OCI suggestions with 5.3 mile one-way trip

[thooks]

Hello,

My wife drives a 2005 Honda Accord 4 cyl 5.3 miles one way to work, 5+ days a week. There is also 1+ short trips during the day, none more than 5 miles one way.

Current mileage is 6,000 miles and I'm 2,000 miles into it's first dose of Mobil 1 5W20 (PureONE). I changed the factory fill early (yes, I know it was supposed to stay in for atleast 5k miles.)


Yes, I know many will offer an opinion suggesting an UOA analysis after 5,000 miles or so. Honda's "line in the sand" for Normal Versus Severe operation is 'Most trips 5 miles or under', designating Severe Operation.

Their severe operating service is 5,000 miles and normal is 10,000 miles on Dino oil.

The car is garage kept, and the coldest it gets is 40 degrees in the winter. She lets it idle for 2 minutes or so before she leaves.

What say you?

 

[LarryL]

5k changes will do for sure, but don't let the engine idle at all. Start the engine, start moving, easy for a few blocks and gradually move up to speed. The engine and drive train will warm up quicker and more evenly with this method. You'll get better mileage and less wear and tear on a cold engine. A cold engine at idle will take too long to warm up and will be operating at much higher wear rates and fuel consumption. It's not such a big deal, but every little bit helps. All this is for those that care about their cars and especially those that keep 'em. This does not apply to cold weather operation. That's a who different set of problems. If you lease or trade every couple of years then who cares.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Honda Co. wants it changed at 5K. I would change it every 5K until the warranty expires. Not much to discuss here unless you want to change brands (or) move to a syn-blend. For her driving habits, a 50-50 mix of Mobil-1 and Mobil Drive Clean 5000 would still keep your new Honda engine happy & save you several dollars when changing the oil.

 

[Audi Junkie]

If you want to be safe, changing every other day is the way to go. It's not that expensive if you crunch the numbers. Do you love your car or not?

 

[Dad2leia]

Hey Audi Junkie, how's about sending your lubrication budget my way?!?!

I have a 2004 CR-V that I also changed the factory fill early on. I usually go about 4K between my OC's and do use a synthetic. I won't mention my idle times and habits as the wife is a cold blooded beast by nature and REFUSES to get into a cold car, hence the short OCI's during the cold periods of the year.

 

[Mr Magoo]

The cheapest dino oil you can get, change it every 4-5K miles.

 

[bruce381]

Mr Magoo

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The cheapest dino oil you can get, change it every 4-5K miles.

Agree until you get a UOA done.

Short trips equal high fuel dilution and water in oil only a oil change out regulary will fix or cure any problems related to this driveing routine.

Syn maybe a waste of money since dirty, fuel diluted, wet syn is worse than any dino that is clean and dry via routine short oil change intervals.
bruce

 

[Palut]

Definitely stick with the recommended 5W-20. I don't usually like that stuff, but under these conditions a 5W-20 probably won't ever get below 10 cst!

 

[martyi]

5w20 Havoline with LC20 and FP60 and change when the OLM tells you to change. Get a UOA the next change or two and see if the OLM is telling you the truth.

 

[Slick17601]

My wife drives only 2 miles for work and comes home for lunch every day. I change the oil in her Jeep every 4 month. Usually there is only 2,000 miles or so on the oil.

 

[thooks]

Larry, Everybody does not live in a subdivision. We live on a state highway. There is no "take it easy for a couple of blocks" if there is an 80,000 lb tractor-trailer bearing down on you after getting out of the driveway. Or some idiot running 90mph.

Triple 7,

Are you saying that 5.3 miles one-way constitutes Honda's severe schedule?


After reading all the great stuff about Havoline, I've thought about going back. But there's 3 or 4 strong ways of thinking out there on the cheap dino v. Synthetic and OCI.

 

[Bill in Utah]

I'd run *ANY* 5w-20 SM (they all are excellent oils) dino oil and change it out every 4-6 months.

The time is the factor here, not the mileage.

With my Dads hondas, we have found Pennzoil to have a excellent 5w-20 and the Castrol GTX seems to be doing well. My dad has the same driving pattern and we run 3-4 months with his Honda V6 motor.

The idle for 2 mins then going right up to Interstate speeds is not helping. 2 mins idle is really nothing as far as getting anything warm.

But, with the short trips, getting up to speed early without a warmup and the short trips, changing the oil is your friend..

We have ALWAYS changed the oil out by 1k miles and even in the Hondas and all is and has been fine. I'd rather have my new engine have clean oil instead of metals and assy lube...

No harm done there.

Take care, Bill

 

[Audi Junkie]

"Syn maybe a waste of money since dirty, fuel diluted, wet syn is worse than any dino that is clean and dry via routine short oil change intervals."

I agree.

Just a guess, the only way syn is worthwhile is when it can be run full-length OCI and those full-length runs are most do-able under ideal conditons. You can say syn is better under bad conditions, but fresh high-quality dino is probally better.

 

[Steve S]

How long do you keep cars? I would say do a uoa as Bruce 381 recommended. I would guess 5,000 mile oil changes or no longer than 6 months would be fine , the short high idle period which gives the exhaust manifolds and some other parts a gentle warm up .