German Castrol Syntec 0W-30 for 1998 Civic D16Y7

[tommygunn]

Oil filter is K&N HP-1004

The bottles in question do not say Edge on them, so maybe it's old stock. The date code says M110706

Would this be good for extended OCI? I'm thinking a year/10000 miles? The car currently has about 130k and it's time for the change according to the Purolator sticker on the windshield.

Has anybody else used GC in a non-VTEC B- or D-series Honda? What was your experience?

 

[Cooper]

I would not use it in that engine. It is a little to thick.

 

[law3500]

Originally Posted By: Cooper
I would not use it in that engine. It is a little to thick.


+1 ^^ almost a 40wt. won't do damage, just not ideal for that setup.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: Cooper
I would not use it in that engine. It is a little to thick.


+2 Some people put M1 15W-50 in their Civics but unless its the cars from Fast and Furious part 1 (which were 2001s btw, not bad) you dont need to.

5W-20 or 5W-30 conventional or 0W-20 syn, flip a coin.

Walmart Supertech 5W-20 will do it. Or M1 AFE 0W-20, if engine likes it. Id choose ST. Others would choose M1. Depends on how you think about oil.

 

[rpn453]

I'd use it, but I don't even know how to determine the ideal grade for a specific engine. I've always just figured that more viscosity gives better high temperature protection while less gives better fuel economy, with both effects being negligible within the range you'd be considering.

 

[fdcg27]

I've used GC in both of our Accords ('99 has VTEC, '97 doesn't) as well as our Forester.
A smooth and quiet oil.
This oil should hold up for 10K in a Civic, since it is rated to do so in a variety of Euro apps, like most BMWs and Benzs.
A good all around oil, although M1 0W-40 is probably better.
Incidentally, this oil has no relationship to any other US Syntec, and will not be labeled "with Edge".
It will say "Made in Germany" on the back label.

 

[GMorg]

Given that you already have 130K on the engine, I would not hesitate to use GC if I already had the stock. It is thicker than you need. In fact it is probably overkill in your application. I've been using '04-'05 vintage GC for the last 6 years.

 

[racin4ds]

Got it in my 94 Integra with a B series non-VTEC B20 engine and it loves it. No consumption whatsoever but I did notice a very slight mpg decrease compared to my usual 5w20 fill.

This is the first syn oil my integra has ever seen so we'll see what it looks like at 5k miles and whether or not I'll take it further.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: law3500
Originally Posted By: Cooper
I would not use it in that engine. It is a little to thick.

+1 ^^ almost a 40wt. won't do damage, just not ideal for that setup.

I agree, and if the purposed is extended drains any premium 20wt synthetic can go 10,000 miles under ideal conditions.

 

[lexus114]

cold engine performance (doggy) would probably suffer like mine did when I tried it.

 

[tommygunn]

Thanks for the feedback! But now I have a couple questions, particularly regarding the last two replies.

Originally Posted By: racin4ds
Got it in my 94 Integra with a B series non-VTEC B20 engine and it loves it. No consumption whatsoever but I did notice a very slight mpg decrease compared to my usual 5w20 fill.

This is the first syn oil my integra has ever seen so we'll see what it looks like at 5k miles and whether or not I'll take it further.


Now you say the decrease is very slight from a dino 20. Do you (or anyone else here) think thee decrease would be noticeable coming from a 'regular' 30? ("regular" as in "not GC's high-30-almost-a-40")

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: law3500
Originally Posted By: Cooper
I would not use it in that engine. It is a little to thick.

+1 ^^ almost a 40wt. won't do damage, just not ideal for that setup.

I agree, and if the purposed is extended drains any premium 20wt synthetic can go 10,000 miles under ideal conditions.


I thought it called for 5W-30. Is it really OK to use the 20? (I know about Honda's TSB about 5W-20 and also the controversy about its use) Normally I'd use Mobil-1 0W-30 (which I heard was a 'low' 30), but it hasn't been on sale recently!

 

[tommygunn]

If GC is that inappropriate for a Civic, I can save it and get something else. Is the Castrol OK to use on a 1996 Lexus ES300 1MZ-FE? It'll have 190k when I put it in, and I'm currently using Mobil-1 0W-30 AFE.

If I saved the GC for later (ie, not using it on the Civic), I'd probably get Mobil-1 (what I usually use when I do oil changes), Pennzoil Ultra (Walmart rebate), or perhaps Castrol Edge 5W-30 (also on rebate).

 

[CATERHAM]

I'm not aware of any controversy associated with the use of a 20wt oil in your '98 Civic although I don't see a issue in running a light 30wt in the Civic as was originally spec'd or in the Lexus as you already are.
If you already have the GC (and can't return it) you could use it in either car by cutting it 50/50 with an oil like the Toyota 0W-20. This would give you a light 0W-30 with a terrific 190 VI.

 

[civicist]

if you are pushing the engine a lot go for a mobil 1 0w-40.
if you like to be easy on your pocket and engine go for a conventional (valvoline, pennzoil) 5w-30 as 45ACP said.

 

[ltslimjim]

In this app, there is no need for a Xw-40 anything unless modified and raced, especially with winter coming, just my opinion...

GC or M1 0w-40 is the thickest I would ever go, but it's not the best choice for most street-driven Civics in the US and Canada, IMO.

In other parts of the world, with a year-round climate like the tropics etc, there may actually be more plausible long-term use of a 0w/5w-40 or GC etc.

 

[addyguy]

GC is a very good oil. In California, the thickness won't be an issue at all. It will work well for a 1 year/10k OCI.

I'm glad to see you used it, instead of getting all paranoid by these 'it's too thick' posts!

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
GC is a very good oil. In California, the thickness won't be an issue at all. It will work well for a 1 year/10k OCI.
I'm glad to see you used it, instead of getting all paranoid by these 'it's too thick' posts!


GC is a good oil but a good oil in the wrong application is a poor oil choice.
Stick to the lubrication axiom, "as thin as possible, as thick as necessary".
The ideal motor oil for this Civic is a high VI 0W-20 regardless of the climate. The further you get away from that grade, the less optimized your engine lubrication will be.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: addyguy
GC is a very good oil. In California, the thickness won't be an issue at all. It will work well for a 1 year/10k OCI.
I'm glad to see you used it, instead of getting all paranoid by these 'it's too thick' posts!


GC is a good oil but a good oil in the wrong application is a poor oil choice.
Stick to the lubrication axiom, "as thin as possible, as thick as necessary".
The ideal motor oil for this Civic is a high VI 0W-20 regardless of the climate. The further you get away from that grade, the less optimized your engine lubrication will be.



Could not have said it better!

 

[Geonerd]

If you've already bought the oil, or are looking to vulture a good sale, go for it!

Yea, GC is ~20% thicker than 'standard' xw-30. Not quite ideal, but absolutely no biggie. You might loose 0.5 MPG if you run around in 2nd gear all day.

If your engine is reasonably clean, without massive blow-by or a gooped PCV valve, 10K is entirely reasonable, IMO.

My older Accord loves the stuff. Oddly, Zee Oil has nearly stopped the spark plug access port seeping that was a minor annoyance with M1 10W-30HM. (So much for the extra "seal and o-ring conditioners" Mobile babbles about.)

 

[AKhan87]

Honda recommend 5W-30 weight for D series motor until 2000, 5W-20 started 01 onwards, engines are different, I doubt anyone knows better then Honda when they engineered the motor, unless they spent extra money doing research now...to tell you hey you can actually use 5W-20 in the older civics...I doubt that's the case.