Oil loss question

Hello all,

2001 Accord 4cyl automatic 30,000 miles

I changed my oil today at a 5000 mile interval and I noticed it drained
about a pint short. All other oil changes that I have done have been
pretty much right on. I switched to Mobil1 0w-20 synthetic at my last oil
change. Could that have anything to do with it?


thanks,

Matt

 

You burned 1/2 quart in 5000 miles.

Thats a HEALTHY motor. Let it be.

--
Charles Tague
93 Honda Civic DX HB
1.6L SOHC VTEC 14.85 @ 89 mph,1.98 60 ft.
With ZEX 85 hp ZEX 13.09 @ 103 mph, 1.81 60ft.
86 Pontiac Trans Am
225/50/15 GForce Drag Radials
305 peanut cammed 15.29 @ 88 mph
http://home.cinci.rr.com/mistab0ne/

 

agreed. VW and saturn claim burning a quart every thousand miles is normal!

 

Maybe when you switched to synthetic, it would cause the engine to lose oil.
I've always been curious about why people spend the extra $$$ to go synthetic.
I have a '96 Integra GS-R with 93k+ miles on it. I change the oil every 3000
miles
with name brand 5w30 oil. I've never had a problem with this car. I plan
on driving her for at least 4 or more years. The money I saved with $16.88
oil changes at Walmart versus 4 quarts of synthetic every 3000 miles will
add up overtime. My car has a 8k redline which I visit regularly so I can't
say that I don't have an advanced engine. I don't usually check my gas mileage
but in January 1997, I drove from Houston to Phoenix and back. I averaged 31.1
mpg without AC. This summer I drove from Dallas to Niagara Falls and back.
I averaged 32.5 mpg with AC. So the car's fuel economy has gotten better and I
didn't have to put in a thinner oil.

I had a friend who purchased a used Toyota landcruiser. The prior owner used
synthetic but at his first oil change, he used regular 10w30. His truck smoked
for days. I'm not criticizing those who chose to go synthetic. It is your
money
after all. I am just curious why people would choose to spend that extra
money...

My mom has a 2000 Accord LX 4cyl auto with 40k. She too gets her oil changed
at
Walmart. Her has been flawless...

Well since you made the jump to synthetic then I suggest that you don't change
back. I guess that mixing synthetic and non synthetic oils together isn't a
good
thing. Unless you can actually drain all of the non synthetic oil out of the
engine
before replacing it with synthetic, then there will be an imbalance during the
period after the initial change...

 

Using Synthetic is not about wasting money. It's about saving money.

I spend $20 for Mobil 1 every 10k miles on my 92 Civic. On the Odyssey, I spend $25
per 7500 miles. The oil still looked near original color on last oil change, I was
so tempted to dump it back. Guess who is saving money?

 

I agree. I would be more suspicious of an Honda motor that didn't lose any oil,
versus one that lost about 1/2 litre after 5000km. The 1/2 litre of oil lost is
probably attributed to the car undergoing 'real' driving. oppose to being
resigned as a grocery getter.

Pars
98 Hatch

 

My idea of 'regularly hitting the redline' involves milking the gears everytime i'm
at the front of the pack, at the stoplight. After 140,000km of abuse, my DX engine
is still faster when compared to new. Granted, mobel-1 might not be nessessary for
normal use but under extreme condition, it's defently a wise decision. (cars that
are not driven regular would also fall into the extreme condition catagory).

Regarding engines that have produced smoke after using mobel-1. That would not have
happened if the vehicle were using mobel-1 early in it's life. A badly
maintaned/old engine could lose excessive oil after switching to mobel-1.

Regarding your engine, if your GSR is just starting to get quick. I would switch
to mobel-1 to prolong that quickness. That's one setup that worth spending the $$$
on, especially if it's already gotten a good brake-in.

Pars
98 Hatch

 

No serious person would advocate changing synthetic oil every 3000 miles.
If you had changed with synthetic oil every 7500-10,000 miles, your cost per
mile would be competitive with conventional oil, plus you be spending less
time at Wal-Mart, plus you'd have better engine protection. Now that makes
sense!
:
:
:

Probably the previous owner was aware of the oil consumption problem and
used a 50 weight synthetic oil knowing the greater thermal stability of
synthetic oil combined with the high viscosity would minimize oil
consumption.

Now when your friend puts in the thinner, more volatile mineral lubricant,
it's no surprise the landcruiser burns more oil.

This is utter nonsense. The supermarket shelves are full of synthetic oils
blended with mineral base stocks ("semi-synthetics"), and no one reports oil
consumption problems with these.

 

Valid points of views from all three individuals. But I will respectfully
agree to disagree. I'd rather have an oil change every 3k then use synthetic
every 7500-10,000 miles. That means using the same oil filter 2-3 times
as long. It also means for most people, that nobody will be looking under
the hood between oil changes and that is not a good thing. Regular oil
changes means regular preventative maintenance. Most quick lube places are
dying to change your air filter, fuel filter, coolant, etc. Though you are
not obligated to have these services completed then, it is nice to have that
free inspection and reminder to change out those parts and fluids.