Yet another 2 Cars - 1 Oil proposition.

[DuckRyder]

Kind of sick of keeping 2 different viscosity of M1 around, a recent car change means having 2 partial jugs around if I stay with 2 viscosities. (the old car at least took a whole jug).

Car 1) 2005 Civic Sedan (D17) ~ 147,000 miles

1. What kind of vehicle you have: 2005 Civic VP
2. What your owner's manual says -- not just viscosity, but certifications (look for acronyms like API SM, ILSAC GF-4, etc.) and change intervals as well: premium-grade 5W-20 detergent oil displaying the API Certification Seal. Make sure the API Certification Seal says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’ Change oil at 10,000/12 months and filter at 20,000/24 months. *See note
3. Where you live: Atlanta
4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?) Fast enough to not get killed around here
5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?) Generally long enough for a complete warm up and suburban errands state highways.
6. Whether your car has any known problems: No

Car 2) 2007 Toyota Prius Touring (1NX-FXE) ~72,000miles

1. What kind of vehicle you have: 2007 Prius
2. What your owner's manual says -- not just viscosity, but certifications (look for acronyms like API SM, ILSAC GF-4, etc.) and change intervals as well: Oil grade:
ILSAC multigrade engine oil
Recommended viscosity: SAE 5W−30
SAE 5W−30 is the best choice, for good fuel economy, and good starting in cold weather.
If SAE 5W−30 oil is not available, SAE 10W−30 oil may be used. However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W−30 at the next oil change. Change oil at 5000mi/6 months and filter at 5000mi/6 months. *See note
3. Where you live: Atlanta
4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?) Fast enough to not get killed around here
5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?) Generally long enough for a complete warm up and suburban errands state highways.
6. Whether your car has any known problems: No

* For the Civic - American Honda has back speed the car to 0w20 "preferred". Allegedly 5w30 is the recommended oil in other markets.

* For the Toyota - The TGMO chart often quoted but sometimes alleged to be for Canada states the car can use 0/20, 5/20, 5/30. USA dealers have allegedly told Gen 2 Prius owners that Toyota approves TGMO 0/20.

I will run Mobil 1 Extended Performance of some form in both cars. I'm considering 0w20EP or Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 for both and running 10,000 intervals on both. I remain convinced that it really won't make much difference.

What say the collective and why.

 

[camrydriver111]

Either one would work.

I would probably use 5W30 personally, after reading the BITOG thick vs. thin debates, HTHS helps protect engines. Since you're in Atlanta you're not going to see extreme weather.

 

[Dave Hess]

Both 5w20 conventional, I would skip the Syn oil.

 

[DuckRyder]

Crud: Copy and Paste error can't edit:

SAE 5W−30 = SAE 5w30

 

[DuckRyder]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Crud: Copy and Paste error can't edit:

SAE 5W−30 = SAE 5w30


And SAE 10W−30 = SAE 10w30

 

[tig1]

I have used Mobil 1 0w20 Advanced Fuel Economy for several years now in my Fords with very good results.

 

[WillsYoda]

Most any brand name conventional will go 5000/12months easy. Most any synthetic will go 10,000/12months easy. Mobil 1 Extended Performance will go 15,000/2 years IMHO.

Either 0w20EP or Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 for both running 10,000 intervals 12 months is totally fine. In Atlanta I would go with the thicker 5w30 for a bit more protection, but it isn't much of a difference from the 0w20.

Really just hair splitting here.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: WillsYoda
Most any brand name conventional will go 5000/12months easy. Most any synthetic will go 10,000/12months easy. Mobil 1 Extended Performance will go 15,000/2 years IMHO.

Either 0w20EP or Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 for both running 10,000 intervals 12 months is totally fine. In Atlanta I would go with the thicker 5w30 for a bit more protection, but it isn't much of a difference from the 0w20.

Really just hair splitting here.


5-30 for a bit more protection? How so?

 

[WillsYoda]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: WillsYoda
Most any brand name conventional will go 5000/12months easy. Most any synthetic will go 10,000/12months easy. Mobil 1 Extended Performance will go 15,000/2 years IMHO.

Either 0w20EP or Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 for both running 10,000 intervals 12 months is totally fine. In Atlanta I would go with the thicker 5w30 for a bit more protection, but it isn't much of a difference from the 0w20.

Really just hair splitting here.


5-30 for a bit more protection? How so?


Originally Posted By: camrydriver111
Either one would work.

I would probably use 5W30 personally, after reading the BITOG thick vs. thin debates, HTHS helps protect engines. Since you're in Atlanta you're not going to see extreme weather.


I was thinking along the lines of camrydriver111 about the thick vs thin oil debates at BITOG. Many BITOGers think (somewhat controversially) that in general a higher viscosity oil (like 5w30) offers a little more engine protection at the cost of a little MPG (especially in hot Atlanta summer weather). I suspect that the difference is small, however, even if there is a difference.

 

[DuckRyder]

Assuming I do decide to change them both to the same oil, I'm leaning heavily toward Mobil 1™ Extended Performance 5w30

I agree this is just hair splitting, basically I'm looking for any convincing arguments against either oil in one of the cars.

5w30 in the Civic seems to have a decent number of used oil analysis with fine results, whereas 0W-20 in the Gen 2 Prius has comparatively scarce results. The Prius is a Touring with wider tires and a bigger rear spoiler than a standard model , so I suspect the economy would not improve with 0W-20.

Mobil1 is the only oil under consideration for this endeavor.

 

[Branson304]

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 in both.

 

[camrydriver111]

Originally Posted By: WillsYoda
Many BITOGers think (somewhat controversially) that in general a higher viscosity oil (like 5w30) offers a little more engine protection at the cost of a little MPG (especially in hot Atlanta summer weather).


The only thing controversial about it is whether or not it makes a real world difference for commuter cars. However, in theory, thicker oils do have this ability.

 

[Astro_Guy]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Kind of sick of keeping 2 different viscosity of M1 around, a recent car change means having 2 partial jugs around if I stay with 2 viscosities. (the old car at least took a whole jug).

I share in both your dilemma and the ownership of a high mileage 2005 Civic. My choice is down to the Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0w20 used in the 2010 Civic vs. the Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 used in the 2001 Volvo and a lot of the OPE. Have you considered M1 High Mileage?

 

[DuckRyder]

Originally Posted By: Astro_Guy
...Have you considered M1 High Mileage?


I have briefly - It is a good oil and I have run it in the prior car. (I think I did a VOA on it) Neither of the cars in question are dirty, use oil or leak so I think the EP is a better choice here.

 

[Astro_Guy]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Originally Posted By: Astro_Guy
...Have you considered M1 High Mileage?

I have briefly - It is a good oil and I have run it in the prior car. (I think I did a VOA on it) Neither of the cars in question are dirty, use oil or leak so I think the EP is a better choice here.

Neither of my cars are dirty, use oil or leak either. Call it an ounce of prevention, but it also seems to quiet the upper end on the 2005 Civic.

 

[WillsYoda]

Originally Posted By: camrydriver111
Originally Posted By: WillsYoda
Many BITOGers think (somewhat controversially) that in general a higher viscosity oil (like 5w30) offers a little more engine protection at the cost of a little MPG (especially in hot Atlanta summer weather).


The only thing controversial about it is whether or not it makes a real world difference for commuter cars. However, in theory, thicker oils do have this ability.


Yes, I meant "offers a little more real world engine protection."

 

[DuckRyder]

Interesting - I haven't noticed any top end noise in the Civic, the Prius just makes Prius noises...

Got a little while to decide as neither car is due yet.

 

[Astro_Guy]

Branson304 had a suggestion of Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 in both vehicles. That might work well in your scenario, given that AFE is on the light end of the viscosity range. Can you think of a good reason not to try Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy?

I used up a number of leftover oils on the last OCI for the 2005 Civic, and one of those was 3/4 quart of Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30. The engine hasn't blown up so far...

 

[WillsYoda]

Originally Posted By: Astro_Guy
Branson304 had a suggestion of Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 in both vehicles. That might work well in your scenario, given that AFE is on the light end of the viscosity range. Can you think of a good reason not to try Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy?

I used up a number of leftover oils on the last OCI for the 2005 Civic, and one of those was 3/4 quart of Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30. The engine hasn't blown up so far...


Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 is totally fine. It is a nice balance on viscosity between 5w30 and 0w20. Personally, any synthetic on sale from 0w20 to 5w30 would be good oil. I would tend to most any Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum, or Valvoline MaxLife. Mobil 1 Extended Performance if you want to go extended oci of 15k.

 

[Greasymechtech]

The Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0w20, 5w20, and 5w30 will work just fine in both vehicles. Not all grades are always on the store shelf so use ANY. And, don't forget the competitors.

Both engines are robust enough to run 0w20 in the warmest climates. I'd use 0w20 to free up and save HP/MPG/rainbows/unicorns/leprechauns/....