Honda Car Forum

I have a '96 Integra GS-R with 94k miles on it. I have had the oil changed
with name brand 5w-30 motor oil every 3k miles since I owned her. The car
drives better now then when I purchased it in '96. Fuel economy has increased
by at least 3-5 mpg. I don't race the car but I do make regular trips to 8k
on the rpm guage (hey that's why I bought the GS-R). I have taken serious
consideration
about switching over to synthetic. ( It is nice not having car payments )
But it seems like a waste of money to me. I plan to keeping the car for at
least
3-5 more years as I save up to buy a TSX with cash. Maybe then I will trade
the
Integra in. Maybe not. Until then I still plan on regular oil changes using
name brand 5w-30 motor oil.

To me, switching over to synthetic will make you feel better but I don't think
that it will increase the life of your engine. Regular oil changes and
inspections
will guarantee that. My dad had a '87 Chevy Astro minivan that he accumulated
over
400,000 miles on. I ain't kidding here. The transmission was dying and the
interior
was falling apart but the engine purred like a kitten. Raising 4 kids, he
never
could afford to change his oil with the expensive stuff. So if my dad can keep
a Chevy 4.3L V6 for 400,000 miles using Exxon Superflow 10W-30 then I think
that you
can see at least 200k miles on your CRV with regular motor oil and regular oil
changes....

my two cents...

Nino Nospam wrote:
>
> I bought a new 2003 Honda CRV, and now it's time for an oil change.
> (8,000kms are on the odometer)
> Is synthetic oil a good idea? What are the advantages and disadvantages of
> synthetic oil, and is it worth the extra expense?
> If I do install synthetic oil, do I have to flush the engine first?
> What's a good brand name of 5-20w synthetic oil to use?

"Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bm9k7m$p60$1@news.onet.pl...
>
> "dimmi" <someone@new.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:2lYhb.22111$%C5.4987@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> > just another synthetic oil BS
>
> Which part is BS according to you?

That synthetic oil allows more miles b4 oil change. Big time BS.

>
>
> > Pretty funky that the warranty may be affected by an extra oil change.
>
> Huh? I did not say to do extra oil changes but to double the oil change
> interval, which means change the interval from let's say every 5K miles to
> every 10K miles.
>
>
> > No
> > logic in it, though.
>
> I'm afraid you have difficulty reading.

On this one I had difficulty reading. I skipped "intervals" word when
reading. My bet.

>
>
> >Time IS a factor on a "whichever comes first" basis. In
> > my experience, mileage was a signal for an oil changes, not the elapsed
> > time.
>
> IMO, while it may be OK to go from 5K mile changes to 10K mile changes
with
> synthetic, it is not OK to go from changing oil once a year to once every
> two years. If it takes you 2 year to hit 10K miles, it means you don't
> drive much or do mostly short trips in which case you should not wait so
> long to change your oil.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pete
>
>
>
> >
> > "Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:bm9hog$jrt$1@news.onet.pl...
> > >
> > > "dimmi" <someone@new.rr.com> wrote in message
> > > news:X8Xhb.21906$pg7.17830@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> > > >You may get a way
> > > > with a few miles more, say 100-200 more before oil change, but it is
a
> > > myth
> > > > that synthetic oil extends your intervals in 2 times.
> > >
> > > It is not a myth, but Honda may deny your warranty claims if you
double
> > your
> > > oil change intervals and something non-oil related goes wrong with the
> > car,
> > > so it is not adviseable while you're still under warranty. Also, time
> is
> > a
> > > factor, not just mileage. FYI, here's a Camaro that did 18K miles on
> > Mobil
> > > 1.
> > >
> > > http://oilstudy.spacebears.com/
> > >
> > > If a big ole American engine could do it, I'm sure a well-engineered
> Honda
> > > engine can do it as well.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >
> > > Pete
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

> > Which part is BS according to you?
>
> That synthetic oil allows more miles b4 oil change. Big time BS.

What do you have to support your statement? I showed you a link to the
study that proved just the opposite. Plus a link to the forum where
hundreds of other analyses of synthetic oil are posted clearly showing that
extended intervals are easily and safely achieved.

Pete

Do not waste your money on synthetic oil, unless you live in a nordic
weather, with temperatures often below -25 deg.

There is a LOT of bullshit about synthetic oil. No, it won't make your
engine last longer (was NEVER proofed), take less oil or gas, or run
smoother. All illusions. You can bet that if those attributes were the
least true, the synth oil company would make big advertising on those
reports.

Up to the end of warranty, I did change my oil every 6000km as per Honda
recommendation on 'severe' conditions. Now I have 110000km and change oil
each 10-12000km, roughly twice a year. Bother for something else more
important, like rust-proofing, washing your car in winters and waxing it 4
times a year.

If maintained, it is rarely the mechanical parts that give up first, it is
more the body in salted area. After 10-12 yrs.

"Nino Nospam" <Nino.Nospam@ihaw.com> wrote in message
news:kKWhb.70577$6C4.53469@pd7tw1no...
> I bought a new 2003 Honda CRV, and now it's time for an oil change.
> (8,000kms are on the odometer)
> Is synthetic oil a good idea? What are the advantages and disadvantages
of
> synthetic oil, and is it worth the extra expense?
> If I do install synthetic oil, do I have to flush the engine first?
> What's a good brand name of 5-20w synthetic oil to use?
>
>

It's good for deserts too. There are places along CA's I-5 where the
engine's temperature gauge will run up near the red on a perfectly
healthy car. If it's 120F in the shade, you can imagine what it's like
over a 4 lane black asphalt highway. Commute over that every day and
synthetic will probably make a difference.

As for the overall life of the car, I agree that the engine isn't worth
babying. Give it just what it needs to run normally.


In article <cmhib.15703$kY1.196979@weber.videotron.net>,
"Saintor" <saintor1@REMOVETHIShotmail.com> wrote:

> Do not waste your money on synthetic oil, unless you live in a nordic
> weather, with temperatures often below -25 deg.
>
> There is a LOT of bullshit about synthetic oil. No, it won't make your
> engine last longer (was NEVER proofed), take less oil or gas, or run
> smoother. All illusions. You can bet that if those attributes were the
> least true, the synth oil company would make big advertising on those
> reports.
>
> Up to the end of warranty, I did change my oil every 6000km as per Honda
> recommendation on 'severe' conditions. Now I have 110000km and change oil
> each 10-12000km, roughly twice a year. Bother for something else more
> important, like rust-proofing, washing your car in winters and waxing it 4
> times a year.
>
> If maintained, it is rarely the mechanical parts that give up first, it is
> more the body in salted area. After 10-12 yrs.
>
> "Nino Nospam" <Nino.Nospam@ihaw.com> wrote in message
> news:kKWhb.70577$6C4.53469@pd7tw1no...
> > I bought a new 2003 Honda CRV, and now it's time for an oil change.
> > (8,000kms are on the odometer)
> > Is synthetic oil a good idea? What are the advantages and disadvantages
> of
> > synthetic oil, and is it worth the extra expense?
> > If I do install synthetic oil, do I have to flush the engine first?
> > What's a good brand name of 5-20w synthetic oil to use?
> >
> >
>
>

This is why a coolant system is for! In a era of aluminium engines, bad
things will happen to the engine before a regular oil will start cooking at
very high temperature.

> It's good for deserts too. There are places along CA's I-5 where the
> engine's temperature gauge will run up near the red on a perfectly
> healthy car. If it's 120F in the shade, you can imagine what it's like
> over a 4 lane black asphalt highway. Commute over that every day and
> synthetic will probably make a difference.
>

As long as you do regular oil changes at the recommmended intervals there is
no need to waste the extra money on synthetic oils. The synthetic oils are
not any better for you engine (unless you drive a Ferrari or other top end
car).

"Nino Nospam" <Nino.Nospam@ihaw.com> wrote in message
news:kKWhb.70577$6C4.53469@pd7tw1no...
> I bought a new 2003 Honda CRV, and now it's time for an oil change.
> (8,000kms are on the odometer)
> Is synthetic oil a good idea? What are the advantages and disadvantages
of
> synthetic oil, and is it worth the extra expense?
> If I do install synthetic oil, do I have to flush the engine first?
> What's a good brand name of 5-20w synthetic oil to use?
>
>

Why would you stay away from Quaker State.... you do realize that QS
manufactures the oil filter for Honda Co.


"dimmi" <someone@new.rr.com> wrote in message
news:X8Xhb.21906$pg7.17830@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>
> "Nino Nospam" <Nino.Nospam@ihaw.com> wrote in message
> news:kKWhb.70577$6C4.53469@pd7tw1no...
> > I bought a new 2003 Honda CRV, and now it's time for an oil change.
> > (8,000kms are on the odometer)
> > Is synthetic oil a good idea? What are the advantages and
disadvantages
> of
> > synthetic oil
>
> Your motor will last LONGER without any need for overhaul (given intensity
> of use is moderate). Oil change intervals are THE SAME. You may get a way
> with a few miles more, say 100-200 more before oil change, but it is a
myth
> that synthetic oil extends your intervals in 2 times.
>
> >, and is it worth the extra expense?
>
> It is worth extra expense if you are going to keep the car for 5-0 years
at
> least with planned mileage over 150-170,000 mi and if you use "oil change"
> shops.
> Otherwise put cheaper mineral, change it more often than your service
manual
> says (say, use only Severe Conditions), change it yourself, and save on
oil
> and labor.
>
> > If I do install synthetic oil, do I have to flush the engine first?
>
> I dont think so. Today most of the oils are compatible, at least within
the
> same brand or manufacturer.
>
> > What's a good brand name of 5-20w synthetic oil to use?
>
> Mobil oil and filters are the best and pricey. You may use Valvoline (my
> preferred), Castrol. Personally, I'll try to avoid Pennzoil, Quaker and
> their oil filters together with Fram evil of the industry.
> >
>
>

"-- SilverSting--" <reply@goup.thx> wrote in message
news:bmmbtr$e1g$1@dns3.cae.ca...
> Why would you stay away from Quaker State.... you do realize that QS
> manufactures the oil filter for Honda Co.

Do *you* realize Quaker State doesn't make oil filters?

"-- SilverSting--" <reply@goup.thx> wrote in message
news:bmmbtr$e1g$1@dns3.cae.ca...
> Why would you stay away from Quaker State.... you do realize that QS
> manufactures the oil filter for Honda Co.

Get your facts strait before you speak, Honda filters are actually made by
Purolator, which is owned by Penzoil.
All Quaker State makes is oil (shit oil at that).