I have been using Mobil 1 5W30 for the last 84000 miles in my Civic. The vehicle does not burn any oil at this point. There is currently has 114,000 original miles on it. Should I consider stepping up to a heavier weight Mobil 1 oil such as 10W30? Bear in mind that I live in Central Florida where it is crazy hot most of the time. Lately, the heat index has been in the low 100's!
GHANDI wrote: I have been using Mobil 1 5W30 for the last 84000 miles in my Civic. The vehicle does not burn any oil at this point. There is currently has 114,000 original miles on it. Should I consider stepping up to a heavier weight Mobil 1 oil such as 10W30? Bear in mind that I live in Central Florida where it is crazy hot most of the time. Lately, the heat index has been in the low 100's!
If it doesn't burn or leak oil and has gotten you 84k good miles, why switch now? Actually Honda's updated recommendation for your car is now 5W-20, so using 5W-30 is plenty fine. Mobil 1 is a great oil, and I would just continue doing what you're doing.
On a random note, I'd suggest replacing your PCV valve if you haven't ever done so. It's only a couple of dollars and a couple of minutes to replace, and it can help avoid oil leaks.
GHANDI wrote: I have been using Mobil 1 5W30 for the last 84000 miles in my Civic. The vehicle does not burn any oil at this point. There is currently has 114,000 original miles on it. Should I consider stepping up to a heavier weight Mobil 1 oil such as 10W30? Bear in mind that I live in Central Florida where it is crazy hot most of the time. Lately, the heat index has been in the low 100's!
The 5W stands for 5 weight winter, that is the viscosity rating COLD. The 30 is viscosity rating HOT. Going to 10W30 from 5W30 slows the oil flow with cold engine, and theoretically gives you worse FE. You might not be able to measure the difference, depends how you drive too. With hot engine a 5W30 and 10W30 should have close to equal viscosity. It varies a little by brands to, as one brand can be at the lower end of the scale while another can be at the upper end of the scale(or range). So the lower the first number is the faster the oil flows cold and the higher the second number is the "thicker" the oil is hot. The thinner the oil is the easier the oil pump will pump the oil and you get better FE. As engines wear you might get lower oil pressure with thin oil, or burn oil. If that is the case then increase the second number, from 30 to 40. 5W used to be cold climate only, but because of CAFE every car manufacturer is using every trick to increase their EPA numbers.
That is why they today use 5W20 or even 0W20, oils that is thin enough to easily start engines at minus 50 or colder. Mobil 1 is one of the best synthetic oils out there unless you look to some specialty brands. Since you only drive in Florida you will never have a "cold" engine and a 10W30 will do you no harm. For your own records maybe you should measure average MPG with 5W30 and then with 10W30 to see if you loose FE on changing. A 10W30 might "quiet" down engine somewhat if you have ears tuned for that. If you start seeing the oil lamp flickering on hot days as you come to a stop at stoplights I certainly would switch to a heavier weight, but that might not happen before you reach 300.000 + miles. I would recommend you using the EXTENDED SERVICE Mobil 1 as it contains more of useful additives and will last longer before it breaks down. With your current mileage consider your engine broke in, should run at its best now if maintenance have been properly taken care of. Use Honda OEM oil filters only.
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