REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE:
My Granddad bought an 87(?) civic new years ago (well, in 1987). This was the angular, square-wedge shaped thing. It was the nicest car anyone in the family had ever owned. He loved this car.
some years later, we helped them move up to TN where my parents lived. It was a 300 mile drive at about 65.
After 3 hours, oil light started to flicker. I stopped, level was good. did it again. added stp oil treatment thinking it was thinning. kept doing it. finally would just slam neutral, coast engine off, then restart, hit D and keep going. Made it home ok.
Car went to dealer. 64,000 on the original oil. factory paint marks still there on drain plug. Talked to granddad and the garage he used. He'd never let them change the oil, just top-off with occasional filter change. figured dumping oil was a waste of money.
Honda dealer hot-tanked the block. They were amazed it would run. Never saw anything like it. Completely gummed up. There was no scoring or cylinders or bearings. No sign of damage. drainage journals were jammed shut and had to be hand cleaned. They said they were amazed it ran but couldn't be certain that *something* wasn't damaged... they were stunned. but it ran fine.
He traded it in after getting over his embarrassment.
M