[theechasequinn]

To make a long story as short as possible...

I bought my 2010 EX-L V6 in October of 2014 with just under 60,000 miles. Today I had the last oil change done at 95,000 miles and won't have the next one done until it rolls over 100,000 (insert depressed smiley here.)

That being said, from the moment I bought the car, all oil changes have been done with the 4,000-5,000 mile range using Royal Purple 5W-20. The car itself shows no signs of mechanical mishaps with the exception of coil packs I have had to bad, which I understand to be a "common" issue with the 3.5 motors, other than that, and a tree falling on the car around this time last year. I love the car beyond words.

Should I be fine with using the 5W-20 or should I look into a thicker grade oil to help the longevity of the motor? With the exception of the Mercedes Benz I owned which had all maintenance done by a certifed Mercedes mechanic, I've driven nothing but Chevrolets and use nothing but Castrol 20W-50 due to each being over 225,000 miles (and still driving to this day knock on wood.) However, since this is an entirely different breed of vehicle, I'm just looking for some input and advise before I start doing anything that might possibly be detrimental to the car.

Thanks everyone

 

[CheezyPoofs]

I stick to what the factory recommends. I think you're tossing money away changing it as often as you are now.
To each his own of course.

 

[theechasequinn]

I stick to what the factory recommends. I think you're tossing money away changing it as often as you are now.
To each his own of course.

If you don't mind me asking, how often do you change yours? I drive roughly 500 miles a week commuting back and forth to work. I've had people tell me to go 8-10k, which seems stretching a bit to me. My Chevrolets I do every 3,000 to 4,000 just because of the mileage.

 

[mtts60]

Stick to factory recommendations and change it when the car tells you to, not by mileage. Thicker oil is not necessarily better.

 

[slimm1469]

The only time, if ever, to use a thicker oil is when the engine starts to consume oil. Stick to factory recommendations. Don't use a Chevrolet or any other brand to make decisions on an Accord. Totally different engines. Capice?

 

[greg1c]

The engineers designed the clearances in the engine around 5w-20, I would continue to run that viscosity. Also, follow the Maintenance Minder it will keep your engine protected and using synthetic oil is an extra edge on no oil problems.

 

[theechasequinn]

The only time, if ever, to use a thicker oil is when the engine starts to consume oil. Stick to factory recommendations. Don't use a Chevrolet or any other brand to make decisions on an Accord. Totally different engines. Capice?

Noted. Was more of an if anyone had experienced issues following the point of exceeding 100k and what their changes in procedure were (if any.)

 

[CheezyPoofs]

If you don't mind me asking, how often do you change yours? I drive roughly 500 miles a week commuting back and forth to work. I've had people tell me to go 8-10k, which seems stretching a bit to me. My Chevrolets I do every 3,000 to 4,000 just because of the mileage.

I follow the oil life monitor, and it's been right around 8,000 miles each time. I'm over 45,000mi now. I think oil technology is so far advanced from 20 or 30 years ago that the frequent changes we used to do are unnecessary today. One of the other reasons is there is less fuel contamination in the oil today due to leaner running. Synthetic oil doesn't brake down as easily, and I'm sure the oil filters do a better job than they did way back when.

 

[BanzaiRocket]

I always use Mobil1 full synthetic 5-20W, and never exceed 3,000 miles between changes, usually do mine every 2k or so as I notice the performance difference decrease around 1,600-1,800 miles, unless I'm commuting highway, then it's a little longer lasting.

 

[mclasser]

I always use Mobil1 full synthetic 5-20W, and never exceed 3,000 miles between changes, usually do mine every 2k or so as I notice the performance difference decrease around 1,600-1,800 miles, unless I'm commuting highway, then it's a little longer lasting.

This is just overkill. Curious to know how you "notice" a performance decrease in such few miles.

To OP: I have over 200K on my Accord and still use the factory spec'd 5W20. Like @slimm1469 said above, no need to mess with higher weights unless you're consuming oil. If you want, you can switch a high mileage synthetic. They usually have a fortified additive package and are slightly thicker. Check out Bob is the Oil Guy for more info about this. The important thing is to use a good quality oil filter. Most places just slap on an el cheapo filter and send you down the road.

 

[theechasequinn]

This is just overkill. Curious to know how you "notice" a performance decrease in such few miles.

To OP: I have over 200K on my Accord and still use the factory spec'd 5W20. Like @slimm1469 said above, no need to mess with higher weights unless you're consuming oil. If you want, you can switch a high mileage synthetic. They usually have a fortified additive package and are slightly thicker. Check out Bob is the Oil Guy for more info about this. The important thing is to use a good quality oil filter. Most places just slap on an el cheapo filter and send you down the road.

This. This is what I was looking for. Thank you.

 

[BanzaiRocket]

This is just overkill. Curious to know how you "notice" a performance decrease in such few miles.

To OP: I have over 200K on my Accord and still use the factory spec'd 5W20. Like @slimm1469 said above, no need to mess with higher weights unless you're consuming oil. If you want, you can switch a high mileage synthetic. They usually have a fortified additive package and are slightly thicker. Check out Bob is the Oil Guy for more info about this. The important thing is to use a good quality oil filter. Most places just slap on an el cheapo filter and send you down the road.

Yes, you're right about the filter being essential, I use either Mobil1 or K&N as they are good quality.

The performance difference decrease I notice is the potency of acceleration power, smoothness of engine and fuel mileage.

It's not a huge difference at 1,800 miles, but it is noticeable enough, and especially at around 3k miles it is very noticeable and I can feel the strain of the VTec not kicking in as soon or smoothly or powerfully, it's kinda like a slowed down reaction for the VTec to kick in and it's not as strong.

I notice all the slightest things with my cars, and I know how they drive. Like when it's really hot out I can definitely feel the loss in power and notice the lesser fuel mileage.

As for overkill, well I prefer to keep my car running in optimal shape and would rather spend a little extra on frequent oil changes than risk excess engine wear. I do the oil changes myself, so it's not that bad and I don't put a lot of miles on my car either. In almost 22 months for my current Accord I've put about 11k on it.

My previous 8th gen LX-S coupe accumulated about 42k in just over 3 1/2 years. A good portion of that was highway, probably a good bit over half of it. Although that one usually got oil changes around every 2,800-4k miles.

My thoughts on oil changes are it's a good cheap preventative measures and tends to keep everything working perfectly when done with quality oil and filters and frequently performed. What engine doesn't like good clean oil?!:wink

 

[Baldeagle]

To make a long story as short as possible...

I bought my 2010 EX-L V6 in October of 2014 with just under 60,000 miles. Today I had the last oil change done at 95,000 miles and won't have the next one done until it rolls over 100,000 (insert depressed smiley here.)

That being said, from the moment I bought the car, all oil changes have been done with the 4,000-5,000 mile range using Royal Purple 5W-20. The car itself shows no signs of mechanical mishaps with the exception of coil packs I have had to bad, which I understand to be a "common" issue with the 3.5 motors, other than that, and a tree falling on the car around this time last year. I love the car beyond words.

Should I be fine with using the 5W-20 or should I look into a thicker grade oil to help the longevity of the motor? With the exception of the Mercedes Benz I owned which had all maintenance done by a certifed Mercedes mechanic, I've driven nothing but Chevrolets and use nothing but Castrol 20W-50 due to each being over 225,000 miles (and still driving to this day knock on wood.) However, since this is an entirely different breed of vehicle, I'm just looking for some input and advise before I start doing anything that might possibly be detrimental to the car.

Thanks everyone

If you prefer shorter oil change intervals there is absolutely no reason to use thicker oil. Over time viscosity thins as oil breaks down which may hurt the formation of an oil wedge in critical areas. In older engines that could be an argument for 30W oil. But if you use a 5,000 mile OCI with synthetic oil, you’re not even close to any viscosity breakdown. 0W-20 or 5W-20 should be just fine.

 

[satown830]

Like others have said, no thicker oil. These engines are designed with tight tolerances. Thicker oil means you are starving some parts of the engine for designed oil flow.

Big difference between old pushrod chevy engines and any Japanese engine.

 

[TopSniper69]

I always use Mobil1 full synthetic 5-20W, and never exceed 3,000 miles between changes, usually do mine every 2k or so as I notice the performance difference decrease around 1,600-1,800 miles, unless I'm commuting highway, then it's a little longer lasting.

I don't know how you can feel a performance difference in that few of miles. Anyway, the new Mobil one oil sucks. Do your research, they lower the price significantly for a reason. Spoiler alert, it has way less "anti wear" additives than it use to.

This is just overkill. Curious to know how you "notice" a performance decrease in such few miles.

To OP: I have over 200K on my Accord and still use the factory spec'd 5W20. Like @slimm1469 said above, no need to mess with higher weights unless you're consuming oil. If you want, you can switch a high mileage synthetic. They usually have a fortified additive package and are slightly thicker. Check out Bob is the Oil Guy for more info about this. The important thing is to use a good quality oil filter. Most places just slap on an el cheapo filter and send you down the road.

High mileage oil has more anti wear additives than most oils, it's not thicker. 5w-20 is 5w-20 and 10w-30 is 10w-30. The most important thing is good quality oil AND a quality oil filter.

Yes, you're right about the filter being essential, I use either Mobil1 or K&N as they are good quality.

The performance difference decrease I notice is the potency of acceleration power, smoothness of engine and fuel mileage.

It's not a huge difference at 1,800 miles, but it is noticeable enough, and especially at around 3k miles it is very noticeable and I can feel the strain of the VTec not kicking in as soon or smoothly or powerfully, it's kinda like a slowed down reaction for the VTec to kick in and it's not as strong.

I notice all the slightest things with my cars, and I know how they drive. Like when it's really hot out I can definitely feel the loss in power and notice the lesser fuel mileage.

As for overkill, well I prefer to keep my car running in optimal shape and would rather spend a little extra on frequent oil changes than risk excess engine wear. I do the oil changes myself, so it's not that bad and I don't put a lot of miles on my car either. In almost 22 months for my current Accord I've put about 11k on it.

My previous 8th gen LX-S coupe accumulated about 42k in just over 3 1/2 years. A good portion of that was highway, probably a good bit over half of it. Although that one usually got oil changes around every 2,800-4k miles.

My thoughts on oil changes are it's a good cheap preventative measures and tends to keep everything working perfectly when done with quality oil and filters and frequently performed. What engine doesn't like good clean oil?!:wink

Did you change your oil early the first time? Most people think that's a good thing but that's anything but the truth. The Mobil 1 oil filter is ok but the K&N is just a glorified crappy filter "but wait, it has a nut welded on it for easy removal".

If you prefer shorter oil change intervals there is absolutely no reason to use thicker oil. Over time viscosity thins as oil breaks down which may hurt the formation of an oil wedge in critical areas. In older engines that could be an argument for 30W oil. But if you use a 5,000 mile OCI with synthetic oil, you’re not even close to any viscosity breakdown. 0W-20 or 5W-20 should be just fine.

Yes.

Like others have said, no thicker oil. These engines are designed with tight tolerances. Thicker oil means you are starving some parts of the engine for designed oil flow.

Big difference between old pushrod chevy engines and any Japanese engine.

Correct.

 

[BanzaiRocket]

K&N makes a more normal type of filter without the nut on the bottom. Yeah, they're not quite as gas the Mobil1 filters, but they're decent for like a $5 filter. It just depends what in stock when I pick it up.

Thanks for the info on the oil, I was unaware of the changes, which would explain the performance difference as it used to work better.

Which oil and filter do you prefer and have found to work well?

 

[TopSniper69]

K&N makes a more normal type of filter without the nut on the bottom. Yeah, they're not quite as gas the Mobil1 filters, but they're decent for like a $5 filter. It just depends what in stock when I pick it up.

Thanks for the info on the oil, I was unaware of the changes, which would explain the performance difference as it used to work better.

Which oil and filter do you prefer and have found to work well?

I solely use Amsoil. It is by far the best oil money can buy. It has way more anti wear additives than any other oil. I use their signature series 5w-30. After some research I've noticed the pureolator Pure 1 was the best oil filter for the money but recently there has been reports that their filters are falling apart. The amsoil filter is good but the new royal purple oil filter did better in recent tests as far as filtration. Both are great options so buy which ever is cheaper. Grab a magnetic drain plug while you're at it. I purchased the BLOX kit cuz it was the least expensive outta the name brand kits.

 

[BanzaiRocket]

Cool thanks,

Yeah I remember AmsOil from some years back. Yes, it is really good stuff. Yes, it is expensive, but inarguably probably about the best oil out there.

Yeah, Royal Purple definitely makes good stuff, same thing in the sense that it's not cheap, but it is good quality.

Well, it seems like I should switch back to using the AmsOil products like I used to with the old cars.

Magnetic drain plug, will do. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[t-rd]

I have 233000 miles on my 07 Accord V6. I used 5w-20 Mobile1 synthetic always, then I switched to 5w-20 Royal Purple for a while, the rear main seal started leaking. I switched back to Mobile1, rear main leak stopped. I have never used high mileage oil. Stick with the same oil. In my opinion, Royal Purple didn't make any difference whatsoever.

 

[RinconVTR]

Run a 5w-30 or 0w-40 at most if your obsessed about whatever.

But never, ever, a 15w-XX or 20w-XX anything in your motor.

If you come back down to reality, 0w-20, 5w-20 and 5w-30 are all fine for your motor. There is no reason for anything else.

I'd personally run 0w-20 until I had an absolute reason not to.