Conventional or Synthetic Oil

[RevRider]

I generally change my oil in 6 month intervals, which means none of my vehicles every go beyond 4k in miles between changes.

I've been using Pennzoil Plat syn 5/30 for 3 of the vehciles, and for my Civic I've ran Chevron 5/30 conventional on the last 3 changes - Costco deal at about $1.75 per quart.

My question is this: Is there really any definitive advantages spending the extra money for synthetic?

I live in Southern California, weather is 50-60 degrees in the winter, and 70-100 in the summer.

I hate throwing away money....

Thanks,

Revrider

 

[cos]

4k or less OCIs - dino all the way! The only real advantages to syn is extended drains and extreme low temp flow, neither of which apply to you.

 

[shrooms]

Yes, using a good syn, you can go to 10K with no probs at all. Changing at 4K on syn is a waste of money and good oil. I'd use MC 5W20 blend on your Civic. Civics love the stuff and you can go 5-7K.

 

[Spyder7]

Based on your climate and OCI schedule, I'm with the others who say just use dino and save your money.

-Spyder

 

[beast3300]

4k and 6months = dino

 

[spasm3]

or your could continue to use the platinum or mobil ep and change it once a year!

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: Spyder7
Based on your climate and OCI schedule, I'm with the others who say just use dino and save your money.

-Spyder
Originally Posted By: spasm3
or your could continue to use the platinum or mobil ep and change it once a year!


I like both of the above quotes...

If you go dino....I'd use Mobil 5000, PYB or MC Blend...with 4K to 5K OCI's.

Mobil 1EP would be a good choice for 1 year OCI's (8 to 10K).

***Suggest using a Pureolator PureOne (for Syn) or Purolator Classic filter (for Dino).
___________________________________
2003 Ford Focus SE (2.3L) / 88K
Mobil 1 5w20EP / 1 year or 10,000 +/-
Mobil 1EP Filter

 

[Bill in Utah]

What year Civic? (reason why I ask is chain or belt.. IMPORTANT info that people SHOULD ASK before issuing recommendations IMO

)

What type of use? (Short trips? Hwy? How long each trip?)

Any known problems with the engine?

Any mods?

Without info like above, ANY comments are a Wild GUESS....


Take care, Bill

 

[RevRider]

Does synthetic keep the engine cleaner and with less wear as compared to conventional?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: RevRider
Does synthetic keep the engine cleaner and with less wear as compared to conventional?


Nope. If you follow normal oil change intervals in your Honda, NO difference in wear or cleanness.

Bill

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: RevRider
Does synthetic keep the engine cleaner and with less wear as compared to conventional?


Nope. If you follow normal oil change intervals in your Honda, NO difference in wear or cleanness.

Bill


That can be debated Bill, if you are comparing 4k dino oci vs. a 6-8k synth oci then yes you are right, there shouldn't be a difference. Now if you would say an 8k dino oci vs. an 8k synth oci I'd put up money that the synth is in better condition at the end of the run.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Don't care about the oil. His question was if the ENGINE would be cleaner or have less wear between the two.

Honda motor in So Cal? I'll stick with my answer!

Take care, Bill

 

[RevRider]

1997 Civic CX 1.6
Belt
Mostly highway, about 100 miles per trip, 2 to 3 trips per week.
Zero mods, zero problems, 108,000 on the engine.

 

[RevRider]

I am appreciate of the reply's - I'm no oil expert.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Thanks for the data!

Now with that known. Keep using the Chevron 5w-30 and enjoy a LONG TROUBLE FREE life with your Honda!

Bill

 

[jstutz]

i think you are a perfect candidate for long oil changes with a good synthetic. Engines easy on oil, long trips, mild weather. I would be doing 10k or 15k changes with synthetic. If you insist on 6 month changes then dont waste your money on syn. Run the chevron and be happy you saved some money.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Don't care about the oil. His question was if the ENGINE would be cleaner or have less wear between the two.

Honda motor in So Cal? I'll stick with my answer!

Take care, Bill
And 6 months 4,000 miles oil change intervals together makes syn oil a waste of money. With no real advantage.

 

[sicko]

The real benefits of synthetics come at the extremes. In extreme cold, extreme heat, or extending your OCI, synthetic is the way to go. But for a normal OCI, in a normal vehicle, under normal driving conditions, a conventional oil will protect just as well as a synthetic; (...please don't ask me to define "normal").

From your description it sounds like you'll be just fine using conventional oil. It should easily be able to protect your engine and keep it clean during those OCIs. You can either pick a brand you like and stick with it, or use what's on sale. Pretty much any of the SM rated oils of known brands will serve you just fine

 

[Spyder7]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Thanks for the data!

Now with that known. Keep using the Chevron 5w-30 and enjoy a LONG TROUBLE FREE life with your Honda!

Bill


+1. There is no reason to switch to syn, and no need to jump on the extended OCI syn band wagon that this thread will get flood with. If it ain't broken (and clearly here it isn't) no need to fix it. Stick to Chevron, keep doing what you've been doing all along, and enjoy your ride.

-Spyder

 

[Kira]

Hello, I'm not attempting to hijack this thread. I care for a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 liter (ol' straight six). This car goes an even 1,100 miles a week. An easy 40 mile round trip to work through No. New Jersey suburbs 6 days a week. I've been doing 5Ks with jug dino and Bosch, STP or WIX filters and have over my 65K of stewardship. The car was purchased with 69K. When I replace the valve cover gasket in a couple of days I'll describe what I see. What do your feel you about my OCI? Whould the car benifit from 4Ks? The drain oil isn't even that opaque black. Kira