Hi, I just bought a 1995 Prelude. It has a JDM H22A with 50,000 on it. I want the engine to last and I want to take good care of it. I am going to change the oil and oil filter tom. I was wondering if synthetic oil is really worth its price? I have heard some people say it is good for cold climate and high performance racing, but it doesn't reduce wear and engine lifespan in vehicles with average performance (I think my vehicle fits into that category). I used to have a 1988 Olds that had an engine that lasted till 230,000 miles using ol' cheap quaker state motor oil.

Also, where I live temps get up to 120 and there is heavy traffic although i do take the freeway and interstate regularly.
How is synthetic blend? Is that a good option? THANKS FOR THE HELP

 

bottom line.. if you didnt break-in the engine with synthetic you're just wasting money with using synthetic on an engine that has been broken-in on dino oil.

You'll burn more synthetic oil and there's a chance you'll break down the gunk on the seals thats hold them them in.

 

Oh... just make sure you change the oil on a regular basis and you should be fine. GL.

 

Oil is a tricky subject. The way I understand it, you shouldn't use Synthetic to break-in a motor because it can delay the break-in process.

As to using oil, I think you will find that true synthetic (Mobil 1) will save you gas and free a little power. If you want to spend money on true synthetic then try that for one change, and if you see lot of oil consumption try dino juice. The way I understand it lesser synthetic, and synthetic blend is a waste of money, and should be changed more often then 5000 miles, say 4000 or 3000.

Everyone has their own opinions about it, so this shouldn't be treated as gospel.

I use 10w30 GTX (170,000mi).

 

IMO it's not so much whether you use synthetic or normal, as long as it's the correct grade for driving conditions, and a decent brand.

It's better to do more frequent oil & filter changes to keep it clean and fresh, I change every 3k miles, or every 6 months whichever comes first, that's using a semi-synthetic.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by M@ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">....true synthetic (Mobil 1)...</TD></TR></TABLE>
LOL.

 

i have a 97 type-sh and i use synthetyic mobil one (high milage)since i have 150,000 miles and change it every 3K miles. i use 10w-40 beacause its thicker in the heat. since everyone has a diffent story on oil, heres a link so you can see for yourself and decide what u want to use for your vehicle. http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oil.html. and to find out how to choose between oil viscositys (5w-30, 10w-30, 10-40) the lower the first number, the quicker it will get your car running when start up and the second number is the thickness and better when hot. also, thicker is better for minor leaks, etc. you guys should read it. i didnt know anything about this stuff before i read that link.


Modified by 97BB6Type-SH at 9:12 AM 7/19/2007


Modified by 97BB6Type-SH at 9:13 AM 7/19/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mkazm83 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
LOL. </TD></TR></TABLE>x10

"True" is such a relative term these days....Luckily, I know were to get Motul oil quick.


Modified by Televator at 9:18 AM 7/19/2007

 

your honda motor will last several hundreds of thousands of miles on regular oil just like milions of others have over the years.

synthetic oil will not benifit you unless it is for a race application or for extended service intervals.

btw, any engine builder you speak w/ will tell you NOT to break in your motor on synthetic because your rings wont seat.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Televator &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">x10

"True" is such a relative term these days....Luckily, I know were to get Motul oil quick.


Modified by Televator at 9:18 AM 7/19/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>

while i agree that motul is one of the best brands of synthetics you can buy, mobile one is right there w/ it. spending $$ on motul for daily driven applications is like having a parachute on your street car.....its just overkill.

 

did anyone see that test they did i forget where it was. Anyway RP came in really high. I beleive motul and Mobile 1 finished poorly. However that was just one test

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lude98SH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">did anyone see that test they did i forget where it was. Anyway RP came in really high. I beleive motul and Mobile 1 finished poorly. However that was just one test</TD></TR></TABLE>

^^Whaaaa???? I'm about to give up. It seems no oil is really better than the other.
99 cent oil for me now...yeah right.

And as for MObil1, it USED to be a FULL synthetic untill they reformulated. Why make a full synthetic with higher production cost, when the competition is branding their crap as full syn as well when it's actually not? There is a looong thread on this in the 350Z forum.

 

Mike, here's all you need to know: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Slick_LudE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">bottom line.. if you didnt break-in the engine with synthetic you're just wasting money with using synthetic on an engine that has been broken-in on dino oil.

You'll burn more synthetic oil and there's a chance you'll break down the gunk on the seals thats hold them them in. </TD></TR></TABLE>

thats complete bull....

 

Just buy the correct grade of Mobil 1. If you can't afford 30$ every 3500 miles then you shouldn't be driving such a beautiful car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Slick_LudE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">bottom line.. if you didnt break-in the engine with synthetic you're just wasting money with using synthetic on an engine that has been broken-in on dino oil.

You'll burn more synthetic oil and there's a chance you'll break down the gunk on the seals thats hold them them in. </TD></TR></TABLE>

This is untrue. Most engines (If not all) do not get broken in with syn oil. Switching to syn oil is often seen as beneficial because of it's extended wear characteristics among other things..If your seals have gunk holding them together then replace them

Many of these "opinions" are based on old school thought or simple internet wisdom. You really have to research in order to find your own answers. BITOG.com is an excellent site to start with. Many of the regulars on there are not "tuners" but rather oil company engineers and analysts with a passion for cars. Take it for what its worth but Penzoil Platinum Synthetic oil is by far the most favored oil by most on that board. With mobil 1 and Amsoil coming in a close second..

 

Thanks for the reply. Thats the exact oil i just bought today. I am 17, so i don't have a lot of money. I was wandering if it would be beneficial to mix that with their conventional oil to save a little money. Today I bought a couple quarts of 15W-40 Penz Synthetic and 20W-40 Convetional Synthetic. I think I will add one quart of synthetic for every four of conventional. Does that sound like a good idea? Thanks for the help.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mike1995HondaPrelude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for the reply. Thats the exact oil i just bought today. I am 17, so i don't have a lot of money. I was wandering if it would be beneficial to mix that with their conventional oil to save a little money. Today I bought a couple quarts of 15W-40 Penz Synthetic and 20W-40 Convetional Synthetic. I think I will add one quart of synthetic for every four of conventional. Does that sound like a good idea? Thanks for the help.</TD></TR></TABLE>

no, do not run 15/40 or 20/40 in your honda. diesel engines run on 15w40

stick w/ 10w30 and if you have 120' temps like you said then maybee go w/ synthetic for added piece of mind. you will be fine w/ mobil 1 10w30.

 

lol don't mix them dude, you're making this way harder than it is.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Missing Gears &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

no, do not run 15/40 or 20/40 in your honda. diesel engines run on 15w40

stick w/ 10w30 and if you have 120' temps like you said then maybee go w/ synthetic for added piece of mind. you will be fine w/ mobil 1 10w30. </TD></TR></TABLE>

i run mobil 1 0w 40.. you think that would kill my motor faster?

 

If you are gonna change your oil every 5k miles, just use non-synthetic. Synthetic is good for 10-15k under normal driving circumstances. Just change your filter at regular intervals.

 

Do not mix viscosities, and synthetic/non-synthetic oils. Stick to one.

 

Damn, I looked at the wrong chart. I should be using 10W-30. Thanks for reminding me....

I am not sure if i want to shell on 30 bucks on Mobil 1 per change. What about castrol GTX? thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mike1995HondaPrelude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Damn, I looked at the wrong chart. I should be using 10W-30. Thanks for reminding me....

I am not sure if i want to shell on 30 bucks on Mobil 1 per change. What about castrol GTX? thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>

it has been known to sludge up engines, but who knows......

im sure you will be fine w/ regular penzoil 10w30. i have always run it in all my daily drivers and never had any problems, although its not 120 degrees F where i live......where the hell do you live, on the equator

 

What do you think about mixing mobil 1 synthetic with 4 quarts of conventional mobil. Worth it?