What kind of oil?

Simple question here. I have a 1988 Accord LX, and I was just wondering
what type of oil I have to put it in.

Thanks

 

If you have an owner's manual, it should be in there. If not, 10w30 is
probably a safe choice.

 

10W30 is what I used in my '88 Accord and Prelude, if that helps you make a
decision.

 

When you put it in, make sure you first close the windows.

 

Doesn't it say right on the oil fill cap? It does on my '01 (which says
5W-20).

 

Most honda engines that I've seen recommend 5W30. I use 5W30 during the
colder months and 10W30 during the hotter months.

 

Older ones maybe, but the newer ones specify the lighter weight (such as the
5W-20 in my '01).

 

Numbers such as 5W20 and 10W30 indicate the WEIGHT of the oil, which
dependent upon your area's ambient temperature:

20W40 and 20W50 are good from a low of no more than approximately 15
degrees F to a high of well over 100 degrees F.

10W40 is good from a low of approximately 0 degrees F to a high of well
over 100 degrees F.

10W30 is good from a low of approximately 0 degrees F to a high of no
more than approximately 90 degrees F.

5W30 is good from a low of way under -20 degrees F to a high of no more
than approximately 35 degrees F.

5W20 is good from a low of way under -20 degrees F to a high of no more
than approximately 15 degrees F (brrrrr).

The TYPE of oil recommended, however, is SF grade detergent oil, BUT...

Since you are asking about a 1988 car, I assume that you had recently
purchased it from someone else -- NOT that you had owned it yourself
since 1988 and just now got around to changing the oil. If the previous
owner had been using SYNTHETIC oil, then you must continue with
synthetic oil.

 

Got a recent source for these tidbits?
Or are you pulling numbers out of your ass?

 

I have no idea where this poster got his numbers either. Many cars
manufactured in the past few years (2000 and beyond) specify 5W-20
oil not because of expectation of operation in cold weather but due to
tighter manufacturing tolerances.

--
Harvey J. Cohen, Ph. D.
-------

"The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction has to make
sense." - Tom Clancy

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Steve Bigelow: I copied the numbers directly out of the owner's manual.

I'm curious -- how old are you?

 

Harvey J Cohen commented:

What difference does that make? The original poster asked about a 1988
car.

 

Please don't stop there.....exactly what owners manual gives these wild
specs?

Seems like a wild descrepancy on 10W-30 and 5W-30.

 

Which is simply to help attain fuel economy requirements...

 

Is that still true?

Last I was driving my 1987, around 1999, I was pouring in partial
synthetics made by several manufacturers that were OK to blend with
normal. I haven't been into oil, recently, to know what's what. I
recall that back in the day, you had to beware of mixing the
synthetics with the conventional.

J.

 

"Cinder Lane" made up alot of stuff, including this

oh, and be sure to put only premium gas, or else very bad things will
happen. listen to this guy, he knows alot.

 

you are going to be our oil expert, please go ahead and enlighten us. this
is the most fun game anyone can have on a NG, and since are willing to take
the bait, by all means, do not let anyone stop you from digging.

so then, you have studied oil viscosity or otherwise feel confident enough
to give advice on the topic? because you are the one that brought up the
data outside of the original question ie; a 1988 Accord...


Harvey J Cohen commented:

What difference does that make? The original poster asked about a 1988
car.

 

Where should I put it?

J.

 

Use full synthetic. Stick by recommended temperature weights and
SASA or MilSpec for your area (usually 5w-20 or 5w-30 for snow areas).
Change according to owner's warranty, thereafter every 6,000 miles or two
years, IMHO. (1990 Acura Integra, 82,000 miles). Strongly recommend
synthetic in lawnmowers and all other powered equipment. Synthetic flows in
cold weather while petroleums do not. Most engine wear is during cold
starting .. . - Bill