Switched to synthetic blend after 10 years of full synthetic and my engine runs quieter now

My 2013 Honda Accord has been on full synthetic since I bought it. Last oil change I grabbed a synthetic blend by mistake and didn't notice until after I poured it in. Drove it for 2 weeks and the engine is noticeably quieter at idle. Less valve chatter. I always thought full synthetic was the best but now I'm wondering if the thinner oil was just letting more noise through. Has anyone else had better luck with a blend in an older engine?

3 comments

3 Comments

evan5432d ago

You ever notice how things get smoother with age, like a good pair of jeans or something?

zara_sanchez2d ago

That jeans analogy actually fits pretty well. Older engines with some wear on the bearings and seals can benefit from a slightly thicker oil to help fill in those tiny gaps. Full synthetic is usually super thin and flows like water when hot, so it doesn't cushion things as much. The blend has a little more body to it, so it might be exactly what a car with 100k+ miles needs to keep things quiet and snug. Makes me wonder if Honda actually recommends a different viscosity for higher mileage cars than what they put in from the factory.

wells.christopher1d ago

And to add to what @zara_sanchez was saying, that thicker oil cushioning is real. I had a '99 Camry that started ticking like crazy around 130k miles, switched from 5w30 full synthetic to a 10w40 blend and the noise went away almost overnight. The extra viscosity fills those worn clearances just enough to dampen the metal on metal contact. Plus the blend has enough synthetic to still protect against sludge, so you're not losing much on the cold start protection either. It's basically the sweet spot for a motor that's broken in but not ready for the straight dino juice.