What kind of oil?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by tms1337, Oct 8, 2004.

  1. tms1337

    tms1337 Guest

    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
     
    tms1337, Oct 8, 2004
    #1
  2. tms1337

    E. Meyer Guest

    If you have an owner's manual, it should be in there. If not, 10w30 is
    probably a safe choice.
     
    E. Meyer, Oct 8, 2004
    #2
  3. tms1337

    Brian Smith Guest

    10W30 is what I used in my '88 Accord and Prelude, if that helps you make a
    decision.
     
    Brian Smith, Oct 8, 2004
    #3
  4. tms1337

    Howard Guest

    When you put it in, make sure you first close the windows.
    :)
     
    Howard, Oct 9, 2004
    #4
  5. tms1337

    Seth Guest

    Doesn't it say right on the oil fill cap? It does on my '01 (which says
    5W-20).
     
    Seth, Oct 9, 2004
    #5
  6. tms1337

    jimjim Guest

    Most honda engines that I've seen recommend 5W30. I use 5W30 during the
    colder months and 10W30 during the hotter months.
     
    jimjim, Oct 11, 2004
    #6
  7. tms1337

    Seth Guest

    Older ones maybe, but the newer ones specify the lighter weight (such as the
    5W-20 in my '01).
     
    Seth, Oct 11, 2004
    #7
  8. tms1337

    Cinder Lane Guest

    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.
     
    Cinder Lane, Oct 11, 2004
    #8
  9. Got a recent source for these tidbits?
    Or are you pulling numbers out of your ass?
     
    Steve Bigelow, Oct 11, 2004
    #9
  10. 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

    ------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    Harvey J Cohen, Oct 11, 2004
    #10
  11. tms1337

    Cinder Lane Guest

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

    I'm curious -- how old are you?
     
    Cinder Lane, Oct 11, 2004
    #11
  12. tms1337

    Cinder Lane Guest

    Harvey J Cohen commented:
    What difference does that make? The original poster asked about a 1988
    car.
     
    Cinder Lane, Oct 11, 2004
    #12

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

    Seems like a wild descrepancy on 10W-30 and 5W-30.
     
    Steve Bigelow, Oct 11, 2004
    #13


  14. Which is simply to help attain fuel economy requirements...
     
    Grumpy au Contraire, Oct 11, 2004
    #14
  15. tms1337

    JXStern Guest

    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.
     
    JXStern, Oct 12, 2004
    #15
  16.  
    Steve Bigelow, Oct 12, 2004
    #16
  17. tms1337

    Joe Lang Guest

    "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.
     
    Joe Lang, Oct 13, 2004
    #17
  18. tms1337

    Joe Lang Guest

    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.
     
    Joe Lang, Oct 13, 2004
    #18
  19. tms1337

    JXStern Guest

    Where should I put it?

    J.
     
    JXStern, Oct 13, 2004
    #19
  20. tms1337

    Bill Freeman Guest

    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
     
    Bill Freeman, Oct 31, 2004
    #20
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