Reevaluating my OCI

[radtech91]

I have a 2009 Honda CR-V EX 4WD. I am reevaluating my OCI as my driving routine has changed. I have been changing it every 7,500 miles with Castrol Syntec and Mobil 1 with Purolator PureOne oil filters since I bought it new. I now have 44,000 miles on her.

My new commute, one way, is about 6 miles of hilly highway at 55-60 MPH and about 7 miles of in town with stops and very mild traffic, but causes me to slow down and go often do to people turning, etc. This is about 6 days a week. I also still drive on dusty gravel roads to visit family and friends, so have to factor that in as well.
I’m not a lead foot driver but I don’t drive like a grandma either.

I noticed that my MM system that monitors the oil is going down much faster this time around since I changed the oil compared to all the other changes since I have had the CR-V. Also, last time I changed the oil, which was Mobil 1 0W-20 for 7,500 miles, it came out black, like really black. It’s never looked that bad before, it’s usually a nice dark brown.
I have 5qts of Mobil 1 5W-20 and 5qts of Amsoil 0w30 left in my “oil stash”. After I go through them I will be going with Pennzoil Ultra 5W-20 I think.

So should I shorten my OCI to accommodate the shorter drive times now and more stop and go? Maybe around like 6,000 or so? Any suggestions?

 

[Danh]

Why not just change at the same OLM % life remaining as you were before your driving patterns changed?

 

[KevGuy]

Use FRAM filter instead of purolator.

 

[DirtRacer53]

Originally Posted By: KevGuy
Use FRAM filter instead of purolator.


I guess you never seen the Fram Tough Guard I posted here. Fram orange and silver cans are junk. Troll.

To the Op, it wouldn't think it would hurt to drop to 5000-6000 OCI's, though I think you can still do 7500 OCI. Would for sure keep using the oil and P1 filters, Especially in your environment you drive.

 

[HTSS_TR]

The oil life monitor of the CR-V is calibrated with conventional, you're using synthetic therefore you should be able to extend your OCI at least to when MM counts down to zero.

 

[crazyoildude]

i wont ever use a fram and i own a pretty large engine shop..
if you are using synthetic you can stay at the 7500 mile mark... Oil is expensive save some cash 7500 is nothing on a syn unless you have a water leak

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: Danh
Why not just change at the same OLM % life remaining as you were before your driving patterns changed?


+1, That way you let the car decide the difference the driving makes on the OCI. Sorry I didn't come up with that one.

 

[sir1900]

Follow the OLM and you will have many many miles of enjoyment.

Also use PUROLATOR filter instead of Fram.

 

[bigjl]

I noticed that the oil discoloured within 3k in the brother in laws CRV, though his is older than yours, '03 2.2 I think, be had unknown oil put in by a local garage and I swapped it for some Castrol Magnatec 5w30 A3/B4. Filter was a new Honda one so I left it on, these filters are left on for more than one OCI from what I have read, so I felt it a waste to chuck away a good filter that cost nearly £10.

Engine certainly sounded quieter so not sure what was in there, probably some unnamed 10w40 or I suspect something like 15w40 mineral oil!

 

[Hokiefyd]

I just keep it simple and do 5,000 mile oil changes on ours (both vehicles actually). I have been using synthetic in the CR-V because I have a lot of it on-hand from previous oil deals. I always use either an L14610 or a PL14610, though I did recently come into two PSL14610 filters (Purolator's new synthetic filters), so I will run one of those next.

I've run Ultra 5W-20 and Platinum 5W- and 0W-20 in our CR-V and, though I'm typically a SOPUS apologist, both of those oils run louder in the engine than other oils do. Both exhibit a fair amount of cold piston slap and even warm engine ticking. The quietest oil I've used in it is Mobil 1 0W-20, and I will go back to that. I have Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 in it now, but actually drained a quart out last weekend and poured in a quart of Mobil 1 0W-40 and that really quieted things down. Nice strong HTHSV and low cold starting viscosity.

If you don't want to follow the MM as some others have suggested, I would stick to 5,000 mile intervals, on 5,000 mile increments. Change it at 45,000, then at 50k, 55k, etc. Makes it easy and you never forget or have to look at your records to see when you last changed it.

 

[Mau]

follow the OLM. It will account for the change in driving pattern.

 

[KCJeep]

Follow the OLM and do a used oil analysis, that's the only real way to know how the oil is holding up. Most likely your OLM will be pretty accurate.

 

[clarklawnscape]

follow the olm

 

[Ram01]

Dope to a 5k oci

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: radtech91
I have a 2009 Honda CR-V EX 4WD. I am reevaluating my OCI as my driving routine has changed. I have been changing it every 7,500 miles with Castrol Syntec and Mobil 1 with Purolator PureOne oil filters since I bought it new. I now have 44,000 miles on her.

My new commute, one way, is about 6 miles of hilly highway at 55-60 MPH and about 7 miles of in town with stops and very mild traffic, but causes me to slow down and go often do to people turning, etc. This is about 6 days a week. I also still drive on dusty gravel roads to visit family and friends, so have to factor that in as well.
I’m not a lead foot driver but I don’t drive like a grandma either.

I noticed that my MM system that monitors the oil is going down much faster this time around since I changed the oil compared to all the other changes since I have had the CR-V. Also, last time I changed the oil, which was Mobil 1 0W-20 for 7,500 miles, it came out black, like really black. It’s never looked that bad before, it’s usually a nice dark brown.
I have 5qts of Mobil 1 5W-20 and 5qts of Amsoil 0w30 left in my “oil stash”. After I go through them I will be going with Pennzoil Ultra 5W-20 I think.

So should I shorten my OCI to accommodate the shorter drive times now and more stop and go? Maybe around like 6,000 or so? Any suggestions?


Do you change your oil or have it done? If you have it done are you 100% certain they used Mobil 1 0w20 or replaced it with some cheap dino? Changing your driving like you are doing would not alter the oil.

 

[fdcg27]

This car apparently has an active OLM, not a simple mileage minder.
Follow it.
If you want to extend drains beyond 0% OLM, do a used oil analysis of whatever oil you select at that point and see how the oil is holding up.
Highway miles in moderate weather allow for longer drains.
Your current use pattern apparently doesn't.
One poster noted that changing your use of the vehicle doesn't alter the oil.
It doesn't, but it alters the life of the oil.
The OLM has no idea whether you used Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum or store brand SM.
A used oil analysis will show you whether whatever synthetic you settle on can run more miles as you use your car.

 

[radtech91]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
.....I did recently come into two PSL14610 filters (Purolator's new synthetic filters), so I will run one of those next.

I had seen those, I wonder how much better they are than the PureOne ones. You will have to keep us posted. I guess for me since I don't leave the oil in for that long it would be a waste, unless I would leave it on for like 2 changes... Is that what you were planning on doing?

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I've run Ultra 5W-20 and Platinum 5W- and 0W-20 in our CR-V and, though I'm typically a SOPUS apologist, both of those oils run louder in the engine than other oils do. Both exhibit a fair amount of cold piston slap and even warm engine ticking. The quietest oil I've used in it is Mobil 1 0W-20, and I will go back to that. I have Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 in it now, but actually drained a quart out last weekend and poured in a quart of Mobil 1 0W-40 and that really quieted things down. Nice strong HTHSV and low cold starting viscosity.

Oh wow really!? When I ran Penn. Ultra in my moms old Buick, that thing was so much quieter, and was one of teh reason I was thinking of trying it out in my CR-V. I do notice a big difference between the Castrol Syntec and the Mobil 1 0W-20. The 0W-20 is much more quieter. I will keep that in consideration.

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
If you don't want to follow the MM as some others have suggested, I would stick to 5,000 mile intervals, on 5,000 mile increments. Change it at 45,000, then at 50k, 55k, etc. Makes it easy and you never forget or have to look at your records to see when you last changed it.

I was thinking of doing that, just for the simplicity and peace of mind.....

Originally Posted By: tig1
Do you change your oil or have it done? If you have it done are you 100% certain they used Mobil 1 0w20 or replaced it with some cheap dino? Changing your driving like you are doing would not alter the oil.


I do all my own changes on the car since i have owned it brand new, so I know whats in there. I know my new habits wouldn't alter the oil at all, but I'm saying since I am doing more stop and go and also shorter commutes with far less flat highway, the car will be a little harder on the oil. Which is why the OLM is decreasing at a more rapid rate.

 

[radtech91]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
This car apparently has an active OLM, not a simple mileage minder.
Follow it.
If you want to extend drains beyond 0% OLM, do a used oil analysis of whatever oil you select at that point and see how the oil is holding up.
Highway miles in moderate weather allow for longer drains.
Your current use pattern apparently doesn't.
One poster noted that changing your use of the vehicle doesn't alter the oil.
It doesn't, but it alters the life of the oil.
The OLM has no idea whether you used Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum or store brand SM.
A used oil analysis will show you whether whatever synthetic you settle on can run more miles as you use your car.

I don't really need to extend pass 0% on the OLM. When I am at 7,500 when I do the change it is usually at 40%. My Element that I had before, and I had it serviced at Honda all the time (before I knew about this site and how to do maintenance myself), it would run to almost 10,000 miles before it hit 5%!! And that was with Honda conventional. I know that I could definitely follow the OLM and everything would be all fine and dandy, but I would like the car to last me basically forever. So even if it is a little early to change things out, if it helps in the long run and makes everything last way longer and keep things clean I am all for it.