I've had used-oil analyzed a couple time in the Civics, and have convinced myself that the oil-life monitor is trustworthy. I use Castrol GTX 5w-20 in those & the oilchange intervals work out to about 6,000 miles.

If you really want to change it at 3k, I'd use non-synth & change it at 50% by the oil-life monitor. You can't reset the life at that point; so change it again at 0% then reset. That way you're still taking advantage of the oil-life monitor's ability to keep track of your driving style.

 

Thanks for all the help. I feel kind-of-bad asking all these questions.

Will a 5w30 be OK even if it's a little bit thicker? I don't mind using a syn oil and the oil life monitoring. It's just going 7K without changing the oil makes me uneasy. I wouldn't go down to 3K like those Jiffy Lube places recommend.

 

For your car, if you don't want to use 0W-20, then I recommend 5W-20 (which is available in conventional or synthetic motor oil). 0W-20 only comes in synthetic, the last I heard. 5W-20 is recommended for the earlier 8th generation Accords. Your car is an 8th generation Accord.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'll go w/ 0w20 syn and change it every 6k and have my tires rotated while I'm at it. I'll probably end up leaving some oil life on the table. Obviously if my oil monitor says to change it sooner (which I doubt 'cause I do mostly highway driving w/ no traffic), then I'll change it sooner.