When is it time to jump up a grade?

Pennzoil motor oil
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buster

buster

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I'm very happy with MC 5w20 in the Honda. Great oil in a great engine. Now that I have 135,000 on it, it consumes a bit more oil than it used to in the past but nothing to severe. I'd say a qt every 3k-4k depending on how hard I drive. If I'm driving 80 mph for awhile it's going to use some oil.

Do you think it's a good decision to step up to a 10w30 with this type of mileage or just continue with the 5w20? It appears a lot of Ford guys are getting 200k+ using nothing but the MC so I'm tempted to maybe stick with it.
 
Totally different vehicle, but I reduced my oil consumption in my Grand Marquis with 135,000 miles by switching from MC 5W-20 to MaxLife 5w30.
 
Buster ol' friend, and I do mean that despite the debates we've had in the past. I've watched your posts for years and I've come to the conclusion that you research and research till you get what info you need.

So I know all you're asking is basic BITOG opinion to go with your R&D.

So here's my two cents...

Can you get a HM in 5w20 of the brand you like or the brand that is on sale? Maxlife 5w20?

Just my 2 pennies ol' pal...
 
AFAIK, consumption on the highway means a thicker oil won't help. Try a good synthetic first IMO.
 
Thanks Camu. I may try to use a good syn or High Mileage oil of some sort. I'm also thinking about protection being the engine has that many miles on it. May be time to use a slightly thicker viscosity.
 
Since its ALWAYS "used" (all engines HAVE to use oil) with any type or brand of oil, 3-4k a quart is NOT a problem.

Some use more and some use less. I'd NOT worry and keep with the normal 5w-20 oils. No NEED for anything else.

135,000 miles is not a lot of miles. My 394,000 mile jetta saw 10w30 at first then went to 5w30 for the rest of its life and never changed on its usage of oil. Never saw the need even when they came out of the High Mileage type oils.

184,000 on the Corolla with only 5w30 used (one OCI of 0w-30) and I'll stick with that.

I would NOT go to a 10w30 or High Mileage oil.. Really!

Take care, Bill
 
Oil consumption is caused by a great many things as seepage and leaking, PVC and related piping issues, bad value guides, worn rings, and all too often overlooked - a dirty engine, among other things.

It is unlikely Buster's Honda is dirty if he cared for it all of its life. If the car was bought as a "pre-owned" vehicle then who knows. Maybe some sort of cleaning cycle or two, short OCI or other cleaning method may be something to try before going to something as drastic as a 30 grade oil.

aehaas
 
Stick with it. Just top up a few oz. once a month. Keep your right foot out of it a little.
 
Originally Posted By: buster

Do you think it's a good decision to step up to a 10w30 with this type of mileage or just continue with the 5w20? It appears a lot of Ford guys are getting 200k+ using nothing but the MC so I'm tempted to maybe stick with it.


Trying 10W30 once would be a nice experiment to reduce consumption. Maybe stick with MC 10W30. Think of all the quick lubes that put 10W30 in Toyotas and Hondas that require 5W20.
 
Mine burns it, most noticeably on the highway. I decided to stay with the same oil brand I'm using now but move to the 10w30 flavour for either my next OC or my spring OC (and it may yet be both). This was based on the 10W30 having lower NOACK, higher HTHS, and higher flashpoint. This leads me to believe it'll resist burn off better and I should see some reduction in consumption when it goes in.

Note: the cSt@100C is similar for both; the 10W30 PP is not thicker than what I'm using now, nor did thickness weigh into this particular experiment.

-Spyder
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: buster
I'm very happy with MC 5w20 in the Honda. Great oil in a great engine. Now that I have 135,000 on it, it consumes a bit more oil than it used to in the past but nothing to severe. I'd say a qt every 3k-4k depending on how hard I drive. If I'm driving 80 mph for awhile it's going to use some oil.

Do you think it's a good decision to step up to a 10w30 with this type of mileage or just continue with the 5w20? It appears a lot of Ford guys are getting 200k+ using nothing but the MC so I'm tempted to maybe stick with it.


I think you should try it for at least one OCI on a 5W30 grade. I use Valvoline Durablend 5W30 and it's one of the thinner ones (for a 30) with very good fuel efficiency ratings.
 
That's the conventional wisdom. 10W30 PP has a lower pour point than most 5W30s I've looked at (including the 5W30 Syntec in my stash), making it suitable for year round use in this particular climate. But with burnoff being more of an issue in the summer, I'm leaning toward saving it for the spring.

Based on the low mileage accumulated since I put the Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 in, it will likely stay in until Spring. Next fall I will put the Syntec in my stash in to use that up. So I'm good for the next couple years right now.

-Spyder
 
Here's my opinion, FWIW:

In terms of engine protection (not consumption or any other factors), I don't think you need a grade other than what is specified for your car. A slight increase in consumption is not a sign of an increase in wear. Bearings and valvetrain will still be very well protected with the 20 grade oil.

In terms of consumption, you "may" want to try different grades to see which gives you the desired result. In terms of protection, you'd likely be gaining nothing, but at the same time, if you ARE able to reduce your consumption, then I'd say you've fulfilled your goal of protection and convinience.

Like others have said already, your answer (if there is one) may not lie only with different viscosity grades, but also with higher quality oils (i.e. lowest NOACK value, highest flashpoint, etc, etc).
 
Thicker oils burn and leak less.
Of course a thicker oil would help with oil use - highway or not.
A modern 5-30 is better than a 10-30 for your car.
But is it worth it for other reasons?
1 qt every 3-4K is pretty good, and topping off with 5-20 may be best.
 
1qt every 4k isnt bad at all. if you wunna switch to a thicker grade from 5w20 why are you wanting to change to a 10w30 and not just 5w30? 10w30 is thicker on startup than 5w30 but both are equally thick at operating temps.

try a run of some Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 and see how it goes
 
I'm not sure if your post was addressed to me or the OP. If me:

I'm already running 5W30 PP and am switching to 10W30 PP next spring because it has lower noack, higher flash and HTHS. This leads me to believe it will resist burn off better over the summer. During winter burn off is less, and not as much of a concern for me. Both oils are equally thick at operating temp and both are within the grade spec'd by the OEM.

The OP is a Mobil user, I'm not sure how open he is to the idea of trying another brand (not because he uses Mobil, but some are more brand loyal than others).

-Spyder
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: buster
Thanks Camu. I may try to use a good syn or High Mileage oil of some sort. I'm also thinking about protection being the engine has that many miles on it. May be time to use a slightly thicker viscosity.


If you are gonna "step up" why not a 5w30? I'd go 5w30 before 10w30 with winter coming. Just my 3 cents...

I tend to believe that more technology is put into the 5wXX than the 10wXX bottles. Unless you are say using a High Mileage or a full syn. I'd pour some Maxlife 5w20 in there and call me in six months!
 
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