Honda recommendations

MarkC · Mar 3, 2006

My friend has a 2004 Civic LX with the 1.7 liter engine.
I'm going to start doing her oil changes. She's been doing the Jiffy Lube thing, and they seem to be putting Quaker State 5W30 in it, even though the manual says go with 5W20.
5W30 okay? I was thinking to use Havoline or Chevron 5W30 and a Napa Gold filter, but since I only have a Jeep, I'm looking for good advice, and too lazy to do a search.
Actually, for what she's been paying Jiffy Lube, I guess I could use a synthetic and still come out ahead.
She's also apporaching 20K and is ready to take it to the dealer for the "recommended" maintenence. Is this necessary or just another way for them to lighten her bank account?

Thanks

Oh yeah, it gets an occasional run on the freeway for maybe 15 miles or so, and a lot of around town stuff.

GROUCHO MARX · Mar 3, 2006

Oh come on. You know the answer! Whatever you do will be better than Jiffy Lube.

jamesn · Mar 3, 2006

the stealer err, dealer service is necessary to keep the warranty intact. i would ask them about extended oil intervals on synthetic vs the warranty requirements.

GROUCHO MARX · Mar 3, 2006

Oh yeah, I like that Motorcraft 5w-20.

Mr Nice · Mar 3, 2006

Just change the oil and filter. Any SL/SM rated oil will do just fine.

Check the air filter since it has almost 20K miles.

The Critic · Mar 3, 2006

How do you know they're putting 5W30 in it and not 5W20? Last time I checked, Jiffy Lube has a very strict policy in regards to follow the recommended grade.

Personally just use Coastal 5W20 from AutoZone (or the cheapest 5W20 you can find). Otherwise, use the Supertech 5W30 (cheapest I can find). It really won't make a difference as long as you change it every 3-5K.

Also, Jay measured the amount of media in the smaller 7317 oil filters not too long ago. Surprisingly, FRAM Extra Guard had more media than the Champion Filters. I wouldn't hesistate to use those, either, for 3-5K intervals.

MarkC · Mar 3, 2006

I looked at the receipt for what they did, and it said QS 5W30....

The Critic · Mar 3, 2006

You should call up Jiffy Lube and request an explanation...perhaps even a refund.

Or, was there an extra charge for 5W20 and your friend refused, and instead requested 5W30 to be installed?

MarkC · Mar 3, 2006

Hmmmm. Maybe I'll do that.
$35 for an oil change is rape anyway.

Anyway, why is your teenage self sitting in front of a computer on a Friday night?
Get out while you still can.

Tosh · Mar 3, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by jamesn:
the stealer err, dealer service is necessary to keep the warranty intact. i would ask them about extended oil intervals on synthetic vs the warranty requirements.

Well, the service itself is necessary, but it doesn't have to be done by the stealer. Mark could do it. Stick to normal OCI until warranty is up, and save receipts for as long as you (she) has the car.

Hey Mark, you leave Michael alone. It keeps him off the streets. At least he's not trying to be a husband substitute. Are you ready for that?

The Critic · Mar 3, 2006

quote:

It keeps him off the streets

MarkC · Mar 3, 2006

"Hey Mark, you leave Michael alone. It keeps him off the streets. At least he's not trying to be a husband substitute. Are you ready for that?"

Is anybody ever ready?

Quest · Mar 3, 2006

Dad's Civic is the 7th gen (1.7L 4) and at worse we use 5W30. Most of the time, it would see the 5W20 oil.

pbm · Mar 3, 2006

Michael Wan: The last time looked at Coastal 5w20 I noticed that it didn't mention 'meeting Ford or Honda spec's' on the bottle. For this reason I would not use Coastal 5w20. I agree with the rest of your post and probably would advise MarkC to look for Exxon Superflo 5w20 which can be bought cheap and is a very good oil (it supposedly has lot's of moly too which Honda's are supposed to like).

Pablo · Mar 3, 2006

I'd give you the Amsoil XL 5W-20 at my cost, since I'm gonna get a few cases for the Odyssey anyway. She can run it out to 7500 miles with no issues and avoid embarrasing hassles of who pays, plus you can have more time for "other stuff".

ruking77 · Mar 3, 2006

I would stay with the 5w20. Most if not all that meet the Ford and Honda standards have higher doses of moly than the 5w30, which are not blended specifically for the Ford or Honda standards. The Amsoil XL 5w20 is a sterling performer and at Pablo's cost, definitely worth a try.

Having said that, the more off the shelf picks indeed can be Havoline, Chevron, ExxonMobil Superflo (I would use this one if I stayed with conventional oil) Castrol, MObil Drive Clean, etc, etc. So combined with either store or manufacturer's coupons is a hard deal to beat. I have heard as low as .49 cents a qt.

I don't know if this is true for a lot of folks but I did the first OCI with factory fill conventional oil and went to a 0w20 Mobil and noticed a range of .5 to 3 mpg difference.

thooks · Mar 3, 2006

The dealer service is NOT required to keep the warranty intact. Hogwash.

Change the oil out to 5W20 and use a good filter, ala Wix, Napa, Carquest, Mobil 1. For oil, Havoline, Valvoline, Mobil, Exxon, Chevron would be acceptable to me. Others will surely have some more opinions.

If it's an auto transmission, change it out according to the directions. In our 2005 Accord, you dump the hot fluid and refill with 3 quarts of HONDA GENUINE fluid. Drive it for 10 minutes, then dump it again. Repeat 2 more times, until you've emptied a 12 quart case.

Coolant should be good for 5 years. Then only use Honda Genuine coolant.

Rotate the tires just for the fun of it and inspect pressure. I put 5 pSI more than the door panel says.

Take a flashlight and inspect the pads while the wheels are off.

Change the air filter (although I'm sure Jiffy Lube has done it or charged for it 3 times already.)

Fill up the washer fluid. Check the brake fluid, PS fluid. Use only Honda Genuine PS fluid.

If you want to go synthetic, don't strike out and let her go 10-15,000 miles on the first change. I'd go 5,000 miles and then maybe push it to 7,500 and do an analysis. Long drains aren't a given just because of synthetic.

I bet you'll find that you can get as much out of Havoline or Mobil as you can synthetic and save 60% on the price of the oil change.

427Z06 · Mar 4, 2006

I like thook's recommendations. I would only add that any SM/GF-4 5w20 oil and the quality filters listed would suffice. If you use the "severe" schedule listed in the manual to perform oil and filter changes you cover all the bases and avoid the expense and time doing UOAs to verify extended OCIs with "premium synthetics". Pabs offer is quite commendable if you do want to get more involved.

Also find a cheap source of crush washers. People reuse them, but than can leak if you do so. You don't want your first service to end up leaving drops of oil on her clean garage floor. Get one for the tranny and use it for the final change if you decide to do that too.

thooks · Mar 4, 2006

Dang, I'm blushing.

I forgot about the crush washers. Stop by the Honda dealership and beg them for a handfull. Buy a couple of filters if you want. But don't pay more than $1 per 10 crush washers. If you do the tranny fluid, ask them to throw in the crush washers.

The Hondas run fine with a little maintenance.

Pablo · Mar 4, 2006

thooks - good points, all! (well except the last one

)

Honda recommendations

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