Engine Oil?

Tiny
KCLAIR23
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 HONDA CIVIC
  • 55,000 MILES
Would Castrol Synthetic 20W50 oil kill and engine. Even if an oil change was immediately done a day or two after. The only driving that was done was to get back home approximately 5 to 10 miles and then another to 1000 feet to a garage the next day.
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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 AT 1:38 PM

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Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
Here is the oil and capacity for your car. Fluid Types

Engine Oil

Type. Honda Motor Oil

API Classification. Make sure the label says "For Gasoline Engines".

SAE Viscosity. 5W-20
Capacities

Engine Oil Capacity

Change*

Including filter. 3.9 US qt (3.7L)

Without filter. 3.7 US qt (3.5L)

Total. 4.8 US qt (4.5L)

* Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
BMAN12
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  • 1 POST
  • 2008 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,500 MILES
I have just bought a brand new civic. I also got a remote starter with the car. Allowing me to start the engine from quite a distance. I liked the idea but I was not sure what it was excally designed for, the actual purpose. The answer I continually get is that it allows your engine to start up and warm up. Giving time for the oil to warm up and get thrown around to keep the engine lubricated. Assuming that this is only needed during winter time when the oil is actually stiffer after sitting inside a cold car for a while. I was wondering if there is a difference between starting your car and letting the engine run for 20 min as opossed to starting it up and driving away? Is it better for the engine to allow it to run first? Is there any difference?
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
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IT's not a bad idea to let the engine warm up for a minute, but I believe this was more so for the older carburated models. Todays car is pretty complex and it knows that it is cold and makes the appropriate fuel/air mix adjustments. This is mostly due to the EPA standards to conserve fuel and reduce emmisions.

Personally I get in and go. Unless it's freezing cold out, in which case I'll let in warm up for 5 minutes. The remote starter would save me from walking out there to do this. Except I have a standard.

So to answer your questions, the Remote starter is so you get into a warm car where the heat will be waitng for you. Or A/C of course
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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I suggest getting in and going. I like to take it easy during the first minute or so. Another advantage of the remote starter is the ability to have the car start up at intervals, run and shut itself off. I live in South Dakota and when the mercury drop in the 20 to 30 below range and I know I need the vehicle in the early morning, that feature is nice to ensure that the car will be starting. The remote starter is also fun to scare someone who is getting into their vehicle next to you and knows there is no one in your car.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
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LOL! I knew you had an evil side!
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AZEE13
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 2004 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 61,500 MILES
Hi can some please tell me what is the correct type of oil I should use in my Honda Civic 1.4i 2004 model car. Its has done 61500 miles and the weather condition is UK weather. (Cold and nasty).

I prefer to use Mobil 1. I did ask mobil they say its 0w-20 but honda says its 0w-30. Is it fully synthetic or semi synthetic. One of honda service center said it semi synthetic 5w-30. I am totally confused.

Please help to choose the correct oil for my car.

Thanks a lot in advance.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
SAE Viscosity 5W-20 Here is a guided to help you see how to change the oil and filter.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PMP
  • MEMBER
  • 177 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 133,000 MILES
I was wondering which oil you people recommend. Im using castrol high mileage 10w 30 now. I noticed alot of honda guys use mobile one. Why is this? I plan on keeping my car for a long time Which oil would be the best for the engine. I dont want to use synthetic due to it might kill the seals in the engine so basically between the high mileage oils. I don't race or anything but I do a good amount of driving. About half stop and go and half high way. Thank you
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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Synthetic oil does a better job of carrying dirt to the oil filter then petroleum based oil, I use synthetic myself, the other plus is you can drive more miles on synthetic oil as well, 5,000 miles between changes compared to 3,000 for regular oil. Synthetic oil will not hurt your oil seals. If you are that worried about the seals, they do have synthetic blend oil.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARLEY SHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
I am low on oil, and I am not sure what type of oil to put into my car. There was no oil level showing on my dip stick, so I stopped and got some 5W-30 synthetic oil. Was that a bad choice? I purchased my car about 4 months ago, and was told that the oil had just been changed in it. There was no sticker on the windshield, but I took the sellers word. The car seems to be running fine now, but I do know that there is a transmission misfire. I just don't have the money to have it fixed, so I'm going to try to either find someone to fix it for me, or fix it myself.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Most likely that oil will be fine. Synthetic oil is very expensive, and usually not the best value, unless it is specified for your engine. The concern with sticking with one brand of oil is each one has their own proprietary additives including detergents, dispersants, seal conditioners, corrosion inhibitors, and anti-foaming agents. There will always be a quart or two of old oil that doesn't drain out during an oil change, and if some of those old additives aren't yet fully depleted, they may not be compatible with those in the new oil. The new detergents, for example, might attack the old seal conditioners resulting in a new leak. Most of the time this is not a concern. If it was, car owners would have to specify which brand of oil must be used at every oil change.

5W-30 is a very light, (thin) viscosity. It would be too thin for most engines from the 1980s and earlier, but it is recommended for many smaller engines today. The "30" means it will maintain its thickness when it gets hot. The "5" means when it's real cold, it will act like 5-weight oil and flow easily to critical engine parts. This is probably a good choice, and if it isn't exactly the correct oil specified, it will be diluted with what was already in the engine.

For my final comment of value, be sure to only check the oil level when the engine is not running. I saw a fellow destroy his engine many years ago by trying to get it to the "full" mark while it was running. Also be aware that all engines today use some oil between oil changes. To address the numerous complaints, dip sticks are no longer listed with "add" and "full" marks. They're listed with "Min" and "Max" marks. The specified amount of oil for an oil change will not bring the level to the "Max" mark. As long as the level remains above the "Min" mark, there is no need to add any.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARLEY SHAW
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Thank you! That was very helpful.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LISAO
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  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 19,200 MILES
How many quarts of motor oil does my civic take?
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
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Depends on engine ID. For the D16Y5 & D16Y8 engines, it holds 3.8 quarts with filter. For the D16Y7 engines, it holds 3.5 quarts with filter/

Fluid Types

Engine Oil

New standard for engine oil, GF-4. See TSB SN050109 for Honda Service News 050109 for additional information.

API Classification. SJ or SH Energy Conserving II

Viscosity. 5W-30
Capacities

Engine Oil Capacity

D16Y5

With filter. 3.3L (3.5 Qt)

Without filter. 3.0L (3.2 Qt)

With engine overhaul. 3.7L (3.9 Qt)

D16Y7

With filter. 3.6L (3.8 Qt)

Without filter. 3.3L (3.5 Qt)

With engine overhaul. 4.3L (4.5 Qt)

D16Y8

With filter. 3.3L (3.5 Qt)

Without filter. 3.0L (3.2 Qt)

With engine overhaul. 3.7L (3.9 Qt)
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SYEDAWAISAMJAD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 176,000 MILES
I drove this car for like a thousand kms in the last week and before that I added engine oil upto the max level. I just checked this morning and the engine oil level is below minimum. Another point that I noted is that while driving at the end of week when the oil level wasa prolly very low already when I shifted to 5th gear from 4th at high speed the car kinda lost the power like the speed cam down to 80Ks from a 95 after hitting the throttle in 5th gear. And the max speed isnt going beyond 100 max no :( the tail pipe doesnt give any kinda smoke or oil. And oil aint dripping from the bottom of engine either. What do I do?
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:51 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

Do an engine oil & filter change, use a good quality engine flush, fill oil up using 20W-50 mineral based oil, not the Km's and re check oil after 500 Kms & 1000Kms, advise what the oil usage is like then.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:51 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SYEDAWAISAMJAD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I really appreciate your concern. AActually I am from Pakistan and its summers these days and msx temp is upto 45 to 48 degree celsius. Wouldnt that effect the use of SAE 20W50 oil. Secondly I just got my clutch plate checked too it was completely worn and needed to be replaced. Do u think it can be one of the reasons engine is consuming oil? And I have a sports muffler installed too. Just the tail-pipe and the silencer.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:51 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
The clutch & the muffler will not affect the oil consumption, I have customers here in Australia using 20W-50 and our summers can be in the 40Deg range, I have added oil company notes refer to 20W-50 specs to see if this suits your needs.

SAE Viscosity Grade Motor Oil: 10W-40
Temperature Conditions: Above 0 ° F
Description: The first multi grade introduced. A good choice for controlling engine wear and preventing oil breakdown from oxidation.

SAE Viscosity Grade Motor Oil: 20W-50
Temperature Conditions: Above 20 ° F
Description: Provides maximum protection for high-performance, high-RPM racing engines. Excellent choice for high temperature and heavy loads such as driving in the desert or towing a trailer at high speeds for long periods of time.

SAE Viscosity Grade Motor Oil: SAE 30 & SAE 40
Temperature Conditions: Above 40 ° F & Above 60 ° F
Description: For cars and light trucks, where recommended by manufacturers. Not recommended when cold-temperature starting is required.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:51 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SYEDAWAISAMJAD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks. I am gonna change the oil today and see what happens. :)
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:51 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
OK,
let me know how that works for you.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 1:51 PM (Merged)

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