Which oil?

[Merlin]

The fact is any oil you can get your hands on now will far exceed the spec of oils used when the H22 was launched.

The service manual (Page 3-2) states under engine lubrication

Use SJ "Energy Conserving" oil

Even bog standard Castrol GTX exceeds this spec:

Castrol GTX 10W-40:
is a premium, super multigrade that provides maximum protection in all seasons and can help extend engine life. SAE 10W-40 exceeds API service SM, SL, SJ and SH as well as exceeding the engine protection requirements for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/generica ... Id=6003410


True there is room to debate how one type of oil or another may or may not lead to extended life or reduce wear etc.. but this would be difficult to prove on engines with high mileage and based on 90's technology. Modern oils are designed for long time usage with cars commonly doing 18,000 miles between servicing. Most people change the oil in their prelude every 6K.

[bennyboy]

Oh my god. What did I start here?! I only wanted to know which oil to use

Don't worry, this always happens about oil!!
I'm not having a barny, I do agree with part of what Space is saying about fully synth etc, I just think it's worth clarifying information on forums. People like yourself come on here for advice, and it's just that. FWIW, I agree 100% with merlins post above.
All I'm saying is what you were using is not going to do your car any harm at all.

[Doggo]

Oh my god. What did I start here?! I only wanted to know which oil to use

jobby stirrer!

(It doesn't take much to have a good excuse for a ruck on here )

Yeah! Filthy agent provocateur!

I heard she was a plant from one of them Civic forums

[Space1999]

@ Bennyboy -you said - "all I'm saying is what you were using is not going to do your car any harm at all"...

Sorry mate, you're wrong! Think of it like this...

All engines wear. The better the oil, the less the wear. So logically using worse oil will do more harm than better oil. The degree of harm will be relatively small, but it will do some harm. It is fair to say that using a decent branded semi-syn won't be bad for the engine, but over a long period you'll end up with a fresher, sweeter engine if you use full synth instead.

I suppose a good analogy is food in a human. We can survive on MacDonalds and pizza (and many do), but you'll end up with a healthier person in the long term if they eat their fruit and veg, and drink water instead of lager!

Still, in all fairness – the type of oil isn't the only thing involved here, and we can get too obsessed! Short journeys, thrashing when cold, and not changing the oil at the right intervals will all do more damage than the difference between a good and a great oil. You reap what you sow!

[bennyboy]

I wrote a long reply but deleted it

Did you read Merlins post? or my last post?

I give up.
Sarah, if you use anything less than fully synthetic EVER, your engine will produce 50bhp and blow up within a month.

[sarah_h]

Sarah, if you use anything less than fully synthetic EVER, your engine will produce 50bhp and blow up within a month.

Well thank god I went for fully synth then. I drained out some Castrol gtx that was free in the spirit of the challenge my car was bought for. It was over two years old when I drained it but the car had only done 500 miles on it and then sat for two years. I'll see how the fully synth goes. I'll get shot down for saying it, but my car was £700 and has 150k on the clock. If it blew up tomorrow I don't think it would owe anyone anything. I've easily had £700 of fun in it already.

[Doggo]

.... I suppose a good analogy is food in a human. We can survive on MacDonalds and pizza (and many do), but you'll end up with a healthier person in the long term if they eat their fruit and veg, and drink water instead of lager!...