Dr. Evil

If you want really good information and real world feedback on what oil, additives, and filter products for you car work the best, check out this web site:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php


Have fun, I know I have learned a heck of a lot about oil and additives.

texas arsenal

speaking of which. I noticed the maintence schedule in the manual said to change the oil @ 10k intervals. I always change oil @ 3k. What is the consensus on when to change oil?

Dr. Evil

Well keep in mind that 10k interval is for ideal driving and 5k is for severe (but really normal) driving. I think nearly everyone qualifies for 5k intervals.

That said, from what I know of oil, there is NO WAY any conventional motor (except for diesel oils) can last for 10k miles and provide proper engine protection. Synthetics yes.
The additive packages in most conventional motor oils is well depleted by about 5k miles. There are only a couple of conventional oils on the market that can go beyond 5k miles (safely).

Now of course some will argue about the European cars and their "conventional" oils, to which I would say are not normal oils. They have massive additive packages are of much higher grade then normal off the shelf stuff. One example is Castrol oil made in Germany.

Peace out...

slo007

Depends on you!!! I chg it every 5k.

Max

I noticed the maintenance ligt came on briefly when powering up the car today, then turned off, not sure what that was about - but I checked the oil (8K on the car now) and it was a lil below the lowest dot... Should I just add some or straight up change it now?

Dr. Evil

The oil light is a reminder that maintenance (at 10k oil change intervals) is coming due. Re-read the maintenance section in the manual and it will tell you how to reset the warning at each oil change.

Max

Wait it's not the oil light though, it's the MTN REQD light, or are those the same thing? And yes, I know, but the car's under cover in the office lot...

Dr. Evil

Yeah, maintenance required is a warning for oil change time per mileage pre-set only.

Be sure to add oil if you are below the lowest hash mark. It is a good idea to always keep the oil at the top hash mark (full of oil). It is the life blood of the engine.

Max

Thank you so much Dr. Evil! Rep points your way!

texas arsenal

Just came from the dealership and they said 10k is fine unless you live in an extreme eviroment i.e. hot or cold. Since Im in Dallas and its hot as hell here during the summer he said to change it every 5k

MarkPinTx

Correcto. Look at the definition of severe in the manual (5k mi interval), and almost everyone qualifies unless theyre a weekend driver.

Most people are of the mind today that a 3k mi interval is a waste of oil and money, particularly if you use synthetic.

kurt_bradley

As a fellow Texan, one who's worked for Honda/Acura for quite some time, and am pretty reputable around here...I'd agree that 5k intervals are perfect. If you use Mobil 1, I'd still change it earlier than 10k. The Honda oil is great. I stick with it. Mobil makes Honda oil anyway.

F-C

Wow, didn't know that. That is so cool. Does Mobil make all types of Honda oil, including the ones for the lawnmowers?