Oil type? - Honda Accord Forum

bigdawg74 · #1 03-07-2010, 03:36 PM

My Accord just passed 94K on the odometer. Have used regular 5w-20 dino oil since I bought it w/ around 21K miles on it. No leaks, no oil burn, OCI of 5k miles. I have used various brands (Castrol, Quaker State, Pennzoil) over the years, most recently being the Pennzoil. Maybe its my imagination, but it seems like there is more engine noise, mostly cooler weather start up rattle, with the Pennzoil. I am debating on switching to maybe Mobil Clean 5000, or a "high mileage" formula (Valvoline Maxlife). What are your opinions on "high mileage" oils compared to their conventional formula counterparts? Anybody have any experience (both good & bad) with either Mobil Clean 5000 or Valvoline Maxlife?

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JimBlake · #2 03-07-2010, 06:14 PM

I've gone higher milage than that, & never used special HIMILAGE oils.
72 Datsun 195k
89 Saab 220k
95 Integra 130k

Present cars haven't got there yet, but I wouldn't use special oil unless there's some specific symptoms.

dgp1961 · #3 03-07-2010, 06:54 PM

High mileage oil has additives to "swell" rings supposedly to help stop oil burning. I've heard good and bad about it personally.

kris_loehr · #4 03-07-2010, 09:54 PM

If your Honda is not using oil I would stay with what you have and be happy.

JimBlake · #5 03-08-2010, 08:42 AM

Additives can't swell the rings. It's for rubber oil seals.

deserthonda · #6 03-08-2010, 08:58 AM

use name brand 5w20 0r 5w30,10w30, change oil + filter every 3000-3500 miles and your engine will go at least 300,000 miles

bigdawg74 · #7 03-08-2010, 08:00 PM

That's what I figured...no leaks, so I guess I will "dance with the one who brought me" so to speak. The idea of an engine that has 74,998 miles on it needing one type of oil, and then 3 miles later it somehow needs a different type of oil just didn't make sense to me. I think I'll go with the Mobil Clean 5000 and see how that goes. Thanks for the input.

dgp1961 · #8 03-09-2010, 06:42 AM

I dunno something that supposedly "cleans" the inside of my motor would just make me a bit nervous. That's why they used to suggest not changing over to synthetics with a higher mileage motor. It used to be said the synthetic oil will clean and loosen deposits inside your motor. Supposedly this isn't always good and can actually cause leaks. Today if you read the containers these oils claim they are fine to switch over at any stage of the game and even mix synthetic with non synthetic. Read ten different opinions and you'll get 8 different answers so who do you believe?

bigdawg74 · #9 03-09-2010, 08:05 AM

Per the Mobil webpage:

"Want a conventional oil that protects for today's longer oil change intervals? No problem. With Mobil Clean 5000, you’ll get 16 percent more cleaning agents than our conventional oil, Mobil Clean (available in installed facilities only). Extra cleaning power that helps your engine run cleaner than with other conventional oils — even with today’s longer oil change intervals. In fact, Mobil Clean 5000 is guaranteed to provide excellent performance and protection for all car engines for up to 5,000 miles of normal consumer driving."

Sounds like the formula is no different, it just has more additives in it to last longer.