So it's been over 6 months since I last changed my oil with QS Green Bottle. I have only put on 2,800 miles in that time. Mainly, because I've been hitting the bottle and taking public transportation or riding my bike. It is a 2000 Honda Civic LX and I recently put in $700 installing new brake lines because of Chicago winters. I trust my Indy mechanic as I went to school with his brother. I live in a high density neighborhood of Chicago so my use is 95% urban driving. Should I change the oil due to the time? I used a Fram Tough Guard for a 4,000 mile OCI and now a 3,000 mile OCI. However, I hate to waste money. I have a Napa Gold and 4 quarts of Pennzoil High Milage ready to go. Many people say I have a reliable car but I've been putting in close to 1,000 a year in maintaining this beast.
Short Tripping And Fuel Problem....
- Thread starter qwerty1234
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6 months? Heck no, keep it going for a couple thousand more miles, regardless of age.
Those engines are an easy 7k+ miles on dino regardless of time. You're way fine. Oil filter is good for two oci too. I've seen 10k dino used oil analysis on those engines fine.
I run a "tight ship" on this car. I change the coolant every 2 years and brake fluid. Power steering and transmission fluid gets changed every year. I guess I believe that at least a 2X oil change a year is needed. I don't see many 15yr old cars around here. I have to get a new ignition or alarm because it was broken into once already.
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
I run a "tight ship" on this car. I change the coolant every 2 years and brake fluid. Power steering and transmission fluid gets changed every year. I guess I believe that at least a 2X oil change a year is needed. I don't see many 15yr old cars around here. I have to get a new ignition or alarm because it was broken into once already.
PS and transmission fluid changed once a year and you putting that few amount of miles on it?
No wonder it's costing you so much, you are changing most things way too early (except your rusted brake lines)
I run a "tight ship" on this car. I change the coolant every 2 years and brake fluid. Power steering and transmission fluid gets changed every year. I guess I believe that at least a 2X oil change a year is needed. I don't see many 15yr old cars around here. I have to get a new ignition or alarm because it was broken into once already.
PS and transmission fluid changed once a year and you putting that few amount of miles on it?
No wonder it's costing you so much, you are changing most things way too early (except your rusted brake lines)
jay, the car has 170,000 miles on it. I'm hoping to reach 250,000 miles. I heard that's the amount of miles till the moon.
Forgot to add the air filter. I use a fram that I change every 18 months.
Any advise on my ignition? They took a police report over the phone. They do not come out for these issues. We have a lot of drugs and shootings in my area. It has a factory alarm but I think I have to order the receivers online?
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
However, I hate to waste money. People say I have a reliable car but I've been putting in close to 1,000 a year in maintaining this beast.
Reliability is only an offshoot of durability. Yes you have to maintain it. It sounds like it always starts for you and gets you where you need to go. I'd be annoyed if, despite the best doting maintenance of things like timing belts, something like the fuel pump conked out without warning. A degree more annoyed than, say, hearing a wheel bearing growl and taking a month to replace it on my own schedule.
Then there's the question of what has Honda done in 15 years to improve the Civic? Got me.
However, I hate to waste money. People say I have a reliable car but I've been putting in close to 1,000 a year in maintaining this beast.
Reliability is only an offshoot of durability. Yes you have to maintain it. It sounds like it always starts for you and gets you where you need to go. I'd be annoyed if, despite the best doting maintenance of things like timing belts, something like the fuel pump conked out without warning. A degree more annoyed than, say, hearing a wheel bearing growl and taking a month to replace it on my own schedule.
Then there's the question of what has Honda done in 15 years to improve the Civic? Got me.
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Many people say I have a reliable car but I've been putting in close to 1,000 a year in maintaining this beast.
I would never call a vehicle that I had to put $1,000/year into parts and repair "reliable". Or cheap.
Many people say I have a reliable car but I've been putting in close to 1,000 a year in maintaining this beast.
I would never call a vehicle that I had to put $1,000/year into parts and repair "reliable". Or cheap.
Put the cork in the bottle and then drive more, instead of public transportation. That way you cure two problems. 
Ed
Ed
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Any advise on my ignition? They took a police report over the phone. They do not come out for these issues. We have a lot of drugs and shootings in my area. It has a factory alarm but I think I have to order the receivers online?
Move out of Chicago, to a safe gun friendly city with low crime?
Any advise on my ignition? They took a police report over the phone. They do not come out for these issues. We have a lot of drugs and shootings in my area. It has a factory alarm but I think I have to order the receivers online?
Move out of Chicago, to a safe gun friendly city with low crime?
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Many people say I have a reliable car but I've been putting in close to 1,000 a year in maintaining this beast.
I would never call a vehicle that I had to put $1,000/year into parts and repair "reliable". Or cheap.
For a Civic that's a lot of money. For BMW or MB I would probably be happy with $1k/year.
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Many people say I have a reliable car but I've been putting in close to 1,000 a year in maintaining this beast.
I would never call a vehicle that I had to put $1,000/year into parts and repair "reliable". Or cheap.
For a Civic that's a lot of money. For BMW or MB I would probably be happy with $1k/year.
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
I run a "tight ship" on this car. I change the coolant every 2 years and brake fluid. Power steering and transmission fluid gets changed every year. I guess I believe that at least a 2X oil change a year is needed. I don't see many 15yr old cars around here. I have to get a new ignition or alarm because it was broken into once already.
That's fine and all, but if you already made your decision, why post and ask for opinions?
I would argue that the reason you don't see any 15 year old cars around here is not because the oil wasn't changed every 6 months. Likely the transmission went out, or the body, chassis and suspension rusted out. Plus most people wouldn't spend $1,000 a year on a 15 year old car.
I run a "tight ship" on this car. I change the coolant every 2 years and brake fluid. Power steering and transmission fluid gets changed every year. I guess I believe that at least a 2X oil change a year is needed. I don't see many 15yr old cars around here. I have to get a new ignition or alarm because it was broken into once already.
That's fine and all, but if you already made your decision, why post and ask for opinions?
I would argue that the reason you don't see any 15 year old cars around here is not because the oil wasn't changed every 6 months. Likely the transmission went out, or the body, chassis and suspension rusted out. Plus most people wouldn't spend $1,000 a year on a 15 year old car.
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