Honda Car Forum

My '01 Civic EX, 235K miles (mostly I-95 commuting @ 100 miles/day) is using
about 1/2 qt. 5W-20 per 4000 miles.
I go 8000 miles (4 months) between oil changes. (Maint.manual states 10,000
mi. interval). Should I start thinking of using a heavier oil, 5W-30 ,
at this time ?

Z_2K wrote:
> My '01 Civic EX, 235K miles (mostly I-95 commuting @ 100 miles/day) is using
> about 1/2 qt. 5W-20 per 4000 miles.
> I go 8000 miles (4 months) between oil changes. (Maint.manual states 10,000
> mi. interval). Should I start thinking of using a heavier oil, 5W-30 ,
> at this time ?
>
Hi,
Why not? Make sure PCV is in good shape. What is the mileage on odometer?

No

"Z_2K" <NONE@jam_on.com> wrote in message
news:46d61c25$0$6403$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> My '01 Civic EX, 235K miles (mostly I-95 commuting @ 100 miles/day) is
> using about 1/2 qt. 5W-20 per 4000 miles.
> I go 8000 miles (4 months) between oil changes. (Maint.manual states
> 10,000 mi. interval). Should I start thinking of using a heavier oil,
> 5W-30 ,
> at this time ?
>
>

"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:%2pBi.106036$fJ5.53969@pd7urf1no...
> Z_2K wrote:
>> My '01 Civic EX, 235K miles (mostly I-95 commuting @ 100 miles/day) is
>> using about 1/2 qt. 5W-20 per 4000 miles.
>> I go 8000 miles (4 months) between oil changes. (Maint.manual states
>> 10,000 mi. interval). Should I start thinking of using a heavier oil,
>> 5W-30 ,
>> at this time ?
>>

> Hi,
> Why not? Make sure PCV is in good shape. What is the mileage on odometer?

" My '01 Civic EX, 235K miles (mostly I-95 commuting @ 100 miles/day)..."

"doug" <NOSPAM@SPAMFREE.com> wrote in message
news:CcydnXHA4_dRtEvbnZ2dnUVZ_uuqnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> No
>
OK....I guess I'm now supposed to reply "Why not ?"

"Z_2K" <NONE@jam_on.com> wrote in message
news:46d88bce$0$31835$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> "doug" <NOSPAM@SPAMFREE.com> wrote in message
> news:CcydnXHA4_dRtEvbnZ2dnUVZ_uuqnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> No
>>
> OK....I guess I'm now supposed to reply "Why not ?"
>

Two reasons:

1.You stated that you are using only one quart in 8000 miles between oil
changes. All things considered, that is fantastic - especially on a vehicle
with 235k miles. It is normal for an engine to use a little bit of oil. In
your case, I'd say that the oil usage is well within acceptable guidelines,
and should not be a concern.

2. Auto companies provide oil specs for their vehicles for a very good
reason - it's what works best. You can be sure a lot of time and testing
went into the 5W-20 oil spec for your car. The fact that it is still running
well and using so little oil after 235k miles validates Honda's advice, in
my opinion.

doug