Oil change: type determines change interval?

[My Nameis]

Hi guys I was just checking out the Honda service manual for my 98 civic and it states oil change interval at 7500 miles.

Now is that with a synthetic blend oil? With regular conventional oil be at 3000 miles? Does type of oil filter used also contribute to when to change the oil?

It also got me wondering what the oil weight is from standard oil change shops that they pump out of those big drums. Anyone know? Thanks

Topic

[Andrew Harris]

Honda should recommend an oil to be used in their engines. so the factory oil change interval will be for for that oil and a Honda filter. Yes the oil filter used also determines oil change intervals. If you use the cheapest oil filter you can get then it wont be designed to handle the longer change interval.
Any oil change place should be using a the weight that is specified for you vehicle. If they are not then don’t use them.
Me personally I wouldn’t go more than 4,000 miles for conventional oil and 6 to 7 thousand with synthetic.

[My Nameis]

Nice thanks. The oil change places I’ve seen pump the same oil into cars from a big drum, I’ve always wondered what the weight is coming out of them.

[Josh]

[quote=”myfavecoupe_” post=154596]Nice thanks. The oil change places I’ve seen pump the same oil into cars from a big drum, I’ve always wondered what the weight is coming out of them.[/quote]

Different weights (5W-30, 0W-20, 10W-30, etc) and different blends (conventional, part-synth, hi-mileage, full synthetic) are all in different drums and the drums are labeled accordingly when shipped from the supplier to the shop. When a different oil is called for the pull hose is simply switched to another drum or a manual crank pump is attached to the drum (if the pump hose isn’t long enough to reach it) and is then cranked to draw oil into a designated container which is then poured into the vehicle. The “standard” base oil is conventional 5W-30 at most places nowadays.

Source: Me working at Merchant’s Tire & Auto as an oil change/tire tech

For the ’98 Civic the “Honda Oil Filter” is manufactured by Denso, painted red or black and has a Honda logo stamped on it. You can get them at RockAuto for $3.50 + s/h or larger capacity filter from Wix for $4.95 ea when buying a 12 pack.

Friendly advice-do NOT buy or use FRAM oil filters. They are pieces of garbage. For ’92-’00 Hondas use Wix, Denso, or Mann oil filters.

Sources: http://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/chassis-code-cheat-sheet-other-specs-too-2581875/
http://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/%5Bfaq%5D-your-guide-buying-quality-aftermarket-maintenance-parts-your-civic-3114911/
http://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/oem-parts-seller-list-2059889/
http://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/faqs-frequently-asked-tech-questions-1998336/

[My Nameis]

Thanks for that. Do you know the brand of most oil change places? They’re usually a white color and look pretty generic to me.

I’ve never requested any particular oil while getting an oil change. I just thought they’d use proper weight/filter but now I’m wondering if I should tell them what to use?

[Josh]

As for the brand-no idea it varies depending on what place you go to. Some have supplier agreements while others are supplied by another division of their parent company (Merchant’s parent company also owns NAPA AutoParts so all filters, parts, etc came from them). My suggestion would be to ask them to show you a sealed filter (i.e. one still in the box/shrink wrap from the supplier) and the manufacturer will be easy to see.

As far as what is used unless you are going to a fly-by-night place they should all have access to common databases either in online or print catalog form that list the recommended oil type and filter from the manufacturer. Of course my personal recommendation is to use the base oil until 75-100k miles and then switch to a high mileage version that oil. Of course this advice does NOT apply if the base oil is a full synthetic-just keep running it for the life of the engine.

[Author]

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