I'm planning on doing an oil change in a week or so. I want to wait a week so I can see how much oil the car uses in that amount of time. I was looking at the high mileage oils at Walmart. I noticed both Valvoline and Castrol have a 5w30 SM rated high mileage oil. Pennzoil and the Tech2000 high mileage oil is rated SL. Does that make any difference? Pennzoil, Valvoline and Castrol's HM oil is right about 4 bucks a quart, the Tech2000 stuff is $3.26. Is a high mileage oil the right choice for my Accord with 200000 miles? Synthetic would be my first choice, but I'd rather not spend over 30 bucks just on one jug of oil, unless we're talking about the Tech2000 synthetic or the XD3 0W40 both of which are just under 22 bucks a jug. I haven't had the car long enough to find out how much oil it leaks or burns, so I wouldn't run an expensive oil if I would be going through a quart a week, for example. I was thinking about the high mileage oils because they're supposedly better than conventional dino oils, and the price is reasonable. This coming OCI will take me right into the heart of winter, and temps sometimes go down to -25 or even lower so a 5w30 would be my top choice. I'm not really brand loyal so if one brand is better than the other I'll go with the better one. One other oil that interests me is the Quaker State winter synthetic blend oil at Canadian Tire. IIRC, I read something on here that said that the viscosity of the 5w30 winter blend oil comes close to a 0W oil. I like the sound of that. Speaking of Canadian Tire, they sell Quaker State's high mileage oil, plus they have their own brand of high mileage oil. In the end, I guess what I'm really looking for is a sturdy oil, preferrably a conventional oil for cost reasons, will give me easy starts in the dead of winter, is decently fuel efficient and has a robust add pack that will best help protect my engine through all conditions, including when I like to drive hard. I suppose that's a tall order for a conventional oil but there has to be one out there that can do it. What do you think?
Is a 5w30 HM oil the right choice for my high mileage Accord?
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While I live in Arkansas right now, I've lived where it got below zero before.
If I were in your shoes, I'd be more concerned about the potential for -25 degrees than the 200K miles. Sounds like you just bought this car. I'd put a decent conventional oil with good lower temp performance in it for your 1st OCI and see how it goes before you jump on the high mileage oil wagon. While 200K is definitely "high mileage" and I use & like HM oils myself, I'd watch your weather more than the odometer right now. Based on all the variables you are trying to juggle, the QS winter blend may be a good choice. Mobil 7500 may be a good syn blend compromise too.
It has decent low temp stats like the QS winter brew.
[ September 29, 2005, 11:01 PM: Message edited by: Roger ]
If I were in your shoes, I'd be more concerned about the potential for -25 degrees than the 200K miles. Sounds like you just bought this car. I'd put a decent conventional oil with good lower temp performance in it for your 1st OCI and see how it goes before you jump on the high mileage oil wagon. While 200K is definitely "high mileage" and I use & like HM oils myself, I'd watch your weather more than the odometer right now. Based on all the variables you are trying to juggle, the QS winter blend may be a good choice. Mobil 7500 may be a good syn blend compromise too.
[ September 29, 2005, 11:01 PM: Message edited by: Roger ]
You should be able to guestimate leaking by crawling under the car and looking at the oil pan. If it's dry I think you can use synthetic and you can even move up a grade to 0w-40 or 5w-40.
If it's not dry, I think Pennzoil high mile vehicle is the best 5w-30 for you.
If it's not dry, I think Pennzoil high mile vehicle is the best 5w-30 for you.
I use to run 10w-30 in Colorado winters - but not nearly as low as -25, maybe -10 is the coldest it gets on occasion, not as a norm.
I recently switched to Rotella synthetic 5w-40, truck fires like a dream, though the coldest it's been so far is 37 degrees.
Truck was not using oil, just wanted an oil with a higher detergent and stronger additive pack, Rotella is a diesel/gas engine oil.
I recently switched to Rotella synthetic 5w-40, truck fires like a dream, though the coldest it's been so far is 37 degrees.
Truck was not using oil, just wanted an oil with a higher detergent and stronger additive pack, Rotella is a diesel/gas engine oil.
Well, according to company data Maxlife has moly and some PAO in the mix.
If you want to do synthetic, there is Synthetic Maxlife, which is specifically made for high mileage.
But from what I hear on this site, anyone in Canada should strongly consider using XD3.
If you want to do synthetic, there is Synthetic Maxlife, which is specifically made for high mileage.
But from what I hear on this site, anyone in Canada should strongly consider using XD3.
Yes, I was just about to recommend Esso XD-3...I'd love to try it in my STi, but sadly we don't get it down here in the U.S.
That sounds good, to me anyway.
I've yet to see synthetic Maxlife on any store shelf around these parts. Maybe it's a US only thing?
I'd really like to use the synthetic XD3, but since I'd rather not buy in bulk right now, that leaves me with buying the gallon jugs at Walmart. Now if I find out that my car leaks oil, then it might not be the best choice. If I needed half a quart for example, then I would need to buy a whole jug for just that half quart.
The SUPERTECH Synth 10w-30 HM worked great for me.
-25c equals what f? It would probally be fine, but it's your choice. great oil though.
-25c equals what f? It would probally be fine, but it's your choice. great oil though.
Hi,
Unless it's using oil alot, I'd go with the normal 5w-30 conv oil like Pennzoil and see how it goes.
No need to put in the HM type oils unless you need to reduce something (like noise or useage).
Take Care, Bill
Unless it's using oil alot, I'd go with the normal 5w-30 conv oil like Pennzoil and see how it goes.
No need to put in the HM type oils unless you need to reduce something (like noise or useage).
Take Care, Bill
Since this car is "New" to you, i would use either Havoline or Exxon Superflo 5w-30 regular oil in it and see how things go. From everything i have read, Hondas seem to like dino oils with at least some Moly in them and both Exxon Superflo and Havoline fit the bill. I believe Exxon Superflo is factory fill for the Honda. Also use a HONDA or equivilent oil filter and STAY AWAY from those nasty orange filters
True, but on the other hand, there is a lot of variety in HM oils. Citgo Ultralife gives you a lot or extra zddp (at least SL version does). Maxlife gives you that PAO edge (MSDS 12-22% PAO) and has the moly about 290 ppm. Walmart jugs of Maxlife should be fairly cheap.
Yes there are other, lower priced oils, and if budget is the main issue, I understand Havoline is very good oil, in some respects better than Maxlife in that Havoline is supposed to be Group II whereas Maxlife is a mix of mostly Group I and some Group IV. I still like the Maxlife, but then I am a Valvoline fan (not the white bottles though).
I picked up a Canadian Tire flyer tonight, and noticed that tomorrow they're having a sale on the QS winter synthetic blend oil. 6 bottles in a case for 14.34, that works out to be just 2.39 a bottle. I just might go in there tomorrow and grab a case or two.
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