Picked up a newer to me Civic few questions.....
 

Hi I finally have a car worth maintaining properly. So thought I would ask some questions.

I have had a 93 civic that just blew a head hasket last thurs. Just picked up an 2005 Honda Civic 4dr 5spd sedan SE. It has 71 000 KM on it, 1 owner from honda lease. Picked it up for a decent price i think as well. We do have 99 civic in the family that has only had oil changes every 5K and Tbelt at 100K and a battery since we bought it and now at 163K, but I want to try and maintain this car better lol.

Now since it is at 71 000 KM i don't know if much needs to even be maintained. Assuming it has been maintained at honda as i can see an OE honda filter on it and it was 1 owner lease.

I would be continuing doing DIY oil changes as I really would like to use synthetic in this car. I'm not sure how to tell how what was used before but don't think it will make a difference if i do start using synthetic as its not many K on it already.

Anyone have any personal reccomendations for which oil brand to use, seems it needs 5W20 according to the CAP?

Been using Pennzoil Platinum on a buddys b16a for the last cpl years but I don't think I've seen it in a 5W20 so here I am for tips. We have ran 5-7K oil change intervals on it with him rarely hitting VTEC and it oils comes out good and he hasn't had any problems

Thanks!

watch out just had a rod bearing go bad on mine and they try telling me that its cuz i switched to synthetic oil i doubt thats the reason but there may be some truth behind that mine is an 05 2dr never been driven hard at all ive been hearing that the 1.7 is one of the poorest quality built civic engines ever made

^Switching to synthetic will not cause a rod bearing to go bad.

To the OP: You can go 8-10K + kms on full synthetic. That's part of the benefit of synthetic. Don't be afraid to do so. Been doing this (even 15k at times) with full synthetic in my b16. It's at almost 260k and still going strong.

Just check the oil regularly, every two weeks or so and all should be fine.

I prefer castrol, mobil1 or royal purple, but most major brands are fine.

Just be sure to stay with 5w-20. Maybe he was also running the wrong viscosity and that cause his bearing issue. I can only guess at that though. Personally I feel D series got progressively worse with each gen civic from 88 up. Take good care of it though and I'm sure you'll be fine. Do the other maintenance stuff and you should have no problem.

Just start saving now and a K swap will fit real nice in there someday should you have the same misfortune as you friend.