Help me decide

[mrjlube]

Hi everyone,i took my 2001 Honda civic to the Honda dealer for an oil change. I finally see the service manager and he tells me they use Gulf motor oil. Car has 160,000 miles,no leaks,rins great. Wife drives it to work,20 miles round trip daily. What would be a better choice of oil,i plan on doing my own from here on out,as i know nothing about Gulf oil. I appreciate any advice you may have for me. Oh car sees 90 degrees plus and below freezing in winter. Thanks everyone.

 

[SatinSilver]

You can always take it to the Ford Quick Lane for some Motorcraft syn-blend 5w20 or 5w30. I used it in my 99 Accord and currently use it in the 05 Matrix. Runs nice, smooth and quiet. The oil stays nice and clean with an MC filter. Hard to beat the service for $25 here.

If diy, the oil deals at Walmart are hard to beat. Plus they're all decent, quality oils.

 

[Dodgetracker]

Gulf Advanced Fuel Efficient Motor Oil 5w30 API SM ILSAC GF-4

Packaged for Gulf by the American Refining Group


Purchased in: Gulf Mart, Delaware Water Gap, PA

Date of purchase: January 3, 2011


All tests conducted on this sample meet the specifications for API SM and ILSAC GF-4 5w30 Engine oil.



PETROLEUM QUALITY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

TEST PROGRAM


PHYSICAL TESTS Standard/ranges-b Average-e
Gulf Motor

Oil

5w30

TBN, mg KOH/g, (ASTM D2896) 7.4 to 9.0 8.0 7.7
Viscosity @ 100ºC, cSt, (ASTM D445) 9.3 to 12.5 10.39 10.56
Viscosity @ 40ºC, cSt, ASTM D445 55.0 to 82.0 60.48 62.22
Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270) 156 to 167 163 146
Viscosity @ -30ºC mPa s (cP) (ASTM D5293) 6,600 Max 5,793 5,720
Volatility, mass % loss, 1 hr, @ 250ºC (ASTM D5800) 15 Max 13.5 15.1
See footnote "f"
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS-c
Additives
Nitrogen μg/g (ASTM D-5762) 720 to 1,000 860 840
Calcium 1,648 to 2,301 2,043 1,699
Magnesium, ppm 6 to 43 11 11
Phosphorus, ppm 600 to 800 772 800
Zinc, ppm 789 to 887 851 880
Molybdenum, ppm Barium, ppm
Boron, ppm Silicon, ppm-d 4 to 8 5 0
Potassium, ppm Manganese, ppm Titanium, ppm Sulfur, ppm 5,000 max 3,021 2,366
Copper, ppm Sodium, ppm Vanadium, ppm Contaminants
Silver, ppm Aluminum, ppm Chromium, ppm Iron, ppm Nickel, ppm Lead, ppm Antimony, ppm Tin, ppm 4 to 5 5 2

a- Click here for product label.

b- Standards, shown in orange, are established by API, SAE and others. Ranges, shown in teal, represent the high and low data for the majors shown.

c-Test Method for metal analysis is ASTM ASTM D5185.

d- Although silicon is used as an antifoam additive in lubricants, concentrations above 7ppm have been linked to contamination from abrasive material,

e- Average of the 10 major brands tested. Click here for brands tested.

f- The specification of 15 max is expressed in two significant figures and therefore this result meets specification.





Gulf Advanced Fuel Efficient Motor Oil 5w30
The American Petroleum Institute sets forth a number of laboratory and engine tests required to meet an API SM performance specification. Although laboratory tests alone cannot be used to establish if an engine oil meets API SM, they can be used to determine if it doesn't.
What follows is a comparison of the test results for Gulf Advanced Fuel Efficient Motor Oil 5w30 as compared to the API SM ILSAC GF-4 requirements.

The API limits for each test are shown by the yellow bars. The test result for Gulf Advanced Fuel Efficient Motor Oil 5w30 are illustrated by the horizontal line.

Viscometrics

The viscometrics of Gulf Advanced Fuel Efficient Motor Oil 5w30 meets the required targets for a 5w30 API SM (SAE J300 specification).






Volatility Phosphorus
The volatility of Gulf Advanced Fuel Efficient Motor Oil 5w30 meets the parameters required for an API SM ILSAC GF-4 designation.


Click here for more on Volatility.
The phosphorus content in Gulf Advanced Fuel Efficient Motor Oil 5w30 meets the requirements for an API SM ILSAC GF-4 designation.







FRONT AND BACK LABELS FROM PRODUCT TESTED

 

[mrjlube]

Wow that was very informative. Thanks guys.

 

[mazdamonky]

I would look into M1 0w20 AFE. Also, as long as the Oil is rated API SN it should be fine.

 

[andrewp1998]

The only oil i had issues with was penn platinum in the winter, it went down quick, you could run any 5w30 or 5w 20 or 0w 30 or 0w 20 in winter, Civics dont seem to be to finicky with oil. I have run full syn in mine mostly since the mid 60k range. Im up to 192 k now. Unless it uses alot of oil then run any brand.

 

[Astro_Guy]

I've run 200,000 miles on two Honda Civics using mostly Mobil1 5w20 and Fram TG-7317 filters. More recently I've switched the remaining 2010 Civic to 0w20 Mobil1 EP with Mobil1 filters. The OCI on the former 2005 Civic was 5000 miles; the remaining 2010 civic pushes 8000 miles using the Mobil1 EP. Many here on BITOG would consider that sacrilege, but that's when the oil life monitor hits 0%.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Napa Synthetic. It is on sale for only $2.99 this month. While you're there, pick up a Napa Gold filter. Part number 7356

 

[mrjlube]

Wow thank you so much for the advice! I must include,im at 160,000 miles and the vehicle has never had any synthetic oil in the motor. Is it to late,or a bad idea to start with these high mileage motors? Car is a great runner and want to keep it that way. I bought it with 149,000 and the original owner stated that its only used quaker state green bottle 5w20 since new. Just wanted to pass on this info in case it changes anything. I thank you all so much!

 

[SatinSilver]

If you want to try synthetic oil in the Civic then I'd run an interval of High Mileage oil like Valvoline Maxlife syn-blend. After that then you go for a full synthetic. Just as a precaution against and leaks or seepage. Currently that oil has a $10 mail in rebate. For details look on the promotions thread.

Also to help prevent any oil consumption I'd replace the pcv valve with an oem version. Usually the interal spring breaks around 60k miles.