Oil for commuter - 95 Civic

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I recently picked up a 95 Civic with 200k on it, 1.5L 5speed. Needed a little TLC like tie rod ends, timing belt/water pump, valve adjustment, etc. It now consistently gets 40mpg and doesn't seem to have much oil consumption (maybe a couple oz over 1500 miles). I use it for a daily commute of 60 miles at mostly 65-70 mph, minimal city driving.

I would like some recommendations for oil, filter, and the change intervals.

I currently have a stash of PureONE filters (thanks, Amazon sale and rebate bonut hookup!). How long can I comfortably go with these? Factory service manual recommended 7500 miles?

I'm going back and forth between two options. Option 1 - buy whatever name-brand 5W-30 oil is on sale and run it for 5000. This would translate into an oil/filter change about 3 times a year. Option 2 - get some more Amsoil ASL (My Accord uses this), run it for 15k with one filter change @ 7500 or possibly @5000 and @10,000.

Thoughts? Opinions? Fistfights?
 
With your commute and how that mill is easy on oil, I'd run whatever 5w30/5w20/10w30 (heck even 15w40 in the summer months in GA) on sale with a filter for under $20 and change it twice a year.
 
If your going for 5000 mile oil changes Mobil Super is the way to go. Guarenteed for 5000 miles and is the cheapest brand name oil out there for 12.00/5qts at walmart. Mobil Super High mileage is a syn-blend and only $13.50/5qts. Either oil with a Pure one is less than a $20 oil change for a good oil and good filter.
 
Sounds like the Mobil is a good option. I don't have an idea of how it stacks up against Castrol, Pennzoil, etc...

How long would you run a Super High Mileage + PureONE combo at those conditions? 7500 mi/6 months?
 
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I'll go against the grain a bit here....

Mobil 1 AFE 0W-30 for maximum fuel economy on your highway commute. Change every 10-12k or six months. Reasonably inexpensive when bought on sale.
 
Use the filter for at least 7500. I'm not sure when the Honda "filter every other change" started, I assume it was with the D series but it could have been before then. I had an 86, then an 01, didn't have anything in that era.

Personally, I'd use whatever "on sale" conventional you can get for 5000, or a cheap synthetic for 7500. Actually, I'd probably run either for 7500. Brands really won't matter for your car.
 
Great advice, guys.

When I had the valve cover off, I noticed it had a good deal of varnish (not sludge), probably from 200k of conventional. Do you think an engine flush is a good idea at this point? Rear main seal has a little baby drip, but that'll be changed when it gets a clutch in the next few years.
 
Originally Posted By: JZiggy
When I had the valve cover off, I noticed it had a good deal of varnish (not sludge), probably from 200k of conventional. Do you think an engine flush is a good idea at this point?


Absolutely not. Varnish is cosmetic. Keep using mineral oil, no need for synthetic in this application - especially if 200k on mineral oil has it only varnished under the valve cover.
 
Originally Posted By: scurvy
Originally Posted By: JZiggy
When I had the valve cover off, I noticed it had a good deal of varnish (not sludge), probably from 200k of conventional. Do you think an engine flush is a good idea at this point?


Absolutely not. Varnish is cosmetic. Keep using mineral oil, no need for synthetic in this application - especially if 200k on mineral oil has it only varnished under the valve cover.


+1 - don't try to fix what ain't broke...
 
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Originally Posted By: Astro14
+1 - don't try to fix what ain't broke...


I'm an engineer, I thought that was my job!
crazy.gif


Thanks for the input, everyone. I think I will stick to the PureONEs, good quality on-sale dino oil, and change it at 7500/6mo.
 
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