I've never purchased a new car before. My understanding has always been that you drive gently during the first 1000 miles (manual says 600), and then at 1,500 you get an oil change to "clean" all the particles from the break-in process.
The odometer is at 2,100 now and the oil life is something like 80%. I read that you are not supposed to do the first change of oil until the MID tells you to.
What are your experiences and insight in the matter?

 

I see nothing wrong with your logic. Used to be the engine was filled with a break-in oil, lighter weight than what was normally called for. It was supposed to help seat the rings quicker. Additionally, you were supposed to vary the engine speed for at least 3,000 miles by not cruising at one highway speed for any length of time.

Nowadays, tolerances are much closer and to tell you the truth I'm not sure it matters that much. But I don't know for sure.

 

It's really up to you. Call me old fashion, but I refuse to wait till oil life is below 20% before changing it. I have the same belief as you in changing your oil after the break in period.

 

I really struggled with this after decades of religiously changing oil at 3k. However, after extensive research, I became convinced that Honda does use a special high moly break-in oil and I waited until 5k for the first change. The MM was still showing 50% oil life left but I could not wait another mile. I have done all subsequent changes at 5k intervals even though the MM would like me to go 7k+.

 

If you check every forum with respect to modern cars you won't find a thread stating that my car failed due to waiting for the recommended oil change interval. Changing oil early is a "feel good" factor but in reality it only serves to fuel the coffers of the oil companies, depletes the supply of dinosaurs and creates a disposal/environmental issue.
Honda/Acura strongly recommend that you use the MID as a guide and wants the first oil in the engine for 7k to 10K miles.

 

I have no problem waiting for the MID. It is just this "myth" if you will, that says you need to change the first oil early...and I've heard of this "break in oil" before too.
I'm guessing that the indicator will tell me to change oil at around 6-7k, which I find great for conventional, considering that it would be the same as my previous synth running RDX

 

The indicator will come up depending on your driving habits. I usually get mine at around every 4.2K miles and that has been consistent since new. I drive mostly around town with a few highway trips on the weekends. If you drive mostly highway it would probably come up at 7-8K miles.

Tyson from "Drive to five" just changed the oil for the first time on his ILX at 5k and the MID was still at 60%.

 

follow the MID. the factory oil from what i have read has "special additives" in it to help with the break in period.

there is no need to follow the old school thought processes of yore. if you check the 3G TL forums for the oil change discussions there is evidence that the MID is pretty conservative when it comes to the oil life. acura (honda) spent the money and the R&D to have this system in place taking into account the "average" driver to make it fairly easy to tell the driver "hey change the oil!" bearing in mind that there are folks that will ignore the initial reminder (and subsequent ones thereafter). haven't ever heard of an engine going poo b/c someone delayed the oil change by a 1k miles or so. as enthusiasts we are pretty sensitive to a car's needs. if you want to change it early, you can, but it would be a waste of money and resources.

i've followed the MID on my TL since new...no issues. i had about 4k mi on my first change when it reached 10-15% (about the time when the car is asking for one ). you'll be fine following the MID.

 

Ancient thread but I figured I'd chime in since my Dominik mentioned me.
I'm in the exact same boat. I got my 1994 Legend to 515,000 miles by strictly adhering to a 3,000 mile change interval. The owner's manual on that car recommends a change every 7,500! I have to wonder if my car would have ever gotten to half a million miles if I'd gone twice as long on every oil change.

Thus you can understand my hesitation to waiting for that MID to get to 15% on my new 2013 ILX. I got the car with 16 miles on the odometer and by 4,900 miles the oil life still said 60% in the MID. I had it changed anyway. I've since changed the oil at just under 10,000 miles, and then again today at 14,800.

Yes, probably wasteful and definitely an example of "old habits die hard," but I sleep better at night so that's worth it to me. I have all the faith in the word that the oil life monitor "works," I'm just disregarding it just like I did the 7,500 mile change interval in the manual for the 1994 Legend.

Re: Break-in, I took it easy for the first 1,000 miles. No revs past 4,500 or so. Varying the speed. Going easy on the brakes and everything else.