Dino or Full Syn?

[Scotty1981]

I deliver pizzas in a 2007 Civic, would using full synthetic help me at all or just a waste of money? I usually drive between 3k rpms and occasionally when trying to get somewhere fast it will get up to 5500 rpms or so while accelerating. So I believe it would be classified as severe driving. I want to be clear I don't always race around though just occasionaly. In fact most of the time on the freeway I drive 55 and no matter what car it is, I seem to get the best MPG / speed balance at 55 MPH.

I originally wanted to run full synthetic but if it isn't really helping protect the engine any better then why bother. My OLM seems to be wanting to tell me to change the oil at the 6k mark. I've run 3k miles in the month that Ive had the car and the OLM reads 50%. So I'm guessing I'll have a 6k OCI at least until I get a different job.

I do leave it idle while at customers homes for a few minutes and once it warms up it usually doesn't have time between deliveries to cool down. Should I be stopping the engine and restarting or will that cause more wear on the engine? From what I can see when I fill up each night the car seems to use more fuel stopping and starting instead of when I leave it idle for a minute or two. Even though I was told it should use less, the only thingI can think of is the car uses more fuel to start than it does when left idling.

 

[Bill in Utah]

The OLM is adjusting for your shorter trips and idling. I'd use a good conventional 5w-20 oil and you'll be fine.

As far as the idling, I'd be concerned with someone hopping into the rig and taking off.

It should use less fuel stopping it then starting it. The Fuel injection does not use that much fuel in a Civic with a warm start.

Take care, Bill

 

[biodiesel]

I agree with Bill. Just pick a solid 5w20 and rest easy. I would lean towards either Motorcraft synblend or Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic. Both are excellent oils, but the Motorcraft is about half the price so I'd probably go that route.

Regarding idling, you really want to turn your car off each time you get to where you're going. You are definitely using more fuel idling compared to the start/stop method. No doubt about it. It's just your imagination that you're using less. There is no way for you to truly calculate that considering your route is different from night to night, but I assure you that you are using more fuel idling.

Check this link: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html

 

[Scotty1981]

Ok thanks for the help, I was just going by how many miles traveled but you are right, I didn't take into consideration traveling different roads on each night and at different speeds and all the other variables involved.

 

[Warstud]

In your case I would just let it idle...the short amount of time you spend at each stop doesn't warrant shutting off the engine IMO. Just more wear and tear on the starter etc.

 

[Pablo]

Run a good synthetic and change the oil at 2X the OLM, and possibly 3X if you want to bother with a UOA.

 

[tig1]

I would go with a good synt, M1,PP, and extend your OCI to 10K.

 

[biodiesel]

You're welcome. Just to clarify, the prices I was going by when making those oil recommendations were based on WalMart prices. If you pick up either of those two oils at a place like PepBoys, AdvanceAuto, or Autozone they are likely to be more expensive, although AdvanceAuto does have some excellent deals that change from month to month.

Stay safe on the roads and try not to race around too much. I used to deliver pizzas myself many years ago. The extra few minutes you may save with increased RPMs isn't worth the extra gas you're using, not to mention a possible ticket or accident. I know the nature of the business is to get the product there as quickly as possible, but your safety is job number one. You're still going to get paid the same rate per mile regardless of how quickly it's traveled. Sorry to be preachy but I wanted to throw that out there.

 

[biodiesel]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
In your case I would just let it idle...the short amount of time you spend at each stop doesn't warrant shutting off the engine IMO. Just more wear and tear on the starter etc.


I disagree. He's driving a Honda Civic, not a large SUV or truck.

I've owned five Honda cars over the years. My son is currently driving a 1991 Civic Si hatchback. I had a 1990 Accord I purchased new and sold in 2001 with 175k miles on it. Never once was a starter replaced on any of them.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Dino at 5k.

30 weight in summer.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Run a good synthetic and change the oil at 2X the OLM, and possibly 3X if you want to bother with a UOA.


+1

My '94 LS400 does not have OLM, I just double the OCI with synthetic: 6-7k/6mo with dino and 10-15k/12mo with syn, oil filter is once a year with either case . The car is more than 250k miles now and no sign of any engine problems related to oil. It consumes about 1/2 qt 3-4k miles and it is like that forever.

The reason for switching dino to syn and back is I bought whatever was on sale with rebate that was dirt cheap, I could not resist $0.99/qt synthetic or $0.49/qt dino after rebate.

 

[afoulk]

I think price and performance wise, the Motorcraft stuff is hard to beat, as long as you get it at Walmart where its cheapest. As for shutting the car off or leaving it running, I'd just let it idle. I think you would have less wear and tear on the engine that way, not to mention, less chance of something stupid going bad like a starter relay, ignition switch, or the starter its self. I'm not saying the products used in Honda's aren't durable, its just parts fail everyonce in awhile, and it would suck to deliver a pizza, get back in your car, and it wont start. Not only do you have to pay for a tow, but your done making money that night as well.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah

As far as the idling, I'd be concerned with someone hopping into the rig and taking off.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah

As far as the idling, I'd be concerned with someone hopping into the rig and taking off.

Well, We have had it happen a few times here. One time the perps crashed into a minivan and paralyzed a 4 year old kid.

Was not too funny. (esp for the Pizza driver who was charged and his insurance company who paid (and is prob still paying)

Bill

 

[FL_Rob]

+ 2 ,The shutdown,just going by the math,increases the chances of a no-restart.From an ignition switch M/F to the solenoid,the bendix, battery, etc.Using the 'dummy 'spare ign key,Lock it up,running, carry TWO spares .One in your pocket ( which should be the remote key fob),One in a hideaway key holder.Very convenient esp, if you have remote entry.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah

As far as the idling, I'd be concerned with someone hopping into the rig and taking off.

Well, We have had it happen a few times here. One time the perps crashed into a minivan and paralyzed a 4 year old kid.

Was not too funny. (esp for the Pizza driver who was charged and his insurance company who paid (and is prob still paying)

Bill


No offense intended. It just amazes me what people will steal. A pizza car...a 7 Up truck...and ambulance...a Greyhound bus...a $750,000 brand new fire truck. I have read actual accounts of all of those. Crazy, just CRAZY.

 

[mechtech2]

5-20 oils are sturdy.
I'd use a dino [which I do].

Start and stop the engine a lot?
Frequent stops would be hard on the starter vs. a tiny bit more gasoline use if you left it running.
Local laws can be a problem. They may not allow a car to be left running unattended.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I would have a second key in my pocket, if I let the car running but with door locked to avoid stealing.

 

[calvinnnnnnnnn]

turning on and off the car wears the engine the most. leave it running unless its for very long periods of time

Full synthetic oils can be had for the price of dino(after rebates of course), might as well go synthetic for the best protection possible

 

[biodiesel]

How exactly is wear occurring to an engine upon startup when the oil is at full temp and the car was just turned off a minute or two ago? When it is restarted the oil is still at full operating temp.