I have a '02 TL-S with 2300 miles on it. When should i switch from the break-in oil to regular oil?

 

now.

 

thanks for your help

 

The owners manual says a minimum of 3750 miles. Follow the manual.

 

My dealership said at 3150mi too...I would wait if I were you.

 

I'd follow the owner's manual. What's the reason for changing it now?

 

... the break-in oil is a special blend and should not be changed before the manual recommends it. In my case, Houston heat qualifies us for severe driving conditions so I will change it at 3750 (or so).

 

What are you using for an oil filter ? Brand and model #. Autozone has no clue

 

Honda/Acura. They cost like $6.00. If you have a Honda dealer closer they probably use the same filter.

 

My dealer told me that there is indeed an additive in the oil from the factory. It's engineered as the 'break-in' oil and should be changed at 3750 miles (6000 km). The dealer told me that no one can purchase this additive, not even the dealership so it's best that you keep it in there until the <b>manual recommended</b> distance.

Don't call me a prude, but I actually did read the manual!

- derrick

 

For the last time there is NO SUCH THING AS BREAK IN OIL!!!
The factory uses regular off the line production oil in all cars.
The first oil change recommended in the owners manual is just that a recommendation which just happens to be the same as all the other oil change intervels. 3500 or 7000 miles depending on conditions. There is no additive in the oil from the factory. Putting fresh oil in any engine will do no harm and may even get out the metal filings that come in any new engine. Even putting synthetic oil at 1000 miles will not hurt the engine. It may delaly the break in process but you will have less destructive wear on the engine when it is fully broken in. ALL engine will break in when they are ready regardless of what type oil is in the crank.

 

The most frequently asked question on this board

3750 as Honda/Acura recommends

 

It is suggested to use the manufacter oil filters as they are of better quality as Fram etc.

Though I never had a problem with other oil filters.

Funny a Lexus guy changed a tl's oil?

Very easy (look in the owner's manual for tips) but you probably will have to jack the car up.

I reccomended Castrol oil cause the 2 cars in the world with over 1 million miles, both owners insist on Castrol (good enough reason for me).

 

The Purolator in my signature is a superior filter - I spent more time than I care to mention examing specs, dimensions, and filter media, and this is the best I have found. It matches the Honda filter in such things as anti-drainback valve, bypass oil pressure spec, etc. But is is slightly longer and so gives a bit more capacity (always a good thing), and uses a very high quality Teflon enhanced gasket material for no stick. The filter media has more area, is thicker, and filters more dirt.

That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

I hope I do not get flamed from the Imsoiled folks promoting the Hastings filter - I do not think it has adequate flow velocity for a modern engine such as ours.

 

Maybe a dumb question but if the manual recommends changing oil every 3750 miles (which I'm not arguing it does or doesn't), then why does the service indicator light come on every 7500 miles instead?

 

3750 is for what they call driving under extreme conditions such as stop and go city driving, dusty driving, frequent idling etc. 7500 is for what they call normal driving which is uncongested highway driveway. Regardless the service indicator is a reminder of a series of checks in addition to oil changes that need to be done and many of those checks are in the service manual as having to be performed every 7500 as well. Whether those checks are necessary or not is another story.