which regimen for 05 Civic?

dinosauract · Dec 1, 2005

I'm planning to take the car to the dealer for oil changes. The oil filter is a pain in the butt to get to on this car and I don't have a good place to do it myself anyway (no excuse I know), plus I'm lazy. Besides the dealer is right beside my work and they give you a specific appointment time and get it done in 20 minutes. Very convenient.

It costs $24 for an oil change using their oil, bulk Chevron 5W20. However, they're cool with you bringing yor own oil in and just charging for the filter and labor. If I bring Mobil 1, the total cost including the oil and their labor is about $36, pretty reasonable I think.

My plans were to either go with about 4k changes with their bulk oil or 8k changes using the Mobil 1. I drive mainly highway and not too agressively, live in central PA.

I'm leaning towards the Mobil 1 route. The total cost is lower, the time invested is lower, and the cold start-up protection should be better. Also, I'm not sure of the quality of the bulk Chevron. I know the Chevrom Supreme is well regarded, but I'm not sure the bulk oil is the same formulation. Does this sound like a good plan of action?

tenderloin · Dec 1, 2005

You should stick with Honda's OCI schedule. Chevron is an a-ok oil. Use it and don't worry a bit.

Gary Allan · Dec 1, 2005

What's your annual mileage? Given your 4 season climate ..a 6 month OCI usually works out. If it's under a certain mileage ..go dino ..if over ..go synth.

merlin64 · Dec 1, 2005

Since the car is new, I would follow the MIL to keep your warranty nice and solid. I would go with M1 for max protection and go out to the full interval suggested by Honda, with the important exception of changing the filter each time rather than every other time.

pitzel · Dec 1, 2005

OCI on those cars is 10k miles. The UOA's consistently are showing that 10k miles is a rather appropriate, if not conservative OCI.

Your plan sounds very conservative, and 4k changes are a complete waste of money on that car.

dinosauract · Dec 1, 2005

Either way I'll meet Honda's OCI, 10k intervals. My driving habits don't fall under the severe schedule.

I put a LOT of miles on my car, probably 35k to 40k per year. With dino, I'd be changing probably every 6 weeks. With synth, it would be about every 3 months.

Would the bulk Chevron be the same as the individucally packaged Supreme oil? I couldn't get a clear answer from the dealer on this. I wonder if Chevron would answer that if I asked.

dinosauract · Dec 1, 2005

pitzel -

I realize its very conservative. I think I'm a little gun-shy because I had sludging issues with a Corolla using 4000 to 4500 mile intervals.

8k on Mobil 1 should still be pretty conservative I think, provide good protection, and save me some time and money.

dinosauract · Dec 1, 2005

duplicate

Gary Allan · Dec 1, 2005

quote:

Would the bulk Chevron be the same as the individucally packaged Supreme oil? I couldn't get a clear answer from the dealer on this. I wonder if Chevron would answer that if I asked.

They have a sticker/placard on their bulk tank. Ask to look at it. It will say exactly what Chevron product is in there. It will list the hazzards and list the spec's that it meets (ie SL/SM ..etc and its trade name). This is something that they MUST HAVE ..whether it's a 5 gallon pail, 55 gallon drum, or bulk tank. You'll see the tricolor MSDS type thingie that show if it's reactive, flamable, and personal protection level required. If they switch suppliers ..they switch stickers/placards.

I think that you're asking if there's an "el cheapo" bulk oil that Chevron sells specifically available in bulk. It would still be a Chevron product ..so unless you know of a el cheapo (as in substandard or lacking) Chevron product ..that is also a 5w-20 and meets SL/SM specs..it's not in that tank.

With your type of mileage ..the dino would be good for 3 month OCI (10k) ..but M1 will surely exceed the need by a good bit.

[ December 01, 2005, 06:33 PM: Message edited by: Gary Allan ]

TR3-2001SE · Dec 1, 2005

I think the mobil 1 is the best plan for all the reasons you stated. Nice car and I wish I had one.

Mr Nice · Dec 1, 2005

Install a Fumoto valve and use the cheapest 5w20 you can find.

Idrinkmotoroil · Dec 1, 2005

the problem with bulk oil is that it can be Chevron today and Valvoline tomorrow and some other brand after that. Dealers buy their bulk oil based on who gives them the best deal, concern about your engine wear is the least variable in this equation, in the dealer's eyes.

ruking77 · Dec 1, 2005

In a 2004 Honda Civic VP, I ran an oem recommended 10,000 mile OCI with oem fill 5w20. I changed it at 10,000 with 0w20 Mobil One. At 20,000 miles, the oem recommendation in addition called for the first oil FILTER change. I plan to stay with Mobil One 0w20. I also understand Mobil will bring back the 0w20 which it discontinued sometime earlier in 2005.

I love how this oil runs in this engine. I get anywhere from .5-3 mpg better range than with the conventional 5w20.

merlin64 · Dec 1, 2005

Man I don't know ruking, 20k on the tiny Honda OEM filter gives me the willies. Maybe it's just me, but there is no way I'm going 20k on that small filter (same as 4cyl Hondas BTW) on my wife's 05 Odyessy.

Why not just do the filter at each oil change? You are still going 10k, it's not like you are changing it every 3k.

Matt89 · Dec 1, 2005

Idrinkmotoroil;

Amen to what you said about the bulk oil. Even more fantastic is that they probably get 2/3 of a bulk tank of Valvoline dumped into the 1/3 of a tank of Citgo or whatever was already in there.

That would probably be enough to keep a BITOGer up at night, eh?

ruking77 · Dec 1, 2005

"Man I don't know ruking, 20k on the tiny Honda OEM filter gives me the willies. Maybe it's just me, but there is no way I'm going 20k on that small filter (same as 4cyl Hondas BTW) on my wife's 05 Odyessy.

Why not just do the filter at each oil change? You are still going 10k, it's not like you are changing it every 3k. "

I certainly can understand your reticence. In a past time, I also would have been reticence. This probably will not do much to assuage your reticence, but the oem Honda filter is vendored by FRAM.

I have been running Mobil One (5w30) with 15,000 mile OCI's on engines that are far harder on oil than the Honda Civic, and for a longer time (20 years) and mileage (743,000 miles).

The indications are (VOA's and UOA's) the 0w20 and 5w20 Mobil products are some of the better products in the Mobil line.

[ December 02, 2005, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: ruking77 ]

z917990 · Dec 1, 2005

I'm sorry if I sound like a backward, conservative, closed-minded moron, but I would not run any oil 20,000 miles. You stated that a synthetic oil change came to $36.00, so semi-annual Mobil one changes will come to only $72.00 for the entire year. Maybe I'm a decadent capitalist, but that doesn't sound like a lot to me. Regardless of UOAs, the word of chemical engineers, anecdotal evidence etc., it boils down to this: is your new car worth $72.00 a year in maintenance? Changing oil, even Mobil 1, with over 5000 miles on it does not constitute "waste" to me. I know that many will disagree, but personally, I'd rather change the oil too often than not often enough.

ruking77 · Dec 1, 2005

While you might not be addressing me, NO, not at all. In my case a DIY synthetic oil change comes to 13.80 (3.2 qts x 4 per qt and .20 cent oil plug washer) . The 20k OCI adds 2.07 (WM Supertech 7317 filter)+ .80 (.2 qt more) + .20 or 15.87.

The only thing I really ask myself is what "statistically" would I get or benefit from: i.e., semi-annual Mobil One oil and/or filter changes. Or in your words "I'd rather change the oil too often than not often enough." ? One thing that goes unsaid is synthetic oil tends not to sludge or increase the chances of sludging as conventional oils.

So in my case as an example, 1. a semi annual change of 5 vehicles would be 10 oil and filter changes vs 3/4/5 per year. 2. Would semi annual Mobil One oil changes make my car go 500,000 vs 250,000 miles? 3. Are the results worth the extra time, money, effort, natural resources etc.

Now please keep in mind that I have nothing against one changing the oil at whatever shorter interval, because it makes one "feel" better.

[ December 02, 2005, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: ruking77 ]

Mr Nice · Dec 1, 2005

quote:

I'm sorry if I sound like a backward, conservative, closed-minded moron, but I would not run any oil 20,000 miles.

He did not run the factory oil for 20K miles. He changed it a 10K, but left the factory oil filter on till 20K miles.

With my dad's 2001 Civic LX, I changed the factory oil at 8k miles and the Filtech filter at 15k miles. No need to drain the OEM oil out so soon.

dinosauract · Dec 1, 2005

Well, I was the one who quoted the $36 for the synth change. To me it does seem reasonable to go this route, given that I put 3000 miles per month on my car. Lengthening the OCI seems worth it to me. I went ahead and had the M1 put in. Oddly, the engine seems a bit louder to me, may be my imagination.

which regimen for 05 Civic?

Similar threads