I bought my tsx a couple days ago and was wondering if its true to try not to rev over 3000 rpms. Its hard not to go past that when im first at a redlight.. [come on its a tsx] and was thinking, will it damage my engine if I continuously do that... I learned that I should be revving low till i have 1k mileage on the car.. [i have about 120 ]

Sorry Im sure this is probably true for all cars and that this is a newbie Q. I just don't want to harm my car in any way.. im sure all of you understand that... Thanks!

-dpak

 

Are you going to do your first service at 1000 miles? Because some people actually do their first at 10,000 miles. I myself did it at 1000 miles. If you are going to do your service at 1000miles, then you can go above 3000rpm, but don't use full throttle. use 1/2 throttle at most, and when you get past 1000 miles, change the oil and filter and then you can go 3/4 and then eventually full throttle.

 

If you read your owner's manual .. it states that for the first 600 miles .. avoid fast acceleration and sudden stops, vary your revs staying below 4k rpm(i could be wrong on the number). All this preferably on non-highway miles. after the 600 miles, rev it up gradually. if all else fails .. .. and oil change .. DO NOT DO YOUR OIL CHANGE BEFORE 5000 mile. i think this has been an establish info.

Yet again .. i could be wrong so

 

ClutchPerformer posted a great write up on engine break-in here

but essentially, , what xaznperswaesonx said.

 

 

What Damage Will It Cause , If Ignore All Those Break In Rule? The Car Will Lose Hp? The Car Will Have Engine Noise? Car Become Slower? Transimission Not As Smooth??...etc.., Please State All The Problems, If Anyone Knows. Or Has Happened To Anyone?

 

drive it like you stole it....


or break it in like me keepin the rev below 3k until 600 miles then gradually goin up a 1k in revs until 1000 miles...

 

Let me get this cleared up VERY quickly before anyone else harms their engine as this gentleman will do:

DO NOT CHANGE YOUR OIL AT 1000 MILES!! DO NOT CHANGE FLUIDS EARLY IF YOU AREN'T TAKING YOUR CAR TO TRACK DAYS EVERY WEEKEND!! I DO NOT CARE WHAT SOMEONE MAY HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT "MAGICAL BREAK-IN OIL" OR ENGINES HAVE TO HAVE THEIR OIL CHANGED AFTER THEIR FIRST 1000 MILES. READ YOUR SERVICE MANUAL FOR THIS CONFIRMATION. A MANUFACTURER IS NOT GOING TO PUBLISH THESE MANUALS IF THEY ARE INCORRECT AND ARE NOT THE PROFESSIONALS YOU NEED TO TRUST

I have had to straighten a ton of people when it comes to this topic of fluids and how people think they need to be changed. Honda engines are different. K-series engines particualrly are very different. You do not need to change you oil until it is specified in your manual (which is 10k miles in normal conditions and 5k miles in severe, or Texas, conditions).

Aaron, before you flame me, count the posts, take a deep breath, count to 10, take into consideration that I am one of the highest contributing members of this forum that has 4 years experience for American Honda in all the levels of dealership experience. I have worked the sales floor, been in F&I, managed in service and sales, and have a VERY thorough knowledge of the mechanical workings of Hondas, Acuras, and Porsches through not only certified technical training from the listed manufacturers but also as a personal passionate hobby. Basically, I know a LOT about our cars. More than most on people on here (not to sound rude). I am here to help.

If you change your oil too soon on its initial batch, your engine will not seat properly. Yes, there is a little something different about your initial oil in your engine that helps supplement the break-in, but if it does not run its full life, your engine seals will not properly be set. This can lead to premature wear, leaking gaskets, improper friction levels of vital engine compnoents, and can lead to catastrophic engine damage.

Once again: Go by the book on maintainance and listen to me on the following break-in procedure:

Break in cycles for Honda engines do typically take about 600 miles initially. You want to keep your revs on the lower half of the tach and work the upshift points by 1k RPMs as every 200 miles go by after your first 600 miles until 1000 miles. You'll want to avoid hard accelerations and hard braking during this time. The reason for the working upward of shifting is to condition your valvetrain to increased stress.

 

^^ 100%

BTW, Kurt, do you have this saved somewhere. I think this must be the 3rd or 4th time I've seen this post from you. Everything the same except for the name ( "<<insert name here>>, before you flame me....") sounds soooo familiar. If peeps don't want to listen to enthusiasts then maybe they'll listen to an Acura professional.

 

atta boy kurt...

 

That's not a bad idea. Maybe I should save this thing to Word. They never seem to learn, do they? Let's just say I've had to say it a number of times in person to people that are sooooo set in their ways when it comes to their cars. Most of the time, it is from people that are first-time Honda/Acura owners. They never want to listen to the answer, even though they've initiated the question.

 

You should just make it your signature.

 

Is this an FAQ? I couldn't find anything about it?

 

dang if oil-change is as simple as changing light bulb these people will have an oil drum at home and chage like every weekend

 

Thankfully, most would get frustrated when they look underneath for a drain plug and can't comprehend the plastic cover.

 

It's just in the "TSX Discussion." Clutch's more thorough description and summary needs to be in the FAQ though.

 

I'm at 652 miles now. I've tried my best to keep it below 3000 RPM's although it has went over a few times. I have yet to actually reach 4500 RPM's and I haven't done a WOT yet. I'm anxious to drive it a little harder now.

 

just drive normally and shift at a higher rpm each gear @ random interval and you'll be fine. say like now since you're past 600 .. rev up to 4500 for like a week or two and go up after that.

 

I still don't see what's so different about the k24 vs. another engine (only thing I can think of is piston ring profiles), but overall, good info Kurt.

Be aware folks that the guide to break-in I posted is a GENERAL guide to help people understand what break-in is and what it means. Specific cars (TSX) may vary from the oil change schedule it lists, but the method of breaking in the engine is solid across all cars.

 

It is amazing how long it takes to get the first 1,000 miles -- and then how quickly the miles accumulate after that.

 

 

+ 1

 

Hi Kurt, don't worry, I'm on this forum to learn. But the funny thing is that my Honda (Australia) manual states 1000km (620miles) for the 1st service! And warranty is void if the service is not done in time. I know that Acura states 10000 miles. I have no idea which is right or wrong, but I am following your advice, to follow what the service manual states, and (un)fortunately for me, says 1000km (620 miles).

Edit: Oops, just noticed my first post said I changed at 1000miles. It should be kilometers. Thanks.

 

aaronng,

Does the 1000km service include an oil change? Perhaps its just a check-and-see type of service. It would be highly unusual for US and Canadian oil changes to be factory recommendced at 5000mi (8000km) at their earliest and for Australian oil change to take place in 1/5th that interval.

 

Yup, it includes a mandatory oil change. That's why it's so confusing, especially when the difference between Honda Australia and Acura is 10000 - 620 miles = 9380 miles! Either way, I have to follow what Honda Australia stipulates, as they are the ones who will decide on my warranty. If Acura states 10000miles, please, do follow 10000miles.

 

[QUOTE=iceboy1]What Damage Will It Cause , If Ignore All Those Break In Rule? The Car Will Lose Hp? The Car Will Have Engine Noise? Car Become Slower? Transimission Not As Smooth??...etc.., Please State All The Problems, If Anyone Knows. Or Has Happened To Anyone?

 

[QUOTE=iceboy1]Kurt addressed it:

BTW, whats with capitalizing all the words?

 

AHA!! I KNEW IT!!!!

I suspected this way back when in THIS thread (link), and I finally get some confirmation.

The 10000 mile oil change interval is a marketing gimmick! Nothing is special about the k24!

I'm cackling like a comic supervillain right now... BWAHAAHAHAHAHAHAA

 

Just read the thread you linked. Man, it's scary that those people are changing to fully synthetic oils so early in the car's mileage. Over here, the general consensus among motorheads is to run semi-synthetic for the first 20000 or so kilometers, and then only after everything is worn in and seated, do they switch to fully synthetic oils.

I suspect the oil in the K24 from factory is a mineral oil. Helps in the wearing in process. Also, mineral oils tend to break down much more easily, hence the higher oil consumption people are experiencing. I believe that the initial oil is being used for too long, it should be changed after the breaking-in period for the engine. I hope Honda Japan knows what Acura is doing by stating that the first service can be as long as at 10000 miles! I mean, if the engines were partially worn in at the factory, and semi-synthetic was used in it, then 10000 miles is fine. But if they are driving "fresh" engines on mineral oils for 10000 miles, that is scary.

 

EXACTLY!

 

WTF ? this is a fucking scandal or what ?

 

I'd be interested to see some comparison data on the TSX with early oil change and the 10000 mile change intervals. Perhaps oil consumption, engine compression. etc.

 

when u 1st start da car, drive around casually, when da temp is fully warmed up, floor da sh!t outta da car, push it like none other, it will help weld da piston rings better and u will get a stronger car in the end.

but the thing is, u gotta make shur ur car is warmed up, dont be floorin da heck outta it when car is brand new, jus started, cuz if u do that u will damage da car permanently.

as for oil change, i'd change it around 3500-4000 miles if u drive it hard

these engines are pretty damn good, only prob w/ honda is their auto transmissions, so u dont really have to worry about if u being too hard on the engine or not.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

da keybord needa fixin'