The Honda motor counts number or revolutions and factors in temperature and time to figure out the maintenance.

It basically takes a whole bunch of factors into account.

 

They used to claim that dirt in the engine was a factor for changing it so often. I don't know if that is still true but it seems logical to me.

 

Here in Phx, AZ, my old dealer (bought my '04 HCH from them) - Bell Honda told me to wait for the Minder and the new dealer - Tempe Honda told me to do it at 3,500 or risk causing serious damage to my engine. I asked him if I do what Honda tells me won't they warranty it? He told me yes but it is likely that the damage won't be noticed until about 100k miles.

What they won't tell a girl for $$$?

I think that since Honda built the car and issued the 120k mile HondaCare warranty to me, I might just trust them. The last thing they need is a bunch of angry owners who did what they told us to do.

The hard thing is deciding who to trust on a topic that you really know nothing about.

What are the chances that I will keep that car that long anyway...

 

Again, back in the day of 10W40 and higher friction engines, I would say go every 3K miles. Today with 0W20 and low friction, combined with all Honda knows about Engines, go with the maintenance minder. It's not in Honda's interest to have the engine fail after even 120K because it gives their quality reputation a black eye.

There are many folks who put 30-40K miles on their Hondas each year and hit 120K in no time.

Mercedes, who are known for longevity, now recommend every 12,000 miles or 13 months for an oil change. They use Mobil 1 I believe (same weight as Honda).

My old VW Bug (2000) was 10K for first change and 5K thereafter. Mobil 1.

Unless you are putting on huge amounts of miles or driving in extreme conditions (cold, heat or up and down large elevations), go with the maintenance minder. Even then, the Maintenance minder counts the actual number of revolutions, amount of time on, heat and other factors. It is very, very intelligent engine telemetry.

Michael

 

I've worked for an automotive and truck company for 25 years... including many years as a zone service manager (calling on dealers & meeting with customers), a customer relations manager and a regional service manager (I'm now in parts technical). I can tell you absolutely, positively that there is NO reason to exceed the factory recommended service interval on any car. (that means to also follow the factory recommended severe-service requirement if your driving conditions warrant it... such as towing, frequent short trips, etc.)

Dealers (and independed repair facilities) who prey on customers with such threats and planting seeds of fear are the curse of the automotive service industry . IGNORE THEM.

Just meet the factory requirement and always save your receipts. You'll be fine.

 

My guy sad 5K as a psssssst, on the side. He said that Mobil makes the stuff too. The guy was out of state so he could care less about future service cuz the likelihood will be slim to none that I'll be back.

Sounds good to me. This car will offer us many trouble free miles so a change before the meter(at least for the first one) is cheap insurance.

 

Oh dear!

SrfCity

Which do you trust, Honda or some local guy who has little knowledge or experience of this car? (see my post on Build Date also read Mickster's earlier quote from Honda)

 

IMO use your own judgement. If the sales guy says that he'd recommend 5K over the meter then why not? That makes sense to me. It's not like it voids a warranty or anything. What am I out, a few bucks and some time but now I've got peace of mind knowing I placed it on the safe side

 

This was a long standing question since the mid-90s with the NSX. I happened to be on a Honda factory tour in Tochigi (yes, where the Insights were born right next to the NSXs). We had the opportunity to talk to the Honda engineers and asked this question about engine break-in. They were very adament that ALL Honda automobile engines were designed to break in with the break-in oil that they have in the engine at assembly of the car - Insight, NSX, Civic, Accord, .... According to them, under normal driving conditions, 7500 miles was the minimum the break in oil should be left in - they even said that 10k would be even better (remember, back then, no Honda had an electronic maintenance reminder). So, my 12 Hondas since then have all kept their factory break-in oil for at least 7500 miles

 

The reason Honda told me to keep the oil until the maintenance-minder came on was to let the additives for the first tank do their work as designed.

Remember, this engine is a low-friction design made up of many aluminum parts. Back in the days of 3K oil changes, we were dealing with 10W40 and cast-iron parts. The amount of heat, friction and heat dissipation has changed radically from those days.

I would trust Honda. And as to Mobil 1, I would not be surprised if Honda was using it, but branding it under the Honda name-but again, when it comes to engines, Honda is the king!