Mobil 1 10W/30 SM/CF, 7,789 Miles (356,607 Total Miles), 1.5L 1993 Civic VX

[Scott03Z06]

This report is from my daily driver, a 1993 Honda Civic VX (1.5L). Total miles on car at sample time was 356,607 miles (not a misprint). I have about a 90 miles round-trip drive to work and back. Overall, I would estimate 80% highway/20% city driving.

I've always used synthetic oil. Past 4 years, I've strictly used Mobil 1 10W/30. I'm also running a K&N filter. I've read that most people seem to run high silicon with K&N's but mine seems good.

Any feedback would be appreciated?

TIA,
Scott

 

[buster]

Excellent report. Wouldn't change a thing....K&N worked well for you and so did M1. This always happens, just when I'm about to switch brands, good UOA's of the brand I'm using start showing up.

 

[Minou]

Would switching to a heavier 40 weight oil cut back oil consumption for a car with this high mileage?

Great Honda nonetheless. Very little of these VX's were sold. If memory serves, final drive ratio was an extremelly tall (for a small car) 3.25, whereas the CX/DX were 3.72 and the sedan 4.06. Looks like it did great for your application.

Also shows that very long and smooth commutes in a warm climate (if you're in Florida) are a boon to engine longevity.

 

[Mr Nice]

Have you always used Mobil 1 in your Civic ??

You can probably make it to the 500,000 mile mark

 

[deepsquat]

A lot of life left in that engine
BTW next time shrink your image down some ..too big ..wow! 1224x1584 pixals 222,862 bytes ..ouch for those without a high speed hook up .

 

[TR3-2001SE]

This UOA shows why I am a Mobil 1 and nothing else user in my two cars. Excellent report and this engine should last you your lifetime and maybe even your childrens lifetime. Good Show

 

[buster]

TR3, what about those high Fe UOA's with Mobil 1?

 

[Scott03Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by LT4 Vette:
Have you always used Mobil 1 in your Civic ??

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No. I'm the original owner of the car. I used Quaker State Synthetic 5W/50 for the first 50K then switched to Pennzoil Synthetic 5W/50 for the next 100-125K then used Mobil 1 10W/30 from then on.

I normally use a Purolator Pureone oil filter but the store was out and I was too lazy to elsewhere to buy one and just used a regular Purolator Premium Plus oil filter.

 

[Scott03Z06]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Minou:
Would switching to a heavier 40 weight oil cut back oil consumption for a car with this high mileage?
Also shows that very long and smooth commutes in a warm climate (if you're in Florida) are a boon to engine longevity.

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Oil was in the engine about 4 months. The 1 qt. make up oil was added at the 5500 mile mark. I have aq slight oil leak/seepage around the front crank seal and I had a oil leak on a solenoid mounted to the cylinder head.

Bottom line, I probably leaked more oil than was burned.

 

[PandaBear]

Definitely a good engine.

BTW, care telling us what kind of things have you replaced on that car? i.e. any seals or starter or wheel bearing? I am running a 97 integra for about 40-60k a year on a 110 miles per day commute. Wish it can last me 400k also.

 

[JavaMan]

How's the body holding together? I'm guessing very well, but, would just like to hear it from the source.

 

[Scott03Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by PandaBear:
Definitely a good engine.

BTW, care telling us what kind of things have you replaced on that car? i.e. any seals or starter or wheel bearing? I am running a 97 integra for about 40-60k a year on a 110 miles per day commute. Wish it can last me 400k also.

---

Replaced the alternator twice (once due to armature wear from the brushes and once due to diode failure). Replaced CV half shafts twice. Had to replace the distributor at 110K; the upper bearing (sealed bearing) failed but Honda ate half the cost of the distributor. I've replaced the ignitor once. Repalced front brake pads a few times (still on original rotors though). REplaced the A/C compressor once (compressor locked up). I haven't replaced any seals yet

I'm also still on the original clutch, which most find hard to believe.

The body has a few dents here and there and it could use a paint job but it doesn't bother me how it looks. I just laugh at the SUV owners at the gas pumps getting 12-15 MPG while I'm getting 40-45 MPG.

 

[RedWolf4000]

Scott, what state are you in, what sort of environment does the car see year round? I am really impressed by your UOA, especially your low silicon level with the K&N. Is it a Cone or a stock OEM replacement?

 

[johnd]

My wife has a '95 VX with 195K+ on it and it runs as good as the day she bought it. Front cv shaft on one side due to a boot faiure that no one noticed and brakes a couple of times. It gets scheduled service at the dealer and no special treatment other than Zaino wax from me. We recently replaced the entire AC system as it was just worn out. After all, in the winter in Texas you only run the ac in the afternoon and the rest of the time it is on all the time. Still gets just under 50 mpg.

 

[Scott03Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by RedWolf4000:
Scott, what state are you in, what sort of environment does the car see year round? I am really impressed by your UOA, especially your low silicon level with the K&N. Is it a Cone or a stock OEM replacement?

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The K&N is a stock OEM replacement. I usually go about 50K before cleaning it. It probably works better as get collects dirt.

I don't really travel on dirty/dusty roads, mostly well travelled paved roads.

It's always outside and it gets used 7 days out of the week. Probably 95% of the trips made get the oil up to operating temperature.

Heck, I've still got the original exhaust system (converter, pipe & muffler) on it.

 

[RedWolf4000]

How many miles have the K&N drop in been in the car?

 

[Ericm]

Great report.
Why did you change from 5w-50 to 10w-30 oil?
I'm using 5w-50 currently in '93 Metro xfi (244K mi).
Thanks.

 

[goodvibes]

Great. I'd switch to 5w40 and see if the lead improves. K&N shure looks fine here and no MAFs in Hondas to worry about. Do you show higher Si on the first OCI after a cleaning? You must drive it easy and it's paying off.

 

[Scott03Z06]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ericm:
Great report.
Why did you change from 5w-50 to 10w-30 oil?
I'm using 5w-50 currently in '93 Metro xfi (244K mi).
Thanks.

---

Initally, the 5W50 QS Synth. I was using was free (buddy of mine was a manager at one of those "10 minute oil change" places so the price was right. Then when I switched to the Mobil1, I decided to use what the Honda recommended to use (10W30 in temps above 32 deg. F).

 

[Scott03Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by goodvibes:
Great. I'd switch to 5w40 and see if the lead improves. K&N shure looks fine here and no MAFs in Hondas to worry about. Do you show higher Si on the first OCI after a cleaning? You must drive it easy and it's paying off.

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This is the first UOA I've done. When I plan on doing the next UOA, I'll clean the K&N when I do the oil change and see what happens.