BRH

My 06 TSX has about 3400 miles on it right now and the dashboard indicator for the oil is at 50%.

Over the Memorial Day weekend (actually that whole week), I have a long trip planned where I'll be putting about 1500-1800 miles on the car.

When I bought the car, the dealer told me not to worry about changing the oil until the indicator hits 30% or lower. I figure that it'll reach that point right in the middle of this trip.

I would prefer to have the 1st oil change done at my local dealer -- not by someone hundreds of miles from home.

So, should I get it changed before I go on this trip, or ca it wait until I return?

At what odometer reading and percentage did you guys have your first oil change done?

Thanks!

Vegito

well, i dont have an 06.. so we dont have that indicator.. are you talking about oil levels or the oil condition

BRH

Oil Condition.

Rpappi

dive sensable and you should be ok

TSX2345

I would change it to be safe. Why take the risk? Especially you KNOW your taking a road trip. If I did an oil change and have about 1000 +/- miles on it, and know that I will be taking a long road trip I would still change my oil right before my trip, regardless if I am nearing the 3k mark or not, just peace of mind. Pay a little now or ALOT later.

VroomVroom

I'd have it changed, if for no other reason than it's the first one. If...I'm no expert, so let me emphasize "if" - there are any metal filings floating around from the engine break-in, you want them out of there. I actually do the first oil change on a new vehicle at 1k miles. I'm probably more AR about this than most folks, but oil is cheap.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

I would drive it on your trip and change it when you return. It would be still around 5000 miles.

Alin10123

It's not so much about the metal shavings. But honda adds a special break in fluid with the first batch of engine oil to help seat the seals in the engine and all of that stuff. So it's not recommended that you change your oil the first time before 5000 miles. (i think it's somewhere in the owners manual).

So i would just go ahead and go on the trip. Going over a couple hundred miles ont he oil change doesn't hurt the engine anyways. Especially if it's only highway miles.

BRH

I've read about the special break-in fluid in the original oil, and that's why I asked the question.

If it wasn't for that, I would definitely change the oil before the trip.

By the time I get back, I don't expect the oil quality to be at zero, but it should be pretty low.

How low have you guys let it reach before doing an oil change?

BulldogHockey

I changed mine with the less than 5% left. It's a nice feature to have, but really it's nothing more than a smart reminder so I wouldn't stress over it. Your oil will still be protecting your engine if it's a few hundred miles over. I agree on going the 5000 miles and changing it when you return.

It's been discussed that the break-in oil has extra molybdenum ("moly") which supposedly helps prevent wear. When you do get it changed ask for 5w-30 oil from the dealer so they don't add 5w-20 instead (which was my experience). Again it's probably not a huge deal, but I would have preferred to stick with the owners manual.

Reach

I believe (not 100% here...) that the indicator isn't actualy tied to oil quality, its actually a calculated figure of time left. So the reality is your oil could be fine for many more miles, or it could be in need of a change already. Your best bet is to use it as an indicator, not the end-all-be-all of your oil condition. Start checking oil levels and condition around 20%, that's what I did. Then, after it hit 0, I decided to check more frequently, and got it done shortly afterward.

jpt

^^ I was told (don't remember who by now though) that the oil life indicator actually measures the viscosity of the oil. I know that it is NOT just a counter to 10k miles because mine is at 50% and i only have 3k on it.

Newplay1

I have my'04 so what is this dashboard indicator you speak of? english please english...

just playing 3,400 miles eh? just go get it changed better safe then sorry.

Reach

The dash indicator is a 2006+ only function, sorry guys.

Truth is we don't even really know how its figuring oil life, but it reads to us a "oil life xx% remaining" counter when we cycle through our MID.