I need recommendations for three different vehicles. 2003 Honda Accord EX Sedan 2.4L 4 cyl. with 195000 miles, 2008 Honda Accord EX Sedan 2.4L 4 cyl. with 20000 miles, and a 1998 Honda Civic EX 1.6L 4 cyl. with 148000 miles. I live near Tulsa Oklahoma. The 03 Accord and 98 Civic are driven about 80 miles per day. The majority of the miles are highway miles. These vehicles are driven fairly aggressively. 75mph with quick acceleration. The 08 Accord is driven 40 miles per day in a conservative manner. I am currently using Castrol Syntec 5w-20 with purolator pureone filters in all three vehicles. The 03 Accord consumes oil. It drops from the full dot to the fill dot on the dipstick (don't know how much that is) over 7500 miles. The 08 Accord doesn't consume or leak. The 98 Civic has a slight leak at the distributor. I don't know if it consumes because this is my first oil change with this vehicle (just purchased). Thanks for the recommendations.
Oil recommendations please.
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What oil have you been using?
All my Accords and my Civic preferred a 5w30 or even a 10W-40. Try Pennzoil Platinum 5w30, Valvoline 5w30 synthetic, or even the Syntec 0w30 (if you can find it) in the one that burns oil. I hear some of the Syntecs burn off easier in some engines but the 0w30 is more stable. I personally think the 5W-20s are too thin for older engines and it does not get horribly cold in Tulsa.
Originally Posted By: matt_in_tulsa
I need recommendations for three different vehicles. 2003 Honda Accord EX Sedan 2.4L 4 cyl. with 195000 miles, 2008 Honda Accord EX Sedan 2.4L 4 cyl. with 20000 miles, and a 1998 Honda Civic EX 1.6L 4 cyl. with 148000 miles. I live near Tulsa Oklahoma. The 03 Accord and 98 Civic are driven about 80 miles per day. The majority of the miles are highway miles. These vehicles are driven fairly aggressively. 75mph with quick acceleration. The 08 Accord is driven 40 miles per day in a conservative manner. I am currently using Castrol Syntec 5w-20 with purolator pureone filters in all three vehicles. The 03 Accord consumes oil. It drops from the full dot to the fill dot on the dipstick (don't know how much that is) over 7500 miles. The 08 Accord doesn't consume or leak. The 98 Civic has a slight leak at the distributor. I don't know if it consumes because this is my first oil change with this vehicle (just purchased). Thanks for the recommendations.
2008 Accord - The syntec will be fine.
2003 Accord - I would try a high mileage oil. I like Valvoline MaxLife. It might clear up or help slow/reduce the consumption.
1998 Civic - I would discontinue synthetic until you get the leak fixed as "generally speaking" leaks are worse with synthetic. If you just got the Civic as stated, and it was not run on synthetic prior, the leak may get worse over the next few hundred to thousand miles as the synthetic clears out build up. I would also jump up to a 5w30. No need for a 20 weight in a 1998. Little thicker oil might not leak as bad. I would probably run GTX, Pennzoil conventional, or Valvoliine WB in it if it were mine until the leak was fixed. A high mileage oil for this vehicle would be a good choice as well IMO.
I need recommendations for three different vehicles. 2003 Honda Accord EX Sedan 2.4L 4 cyl. with 195000 miles, 2008 Honda Accord EX Sedan 2.4L 4 cyl. with 20000 miles, and a 1998 Honda Civic EX 1.6L 4 cyl. with 148000 miles. I live near Tulsa Oklahoma. The 03 Accord and 98 Civic are driven about 80 miles per day. The majority of the miles are highway miles. These vehicles are driven fairly aggressively. 75mph with quick acceleration. The 08 Accord is driven 40 miles per day in a conservative manner. I am currently using Castrol Syntec 5w-20 with purolator pureone filters in all three vehicles. The 03 Accord consumes oil. It drops from the full dot to the fill dot on the dipstick (don't know how much that is) over 7500 miles. The 08 Accord doesn't consume or leak. The 98 Civic has a slight leak at the distributor. I don't know if it consumes because this is my first oil change with this vehicle (just purchased). Thanks for the recommendations.
2008 Accord - The syntec will be fine.
2003 Accord - I would try a high mileage oil. I like Valvoline MaxLife. It might clear up or help slow/reduce the consumption.
1998 Civic - I would discontinue synthetic until you get the leak fixed as "generally speaking" leaks are worse with synthetic. If you just got the Civic as stated, and it was not run on synthetic prior, the leak may get worse over the next few hundred to thousand miles as the synthetic clears out build up. I would also jump up to a 5w30. No need for a 20 weight in a 1998. Little thicker oil might not leak as bad. I would probably run GTX, Pennzoil conventional, or Valvoliine WB in it if it were mine until the leak was fixed. A high mileage oil for this vehicle would be a good choice as well IMO.
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It gets pretty cold in the winters (November through March) with highs in the 40's and lows in the 20's or colder. Thanks for the recommendations! What about Pennzoil Ultra? Would a Mobil 1 0w30 work in the oil burner? I have that readily available.
I agree with HK. Any synthetic in the OEM-recommended grade will work fine for 10K+miles, using the P1 filters and the easy driving cycle you mention, but a little thicker oil might slow consumption. But, it sounds like you are only losing a quart over 7500 miles. Not really bad.
The only additional thing you might consider would be an MMO/A-RX/AMSOIL Flush treatment on the two high-mileage cars to make sure that the piston rings are clean and all lube components (pump, pressure control valve(s)) and passeges are unrestricted.
The only additional thing you might consider would be an MMO/A-RX/AMSOIL Flush treatment on the two high-mileage cars to make sure that the piston rings are clean and all lube components (pump, pressure control valve(s)) and passeges are unrestricted.
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What about Pennzoil high mileage? Is Valvoline MaxLife a better high mileage oil?
What is your stance on Seafoam? MMO=Marvel mystery oil? Sorry, noob here on the board.
Matt: MMO is a good investment in general. When I use it, my car rund smoother, gas mileage is a tiny bit better. Many folks have used it in their crankcase oil to loosen up carboned rings and reduce oil consumption.
Seafoam works to clean injectors pretty well, but is only about half as effective as Techron, in my experience.
...and BTW, WELCOME!
I'd rather not use any super duper cleaning agents. I'd try Mobil 1 0W-40 or GC in the oil burner. Trust me- Tulsa isn't that cold for oil. I lived there for three years. 
Just try a slightly thicker synthetic. A high-mileage oil is also what I would keep as an option. Mobil 1 5w30 oil shears down fast, from what I hear. Even a Shell Rotella 5W-40 will probably do much better in the oil burner.
Just try a slightly thicker synthetic. A high-mileage oil is also what I would keep as an option. Mobil 1 5w30 oil shears down fast, from what I hear. Even a Shell Rotella 5W-40 will probably do much better in the oil burner.
Thank you for all of the replies. I have narrowed my choices down. I am going with Pennzoil Ultra 5w-20 in the 08. My question would be which high mileage 5w30 would be better in the 03 accord and the 98 civic? Pennzoil, Valvoline, or Castrol? Also, what would the OCI be? I have been going 7500 in the 03 accord and 5000 in the 98 civic. Those are the brands I have easy access to. Thank you again for all the responses.
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Very little Pennzoil Ultra is available in Tulsa anymore. I've checked the WM's on Admiral / Memorial / Lewis, and it's all gone. I'd use PP or even the MC Syn Blend which is readily available for a 5k OCI in Tulsa. I use it in my Fords and Honda and it's great.
We've had six Hondas over the years, and our climate is somewhat colder than yours, so I'll share a few observations.
First, the Hondas I have had haven't used oil out to a little over 200K.
Now, if the 195K Accord is using a quart in 7.5K, I'd say that's pretty good, and the engine isn't really an oil burner.
What to use?
Pretty much whatever you want.
A 5w30 would work fine, as would a 0W-30.
If you find the cars noisy, GC will quiet them down.
If not, Mobil 1 0w30 is good to use.
Finally, Hondas are not picky about oil, and are pretty easy on it.
Check the many used oil analysis for a variety of Hondas on a variety of oils.
If cost is a concern, Pennzoil conventional, or any other 5w30 conventional will work just fine.
If the cars don't have seal (not gasket) leaks, a high mileage oil will probably not help you in any way, although it also wouldn't hurt.
First, the Hondas I have had haven't used oil out to a little over 200K.
Now, if the 195K Accord is using a quart in 7.5K, I'd say that's pretty good, and the engine isn't really an oil burner.
What to use?
Pretty much whatever you want.
A 5w30 would work fine, as would a 0W-30.
If you find the cars noisy, GC will quiet them down.
If not, Mobil 1 0w30 is good to use.
Finally, Hondas are not picky about oil, and are pretty easy on it.
Check the many used oil analysis for a variety of Hondas on a variety of oils.
If cost is a concern, Pennzoil conventional, or any other 5w30 conventional will work just fine.
If the cars don't have seal (not gasket) leaks, a high mileage oil will probably not help you in any way, although it also wouldn't hurt.
Originally Posted By: matt_in_tulsa
My question would be which high mileage 5w30 would be better in the 03 accord and the 98 civic? Pennzoil, Valvoline, or Castrol? Also, what would the OCI be?
MaxLife has never failed me. I had some consumption in my former truck, and ML had about half the consumption of Pennzoil High Mileage. I currenty use ML in our Vibe with great results (engine is clean, no consumption, etc.). I don't know much about Castrol High Mileage. You could also look at Quaker State High Mileage.
For OCI, if your driving meets the requirements use the "severe service" recommendation in your manual. Nearly everyone meets the "severe service" recommendation.
My question would be which high mileage 5w30 would be better in the 03 accord and the 98 civic? Pennzoil, Valvoline, or Castrol? Also, what would the OCI be?
MaxLife has never failed me. I had some consumption in my former truck, and ML had about half the consumption of Pennzoil High Mileage. I currenty use ML in our Vibe with great results (engine is clean, no consumption, etc.). I don't know much about Castrol High Mileage. You could also look at Quaker State High Mileage.
For OCI, if your driving meets the requirements use the "severe service" recommendation in your manual. Nearly everyone meets the "severe service" recommendation.
there was a lot on the shelf today in the owasso wm.
Update: Used VVL ML 5w30 in both 03 Accord and 98 Civic. Accord got quiet and consumption was significantly less. Civic reacted well to the VVL ML also. Will continue to use in both vehicles. Thanks again for all of the responses.
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