[DARKART]

I just returned from a trip to high elevation in Colorado. I had some spirited driving in the mountains where the car stayed at 5000-5500 RPM for some extended periods (this is really the only way I could get power to climb the mountain and then used the engine to slow on the decent). Also driving in Denver I had to push the car harder to accelerate in normal traffic due to the thinner air. Overall the trip was ~2400 miles.

I noticed on return that I was down somewhere between a half and 3/4 quart on the oil. This is from an engine that ordinarily burns none over an OCI. Normal?

 

[200366HFP]

Interesting - I'll be doing some driving in the same area right after the 4th - I'll keep an eye on mine as well. I would guess the higher long term RPM's may have something to do with it, but like you say, that's a daily occurrence for me and hardly use any oil between OCI's.

Edit: Oh wait - I see you have the I4 (Sport) I have a V6. Not sure it would make a difference, but I will report back none the less.

 

[Hudouc]

I think it's normal because you are driving the car a lot harder, I had the same issue when I went to Colorado. I'd drive 3000miles without burning a single drop, then as soon as the mountain hits, I'd end up burning a bit. I also drive exactly as you do, high RPM to climb the mountain at a fast pace, and engine braking all the way down.

 

[Cepega]

What oil do you run as that may be the factor as well, not all oils are the same.

 

[KW2004Accord]

May be even driving for a longer period than you normally do, many factors to consider.

 

[Hudouc]

Also, I've suspected for a very long time that the oil "burn" comes from engine braking. With no combustion, there's only the pure compression from the piston to seal the rings. That may not be enough and thus letting oil into the combustion chamber. You don't notice this normally because you aren't engine braking for minutes at a time, but in the mountains, you do.

 

[jackpine]

Also, I've suspected for a very long time that the oil "burn" comes from engine braking. With no combustion, there's only the pure compression from the piston to seal the rings. That may not be enough and thus letting oil into the combustion chamber. You don't notice this normally because you aren't engine braking for minutes at a time, but in the mountains, you do.

That sounds reasonable to me, Hucouc. And, I suspect the high RPMs under high load caused the oil temperature to go way, way up. probably in the 260+ degree range. I know back when I had a gauge that monitored my oil temperature in an older F150, that oil temperature would bounce way up when the engine was operated under load, climbing the roads over the passes in Colorado. If the oil is at very high temperatures for prolonged periods, it's viscosity would be very low and could probably slip past the rings and into the combustion chamber.

Darkart, I suspect we all might be interested in knowing if your oil consumption has returned to normal now that you're back on the flatlands.

- Jack

 

[DARKART]

I run Pennzoil Platinum 0W20 the dealer puts in.

As for extended driving intervals, my commute is ~30 miles per day with no burn/loss, and I completed a trip in 2019 to Boston/NE with no oil consumption, so if anything I am chalking it up to the altitude as that is the only variable that changed other than my car has about 20K more miles on it now compared to summer ‘19.

 

[nick2632]

Most likely caused by cruising at 5k rpms, which is awesome btw lol.
Did you fill up with mid grade gas here? Our regular gas is 85 octane which I doubt would cause the additional oil use, but that could be another factor of your overall experience driving here.
Another thing to add is that while these cars have plenty of power, it will feel extremely different trying to accelerate going up hill compared to flat. Which everyone knows, but it's easy to underestimate the grade on some of these roads. I70 west of Denver is pretty damn crazy with the massive inclines and declines while keeping up with traffic going 70-80mph while dodging semis.
Could even just be time to get your valve cover gasket replaced. If problem continues, of course.

If there is 1 thing I know we can all agree on is that it sounds like it's time you upgrade to the V6.

 

[WiiMaster]

If there is 1 thing I know we can all agree on is that it sounds like it's time you upgrade to the V6.

Well we know the V6 also has VCM, who knows how that reacts to the altitude...

 

[HondaBob]

FWIW I don't think I have noticed this on my Accord which has been driven in the mountains, east and west, on some long trips. It normally burns 1 qt. during an OCI (generally 10,000 miles or so).

My Highlander has been subjected to many short, steep hill climbs in my area. On these climbs the 8-speed trans tends to downshift to sometimes 4th and the engine screams at 4000 RPM or more. I don't think I've driven it under the conditions Darkart has but it doesn't burn a drop of oil over a 10,000 mile OCI. I will see how it does in August. Going to the Grand Canyon with some grandkids. Planning on going up Pikes Peak on the way.

 

[2Accordz]

I just returned from a trip to high elevation in Colorado. I had some spirited driving in the mountains where the car stayed at 5000-5500 RPM for some extended periods (this is really the only way I could get power to climb the mountain and then used the engine to slow on the decent). Also driving in Denver I had to push the car harder to accelerate in normal traffic due to the thinner air. Overall the trip was ~2400 miles.

I noticed on return that I was down somewhere between a half and 3/4 quart on the oil. This is from an engine that ordinarily burns none over an OCI. Normal?

Yep...mine does the same thing ...if I drive it like I stole it.
I don't often, but idling in traffic, stop and go, etc, doesn't seem to consume oil... it's when you're constantly mashing throttle on GDI engines.
It's pretty much the nature of the beast.

 

[andrewtl96]

If you're cruising around 5k rpm... I'd be concerned if the car wasn't burning oil. I'd hope you are using a quality oil... Amsoil, Pennzoil, Mobil-1, etc. Probably worth it to check/replace/clean you PCV valve.
With my '14 Sport I have not noticed any oil burning, but I'm pretty low on the miles. A friend has a '16 Sport at ~70k miles, and his commute involves a steep grade. I checked his oil a few weeks ago, and at ~5k miles into the interval he was a full quart low on oil. All the cars that I've owned tended to burn oil when I ran them harder than usual.

 

[glanzera21]

I live in Colorado, never consumed a drop of oil on this car. I'm currently at 45k. My Pilot is at 168k, doesn't use any oil.

That said, all of my previous Hondas consumed a bit of oil between changes.

 

[DARKART]

I live in Colorado, never consumed a drop of oil on this car. I'm currently at 45k. My Pilot is at 168k, doesn't use any oil.

That said, all of my previous Hondas consumed a bit of oil between changes.

Do you cruise at 5K RPM up/down mountains?

 

[glanzera21]

Do you cruise at 5K RPM up/down mountains?

Yes. The Pilot I use primarily for skiing which I do nearly every weekend. 2hrs each way from Ft. Collins to Frisco. I'm usually going 75mph or so which requires a good amount of time at 4-5k rpm. On the way there, I70 is nearly entirely uphill for 60 miles.

I don't take the Accord as often but I do on occasion when there isn't going to be weather.

 

[DARKART]

In addition to the engine speed, the outside temperature was in the mid 90s, if that makes any difference. In any car I’ve ever driven if it did burn any amount of oil, it did so in the summer months with higher temperatures.

 

[200366HFP]

I think there is a pretty good consensus here - drive the crap out of it for long periods of time, and you will burn a little oil. I know my kids '03 V6 is that way - I always ask him when its a full quart low, how he's been driving? Yup, hammered down.... I'll see if my car burns any next week on some mountain grades - then again, the V6 may not have to be running 5-6000 rpms to make the climbs!

 

[DARKART]

The thing is I don’t consider 5K RPMs driving hard. It is just what was required at the time and conditions. I don’t know how any Accord driver (4cyl) doesn’t have to put their foot in the car to get it to move. Even in normal city traffic, I have to rev to at least 4K just to keep up with the acceleration of other vehicles on the road.