Will I damage my engine using regular motor oil. I have a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid?
In May, I had the oil changed on my car. I normally use the synthetic oil. This mechanic (not a Honda dealer) said I could use the regular motor oil. No need to pay for the expense of synthetic oil. I have a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid with 100,000 miles and have never used the non-synthetic oil. I just want to be sure that this will not damage my engine in any way. I have driven less than 1,000 miles since the oil change. I want to know if there's any danger of damage and should I change the oil now or wait until the next time for an oil change.
Joni, you should have said that you prefer what you had. The issue of a any hybrid vehicle, is fuel efficiency and the issue as to the owner is to create as little wear as possible while achieving that efficiency. The mechanic was correct in one aspect, cost of motor oil. Now, organic motor oil, while less expensive to purchase will not last as long as synthetic. Compare what you paid for organic motor oil that will have to be changed in four to five months versus synthetic motor oil that can go 12 months or 12,000 miles without any issues. No, there's no danger of damage but the numbers favor synthetic motor oil over organic. I prefer synthetic blend motor oil. I have a 2001 Audi TT Roadster with 92,000 miles. The engine has seen synthetic blend since 8,000 miles when I purchased the car. The inside of that engine is as clean as the day it was assembled. There's minimum oil usage between servicing and I change the oil every six months or 6,000 miles. The months expire before the miles since I do not drive it every day. You need to know the motor oils better to make proper choices. Organic is just not good enough and synthetic is too expensive. Synthetic blend is the way to go. I also have a 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid and use the same product. Your car is a mild hybrid as the electric motor only assist the engine. My car operates on electric with limited range. The point is that your hybrid needs a better motor oil for the intransigents, better lubrication on start, super lubricant qualities, super detergent qualities and in cold weather, it stays as a fluid in colder temps than organic. No need to rush to have this serviced. Based on my personal studies and experience I recommend that in four months you have the car serviced with synthetic blend and stick with that type of motor oil. I suggest you have the service schedule as six months or six thousand miles. If the miles go over a bit, no problem Stick with the six months.
If you shop around on the net or in supermarkets you can buy fully synthetic for half the price of branded oil.
Non synthetic will not damage your engine but it can't protect as well as fully synthetic. The mechanic is a mechanic, he doesn't own your car. If you want your car to continue to last always use fully synthetic.
Using regular oil will be just fine.
It's unlikely the regular motor oil would cause engine damage in a 2007 Honda engine, but you may notice your fuel consumption has risen (fewer miles per gallon). This is due to slightly more friction and energy wasted pumping the different oil around inside the engine. Next oil change, go back to the full synthetic and your Honda should resume normal operation. The only reason to change the oil immediately would be if, for example, Honda specifies 0W-20 thin synthetic, and the mechanic filled it instead with 20W-50 regular, old-car oil; find out what he did and if the regular oil he put in is close to Honda specification, then don't worry about it.
As long it's not like some bottom of the barrel motor oil and is a reputable brand. You will be fine.
It'll work, a little more friction well within specks you'll need to change in 3000 miles normally always change oil with same as in engine to keep sludge and by products to a minimum
Thank you to all that responded! I now have peace of mind. Will be continuing with the synthetic oil… And… My gas mileage is lower…
- Is going from synthetic oil in my '03 HOnda Hybrid to regular oil bad? Over 100K miles, always used synthetic oil. Took the car to my mechanic to have brakes checked, and he thought the oil looked dirty so he drained it and put in regular oil. Now I'm concerned about my engine. Advice please? I do not know what kind of regular oil he put in.
- If in the owners manual it says I should use 5W-20 motor oil, can I use 10W-40 motor oil instead? I have a 2009 Honda Fit. I just recently bought 10W-40 and when I got home to put oil in the manual said 5W-20. What's the difference? And is it okay if I still use the 10W-40?
- Oil Change: Honda Motor Oil Vs Generic oil, does it make a difference? I have been getting oil changes with Honda motor oil for 15 years on my 2002 civic that now has 132K miles. If I switch to a generic $10 oil change garage shop will it still be ok? I know the Honda filters are better then the cheapest generic ones but how about the actual motor oil?
- How to drive a honda civic hybrid car with out hybrid battery? Bought a car about 4 months ago and the battery is now dead. I check to make sure its not the normal battery and Auto Zone said it was fine. I'm sure its the hybrid battery but i don't have the money to pay 1,000 or more for a battery on a car i just spent money on. Is there a way you can drive this car without the hybrid battery? Or dose anyone know a place to get these batteries cheaper?