Switch to Synthetic Oil?

[HBCALI]

Synthetic or Coventional? With all the talk about extended OCI's, are Synthetics worth the extra cost if you DON'T plan on extended drains?

Would anyone use Synthetic is this scenerio: 2001 Honda Accord, 2.3L I4, no mechanical / seal issues. Oil is changed every 4500 miles (manual calls for 7500 under "normal" and 3500 under "severe" - I just split the difference).

You see, everyone is South Texas pushes "Synthetic" because of the HOT climate and long iddle times in heavy traffic. I personally think it's hype mixed with a little truth. Opinions from BITOG...

 

[infecto]

Honda engine w/ 4500 OCI would use conventional Oil IMO.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: HBCALI
Synthetic or Coventional? With all the talk about extended OCI's, are Synthetics worth the extra cost if you DON'T plan on extended drains?

Would anyone use Synthetic is this scenerio: 2001 Honda Accord, 2.3L I4, no mechanical / seal issues. Oil is changed every 4500 miles (manual calls for 7500 under "normal" and 3500 under "severe" - I just split the difference).

You see, everyone is South Texas pushes "Synthetic" because of the HOT climate and long iddle times in heavy traffic. I personally think it's hype mixed with a little truth. Opinions from BITOG...

You can do up to 7500 miles OCI with dino if most your trips is over 10 miles, since you do 4500 miles any dino is more than good enough no need for expensive synthetic. If you want to do 9-10k miles OCI then synthetic may be needed.

 

[Steve S]

Other than for specific reasons, syn oils really aren't usually an advantage over dino oils unless extended oil change intervals are done. todays dino oils are really that good.

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: HBCALI
Synthetic or Coventional? With all the talk about extended OCI's, are Synthetics worth the extra cost if you DON'T plan on extended drains?


NO, use conventional oil in that Honda and the engine will outlast the car.

 

[cryption]

I use synthetic in everything, including my old 91 Toyota. For $30 for 5qts and a filter every few months - I'll treat my car like I would want to be treated (If I was a car)

 

[oggb]

Good dino of 5/10/15w-20/30/40 (choose one from either side).

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: HBCALI
You see, everyone is South Texas pushes "Synthetic" because of the HOT climate and long iddle times in heavy traffic.


Once the engine is up to temperature, the water jacket keeps the block & oil at roughly the same temperature irrespective of ambient (unless it's VERY cold or hot outside, far moreso than South Tejas). If anything I would worry most about fuel dilution with long idling periods in traffic.

I see no reason to switch to synthetic if you're just going to do 4500 mile OCIs. Pick whichever name-brand mineral oil is on sale the month before an oil change and drive on.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: webfors
Originally Posted By: HBCALI
Synthetic or Coventional? With all the talk about extended OCI's, are Synthetics worth the extra cost if you DON'T plan on extended drains?


NO, use conventional oil in that Honda and the engine will outlast the car.
It is always better to run $15.00 per qt. oil changed every 3,000 miles and have the engine outlast the car.

 

[BigCahuna]

My daughter bought a '01 civic used with 45k on it when she lived in Austin.She had the dealer do her oil changes there and when she moved to NC. I guess the dealers use whatever bulk mineral oil that met Honda's spec.I sold the car 1 1/2 years ago with 146k on it. The motor ran fine. So I'm not seeing how using synthetic oil will cause , make or let anything remarkable happen to extend the life of the motor.,,

 

[poiuy223]

Originally Posted By: BigCahuna
My daughter bought a '01 civic used with 45k on it when she lived in Austin.She had the dealer do her oil changes there and when she moved to NC. I guess the dealers use whatever bulk mineral oil that met Honda's spec.I sold the car 1 1/2 years ago with 146k on it. The motor ran fine. So I'm not seeing how using synthetic oil will cause , make or let anything remarkable happen to extend the life of the motor.,,

a dirty engine can still work. a clean engine works better

 

[BigCahuna]

Why do you think the motor was dirty? It was quiet with no ticking or tapping. Got 38 mpg, no repairs ever done to the motor except tune ups.Even if it was dirty apparently it doesn't really make that much of a difference. The car ran fine. I guess it just proves you CAN go long distances without synthetic oil.,,