New to me Accord, oil questions..

[4D-56]

2000 Accord EX with 2.3 VTEC done 136K calling for 5W30. running in FL heat, stop n go driving with prob 40% HWY. Engine has no leaks.

last guy was doing his own changes with Castrol GTX running it 5K

Q: at what point do you move from 5W30 to say, 10W30
Q: when should we start with a HM oil?

im looking at running either M1EP or PP/PU, maybe Amsoil Sig.Series

what would you run?

 

[JohnnyZ52]

Use HM when there are signs of oil leaks or consumption and not until IMO. Amsoil or PP/PU would get my vote, starting with 4-5K OCI and extending after one or two.

 

[NateDN10]

Answer for question 1: Never.
Answer for question 2: Whenever you'd like. Maybe start now if it's leaking or burning.

 

[addyguy]

If there are no leaks or consumption, you don't need a HM oil.

I'd run a 10w30, no need for a 5W in Florida, and a 10w30 will have a bit less volatility in hot conditions.

Choose any 10w30 synthetic, and run it 10-12k.

 

[randomhero439]

1. If the climate is good for it. I prefer the closer numbers in hot climates. Check out Pennzoil Ultra's 10w30 is great!
2. If it leaks, or if oil consumption is high.

 

[bepperb]

1: In your climate it really wouldn't matter. There would be no need to move to a 10w30 on an ageing engine, that's not "thicker" or likely to do anything else of benefit. But then there's no need for the cold staring benefits and probably not much fuel economy improvement from running a 5w30.

2: Eventually you might develop a weeping rear main seal, I know my F23 in my 2001 Accord did. That would be the time to move to a high mileage oil.

In my experience 7500 miles on that engine was about right. Make sure the timing belt has been done, or do it.

 

[stranger706]

I have the same car & drivetrain except its a 2002 with 119,000 miles. By this year they had switched to 5w20. Nothing changed about the engine, they just changed the oil rec.

I drive mostly interstate and it was using the 20 weight at about a quart every 2000 miles. No leaks or smoke, I don't even smell it. It just "uses" a quart every 2000 miles. PCV valve is good. I wasn't real comfortable with this level of consumption.

Right now I am trying out the M1 0w40. Both for consumption and extended drains. So far so good, it seems to be a great oil. Runs real nice on it, and I have not noticed any change in mpg.

I may also try the M1 0w30 only because it comes in the jugs at WM.

 

[Redpatches]

If you plan on sticking with the 5K OCI, you can run with Castrol GTX or PYB. For a few dollars more upgrade to Mobil 1 or PP with a 7.5K OCI. Also think you could go with 10w30, at least in the summer. Check the Owners Manual for Honda's recommendation. My 2007 Honda Odyssey runs 5W-20 year round

 

[typ901]

I ran PYB for 6k OCI in my 2000 with J30A1 (V6). That was 60% city (Chicago to Suburban office and back). Later (60k)miles I switched to PP & M1 and did 7-8k/6 months. always 5w30 what was spec'd for mine. No leaks, no burning etc. Stick with the 5w30, base your oil selection on time/mileage you plan to go on oil before you change. I don't think 10w30 would accomplish anything for your application.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: stro_cruiser


Q: at what point do you move from 5W30 to say, 10W30
Never
Q: when should we start with a HM oil?After 3 5000 mile OCI's with PP


what would you run? Valvoline Maxlife

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Redpatches
If you plan on sticking with the 5K OCI, you can run with Castrol GTX or PYB. For a few dollars more upgrade to Mobil 1 or PP with a 7.5K OCI. Also think you could go with 10w30, at least in the summer. Check the Owners Manual for Honda's recommendation. My 2007 Honda Odyssey runs 5W-20 year round

Why would PP be an upgrade? Dont they meet the same spec with neither making claims for extended drain past manuf recommendation?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: stro_cruiser

Q: at what point do you move from 5W30 to say, 10W30
Q: when should we start with a HM oil?

1. Never
2. When you develop slight oil leaks, but even then, I'd try fixing the leaks first rather than just switching to HM and hoping it'll cure your problem.

 

[MikeySoft]

I ran Pennzoil Platinum in my 2003 Accord with about 8k OCI until I sold it last Oct with a little over 142k miles. You can check my UOAs in the link in my sig. Good luck with you Accord, it is a great car.

 

[fdcg27]

I've run all kinds of oils in our '99 4 cyl 5 spd Accord.
It's on PP 5w30 at the moment, and is a little below the fill mark on the stick after 4K on this run.
The car is now at 162K.
According to Honda, 10w30 is fine down to 20F, so if you can get a deal on 10w30, you could run it any time in South Florida.
The engine seems to be content with any oil grade you want to use.
We've owned this car from new, although I've never UOAed any oil from it.
I think I may burn a UOA kit after a 5-6K run of PP this summer.
What I'm trying to say is that the engine will be fine on a 5w30, and should be fine if you want to use a thicker grade, although it really isn't needed.
Don't bother with an HM oil unless you see either high consumption or leaks.

 

[teddyboy]

Originally Posted By: NateDN10
Answer for question 1: Never.
Answer for question 2: Whenever you'd like. Maybe start now if it's leaking or burning.


What Nate said.

 

[nicholas]

I would run a 5w-40 for a lot of stop/go traffic in Florida heat.

 

[Zeus103363]

I have almost exactly the same car. 1999 Honda Accord EX F23A1. For the first 105k it had nothing but GTX 10w30. I live in Louisiana, and it gets hot here too. Summer time it gets 100+ daily for months. Never had a problem at all. When my mom swapped for a new car I bought it from her. Now it just rolled over 208500k, and still runs strong. I prefer 5w30, and have used mobil1, PP, shell Dino, chevron supreme synthetic, and right now Maxlife nextgen. On deck is some GS 0w-30. I avg 2500k miles a month so mid spring its going in and I'm gonna run it all summer. I wouldn't hesitate to use 10w30 if that is your preference. My oci has been 6-7k, or when the Olm lite comes on. Even at those oci's I have gotten some really good numbers with uos's. especially with the PP. I probably would have stuck with that but I can get the chevron supreme synthetic/havoline synthetic cheaper.

 

[z917990]

Suggestion: Please check the timing belt. If it has never been replaced, you are overdue. Just my 2 cents. Have fun with your Honda.

 

[4D-56]

Originally Posted By: z917990
Suggestion: Please check the timing belt. If it has never been replaced, you are overdue. Just my 2 cents. Have fun with your Honda.


I appreciate it, you are right. I bought the car knowing that I hand zero proof that its ever been changed and that I was going to do it. Im gonna use Honda Parts throughout, and change some oil seals while im in there.

 

[4D-56]

what I realized since then, is that I have some 10W40 oils left over from my van and wondered if it would hurt anything to use them up?

I have conv Formula Shell and semi syn Valvoline Maxlife. The Previous owner gave me 2 purolator classics which would work nicely with these oils for a couple of 5K runs.

whadya think?...