GMC Yukon V-8 86K miles Rotella Syn. 5w-40

1992 Honda Accord EX 127K miles 10w30 Val. Maxlife

1990 Toyota Camry (Beater) 195K miles Whatever oil I have on the shelf, usually the Exxon/Mobil stuff. Change the oil about once a year, if that!! I'm usually adding oil every few weeks.

I reside in central Ohio.

I usually do 3K change-outs except for the Camry

Thanks for reviewing and I look forward to your suggestions.

 

[55Test]

1: What weight does Acura recommend? I bet probably a 5w20. While GC an outstanding oil, you may want to stick with the recommended oil weight during the warranty period.

2: Yes

3: Yes. I've also got a 92 Accord, and I'm running Maxlife 5w30 in it. Sure seems to have reduced it's oil consumption a lot.

4: Why only change the oil once a year? Buy the cheapest SL or SM rated oil and Supertech oil filters (or something like them) and change 3 or 4 times a year. No need to send it to a premature death.

 

[UncleS2]

I'm no expert, but here goes:

06 Acura- some cars recommend keeping the factory-fill oil in for X number of miles. If that's recommended for your nice new Acura, I'd follow their instructions. And if they spec a 5w20(Acura is built by Honda, yes?) I'd stick with that too, maybe use Motorcraft, PZ, or one of the good synthetics like Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum at least for the duration of the warranty. After warranty use whatever you like, & that German Castrol seems to be truly excellent oil.

96 GMC V-8- Rotella Syn 5w40 sounds good to me- I'd probably run it at least 5000 miles though.

92 Honda- Valvoline MaxLife sounds fine, I'd also consider using any good 10w30 or 5w30 in it.

90 Toyota- sure, use whatever's on sale- but c'mon, at least change it twice a year! November & May seem to work well here. Cheap filters like Supertech, or any other non-Fram house brand from Advance Auto- in fact Advance Auto has Purolator Premium Plus filters on sale right now for $2.44!

 

[AstroVic]

I agree with the opinions above. I'm certainly no expert, but it sounds like you've made good selections for your vehicles.

I'll third the motion to change the oil more often in your beater Toyota. Even though you're adding makeup oil quickly, I'd still change it because it wouldn't cost more than $10 to do it and at least you'd have a fresh filter on there if for no other reason.

For me, I like to find a good oil that can be used in the majority of the cars I maintain (about six to ten vehicles). Almost all of them specificy 5W30, so while I used to be a diehard 10W30 kinda guy, I just relented and got 5W30 because it works in everything and keeps everyone happy.

 

[ohiocopper]

Thanks for the reply gentleman. Just a few more things in response to your posts.

The 06' Acura specs 5w30 in the manual and on the oil cap. In fact, the book with the Acura states that "synthetics can be used, just use the same change interval with the car. Acura states that you should keep the factory fill in for 10K miles, 5K for severe service. I'm going to have a VERY difficult time keeping factory fill in for 5K miles.

So if the Acura specs 5w30 will the Castrol GC 0w30 work? Funny thing is, this car is the Honda Accord over in Europe and I believe they (Honda) specs 5w-40 or it might be 0w-40 over there. Why the difference? The car engine's are exactly the same.

I know, I know on the Toyota. I just changed it today in fact and have committed myself to changing it every 6 months. I use the car for work, (mileage reimbursement!!!) and I put 25K a year on the thing. I think everything on the car is going to fall off before that engine dies.

Anyways, thanks for the input and as always, this board has beena great help!

 

[GoldenRod]

Ok I'm a little confused here. I thought the original poster was kozman01.

Either kosman01 and ohiocopper have the exact same cars, or this is one person with two different user names.

 

[kozman01]

You are correct GoldenRod. I was at home responding and I didn't have my password in the past so I signed up with another name. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[KJA426]

Not too bad except I'd try a high mileage oil in the Camry. Preferably Pennzoil or Castrol since they are thicker when hot.

 

[UncleS2]

OK, on that nice new Acura: if it was mine, I'd just grit my teeth & leave the factory fill in for the severe service interval of 5000 miles since that's what the factory recommends. If it's like Hondas it may have a boatload of moly, or some other special additive(s) in it. Then, if you should need your warranty later on, you have eliminated one point of contention, yes? That's my reasoning.

After draining the factory oil, if they spec 5w30, heck yes go straight to the 0w30 GC. That engine will last *forever*! Mwahahahaha!

 

[Thermo1223]

The only thing I see wrong is the short interval when changing. Although I think changing the beater's oil twice a year would be good idea.

O ya GC is great so I would have no problem using it in an Acura.

 

[lindermant]

Go ahead and leave that factory fill in your TSX. I know there's at least one nutball among us that ran his Honda factory fill to 10k

You won't hurt anything (gritting of the teeth optional)