Oil for 1600 Mile Trip

[Yup]

If it wasn't late at night I wouldn't pose this question. I have some old oil to use up (0W-20 Mobil 1, 5w30 Quaker State Synthetic, 5W-20 Napa Syn) and will soon be taking a 1600 mile trip with my car. It's a 2002 Honda Civic Si that runs about 4000 RPM @ 80 mph. It calls for 5W-20 but I've run all 3 weights listed at various times and was curious who can give me the best argument for which weight oil I should use before I leave. I'll be driving at least 80 mph for a good chunk of the trip. Or, convince me to use some other weight.

I'll be making popcorn to enjoy while reading the replies and will probably just end up using the weight that's closest to the front of my shelf in the end. I just thought this would be an entertaining and, quite possibly, informative question.

Have fun!

 

[thunderfog]

4k RPM at 80mph? Yowzers.

Use the 5w-20.

 

[brentalan]

OK, so any of these would work fine but since you have to use all of these up at some point, I would say use the 5w30 now.

The slightly heavier weight is (marginally in this case) beneficial at higher RPMs and warmer weather. If you are not going to use your 5w30 on this OCI, when you're driving in the summer weather at high rpms, then when are you going to use it at all? Save the 20's for the winter time when you're tooling around town if you intend to use all of this oil in this car.

 

[crazyoildude]

I know a couple of Honda dealers that we do engine work for that use 5w30 in most of their engines that call for 5w20 with no problems. Heads are another story...lol

 

[CT8]

5w-20 is for CAFE nothing else. Don't believe everything you read on the net.

 

[Yup]

Originally Posted By: thunderfog
4k RPM at 80mph? Yowzers.

Use the 5w-20.


Yeah, not sure why they didn't put a 6 speed in. She still pulls about 28-30 mpg at 80 but drops to about 26-28 if you push her to 85. But at 4K the engine is still ready to climb more. I love driving this little wimpy rocket.

I was thinking the 5w30 due to warm temps and high RPM. I typically run a 0W-20 in winter in MN but will soon not need that oil as we're moving (that's the trip). So I was thinking maybe get rid of the 0W-20 since it'll never see temps under about 40 again. Then use the 5w30 next spring when it's warmer than MN. See, so many choices when you learn the options!!!

 

[Yup]

Originally Posted By: CT8
5w-20 is for CAFE nothing else. Don't believe everything you read on the net.


Yeah, I had a wonderful case of cam galling about 70K miles ago. I was running all 5W-20 then, too. However, I'm 99% sure it was just [censored] hardening on the part of Honda. Otherwise all lobes on both cams would've had issues. And some were fine. So is your call 15W-50 for added protection?

 

[Yup]

Originally Posted By: Yup
Originally Posted By: CT8
5w-20 is for CAFE nothing else. Don't believe everything you read on the net.


Yeah, I had a wonderful case of cam galling about 70K miles ago. I was running all 5W-20 then, too. However, I'm 99% sure it was just [censored] hardening on the part of Honda. Otherwise all lobes on both cams would've had issues. And some were fine. So is your call 15W-50 for added protection?


Is cr**py really censored? LOL?!?!? My apologies for my kindergarten potty mouth. I hope potty isn't censored, too.

 

[i6pwr]

Originally Posted By: thunderfog
4k RPM at 80mph? Yowzers.

Use the 5w-20.


When I saw that I thought he had a 2.0 jetta Mk4. My wife had one and it would tach out around 4K also at 80 also and still get 25+ MPG.

 

[mclasser]

I'd use the 5W30 Quaker State Ultimate Durability. Honda 4-bangers of that era really aren't oil snobs. I'm running 5W30 in my sig Accord right now and haven't noticed a difference in gas mileage or anything. Like someone above said, save the 5W20 for your harsh MN winters.

Make sure to use a quality filter as well.

 

[285south]

Originally Posted By: thunderfog
4k RPM at 80mph? Yowzers.

Use the 5w-20.


Dodge Neon 2000 can go faster than that. 4k RPM at 90mph!

 

[901Memphis]

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W30

 

[Merkava_4]

4000 RPM @ 80 mph, WHY ?

My Buick turns about 2000 RPM @ 80 mph in 4th gear.

 

[Olas]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
4000 RPM @ 80 mph, WHY ?


It's a function of gear ratio, diff ratio and tyre size

 

[NHGUY]

That gear ratio makes for a zippy feel and good low end acceleration.Shortens engine life and reduces mileage though.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
That gear ratio makes for a zippy feel and good low end acceleration.Shortens engine life and reduces mileage though.


Had a 1,000KG car with a 5L V-8 that turned 3,000 RPM at 65 MPH...talk about "zippy".

 

[demarpaint]

4,000 rpm @ 80 mph. They should all work fine. Since there's no warranty requirements to contend with I'd use the 5W30 given those choices.

 

[aquariuscsm]

My car is spinning a lil over 3000rpm at 70.

 

[Charlie1935]

My 59 Austin Healey Sprite did 60 MPH at 4000 RPM.
68 Road Runner 75 @ 3000.
96 Dodge Ram 1500-70 @ 2000.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: CT8
5w-20 is for CAFE nothing else. Don't believe everything you read on the net.


Which is where the CAFE accusations come from....hmmm. Anyway, since you will be doing a lot of highway driving at 4K rpm, I would go ahead and use up the 5w30.