Don't check the oil on your V6 like I did.

elp_jc · Dec 12, 2009

Hi gang. Just a heads up. I always check oil on my vehicles stone cold, by just pulling up the dipstick, reading it, and putting it back. Well, the one on my coupe always shows full, when IT'S NOT!!!

You need to wipe it clean, then reinsert it. Most people do that anyway, but I figured why waste a shop towel just for that :lmao:. Anyway, my other vehicles always read right (including the CR-V) because dipstick is smooth, but that method doesn't work with the 'rough' dipsticks, like my coupe, as oil doesn't flow down, even after an extended period of time (especially in winter).

The bad news is my V6 is drinking oil, just like the CR-V :bawl:. The good news is it's not bad (but still sucks) at about 1/8-qt every 1K miles, just like our CR-V. I use the car mostly on highway. The CR-V doesn't consume any oil on trips, but my coupe runs at higher rpms. I know cars tend to burn a bit of oil if run hard, but I never run my coupe hard at all, other than high-rpm on the highway, which I don't consider hard, but might be for oil consumption purposes. At any rate, it's pretty normal nowadays, so no worries, but check your oil regularly folks (the right way :yes

. None of my many new cars of the past ever consumed oil. Guess tolerances are not the same anymore; a sign of cost-cutting times, maybe. Good day gang.

aeoporta · Dec 12, 2009

or you can try some synthetic oils that can withstand the heat

Aviography · Dec 12, 2009

Given Elp_JC's description, I highly doubt the consumption of oil has anything to do with heat, but more with component tolerances (rings, cylinder bore etc.) allowing the oil to seep past into combustion chambers......

zexen · Dec 12, 2009

Mass-Produced Automotive Industry's idea of tolerances:
"The car's running... okay we're good

"

I used to burn through so much oil on my old Nissan, but that thing had broken 11 years by the time I traded it in for the Accord, and was a track car that was consistently beat to shreds.

This reminds me: I should check my oil this week... I'm already halfway through this oil change...

fastball · Dec 13, 2009

Elp_jc, the CR-V runs at lower RPMs than the Accord 6-6???? The CR-V is a 4 cylinder..... I know when I am on cruise at 70 mph in 6th gear on the freeway the engine is at 2500 RPM. Seems quite low compared to the 3500 RPM my 4 cylinder Prelude runs at the same velocity in 5th gear.

elp_jc · Dec 13, 2009

aeoporta said:
or you can try some synthetic oils that can withstand the heat

Already run Mobil1 5/30. But as Aviography said, it's not about heat. Heck, on my 800-mile trip last week temperatures ranged from 20 to 50ºF, and still gulped the same 1/8-qt.

Aviography said:
Given Elp_JC's description, I highly doubt the consumption of oil has anything to do with heat, but more with component tolerances (rings, cylinder bore etc.) allowing the oil to seep past into combustion chambers......

You can say that again :thmsup:. And I broke the engine in by the book.

fastball said:
Elp_jc, the CR-V runs at lower RPMs than the Accord 6-6???? The CR-V is a 4 cylinder..... I know when I am on cruise at 70 mph in 6th gear on the freeway the engine is at 2500 RPM.

Amazingly, yes. And not by a little. The CR-V turns 2.1K rpm at 70. At 3K, my 6-6 is running 82 mph, and the little bugger 97. And both weigh the same, so the little 4-banger is obviously working a lot harder. Our 6-6 should have the same gearing in 6th, and it'd get much better gas mileage, and less wear and tear as well.
And I remember my GTI turning 3K at a whopping 60 mph in top gear (5th), which is exactly like you Prelude. I sold the car because of that, and learned my lesson to test-ride cars on the freeway too :lmao:. I don't like how high the M3 runs either, which equates to 72 at 3K, but as a percentage of redline, it runs lower than the 6-6. The funny thing is that car doesn't feel like it's screaming at all, but it's basically a racing engine. But oh boy, does it gulp gas. On the same trip, at around the same speeds (mostly the ton, but up to 110), I averaged 17.8 (on premium too) vs 21.4 on the 6-6 (on regular). The seats on the M3 are the best I've had, but my 6-6 is not bad at all. Even in the twisties, it holds its own pretty good, but obviously can't match the M. I really like dropping and picking up my daughter because all 800 miles are of 4-lane deserted highways with zero traffic, basically no cops, and great asphalt, although pretty rough in many areas. I rambled enough

. Good evening folks.

SatinSilver · Dec 13, 2009

elp_jc said:
The bad news is my V6 is drinking oil, just like the CR-V :bawl:. The good news is it's not bad (but still sucks) at about 1/8-qt every 1K miles, just like our CR-V. I use the car mostly on highway. The CR-V doesn't consume any oil on trips, but my coupe runs at higher rpms.

Good to know about checking the oil. I've always wiped it first but was thinking about doing what you mentioned. Now I won't.

Normal to burn some oil when doing highway driving. At least your not buring that much at all. Maybe switch to Mobil 1 5w20 since its additive package is much better than the 5w30. Fredsvt recently posted some comments and links to that effect. Pretty much saying the 5w20 is a much better oil than the 30wt eventhough its made by the same company.

elp_jc · Dec 14, 2009

SatinSilver said:
Pretty much saying the 5w20 is a much better oil than the 30wt eventhough its made by the same company.

Interesting. Both (thristy

) cars are almost due for an oil change. I used 5/30 to help with oil consumption (plus it gets pretty hot in TX), but I'd definitely switch to 5/20 if it's better (or a better 5/30, like PP?). Do you happen to have a link to that discussion? Can always try that 'bobistheoilguy' site too. Thx.

zexen · Dec 14, 2009

elp, I've used 5W20 for the past couple years on multiple cars. So far with the Accord though, I haven't noticed any oil burning, and have had my fair share of pushing it to redline. I never had any problems running 5W20 on my TL-S either, with the J32. I've also heard that M1's 5W20 is for some reason better than their 5W30, but I've been running RP 5W20 since I've had this giant stash in my garage and needed to use it before it's been sitting too long. I'll most likely be switching to M1 after my RP inventory depletes.

elp_jc · Dec 16, 2009

zexen said:
elp, I've used 5W20 for the past couple years on multiple cars. So far with the Accord though, I haven't noticed any oil burning, and have had my fair share of pushing it to redline.

Thanks for your input buddy. I've only revved mine to 6K, and just once

; no need to, really. But it gets a good workout on the highway, as I like to cruise around the ton, but no hard driving at all. I also thought my engine didn't consume oil until I wiped the dipstick. Nowadays, getting a tight engine is a matter of luck man, and I typically don't fare well in that department :lmao:. But it's perfectly within normal. Once you get to more than 1/4-qt every 1K miles, I wouldn't be happy. By the way, I always keep oil topped off on all my vehicles; I check it regularly. Might try the 5/20 next time. Take care.

87UNITS · Dec 16, 2009

that is dumb.. you should always clean the dip stick in the first place to be more acurate.. doesn't matter if the oil slips or not... common sense..

but any way.. when you did you oil chage.. did you replace the washer? and or is the filter on currectly.. i had similar problem and i nothing my dumb ass left the o' ring from the last filter on... didn't notice when putting it and i felt like a total idiot..

elp_jc · Dec 16, 2009

87UNITS said:
that is dumb.. you should always clean the dip stick in the first place to be more acurate.. doesn't matter if the oil slips or not... common sense..

but any way.. when you did you oil chage.. did you replace the washer? and or is the filter on currectly.. i had similar problem and i nothing my dumb ass left the o' ring from the last filter on... didn't notice when putting it and i felt like a total idiot..

You call me dumb when you didn't check the oil filter housing was clean? Nice manners. And what is common sense is oil flows DOWN smooth surfaces, or you'd have to wipe your entire engine inside before checking oil level. I warn people on this car because this is the first oil dip stick that doesn't work with gravity, and I've owned over 2 dozen new cars. And if I can help not throwing away a paper towel just for checking oil all the better, don't you think? Ignored. Good day.

RTexasF · Dec 16, 2009

Make the switch to M1 5W20 or 0W20 for two intervals. See if the minor consumption continues after the second change. Any particular reason not to run what Honda says to use?

GTAACCORD · Dec 16, 2009

I have never seen or heard of anyone checking their oil without wiping the dipstick first... Umm... ever heard of a rag?...old sock t-shirt etc. Nowadays they even make magical machines that "wash" (i think that is the term the young folk use these days) to "clean" such items so you can re-use them...

YRMed · Dec 16, 2009

87UNITS said:
that is dumb.. you should always clean the dip stick in the first place to be more acurate.. doesn't matter if the oil slips or not... common sense..

but any way.. when you did you oil chage.. did you replace the washer? and or is the filter on currectly.. i had similar problem and i nothing my dumb ass left the o' ring from the last filter on... didn't notice when putting it and i felt like a total idiot..

GTAACCORD said:
I have never seen or heard of anyone checking their oil without wiping the dipstick first... Umm... ever heard of a rag?...old sock t-shirt etc. Nowadays they even make magical machines that "wash" (i think that is the term the young folk use these days) to "clean" such items so you can re-use them...

Listen, you guys need to relax. ELP_JC is just giving a heads up. Just because you two are young, dumb and full of c** doesn't mean that you have to open your cake holes and spew off hot air and garbage that comes out of them. I know that I'm older then you boys are, and i don't have your " swagger " or " swagga' " if you are in a socioeconomically impoverished neighborhood, aka The Ghetto, but that doesn't mean you can come in here and talk your non-sense. Obviously he knows to wipe down the dipstick but if the dipstick is perfectly smooth, you don't need to do that. It was just a friendly suggestion.

Back to the sandbox for you boys.

DougNuts · Dec 16, 2009

Do you get onto the highway before the car is completely up to temp?

the grey quincy · Dec 16, 2009

YRMed said:
Listen, you guys need to relax. ELP_JC is just giving a heads up. Just because you two are young, dumb and full of c** doesn't mean that you have to open your cake holes and spew off hot air and garbage that comes out of them. I know that I'm older then you boys are, and i don't have your " swagger " or " swagga' " if you are in a socioeconomically impoverished neighborhood, aka The Ghetto, but that doesn't mean you can come in here and talk your non-sense. Obviously he knows to wipe down the dipstick but if the dipstick is perfectly smooth, you don't need to do that. It was just a friendly suggestion.

Back to the sandbox for you boys.

So funny.

Please stop flaming. Like YRMed said, OP was just giving the heads up on a lesson learned so other people don't make the same mistake.

To the OP: I, too, use M1-5W30 since I got the car roughly 2 years ago at 73k miles and have yet to have a problem burning oil. Just check it last night halfway through the oil change. I'm a little concerned at your high RPMs at highway speeds; in my auto I'm only at ~2500 RPMs at about 80mph. If someone else with the V6-6MT can chime in to verify that the high RPMs the OP is experiencing are correct? Otherwise you may have a bigger problem.

YRMed · Dec 16, 2009

the grey quincy said:
So funny.

Please stop flaming. Like YRMed said, OP was just giving the heads up on a lesson learned so other people don't make the same mistake.

To the OP: I, too, use M1-5W30 since I got the car roughly 2 years ago at 73k miles and have yet to have a problem burning oil. Just check it last night halfway through the oil change. I'm a little concerned at your high RPMs at highway speeds; in my auto I'm only at ~2500 RPMs at about 80mph. If someone else with the V6-6MT can chime in to verify that the high RPMs the OP is experiencing are correct? Otherwise you may have a bigger problem.

The Accord 6MT trans has very short gearing. ELP_JC's reported rpm's are on point. My RPM's are in the same exact range. It's just the nature of this particular beast/transmission.

next_milenium · Dec 16, 2009

No need to flame OP as he was just making a friendly suggestion based on his experience.

As for me, I always wipe the dipstick before I check as it's difficult to see the level when the oil is still fairly clean.

Trip · Dec 16, 2009

Ditto my 08 6-6. 6th gear revved very high. Seemed very unnecessary with all the available torque down low. Honda could have geared it a bit taller.

I revved the cr@p out of the engine, especially towards the end. Oil consumption was negligible. It may have dropped very slightly but never more than a few mm on the dip stick - nothing I would have added oil to account for.

Don't check the oil on your V6 like I did.

elp_jc

aeoporta

Aviography

zexen

fastball

elp_jc

SatinSilver

elp_jc

zexen

elp_jc

87UNITS

elp_jc

RTexasF

GTAACCORD

YRMed

DougNuts

the grey quincy

YRMed

next_milenium

Trip

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