Back down this road again: 0w-20 Civic 2.0 NA highway commuter car

[NattyBoh]

So I have a port injected 2.0 civic that is a commuter but literally 95% highway. Im currently running OEM filter and M1 EP 0w-20 oil. The OLM always says I have tons of life left with the oil, for instance currently Im at 70% lift and 4750 miles driven. Seems crazy, I guess the car is saying its having a good life? lol
Typically I'll change it out around 6500 miles or so, but if I could not be restrained to doing an OCI exactly when say 6500 miles hit ( of course give or take ), it gives me some leadway on when to get it done...

Anyway, it looks like my walmart now has a couple other oil options and wondering if they're any better than the M1 EP Im running now?

I can now buy Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and Mobil 1 ESP x2 - Are those better for longer drain intervals than the M1 EP Im using now? I dont think Ive came across a comparison on these three oils ( M1 EP, PUP and M1 ESP x2 )

I remember a guy here ( siennaguy I think his name is ) had a concern with using M1 ESP x2 in his van because it was a diesel approved oil. Not sure what that was about but I figured someone here would know.

Thanks!

 

[Glenda W.]

M1 EP is Mobil’s extended drain oil. ESP is Mobil’s top tier performance oil used in many Corvette and Porsche race teams(not 0W-20). It holds some of the most stringent gas approvals in the world. It’s also diesel DPF safe but is not a HDEO. So that concern is 100% unfounded. I’m using ESP 0W-30 in 7 vehicles that range from asian, euro, and domestic. IMO it’s the best OTS oil available with its GTL/PAO/Ester base oil and gives many boutiques a run for their money. $27 at Wally.

 

[NattyBoh]

M1 EP is Mobil’s extended drain oil. ESP is Mobil’s top tier performance oil used in many Corvette and Porsche race teams(not 0W-20). It holds some of the most stringent gas approvals in the world. It’s also diesel DPF safe but is not a HDEO. So that concern is 100% unfounded. I’m using ESP 0W-30 in 7 vehicles that range from asian, euro, and domestic. IMO it’s the best OTS oil available with its GTL/PAO/Ester base oil and gives many boutiques a run for their money. $27 at Wally.

SO there is zero issue with it meeting the requirements for the warranty? Yes Im one of those guys, I like to stay within the parameters of the manual so warranty doesnt get voided. All I see for the civic is it says 0w-20 and an API certified oil

 

[Glenda W.]

SO there is zero issue with it meeting the requirements for the warranty? Yes Im one of those guys, I like to stay within the parameters of the manual so warranty doesnt get voided. All I see for the civic is it says 0w-20 and an API certified oil

View attachment 286902

Here are the approvals and specs. Meets or exceeds SP engine test requirements. It all depends how honest your dealer is. So only they can answer warranty questions.

 

[NattyBoh]

Here are the approvals and specs. Meets or exceeds SP engine test requirements. It all depends how honest your dealer is. So only they can answer warranty questions.

View attachment 286905

I guess what Im stuck on, is it just says API approval. It doesnt state what level. Unless Im not reading it right?

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Big letters on top RECOMMENDED.

The M1 ESP 0W-30 has good reviews and specs. You may find VERY slightly less mpg with the 0W-30. The ESP 0W-20 also has some very good approvals.

What year? How many miles? How many miles per day/week/month? Does it burn/use any oil? When you change it next, submit an oil analysis of what's in there to oil analyzers or speed diagnostics and do GC fuel test just for reference. That way you will know how the EP you currently use is holding up and any wear that might be showing. Millions of people go by MM with no ill effects, BITOG members are "different".

Switch to the ESP whichever one and then reset/go by the MM and do a UOA again. After those results you may be able to go 10, 12, 15k and test if comfortable with that based on results. Keep the 1 year factor in mind if anything depending on yearly use.

If burning any change the PCV first and then consider at least 4x VRP changes at 5-6500k you are doing then go to the ESP's.

Oh and keep all receipts with dates/mileage written on them in your maintenance folder, maybe a photocopy/picture also as receipts fade.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

M1 EP is Mobil’s extended drain oil. ESP is Mobil’s top tier performance oil used in many Corvette and Porsche race teams(not 0W-20). It holds some of the most stringent gas approvals in the world. It’s also diesel DPF safe but is not a HDEO. So that concern is 100% unfounded. I’m using ESP 0W-30 in 7 vehicles that range from asian, euro, and domestic. IMO it’s the best OTS oil available with its GTL/PAO/Ester base oil and gives many boutiques a run for their money. $27 at Wally.

"Race teams"? I don't know about that.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

M1 EP is a fantastic oil. You're already using the extended drain product, in a application that's perfect for it. If I were you, I wouldn't change anything except for considering an increase in interval to 7,500 next time.

 

[Glenda W.]

"Race teams"? I don't know about that.

Yes. There’s two ESP formulas specific for Corvette(Supercar) and Porsche used on the track. Here’s the Corvette variant.

 

[DirtyGary]

An n/a civic on the highway... I don't think you need to worry about oil

 

[Nessism1]

Running 95% highway, and 6500 mile change intervals, you can run just about any modern synthetic oil and the engine will run for several hundred thousand miles.

Since you insist on modern API certification, that suggests SP, or at least SN+.

Super Tech, Kirkland, and dozens of different oils meet that spec. You can split hairs to your hearts content, but your engine won't care either way.

 

[pbm]

An n/a civic on the highway... I don't think you need to worry about oil

I Agree. At a 6500 mile OCI of mostly highway miles I would be fine using any synthetic 0w20 on the shelf at Walmart including Supertech. That 2.0 NA Honda engine will run nearly forever on any of them.

 

[pbm]

Yes. There’s two ESP formulas specific for Corvette(Supercar) and Porsche used on the track. Here’s the Corvette variant.

View attachment 286919

I wonder how a new Corvette (which isn't tracked or beaten on) would fare using off the shelf 0w40 or 5w40 oils like Mobil 1, Castrol, Pennzoil etc... ?

 

[JavierH19]

You'd be served well with 0w-20 in that highway driven na pi 2.0. Me being me I'd bump to 30 to get my thickie jollies if that car was mine but I'd still change well before the olm. ST 5w-30 would be fine for short intervals. But if one's concerned about warranty then ESP 0w-20 is the choice. It's mostly used in gas engines but can be used in some light duty diesels, It's not an hdeo. But I've been using 40 grade in two engines calling for 20 for years while under warranty and I never worried.

 

[Glenda W.]

I wonder how a new Corvette (which isn't tracked or beaten on) would fare using off the shelf 0w40 or 5w40 oils like Mobil 1, Castrol, Pennzoil etc... ?

I’m sure any good euro would be fine but I know the dealer would be looking for that Dexos R.

 

[NattyBoh]

Thanks guys, I guess I tend to look into stuff too much. With some much info right here at our fingertips its hard to not want to see if you could do better... thanks!

 

[Patman]

I have the port injected 2.0 in my Civic as well and my driving is 95% highway too. Once I’m finished this interval with VRP 0W-20 I will be going with ESP X2 0W-20 for the foreseeable future. The approvals alone give me the confidence that it’s a great choice and it should have no problem handling the 9-10,000 mile intervals that I usually do with this car when I’m following the OLM (I have been doing shorter 5.5 to 6k intervals during my VRP cleanup runs)

 

[NattyBoh]

I have the port injected 2.0 in my Civic as well and my driving is 95% highway too. Once I’m finished this interval with VRP 0W-20 I will be going with ESP X2 0W-20 for the foreseeable future. The approvals alone give me the confidence that it’s a great choice and it should have no problem handling the 9-10,000 mile intervals that I usually do with this car when I’m following the OLM (I have been doing shorter 5.5 to 6k intervals during my VRP cleanup runs)

My car only has about 25k on it. I do 300 miles a week, as its a commuter for work only. Typically Im right at 2k rpms going into work and I do hit some stop and go while on the trip back home but will get about 50% highway speeds.

Have you used M1 EP?

 

[Patman]

My car only has about 25k on it. I do 300 miles a week, as its a commuter for work only. Typically Im right at 2k rpms going into work and I do hit some stop and go while on the trip back home but will get about 50% highway speeds.

Have you used M1 EP?

I haven’t used M1 EP in it but it was one of the ones that was on my short list before I decided on ESP. I was also considering Edge EP. In the end I just couldn’t resist ESP because of the good amount of approvals that it has. I can’t think of another 0W-20 that has more, even if they might be overkill for this very gently driven car (I drive it to maximize MPG, even to the point where I don’t use the AC unless it’s really hot outside)

 

[NattyBoh]

I haven’t used M1 EP in it but it was one of the ones that was on my short list before I decided on ESP. I was also considering Edge EP. In the end I just couldn’t resist ESP because of the good amount of approvals that it has. I can’t think of another 0W-20 that has more, even if they might be overkill for this very gently driven car (I drive it to maximize MPG, even to the point where I don’t use the AC unless it’s really hot outside)

No I get it. I get about 39.5 on the way to work and 41 going home. Not sure why but its repeatable day after day. So the ESP is within the warranty aspects of the O.M?