dee diddy

as per my manual, US owners follow the Normal Conditions Maintenance Schedule if none of the severe driving conditions apply which is every 7500 miles (12000 km). but canadian owners (like me) are instructed to only follow the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions which is every 3750 miles (6000 km). does anybody know why that is?? is the engine different? Vancouver does not experience extremely hot or cold temperatures, i don't tow, i don't have roof rack, i don't drive in mountainous conditions and i do not drive on muddy, dusty or de-iced roads (our winters aren't cold and we get snow every couple years). i know i'll be able to go longer once i switch to synthetic, but this has always baffled me.

russianDude

I think because in general winters are much colder and longer than in US.

dee diddy

yeah so if the weather is harsher, your should be following the schedule for severe driving conditions which calls for an oil change every 6000 km. but under normal driving conditions, US owners only need to change their oil every 12000 km. i drive under normal conditions too, but yet, i'm supposed to follow the schedule for severe conditions (6000 km). so i don't get why Canadian owners aren't recommended to go for the 12000 km option as well. i wouldn't say the weather is harsher in Canada.

russianDude

Well, 12000 km is a long time to change your oil even in US. Normal conditions are an ideal case when you mostly drive highway, almost never wait in traffic, and drive your car for 10 miles or more per trip and when there are no freezing temperatures or very hot temperatures. Not too many people qualify for those conditions. So even in US most of the people should change their oil before 12000 km.... probaby around 8000km. If your weather is not bad, 8000 km should be fine... however, if weather is really cold and you do short trips you should change every 6 month or 6000km

dee diddy

my bad...didn't consider the highway factors. you guys have way more of those than we do. i'm like 99% city driving, so 8000 km is a good number that i'll go for when i make the switch to synthetic.

bulon

hi, what's this "synthetic" u guys are talking about?
one kind of oil?
i live in MD, i change my oil every 3000 miles. and i use mobil 1..
i think i treat my car very well too..

russianDude

8000km should be totaly fine with the synthetics(that's how often I change my oil in US), just make sure you use high quality oil filter. Honda OEM fileters are crap. Check out Puralator or Mobil 1 oil filter.

medicshane

does anyone else feel that way about the oem filters ...i heard that they were beter because they fit better so there is no leaks..

dee diddy

as long as u have the correct model, then any aftermarket filter should fit right. i picked up a NAPA Gold (made by Wix) since unfortunately M1 filters aint available in Canada (gonna pick up a caseful next time i cross the border) and i just couldn't shell out twice as much for a K&N. check out this site which includes the OEM filters.

http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/old_filters.shtml