I have a 98 Civic LX with 135,000 miles. I have been using 10w30 in the warmer months and I just recently switched to 5w30 about 2000 miles ago for winter. I use Castrol GTX High Mileage. I have done three oil changes during the warmer months every 3,000 miles using 10w30 and never lost a drop of oil( I always check before I change it). I just noticed when I first started the car in the morning(25 degrees) the car made that low oil sound(light tapping) so I checked the oil after warming it up. The oil level was just over a quart low so I added some more 5w30. Honda recommends using 5w30 on my car according to the oil cap. There is no leaks or anything so I think the car is using the oil when I use 5w30. I am thinking about changing the oil back to 10w30 on the next oil change since I did not have any problems with the car using oil or being low before. I am looking for your opinions and thoughts, What do you think? Should I go back to 10w30?

 

could be oil consumption from high mileage and wear in the engine... piston rings , valve guides and stem seals to be exact......

 

^Yes. All Hondas burn oil at some point in life, generally as they age.
My y8 with 115,000miles burns oil - just added a qt 10mins ago.

If youre that concerned about it, do a basic compression test and see if its the rings or the valve seals...replace if you feel like it.

You should not use 10w in winter months, as you read (and followed). Stick with the 5w and keep on top of it.

 

ive never heard that called a low oil sound

i've heard it called cold valve train sound, and it warms up to be within spec and the ticking goes away

new one for me.

and no, 10w30 in winter would be bad, i do believe the 10 is the cold weight...

 

Every car burns oil, no matter how many miles are on it. It's not uncommon for a brand new vehicle to use a quart between oil changes. Also, nowadays the normal spec is 1 quart every 1,000 miles. Also, since you're switching to a lighter weight oil you may see more oil consumption. What you're hearing is not a low oil sound, it's a cold valve train clatter. You do realize when it gets cold things contract right? My 94 EX does the same thing. When it's first started in the winter it has a slight valve train clatter that goes away as soon as the engine warms up and the parts expand. If you're that concerned about it, take off the valve cover and check the clearances. IIRC Honda recommends adjusting/checking the valve lash every 30,000 miles.

 

next oil change dont use high millage
i had the same problem with my 98 with 194k and use 5-30 castrol synthetic blend and its fine,
bearly burns a drop.
but all hondas will burn eventully noithing you can do.

 

how do you check valve lash?

 

Want the best answer? Get a Hayne's manual. All the steps are there.

2nd best answer? Search. It's been covered many times.

3rd best answer? Take it to a shop. Shouldn't run you any more than 100 dollars or so. Takes about an hour to do if you know what you're doing, 2 hours if you don't.

 

thanks

 

I agree wth you 100% that is why I figured that my car uses oil when using 5w30. It did not use a drop of oil when using 10w30. I was thinking that the 10w30 would be better to use since the tolerances have changed from wear. So you guys think it's better to check the oil frequently and use 5w30 vs. 10w30? I always understood that a car will start to use oil from wear, It just seems that it made a large jump from using nothing with the 10w30 in 3,000 to using over a quart in 2,000 miles with 5w30, That is why I wondered if I should stick with the 10w30. Thanks