10 Best Honda Civic Motor Oils

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

For the popular 4D generation Civic, the manufacturer’s requirements for engine oil are very categorical: the instruction manual explicitly states that only original Honda oils with ACEA A1 / B1 or ACEA A3 / B3 quality class should be used. For Civic 5D, the requirements of the instructions are even more specific: only genuine Honda oil, or SAE 0W-30 oils with A1 / B1 quality class (a group of “energy-saving” oils with extra low high-temperature viscosity according to ACEA). At the same time, according to the dealer regulations, the same original Honda SAE 0W-20 oil is poured into cars of both generations for maintenance, which can be called normal for new cars, however, as the mileage increases, it is still more justified to use oil with a higher high-temperature viscosity – that is, today we will also talk about SAE 5W-30 and SAE 0W-30 engine oils (for temperate and cold climates, respectively).

In addition, back in 2009, in a report by Jeff Jetter (Honda Research and Development Department) at an official SAE meeting, it was explicitly stated that Honda recommends oils with a viscosity of SAE 0W-20 for all of its cars, including “backdating” ( that is, for those issued and before the publication of the report, starting from 2001) – but solely for the purpose of improving the efficiency of engines and reducing harmful emissions (why, in fact, oils should additionally have an “energy-saving” specification not lower than ILSAC GF-4). Simply put, the general transition to SAE 0W-20 oils has nothing to do with the design features of the engines, and pursues exclusively “environmental” goals.

Rating of the best engine oils for Honda Civic

Best SAE 0W-20 Engine Oils for Honda Civic

Mobil 1 0W-20

Rating: 4.9

Mobil engine oil has the viscosity we require and is certified to an ILSAC GF-5 quality class, that is, it fully meets the current vision of the Honda Civic engine oil manufacturer. The base of the oil is a mixture of a polyalphaolefin base, alkylated naphthalenes and hydrocracking oil: it should potentially exceed the original Honda oil in terms of its characteristics and resource, and besides, it is cheaper on sale (an average of 2800 r per 4 liters at the time of writing).

With the declared kinematic viscosity at 100 degrees in 8,7 mm²/s real analysis shows 8,78 mm²/s: the declared characteristics are confirmed with good accuracy, and the oil noticeably exceeds the original oil in viscosity, it is focused more on wear protection than on record efficiency. The base number for “environmentally friendly” oil is high – 9,19 mg KOH / g (which exceeds the declared 8,8), in combination with a high-quality “base”, this gives us reason to consider the oil to be highly resourceful. In addition, the manufacturer was able to achieve a low sulfate ash content – 0,84%, the oil is safe for long-term use for all types of catalysts.

Low-temperature properties are also excellent: with a pour point of -58 degrees, there is no reason to fear for the confidence of a winter start-up. An additive package with organic molybdenum, a boron-based dispersant, provides excellent wear protection and engine cleanliness – in combination of qualities, we can consider Mobil 1 0W-20 the best choice for new Honda Civics.

Honda Ultra Leo SN 0W-20

Rating: 4.8

The original engine oil used in dealer technical centers is an extremely low-viscosity, even by the standards of this class, synthetics on a hydrocracking base (at the same time, a 4-liter canister now costs more than 3000 rubles, which is a lot for hydrocracking oil). In particular, the kinematic viscosity at 40 degrees is, according to the analysis, only 31,47 mm2/s, and at 100 degrees – 7,39 mm2/s. On the one hand, this ensures a low level of mechanical losses from the moment the engine is started, but for engines that were not originally developed for low-viscosity oils (as we wrote above, the use of SAE 0W-20 oils was introduced retroactively, contrary to the requirements of the instructions themselves instructions drawn up by the factory earlier), this carries a certain risk of deteriorating protection at high loads. The base number is quite high – 9,2 mg KOH / g (taking into account the measurement error, the result can be considered similar to Mobil), that is, the oil has a good resource potential and effectively cleans the engine, but along with an increase in the base number, the ash content also increased (1,04% ). Considering that Mobil achieved the same base number at a much lower ash content, here Honda oil is again the loser. Evaporation is expected to be high for a low-viscosity oil – 13,7% Noack.

The original oil has serious advantages in winter: at a pour point of -52 degrees, it demonstrates a viscosity of 0 mPa * s in the standard test for SAE 20W-35 (measuring dynamic viscosity at -4558 degrees) with a ceiling of standard requirements of 6200 mPa * s: in cold climates, starting the engine in winter will be easy even in severe frosts.

The additive package is phosphorus-zinc-calcium, typical for modern oils, with a small proportion of molybdenum. Be that as it may, usually taking the original engine oil as a kind of “standard”, this time in terms of price / quality ratio we cannot give it the highest rating score.

IDEMITSU 0W-20 SN / GF-5

Rating: 4.8

Affordable (less than 2000 rubles per 4 liters) engine oil predictably uses an inexpensive hydrocracking base. By high temperature viscosity (8,8 mm²/c) it is on par with Mobil 1 (by the way, the viscosity characteristics are similar for these two oils and at 40 degrees – both oils are not the most economical for SAE 0W-20, but they provide oil film strength and oil pressure stability). However, the absence of an effective viscosity depressant in the additive package inevitably worsens the low-temperature properties: the oil solidifies already at -44 degrees according to the analysis result. The oil fits into the requirements of the cold crank test standard (5990 mPa * s), but with a small margin – that is, we cannot recommend oil for really cold winters, in this case it is much more reasonable to buy Mobil 1, despite the price gap.

The base number according to the analysis is 8,1 mg KOH / g: the result is not the best in comparison with competitors. Taking into account the use of a cheap hydrocracking base, which is not very stable in itself, we recommend that when using Idemitsu oil, reduce the replacement intervals: this is confirmed by the analysis of workings, showing a significant drop in high-temperature viscosity and base number already at 5-6 thousand mileage, that is, 7-8 thousand kilometers – “ceiling” for this oil, which seriously eliminates the benefit from the initially low price.

SHELL Helix Ultra SN 0W-20

Rating: 4.7

In this case, Shell unexpectedly does not perform well, even though the base oil based on GTL is used – which, in theory, should have provided excellent viscosity properties and a long service life. However, in practice, at a high temperature viscosity of 8,66 mm²/ s, which is lower than that of Idemitsu and Mobil 1, the oil shows a pour point of only -44 degrees in laboratory analysis – that is, at the level of the cheaper Idemitsu. At the same time, the base number of the oil is low (7,87 mg KOH / g), which does not allow one to count on a serious resource: however, this made it possible to achieve a sulfate ash content of only 0,75%, which, combined with a low phosphorus content in the additive package, indicates for excellent compatibility with modern catalysts during long-term use of this oil.

Examining numerous analyzes of waste taken from different cars at different runs, we confirm the initial suspicion: a reasonable limit for this oil is a change interval of 7 thousand. It is worth noting the minimum content of engine wear markers in all samples: the oil performs perfectly with its direct duties of protecting the engine. But at the same time, we cannot call it the best choice for the Honda Civic: in the ranking, it falls into the lowest places.

Best SAE 0W-30 Engine Oils for Honda Civic

SHELL Helix Ultra A5/B5 0W-30

Rating: 4.9

We took ACEA class A5 / B5 oil for the reason that its requirements take into account both efficiency and high resource (in particular, high alkalinity is directly set) – that is, it can be considered a balanced replacement for the “native” requirement for Civic 4D and 5D . This time, the oil, which is not “strangled” by the requirements for ash content (which here is 1,16% – acceptable, but too much) and phosphorus content, perfectly demonstrates the advantages of the GTL base: showing a pour point below 60 degrees in laboratory analysis and with a good margin having passed the cold crank test (5840 mPa*s), it simultaneously has a high temperature viscosity of 11,8 mm²/s: the oil will work perfectly in winter and at the same time will give good engine protection even with severe loads in the heat.

The base number of 10,78 mg KOH/g allows us to talk about the good resource of the oil and its compatibility with domestic fuel, which often has a high sulfur content. The oil can normally work out a regular service interval without reducing the viscosity. The presence of molybdenum in the additive package, detected by analysis, improves the already good protective properties, and the boron dispersant will keep the engine clean for a long time.

Castrol Edge 0W-30 A5/B5

Rating: 4.8

This oil has both ACEA A1 / B1 and A5 / B5 quality classes, which confirms the admissibility of such a replacement as stated above. Unfortunately, it is based on hydrocracking oil – because of this, with not the most outstanding high-temperature viscosity (9,92 mm²/ s, which is close to the lower tolerance limit of the standard 9,3-12,5 mm²/c) it simultaneously solidifies already at -42 degrees, significantly inferior to comparable Shell oil.

Nevertheless, the base number of this oil is good (10,25 mg KOH / g), it should normally be enough for a standard 15 thousand run. Moreover, an analysis at a 20th run by an independent laboratory shows that the oil, even with an “overrun”, maintains a high-temperature viscosity within the requirements of the standard, although, of course, it definitely needs to be replaced due to high acidity. So we have no complaints about Castrol’s resource capacity, however, in terms of the combination of qualities, Shell still gets a higher rating score.

IDEMITSU Zepro Touring Pro 0W-30

Rating: 4.7

Idemitsu created this oil based on high energy-saving properties – it is certified according to the ILSAC GF-5 quality class, but, unfortunately, with a declared base number of 7,84 mg KOH / g and 8,0 mg KOH / g measured in the laboratory, can be considered high-resource in our realities. Although at a high temperature viscosity of 10,2 mm²/s, it potentially has a good margin for its decrease with aging, which is inevitable in this case: the main share in the composition of the base oil belongs to hydrocracking, a small addition of polyalphaolefins (no more than 20%) cannot seriously improve the properties and oil life.

Pour point measured at -46 degrees: not the most impressive result for SAE 0W-30, but the cold crank test at -35 degrees prescribed by SAE for this class, Idemitsu passes well (5491 mPa * s) – with problems starting in winter will not be. The additive package with molybdenum and boron is close to that used by Shell. If the manufacturer used a large proportion of PAO in the base oil and raised the alkalinity, the oil would be a good competitor to the winner of the rating – and so, alas, analyzes of working out already at 7000 kilometers clearly show an excessive drop in viscosity and alkalinity, so this mileage should be considered normal Idemitsu replacement interval. Note that the wear markers in mining are minimal – the package of anti-wear additives, as in the case of Shell, shows itself perfectly.

Best SAE 5W-30 Engine Oils for Honda Civic

Mobil 1X1 5W-30

Rating: 4.9

With an average price of just under 3000 rubles for a 4-liter canister, this oil, created on the basis of a mixture of GTL and polyalphaolefins, has a powerful additive package (including organic molybdenum), which allows it to demonstrate very decent performance and protection characteristics. At high temperature viscosity 11,26 mm²/ s it is well suited for motors operated in a difficult temperature and load mode, which already have a decent mileage. At the same time, it has a low sulfur content (0,19%, which is expected for GTL), sulfate ash content is 0,82% – but, unfortunately, due to a decrease in alkalinity to 8,88 mg KOH / g, which is not the highest figure. The pour point according to an independent test is -52 degrees, for SAE 5W-30 this is worthy.

With such an alkaline number, special attention should be paid to the analysis of workings. And here it demonstrates unexpectedly excellent stability – over a run of 15000 kilometers, the oil slightly loses its viscosity and retains alkalinity, although with a small margin, which fits into the requirements of the standard. At the same time, engine wear markers are minimal in development – that is, Mobil managed to solve a very difficult task by creating an oil that simultaneously fits into modern ash content requirements, and at the same time does not require a mandatory reduction in the service interval to 7-8 thousand kilometers.

ELF Evolution 900 SXR 5W-30

Rating: 4.8

A rather interesting option for a budget hydrocracking oil for the Honda Civic: although the oil does not have the best high-temperature viscosity of 9,77 mm for this class²/ s (which, on the other hand, will save some fuel), but is well suited for the cold season: according to test results, the oil shows a pour point of -42 degrees and brilliantly passes the cold scroll test, for which the ceiling is set according to the SAE 5W-30 standard at 6600 mPa * s at -30 degrees, Elf gives 4693 mPa * s. The alkalinity is quite high: 10,03 mg KOH/g with an acceptable sulfate ash content (1,12%). The additive package is the classic Infineum with a zinc-phosphorus anti-wear package and a boron-based dispersant.

With an average price of 1850 rubles for a four-liter canister at the time of writing, this oil will be an interesting budget choice for a Honda Civic. With careful operation of the car, it can be considered suitable for normal replacement intervals, reducing them only with frequent driving in heavy traffic with traffic jams.

SHELL Helix HX8 A5/B5 5W-30

Rating: 4.7

In terms of price, Shell will cost on average the same amount as Elf. Both oils are based on hydrocracking and with a similar package of additives. Therefore, the properties of these two oils are generally similar: when tested in the Shell laboratory, it shows a high-temperature viscosity of 9,65 mm²/ s, pour point -44 degrees, base number 9,87 mg KOH / g: taking into account the inevitable measurement errors and the disparity in characteristics between different batches, we can consider these oils to be complete analogues of each other, but given the greater popularity of the brand on the counterfeit market, we will give preference for the less frequently counterfeited Elf.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.