Which Oil?

[Yup]

I'm out of oil. None in my supply. It's a sad day. So, the question(s). I drive an early 2000s Civic Si with the K20A3 motor. It calls for 5W20. Some recommend 5W30 (which I've run here and there). For my next oil change this summer, before a long trip I'm planning, what should I buy? 0w20, 5w20, 5w30, 0w30, 5w40, 0w40? I'll put on about 4000 highway miles over a couple of weeks at speeds around 75-85 mph with the engine turning 3800-4500RPMs in 5th gear at those speeds.

1. Does it matter what weight?
2. If so, why? Anecdotal info or real info?
3. Should I use synthetic or conventional?

 

[901Memphis]

Yes the grade matters. If you run it hard use the thicker option ie:5w30, if you drive it really easy the 5w20 would be adequate as long as that's what the manufacturer specified.

Synthetic or conventional depends on how long your oci is.

If you want to buy top of the line try Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 if you want a good 5k oil pick your favorite syn blend.

 

[silverrat]

I have the same car and have been using Pennzoil Platinum 5w20, changing once a year with a Honda filter. Works out to about 5000 miles per year, but driven almost every day. It has worked well for me. I top up about a litre between oil changes. The previous owner used 5w20 synthetics exclusively and changed every 6 months. It looks great inside the fill hole.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The EP3 is an awesome car

No reason not to use 5w20 or even 0w20 which Honda says is now acceptable, and may help with cold winters and slightly better mpg.

For a 4k OCI, even the cheapest SN 0/5w20 will be more than sufficient. Of course, synthetic won't hurt anything, but not worth the money for such a short OCI, especially highway miles, unless you get a great deal like a clearance.

 

[Tdbo]

In your region, I would just find the nearest farm store that sells TropArctic 5W30 and use that. It will handle 5K OCI's well and is a great oil and a great value.

 

[Yup]

Originally Posted By: Tdbo
In your region, I would just find the nearest farm store that sells TropArctic 5W30 and use that. It will handle 5K OCI's well and is a great oil and a great value.


I've been running QSUD and NAPA Syn the last 30k miles. $15-18 for 5qts on sale with QS filters for $1.79 for 5-10k miles.

 

[BrocLuno]

Early 2000's nearly 15 years old. I'd run Maxlife 5w30 and a premium filter

 

[Egg_Head]

Originally Posted By: Yup
...at speeds around 75-85 mph with the engine turning 3800-4500RPMs in 5th gear at those speeds...


Really? RPMs that high?

 

[cutter]

Originally Posted By: Egg_Head
Originally Posted By: Yup
...at speeds around 75-85 mph with the engine turning 3800-4500RPMs in 5th gear at those speeds...


Really? RPMs that high?


My celica has a 2zz-ge mated with a c60, turns 3000 rpm at 60mph. Thats in 6th gear.

 

[Yup]

Originally Posted By: Egg_Head
Originally Posted By: Yup
...at speeds around 75-85 mph with the engine turning 3800-4500RPMs in 5th gear at those speeds...


Really? RPMs that high?


Yes, that high. Take a guess what she runs at 135mph... 4 bangers like their rpms. Especially Hondas.

 

[SR5]

What about a dexos-1 oil? It's not a GM car, but the dexos standard is a step up from regular API SN.

 

[69GTX]

No reason to be out of oil after Dec with all the sales and rebates that have been going on. This year check in with the thread on sales/rebates/coupons and get some top quality oils on the cheap (from $0 to $2/qt).

 

[WiskyBadger]

Mobil1 High Mileage 5w20?