[mizkcc81]

I have a co-worker that has a 2012 Honda Civic, said he used to get 34 to 35 mpg using Honda's 0-20w semi synthetic oil, said he switched to Mobil 1 and is now getting 38 mpg. Anybody else have this experience?

 

[mbnc]

Yup, although it wasn't quite as big of a difference as your co-worker saw. After I dumped the factory fill in my LX and started using M1, my mileage went from 29.7 to 31.0.

Edit: On second thought, it could have also had something to do with winter vs. summer fuel blends. I'd imagine running the AC in the summer would offset that, though. Who knows, too many variables... just reporting what I logged.

 

[Blackheart]

I have a friend that reported exactly the opposite. While our respective friends may have, indeed, realized what they reported, it could be that their changes were due to weather, rather than the oil. Or, one of many other variables.

Let's face it, if you go from very cold to relatively warmer weather, that weather change can produce those different numbers.

There are so many variables when looking at fuel efficiency, I don't trust anecdotal evidence. Don't fall for the "this oil is more slippery than that oil" talk. It's just not true to any extent that will result in this much of a difference.

It's just random people reporting random results, with no control. Heck, we don't even know if our friends punched the correct buttons on their calculators, or, just did the math in their heads and made a mistake....

 

[FreAkInZ]

I have a friend that reported exactly the opposite. While our respective friends may have, indeed, realized what they reported, it could be that their changes were due to weather, rather than the oil. Or, one of many other variables.

Let's face it, if you go from very cold to relatively warmer weather, that weather change can produce those different numbers.

There are so many variables when looking at fuel efficiency, I don't trust anecdotal evidence. Don't fall for the "this oil is more slippery than that oil" talk. It's just not true to any extent that will result in this much of a difference.

It's just random people reporting random results, with no control. Heck, we don't even know if our friends punched the correct buttons on their calculators, or, just did the math in their heads and made a mistake....

Even if I agree with most of what you say, I think that you should drop the calculator and start using the report the car gives you.

 

[Blackheart]

Even if I agree with most of what you say, I think that you should drop the calculator and start using the report the car gives you.

IF you mean the mpg estimate on the dashboard is more accurate than actually doing the math, that's not true. Then again, we don't really know if we fill our cars up EXACTLY the same every time, unless we go to extreme measures to do so. And, we don't really know if the gas pump we are using is calibrated precisely. There are just too many variables....

Of course, if people want to just go by how they feel, or, what they expect, or what they want to see, that's fine too. :dunno:

 

[johnjohn15]

I have a friend that reported exactly the opposite. While our respective friends may have, indeed, realized what they reported, it could be that their changes were due to weather, rather than the oil. Or, one of many other variables.

Let's face it, if you go from very cold to relatively warmer weather, that weather change can produce those different numbers.

There are so many variables when looking at fuel efficiency, I don't trust anecdotal evidence. Don't fall for the "this oil is more slippery than that oil" talk. It's just not true to any extent that will result in this much of a difference.

It's just random people reporting random results, with no control. Heck, we don't even know if our friends punched the correct buttons on their calculators, or, just did the math in their heads and made a mistake....

^^^^^^ this!!!!

 

[jess91872]

IF you mean the mpg estimate on the dashboard is more accurate than actually doing the math, that's not true. Then again, we don't really know if we fill our cars up EXACTLY the same every time, unless we go to extreme measures to do so.

This cannot be stated enough in threads about mpg.

 

[mizkcc81]

Well, that's what he said he got. The highest mpg that he has ever gotten with the car. Why does Honda recommend a synthetic blend?

 

[Blackheart]

Well, that's what he said he got. The highest mpg that he has ever gotten with the car. Why does Honda recommend a synthetic blend?

That's an entirely different question than the original. Maybe you want to put this in another thread?

Since the term "synthetic" has been relegated to a marketing term (instead of a scientific term) after the Castrol/Mobil 1 lawsuit late in the 20th century, the term "semi-synthetic" seems almost useless.

All "semi-synthetic" means is that the base oil at least has SOME amount of Group III (hydrocracked mineral oil...the most commonly called "synthetic" base stock), or Group IV, or Group V base. I don't think there is a requirement that there is a certain % of base oil in the sample to be able to label it as semi-synthetic. If there is a certain % requirement, I'd like to see it in writing.

The take-away message is: just buy an oil labeled "synthetic" that has the appropriate designations and in the appropriate viscosity range suggested by the manufacturer. It will probably be Group III Mineral Oil, which potentially performs better than Group I or II (although additive packs have a lot to do with overall performance). Group III's are cheaper to produce than what I call a True Synthetic (that is, one that is actually constructed in a lab rather than from severely refined mineral oil), and perform very well in passenger car engines.

 

[reframmellator]

When Mobil introduced Mobil 1 back in 1976, oil came in cans, and we liked it!

They also claimed an increase of 3-5% in fuel economy due to reduced friction vs dino oil.

So I think some small increase is realistic, although dino oils have improved a lot since 1976.

Then again, sometimes believing is seeing. In the late 70s, ARCO introduced ARCOgraphite, a conventional motor oil with microparticles of graphite suspended in it. I worked for ARCO at the time and the company newsletter contained letters from employees gushing about how "my engine revs are 200 rpm lower at 55 mph". Young non- mechanical engineer that I was, I thought I saw it, too (in my defense, you could have covered the tach on my Citation with a 50 cent piece) until a Mech. E. pointed out the rpms are fixed by the drive ratio, not internal engine friction . . . .

Your friend in the Civic probably had about 20 tanks of data, some of it undoubtedly in very cold or very hot temperatures, which affects mpg. Not to mention the fillup effects cited above. Give me a 20 tank average with the synthetic and I'll bet his mpg is up, but not by 10%.

 

[Losttekniqs]

I thought the OEM oil from Honda IS Mobil 1.

 

[Wheelhorse]

Mobil 1 0-20 here...didn't notice any difference.

 

[Wheelhorse]

I thought the OEM oil from Honda IS Mobil 1.

BITOG showed VOA's the same as Motorcraft oil aka Conoco Phillips.

 

[Renaissance Man]

Redline and moly disulfide

My friend's 2006 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5MT routinely and repeatedly got between 39 and 42 mpg in extended highway driving. It had Redline 5W30 and Liqui Moly (moly disulfide) in the crankcase, and Redline MTL in the transmission. I don't know how much of an increase that was over pre-Redline, but it was better.

My 2008 Civic Si with the same oils couldn't come close to that (33mpg). My Accord gets 34-35mpg hwy and I'm happy with that.

If you're going to use M1, I suggest Mobil 1 Extended Performance. And I still use moly. www.j.mp/lubromoly

 

[karfreek]

My friend's 2006 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5MT routinely and repeatedly got between 39 and 42 mpg in extended highway driving. It had Redline 5W30 and Liqui Moly (moly disulfide) in the crankcase, and Redline MTL in the transmission. I don't know how much of an increase that was over pre-Redline, but it was better.

My 2008 Civic Si with the same oils couldn't come close to that (33mpg). My Accord gets 34-35mpg hwy and I'm happy with that.

If you're going to use M1, I suggest Mobil 1 Extended Performance. And I still use moly. www.j.mp/lubromoly

I was running regular M1 5w-20 in my 5.7L Hemi and at 15,000mi it was showing a lot of additive life left on the OA.

Jay

 

[campaign4libert]

I have a co-worker that has a 2012 Honda Civic, said he used to get 34 to 35 mpg using Honda's 0-20w semi synthetic oil, said he switched to Mobil 1 and is now getting 38 mpg. Anybody else have this experience?

what experience are you talking about? To have a friend tell you they changed oil and MPG changed? Sure, i've had that experience but I never paid attention. There is no way to isolate the effect of oil alone. There is no way for him to drive exactly the same way, the same routes, same ambient temperatures either.
However if you report that your car improved MPG by 10% because of an oil change beware that you immediately destroy your own credibility. To even believe this is possible you must be very clueless about physics.

 

[ltxi]

No mpg difference....see placebo effect thread. Just imo better oil.

 

[Newton]

This thread has more placebo than an FDA test lab.

 

[drowned12]

10% improvement from oil?:lmao::lmao::lmao:

 

[HondaBob]

When Mobil introduced Mobil 1 back in 1976, oil came in cans, and we liked it!

They also claimed an increase of 3-5% in fuel economy due to reduced friction vs dino oil.

So I think some small increase is realistic, although dino oils have improved a lot since 1976.

Then again, sometimes believing is seeing. In the late 70s, ARCO introduced ARCOgraphite, a conventional motor oil with microparticles of graphite suspended in it. I worked for ARCO at the time and the company newsletter contained letters from employees gushing about how "my engine revs are 200 rpm lower at 55 mph". Young non- mechanical engineer that I was, I thought I saw it, too (in my defense, you could have covered the tach on my Citation with a 50 cent piece) until a Mech. E. pointed out the rpms are fixed by the drive ratio, not internal engine friction . . . .

Your friend in the Civic probably had about 20 tanks of data, some of it undoubtedly in very cold or very hot temperatures, which affects mpg. Not to mention the fillup effects cited above. Give me a 20 tank average with the synthetic and I'll bet his mpg is up, but not by 10%.

Ah yes, good old Arco Graphite. Put it in my '76 6 cylinder Chevy Nova, a tank of an engine that could take a lot of abuse, luckily. The only thing the Arco Graphite did for it was give it a stuck lifter!!