Will MC5000 make 10K OCI?

[bryceban]

The car in question is my 02 Honda Civic LX, 1.7l SOHC, oil capacity=3.5qt. with filter change
Some info on my driving style:
2 days a week 100 mi all highway one way, then 100 mi back home.
3 days a week 50 mi all highway one way, then 50 mi back home.
Basically, 95%+ all highway miles doing 70 mph @ 3,000 RPM and 800-1,000 miles a week.

The Honda owners manual calls for an 10K mi OCI on 5w20 conventional and states Synthetic ok but not required. It also calls for 20K filter changes for my driving conditions......kinda crazy.

I have been doing 8-10k OCI on Mobil 1 5w20, with a WIX filter change but have recently noticed it is using about 1qt per 7-8k(I know that is not anything to be concerned about and oil looks stellar when drained). Engine valve train looks spotless. I think I may be throwing away my money on not needed synthetic and am thinking about changing back to conventional and going 10K with a 1qt top up in between if needed.

My question: Will Mobil Clean 5000 5w20 be up to it? Along with a WIX changed every 20K? Would Motorcraft 5w20 be a better candidate? If I can find an oil that is not consumed as bad I will perform a used oil analysis at the 10K mark.

Thanks

 

[synthetic_crazy]

I wouldn't trust a conventional oil to 10k even if you changed filters mid-way. For example,why not use Pennzoil Platinum as it is an oil that can probably make it to 10k and will not break the bank. I think that the Platinum is probably in the neighborhood of $7-8 more than the Mobil Clean.

 

[brentalan]

Your answer is in your question:

"The Honda owners manual calls for an 10K mi OCI on 5w20 conventional"

That being said, Motorcraft Synthetic blend might be a better choice, and Synthetic Crazy's advice is good too.

You can't go wrong with any of these choices IMHO

 

[daves87rs]

No. With 100% freeway it could be possible, but I'd rather not take the risk with a commute like that.

 

[bepperb]

That's a pretty ideal setup for it to happen, and to be honest Honda brand conventional is Exxon Superflo which is made by [obviously] Mobil and is a step below it.... and lots of people are using that to do it.

So, I wouldn't do it but I bet it a used oil analysis could come back ok. With a 10,000 mile oci I don't think you're throwing much money away going up to M1, though.

I had the same car, cut open the filters at 7500 miles, I wouldn't worry much about them.

I remember ours taking more than 3.5 quarts, and running more than 3 grand at 70 as well. I got about 37~39mpg in the conditions you describe.

 

[bryceban]

Originally Posted By: synthetic_crazy
I wouldn't trust a conventional oil to 10k even if you changed filters mid-way. For example,why not use Pennzoil Platinum as it is an oil that can probably make it to 10k and will not break the bank. I think that the Platinum is probably in the neighborhood of $7-8 more than the Mobil Clean.


Normally I wouldn't either but Honda says that's all that's needed. This car is extremely easy on oil and especially with my driving conditions. PP is about $12 more per 5qt jug here. I have thought about going 15-18K on PU and same filter and just adding as needed and pulling a sample for a used oil analysis....

 

[bryceban]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
No. With 100% freeway it could be possible, but I'd rather not take the risk with a commute like that.



It nearly is 100% freeway. My shortest drive is 50 miles. I only run a few errands a week after I get home and engine and oil are completely warm. I have nearly perfect "ideal" engine operating conditions...

 

[bryceban]

Originally Posted By: bepperb
That's a pretty ideal setup for it to happen, and to be honest Honda brand conventional is Exxon Superflo which is made by [obviously] Mobil and is a step below it.... and lots of people are using that to do it.

So, I wouldn't do it but I bet it a used oil analysis could come back ok. With a 10,000 mile oci I don't think you're throwing much money away going up to M1, though.

I had the same car, cut open the filters at 7500 miles, I wouldn't worry much about them.

I remember ours taking more than 3.5 quarts, and running more than 3 grand at 70 as well. I got about 37~39mpg in the conditions you describe.


Glad to hear about the oil filter, that is my main worry. With a 20 minute oil and filter drain it's pretty dead on at 3.5qt. When I bought the car a year ago it seemed peppier than my previous 02 Civic, after I looked more closely I noticed the tires were smaller than what the door jamb sticker called for so it was like it was geared lower. With new correct size tires it is exactly 3k RPM at 70 mph.

 

[tig1]

If Mobil 1 5w20 is working well for you, why drop to a lesser oil and double the time on oil filter changes? It has never made since to me why one would put 3-4 qts on clean oil in with 1/2 qt of old oil.

 

[bryceban]

Originally Posted By: tig1
If Mobil 1 5w20 is working well for you, why drop to a lesser oil and double the time on oil filter changes? It has never made since to me why one would put 3-4 qts on clean oil in with 1/2 qt of old oil.


Because, it is burning it and if it is going to need a top off of 1 qt. at 7K and be changed at 10k I don't think I am gaining anything from a synthetic. Doesn't adding 30% make up oil extend the oil life? I would think a little. I would never add 3-4 qts of new oil if there was only 1/2 qt of old oil. Who said that???

 

[jorton]

I would get tired of changing the oil every 10-12 weeks. Use the M1 and change the oil every 16 or 17 weeks. Another member says 0w30 cured consumption in his car. Try that.

"Engine: Ford 3.8 V-6
Miles: Currently 162,323 miles
Oil change interval 5,000 miles

Pennzoil Platinum 10w30 5,000 miles = 2.5 quarts used
Valvoline Synpower 10w30 5,000 miles = 3.0 quarts used
Mobil 1 0w30 5,000 miles = ZERO quarts used

Comments?
_________________________
Life and Age catch up with you, before you know it...it's over. Enjoy this day!"

 

[sicko]

Yes, the top up oil does help extend the overall life of the oil.

One option would be to use the M1 like you've been using, but then use the MC5000 as the top-up oil. That way you're still getting the protection of the synthetic, but the only added cost is one quart of top up oil. You could even reduce the cost of the top up oil by buying a larger container (that costs less per-quart than individual quarts), and just use that for top ups as needed.

Also, you could try using M1 High Mileage to see if that helps your consumption.

Honda says it can go 10k miles on conventional, but ultimately I wouldn't be comfortable doing that. Now if the vehicle had an OLM so it was basically actively calculating how much oil life was left, it would ease my concerns some but not entirely.

 

[bryceban]

Thanks Sicko, that may be a good idea I haven't considered. Using a cheaper conventional oil for my top off for last 2-3k miles. MC5K can be had for $1.99/qt around here. And yes I would love to have an oil life monitor just to help me rest assured that my OCI is adequate.

 

[bigdawg74]

Originally Posted By: bryceban
Originally Posted By: tig1
If Mobil 1 5w20 is working well for you, why drop to a lesser oil and double the time on oil filter changes? It has never made since to me why one would put 3-4 qts on clean oil in with 1/2 qt of old oil.


Because, it is burning it and if it is going to need a top off of 1 qt. at 7K and be changed at 10k I don't think I am gaining anything from a synthetic. Doesn't adding 30% make up oil extend the oil life? I would think a little. I would never add 3-4 qts of new oil if there was only 1/2 qt of old oil. Who said that???


I think he is referring to people who do a full oil change but only change the filter every other time. I could never figure that one out, either. Fresh oil and fresh filter go hand in hand, IMO.

BTW, here is what XOM has to say about your post...

 

[bryceban]

I found this on Mobil 1 website in the FAQ about Mobil Clean 5000:

"My owner's manual says to change oil every 10,000 miles; can I still use Mobil Clean 5000?"

"Yes. For applications where the oil life indicator light or owner's manual recommended change interval exceeds 5,000 miles and a conventional oil is recommended, Mobil Clean 5000 will provide protection for the full oil change interval."

Sorry BigDawg74, I was typing as you posted

 

[musicmanbass]

You sound like a great candidate for a Fumoto valve! That may make doing oil changes a little less painful for you. If it was less work to do, would maybe a 7-8k interval running MC5K seem like a good compromise of protection vs cost?

 

[bryceban]

Originally Posted By: musicmanbass
You sound like a great candidate for a Fumoto valve! That may make doing oil changes a little less painful for you. If it was less work to do, would maybe a 7-8k interval running MC5K seem like a good compromise of protection vs cost?


Absolutely! I have found something similar that I plan on trying and was considering 8k OCI.

 

[bryceban]

Also, on the oil filter subject.....I normally always just jack up the front of the car for my oil changes and with the filter on the back of engine on a horizontal axis it seems to be full of oil.

Last time I changed it I needed to do transmission fluid also so I had the whole car off the ground(front and rear) and after I drained the pan, I unscrewed the filter and it was mostly dry(since car was level)

Is this a sign that my WIX's Anti drain back device may not be functioning properly?

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: bryceban
Originally Posted By: tig1
If Mobil 1 5w20 is working well for you, why drop to a lesser oil and double the time on oil filter changes? It has never made since to me why one would put 3-4 qts on clean oil in with 1/2 qt of old oil.


Because, it is burning it and if it is going to need a top off of 1 qt. at 7K and be changed at 10k I don't think I am gaining anything from a synthetic. Doesn't adding 30% make up oil extend the oil life? I would think a little. I would never add 3-4 qts of new oil if there was only 1/2 qt of old oil. Who said that???


You will be adding new oil to am old filter full of old oil. You know, 20K on a Wix filter.

 

[bryceban]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: bryceban
Originally Posted By: tig1
If Mobil 1 5w20 is working well for you, why drop to a lesser oil and double the time on oil filter changes? It has never made since to me why one would put 3-4 qts on clean oil in with 1/2 qt of old oil.


Because, it is burning it and if it is going to need a top off of 1 qt. at 7K and be changed at 10k I don't think I am gaining anything from a synthetic. Doesn't adding 30% make up oil extend the oil life? I would think a little. I would never add 3-4 qts of new oil if there was only 1/2 qt of old oil. Who said that???


You will be adding new oil to am old filter full of old oil. You know, 20K on a Wix filter.


Ahhh......you were referring to the oil left in the filter. Sorry. I assume it never bothered me that bad since the oil with 10K still looks like QS green bottle when new....dark but clean and good. I guess if the filter is in a horizontal position would that matter? Assuming my filters anti drain back device is functioning correctly...