I run CASTROL SYNTEC 10w-30 in my accord and what is the right color of the oil when you go to change it at the 3k mark. it was quite clear when i did my first one since i owned the car (124,000 miles) and it was clear, second one was pretty dark but that oil had restore oil additive in it. what color should 3k old oil be at thanks for the help

 

Funny, I just changed that exact oil out of exactly same car (except 82k [sm=burnout.gif])after about 2500 miles, it was dark as night.

 

oil always looks a little clearer on the dipstick compared to in a bucket after draining it.
3k changes of mine have always been black.

 

It looked dark on the dipstick too, that's what made me change it early. That was my very first synthetic oil in the car, so perhaps it dissolved some deposits from 80k on dino. Can't be 100% sure though.