[Marc999]

Hi guys,

For as long as I can remember, my mechanic has used regular 5w20 in my car.
I would follow the mm & usually end up having the oil changed between 7,000 - 7,500 km. (4,350 - 4,660 miles)

Now, he was switched to a semi-synthetic oil, with BG MOA 115 supplement.
I'm now supposed to get ~ 10,000 km. between changes. (6,215 miles)
The downside is a noticeable cost hike, compared to when he was using regular dino. He does have more staff, so this is likely the reason why.

Is that supplement ok to have been used?

 

[2Accordz]

Is that supplement ok to have been used?

I wouldn't do it.
I'm not big on any supplements/additives to be added to oil on a Honda...unless there is an underlying issue that hasn't been resolved.
Is there oil burning/consumption??

And no supplement that I've heard of, has ever magically added miles to the MM.
Bottom line, If you're not having issues, you don't need it.
As far as switching to synthetic, that's fine.
That's all I've used in my vehicles.

 

[RickBlaine]

Your mechanic likes to make money off of you.

You can use any name brand oil, 5W-20, regular or semi or full synthetic.

No supplement needed.

 

[Marc999]

When on dino. oil, it might drop by 1/4 on the dipstick between oil changes.
So really nothing to worry about there I would think.

 

[t-rd]

Just put in 4 oz of marvel mystery oil when oil life indicator is down to 20%. I have been doing this for a long time now. A bottle of 32oz marvel mystery oil costs just $3.88 at Walmart.

 

[Marc999]

That's what I figured - a little disappointing.
He used to charge % of an hour for jobs as well, but now charges the allotted time. Shops gotten bigger, thus likely higher expenses.

 

[2Accordz]

That's what I figured - a little disappointing.
He used to charge % of an hour for jobs as well, but now charges the allotted time. Shops gotten bigger, thus likely higher expenses.

Yeah, he's getting bigger and has taken on BG as a supplier so it sounds like he's pushing their additives on all customers.
From what I've heard it's the "flavor of the month" at many dealerships.
All these additives come and go, but I've never seen Honda endorse any of them.
That's plenty of reason to stay the hell away from adding them, I say.

 

[Marc999]

I've never tried that Marvel Mystery stuff before.

Last time I added something like that - 'Lucas upper cylinder lubricant' - I swear it triggered an O2 sensor related CEL.

 

[t-rd]

That's why you add just 4oz as I noted, don't dump an entire bottle into the engine crank case. This is just to clean out the motor right before the oil change.

You don't need to add any additive as long as you do regular oil changes with full syn oil.

 

[Marc999]

So, now that I supposedly have 10,000 km oil interval - do I ignore the MM and just go by the odometer?

 

[mtts60]

Go by the MM anyhow and when it gets to 0, drain the stuff out and refill with your usual oil minus that BG stuff.

 

[2Accordz]

So, now that I supposedly have 10,000 km oil interval - do I ignore the MM and just go by the odometer?

That's up to you. Many here ignore it, and extend it out to 10K(10,000 Miles).
I don't.
The biggest reason I've used synthetic is because it appears to help keep my valve train cleaner, which also is one of the most important items with these VTEC engines, as they rely on correct oil pressure.
I'm not trying to save money by using it, I do it for other reasons, which I've seen with my own eyes, doing valve adjustments.
You can use conventional, too, as many Honda owners have high mileage cars with never ever using synthetics.

 

[t-rd]

So, now that I supposedly have 10,000 km oil interval - do I ignore the MM and just go by the odometer?

10000km or 6000 to 7500 miles IS the MM interval. I don't know how your MM is turning on every 4000 some miles... that was back in the super old days. I did 3000 mile oil change on my old 1990 Accord.

 

[Marc999]

Woops, you're right - I left out an important part. I'd usually get an oil change, around ~ 15 / 20% mm - because it would coincide with when the snow/summer tire swap would occur.
So I'd just get both done for the sake of convenience. He'd offer a package deal - which is no longer offered.

I'll just wait until it hits 5%, or 0 next time.

 

[qman]

Find a new place to change your oil. Or learn how to do it yourself. Just FYI semi-synthetic oil is snake oil. You'd think that it would be half synthetic since it says semi right on the label. Do some Googling on the subject. If the quart of oil has a drop of synthetic oil in there it can be called semi-synthetic. The man is scamming you.

If you want to go longer intervals (I just started doing this a year or two ago), use full synthetic and matching filter. The oil companies offer rebates every year so an oil change is like $25. You have to do it yourself though.

 

[jimijam]

Supplements are for old people. Either in pill form, or as extra insurance for all the things medicare fails to cover.

 

[KW2004Accord]

I would find another mechanic as stated above, someone that let's you bring the oil / filter & they charge for labor only if you can't diy. I had been going to my mechanic for several yrs. when he tried to get me to use a oil supplement @ $20 (BIG money maker for shops), not needed I said since I use a syn. oil. I use MMO @ every other oil change on my 04.

 

[WDHewson]

Marvel Mystery Oil was a product on sale when I was a budding gear head in about 1960.

Even back then we concluded from its fanciful name that this was likely a well advertized sizzle with no steak.

Now that we have mandated MSDS information, we know that sizzle sells

 

[ashirm98]

Recommendations may be slightly different for the 4 cylinder vs the V6, but I have never added anything to my oil in the past 2 years and almost 30k miles that I've owned my V6. I just use Mobil 1 full synthetic (just what I get at Costco) and a Honda filter and I change it by the MM. I haven't seen any signs of my car burning any oil at almost 110k miles.

I've had friends who used those additives and never claimed to see any benefit from it

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

 

[stevem48a3]

without getting into an oil debate , if you were to read up on conventional oils v/s synthetic you will definitely see which offers superior protection ,
Mobil 1 Syn. for me , & no addatives thank you