OK here's the deal. My car is a 2008 Civic LX 1.8L eng with A/T. Recommended oil is 5W-20. Vehicle mileage is 26K. I drive very easy and am getting around 40 mpg. Most driving is 50 mile round trip to work daily with a mix of city/highway driving. Very little if any stop and go traffic. Max speed going to work is 55 mph. The car has an OLM and is under warranty. The last time I changed the oil, I took the OLM to 10% which was 8000 miles. It had M1 5W-20 with a M1 extended filter. I now have M1 5W-20 EP with a M1 extended filter. Since the car is still under warranty, I think having the M1 EP is overkill because I don't want to void my warranty by going beyond the OLM/manual recommendations. I've read good things on this site about Motorcraft syn/blend and that Honda's are easy on oil. Since a 5gt jug of Motorcraft is $12 vs $20 for the PP, I was thinking that the Motorcraft would be the way to go. I'd probably use a Pureone filter. What do ya think? Can the Motorcraft syn/blend handle an 8K OCI or is that pushing it and the PP would be a better choice? By the way, nothing wrong with M1, just wanting to try something different and save a little money.
Motorcraft syn/blend or PP 5W-20..help me decide
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I'm probably just a little biased, but there is no doubt I would choose the Pennzoil Platinum over the Motorcraft blend. Nothing wrong with the Motorcraft, I just believe the Platinum is a better oil.
Ford now recommends a 10,000-mile OCI on the new Mustang, using Motorcraft 5W-20, so I would imagine it's good enough for 7500-8000 miles in your Honda.
Yes, I know the new Mustang has an increased sump capacity to accommodate the longer OCI, but the old recommendation was 7,500 miles, so I still see no reason for the OP to not use it.
Yes, I know the new Mustang has an increased sump capacity to accommodate the longer OCI, but the old recommendation was 7,500 miles, so I still see no reason for the OP to not use it.
I like what you're using in your cars.
'03 Mercury Marauder - Trilogy Motorsports #61
-and another "not quite stock" one for my DD.
PP 5w30 / MC FL820S in both.
'03 Mercury Marauder - Trilogy Motorsports #61
-and another "not quite stock" one for my DD.
PP 5w30 / MC FL820S in both.
Me, too...
PP has reduced consumption and quieted the motor in my DD over MC and M1.
Johnny, I agree that PP is a better oil, but MC may be more cost-effective for the OP, at least until the warranty is up and he can extend his OCI.
Johnny, I agree that PP is a better oil, but MC may be more cost-effective for the OP, at least until the warranty is up and he can extend his OCI.
If you're getting 8000 miles out of it, I'd spring for the PP. Not that Motorcraft would be a bad choice or couldn't handle it.
If you're asking which of the two is a better oil, the answer is PP. However, I don't think you'll see any benefits using it over the MC. I believe the OLM of your vehicle was calibrated for conventional oil, so using MC semi-syn will protect your engine while following the OLM.
If it makes no difference to you, then I say use the MC and save a few bucks. Or use the PP for an OCI or two, then try the MC, and see which one you prefer. But while following the OLM on a vehicle that's calibrated to conventional, I think the MC will protect your engine just fine.
If it makes no difference to you, then I say use the MC and save a few bucks. Or use the PP for an OCI or two, then try the MC, and see which one you prefer. But while following the OLM on a vehicle that's calibrated to conventional, I think the MC will protect your engine just fine.
The OP is trying to save money. For $12 a jug, and mostly highway driving the MC is the most cost effective way to go. The PP is probably a better oil, but since the PP is 67% more expensive, if you're cost conscious there is nothing wrong with the MC. Also that inline four in the Honda isn't DI, or turbo and doesn't spec synthetic oil, so it really isn't necessary.
Flip a coin...honestly. Both are excellent products.
I'd run the MC 5w-20 first and do a UOA to see how it handles the OCI.
I'd run the MC 5w-20 first and do a UOA to see how it handles the OCI.
I think the fully synthetic PP is a better way to go for an $8 difference, just my $0.02. I have heard the MC is a good oil, but I usually lean towards full synthetic oils and for an under $20 difference I would put the PP in there. You are getting 8000 miles out of it anyways, you are getting your money's worth. Plus with full synth I wouldn't worry one second about the oil going the distance (even though Honda recommends their OEM conventional oil which most believe is mobil clean 5000).
$8.00 over an 8K change interval is at the noise level at best.
That would amount to a magrginal cost per mile of $.001.
That won't change your life.
So to get real, use whichever oil is best.
Now, in a typical Honda (not one of the 8-9K rpm screamers), either oil would likely be just fine.
On an 8K drain, the cost of the oil is virtually irrelevant.
That would amount to a magrginal cost per mile of $.001.
That won't change your life.
So to get real, use whichever oil is best.
Now, in a typical Honda (not one of the 8-9K rpm screamers), either oil would likely be just fine.
On an 8K drain, the cost of the oil is virtually irrelevant.
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You've got a very low stress daily routine. Use MC 5w-20 or give up most of one pizza for the next 4 months and upgrade to PP.
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Ford now recommends a 10,000-mile OCI on the new Mustang, using Motorcraft 5W-20, so I would imagine it's good enough for 7500-8000 miles in your Honda.
Yes, I know the new Mustang has an increased sump capacity to accommodate the longer OCI, but the old recommendation was 7,500 miles, so I still see no reason for the OP to not use it.
I just bought one of those new Mustangs. I bought the V6 to save on gas (with performance), and not go all out so I could keep my truck as well and not trade it (2007 Tundra).
I do not know if I can bring myself to go that long, whether Ford recommends this or not. For me, seems like it would be wearing a pair of socks way too long.
FYI: I have 2 jugs of QS Sytnhetic, 3 jugs of PP, 40 qts of Valvoline Synpower, all in 5w-20.
I plan on (thinking...) 7500 OCI on these oils.
All these oils, paid less than the Motorcraft Syn Blend. So can be more cost effective to watch the deals/rebates.
Paying full price, I would go with the PP or QS Syn over the Motorcraft. There are other areas to budget the $$$, besides what goes into your engine.
Ford now recommends a 10,000-mile OCI on the new Mustang, using Motorcraft 5W-20, so I would imagine it's good enough for 7500-8000 miles in your Honda.
Yes, I know the new Mustang has an increased sump capacity to accommodate the longer OCI, but the old recommendation was 7,500 miles, so I still see no reason for the OP to not use it.
I just bought one of those new Mustangs. I bought the V6 to save on gas (with performance), and not go all out so I could keep my truck as well and not trade it (2007 Tundra).
I do not know if I can bring myself to go that long, whether Ford recommends this or not. For me, seems like it would be wearing a pair of socks way too long.
FYI: I have 2 jugs of QS Sytnhetic, 3 jugs of PP, 40 qts of Valvoline Synpower, all in 5w-20.
I plan on (thinking...) 7500 OCI on these oils.
All these oils, paid less than the Motorcraft Syn Blend. So can be more cost effective to watch the deals/rebates.
Paying full price, I would go with the PP or QS Syn over the Motorcraft. There are other areas to budget the $$$, besides what goes into your engine.
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Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Ford now recommends a 10,000-mile OCI on the new Mustang, using Motorcraft 5W-20, so I would imagine it's good enough for 7500-8000 miles in your Honda.
Yes, I know the new Mustang has an increased sump capacity to accommodate the longer OCI, but the old recommendation was 7,500 miles, so I still see no reason for the OP to not use it.
No kidding? The factory recommends 10k on kinda dino in a performance car?
Does this apply to other 5-20s used in that car? only MC?
Ford now recommends a 10,000-mile OCI on the new Mustang, using Motorcraft 5W-20, so I would imagine it's good enough for 7500-8000 miles in your Honda.
Yes, I know the new Mustang has an increased sump capacity to accommodate the longer OCI, but the old recommendation was 7,500 miles, so I still see no reason for the OP to not use it.
No kidding? The factory recommends 10k on kinda dino in a performance car?
Does this apply to other 5-20s used in that car? only MC?
No kidding. Both the V6 and the new Coyote 5-litre in the GT spec 10,000-mile OCIs.
I don't know if they limit the oil choices, but most 5W-20 oils are pretty robust to begin with. I can't imagine FORD saying you can go 10,000 miles only if you use MC...
I don't know if they limit the oil choices, but most 5W-20 oils are pretty robust to begin with. I can't imagine FORD saying you can go 10,000 miles only if you use MC...
with 5,000 or 6,000 mile oil changes you will probably not gain much in the long run with syn oil but with 10,000+ mile oil change intervals the benefits will show. Time and miles should be used to make the oil choice for your engine.
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