Hello,

I have a 1996 Accord, 165,000 miles, and am still putting either Quaker State or Pennzoil 5W-30 in. I am wondering if the newer synthetic oils are better at this point for my car.

Anyone know or have an opinion?

Car is in great shape, as expected.

Andyf

 

I am pro synthetic and have it in everything I own that has an engine. At the mileage you have I don't honestly see any advantage in switching to a synthetic oil. Obviously you've put good stuff in it and changed oil & filter on a regular basis. Just keep on keeping on with what you've been doing.

 

Thanks for the input. It's really amazing, but at 165,000 there is absolutely nothing wrong with this car and engine. And you're right, I've always changed the oil between 3K and 5K...probably too much according to today's standards, but oh well.

By the way, no rust yet either. Strange for Pa.

I'm now also looking at getting a new Civic. I'm still keeping this Accord, though. I want to see how long I can keep it and how many miles I'll get. Just for the heck of it! My wife thinks I'm nuts.

Andyf

 

Synthetic is awesome, but like RTexasF said, there is probably no real advantage to switching at this point. As long as you're faithful with those oil and filter changes, your honda will continue to be a reliable vehical. They are amazing little machines.

 

Our 1987 Chev Celebrity with the 2.5L 4 cyl. engine has over 251K miles and is still in great shape. I used every brand of oil when it was on sale, but I have always changed the oil & filter at 3-4K miles.

Valvoline recommends I use their dino oil for our new 2006 Accord, but I will be going to synthetic at the 3rd oil change which will occur around 5-6K miles. I currently have 12 qts. of Quaker State synthetic on hand that cost me $1.99 per qt. after rebate. As far as my research findings, all of the synthetics are equal or close to equal so I will be following my practice on my Chev., i.e., use what ever is on sale.

My reason for trying synthetics is based on my Honda lawn mower experience. The engine will soon be ten years old and it has always required two pulls to start it. I put 10W-30 synthetic oil in the engine this spring and one pull is all that it takes to start it now. And I am using less fuel.

My recent trip (with the factory fill 5W-20) using A/C and 70 MPH gave us 36 MPG. With 2317 miles, the oil was changed to Valvoline 10W-30. We have another trip next week with the same conditions as our last trip except for a lighter load so I will check the mileage again with the 10W-30 oil. The next oil change after about 3K miles on the oil then I will change to the 10W-30 synthetic oil. I am keeping track of all my fuel MPG so I should have a pretty good record based on viscosity as well as regular petroleum base versus synthetic base. It will not be 100% scientific, but it will be good enough for me to determine what oil I will use in the future.

 

I use whatever honda puts in the car

 

I use the stuff that's on sale... 10w-30... *L* except in my civic I used synthetic until that engine blew *L* ( hydro-Locked)

 

i use mobil 1 and i think it has been a factor in my engine lasting 260 thousand miles