Oil Change interval-am I wrong?

My wife and I both drive 2004 Accord with the 2.4 L IVTEC engine. The manual reccomends 5,000 mile interval oil changes for adverse driving conditions-10,000 mile internval for ideal driving conditions. I have chosen to use teh 5,000 mile interval. BTW, our trips are usually at least 30 minutes in length and mostly highway driving. We live in Indiana so we do not have major temperature extremes. The dealer is saying to change the oil every 3,000 miles. I am assuming Honda does know it's products so I want to stick to the 5,000 mile interval. Am I wrong?

Thank you.

Hello DIFTW...
Welcome to the Honda Forums..Hope you stay around and add to the fun in here..

I would only stick whatever your dealer tells you to do, and dont miss doing any kind of service that should be done on time.

If you do they do not have to stick up to their warranty if you dont stick up to your end...

Again Welcome to you...

WheelBrokerAng

I have a different opinion.

Here is the definitive authority on oil: http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=1;DaysPrune=1000
Once there you can read for months if you desire. There are thousands of members on the site, I am member #416 I believe.

The 3K oil change is a profit center, plain and clear. Any of today's name brand 5W20 oils will go 5K easily, longer with used oil analysis trending. The dealer is either light years behind the times, trying to get in your pocket, or both.

I am pro synthetic and have it in all vehicles, lawn mower, weed eater, the works. 10K change intervals is a cinch with a TRUE SYNTHETIC. Not all oils labeled synthetic are 100% synthetic due to a loophole in the definition. I prefer Mobil 1 because it is 100% synth, arguably the best, and its available everywhere. There are other excellent synthetics as well but most are mail order,considerably more expensive, and not proven to exceed M1 in actual use.

I change my own oil by personal preference. By using a buy 3 get 3 free coupon (for Mobil 1) found in the Pep Boys calender, a complete oil & filter change costs me less than $15.00. Let's do the math: 10,000 miles for $15 vs three dealer dino oil changes based on their recommended 3K interval. At roughly $25.00 per service totalling 9,000 miles, that's $75.00! I realize that not everyone wants to change their own oil. By following Honda's recommendations, as opposed to the stealer (sorry I meant dealer) you have still saved approx. $25 over the 10K miles.

Sorry for the long post but one of my pet peeves is a dealership trying to take advantage of someone that is trusting them to be knowledgable and have the latest information.
FWIW - ALWAYS confirm that the dealer is using 5W20 and ask the brand name. Not all dealers use the 5W20 and that is the only oil Honda says to use, period. If the dealer uses 5W30 or 10W30 it won't hurt a thing BUT.....technically they just commited a warranty violation.

Hope this helps,
RTF

Thank you both for your reply. RTexasF, do you use 0W-20 Mobil 1? Do you also use a Honda filter? Our driving patterns actually qualify for the 10,000 mile service interval under Honda's definition.

I fully believe in maintaining vehicles. We have a 1990 Civic with 225,000 miles and a 1998 Nissan Altima with 140,000-both vehicles have been well maintained. I do have a problem with the dealer jacking their service prices up almost quarterly and adding services the manufacturer does not specify.

Thank you.

Yes, M1 0W20, Honda filter. The 0W20 will soon be no longer available as ExxonMobil changes the formula to meet the new SM specs. It will be 5W20 which will be more recognizable to the average consumer. I am buying up all the 0W20, using the aforementioned Pep Boys coupons, as I think it is a slightly superior formula.

I changed to M1 @ 3500 miles or so although leaving the factory fill in for 5000 is recommended. If you go the M1 route change it and the filter after 5000 miles the first time. After that 10K is easy but I do recommend a few used oil analysis along the way to establish a trend.

Do not pay any attention to naysayers concerning the 0 or 5W20. It is an excellent oil and works well in tough conditions such as Ford V-10 work trucks.

Enjoy your new Hondas!

Thanks again RTexasF

I'll second the recommendation on Mobil 1 synthetic. I use it in my Honda motorcycle which is far harder on oils than cars due to the heat it creates.

Honda's stock oil filters are also top quality. More pleats in the actual filter itself vs. most filters and you won't find paper being used in the caps as with some over the more common filters such as Fram. Bosch also makes an very high quality filter which I use in my Interceptor and Accord without hesitation.

I've religiously changed the oil in my Honda cars every 3,000 miles. My reward for this consistency was putting 300,000 miles on my first Honda, a 1986 Prelude SI which I sold running and in very good condition given the mileage.

Texas, that's a good link. Thanks for posting!

The 3k oil-change interval is arguably the biggest myth of car maintenance.

And as for Mobil 1 being the best, that is debatable. Amsoil, NEO, and Red Line are all comparable. But of course, you can't buy these at Wal-Mart...

quote:

ORIGINAL: nist7

The 3k oil-change interval is arguably the biggest myth of car maintenance.

And as for Mobil 1 being the best, that is debatable. Amsoil, NEO, and Red Line are all comparable. But of course, you can't buy these at Wal-Mart...

As previously stated: arguably the best. I am not claiming it is the best. Amsoil makes some superb products and I may go that direction one day. I've seen a long term used oil analysis of Amsoil S2000 0W30 in a 2.4l 2004 Accord that was superb. My gripe is I can't find it anywhere/everywhere and it is more expensive than M1. It may indeed be a better product but it hasn't been proven to me.......yet.

quote:

The 3K oil change is a profit center, plain and clear. Any of today's name brand 5W20 oils will go 5K easily, longer with used oil analysis trending. The dealer is either light years behind the times, trying to get in your pocket, or both.

You are absolutley right. It is a myth. I normally go 6k when changing oil... I use synthetic any way. Now Quaker has oil that is designed to do around 15k!!!

when working as a corporate mechanic...i got free oil, so i changed my oil and filter every thousand miles...on my drag car..i change the oil every week...along with the plugs and filters...now that im not a corporate mechanic, i change my oil in my street cars RELIGIOUSLY every 3k, no more..my dad is a mechanic, and always has been, and i wont let my oil get dirty...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Patrick

when working as a corporate mechanic...i got free oil, so i changed my oil and filter every thousand miles...on my drag car..i change the oil every week...along with the plugs and filters...now that im not a corporate mechanic, i change my oil in my street cars RELIGIOUSLY every 3k, no more..my dad is a mechanic, and always has been, and i wont let my oil get dirty...

I also use mobil 1 but even with their new synthetic brand that is designed to go 15000 I change my oil by my own intervals between 7000 ~ 8000 miles simply because oil filter contaminates after 10,000. So it's not adviced to run it 15K just yet.

Even if you change your oil every 3000 mile you don't make it better than if you change it every 5000 - 10,000 miles - unless your gaskets and/or seals are screwed.

The fact: mobil 1 oil tested in the lab after 5000 miles continuous run - is exactly the same as brand new - means the cooling properties of the oil are exactly the same.

So it's not the question if the oil gets dirty - thats why you have oil filter, it's the ability of oil to do its purpose.

And you go ahead and change it RELIGIOUSLY every 3000 like your old dude says and waste your money- thats how the technology was those days - now its different.

Considering you live in a warm weather state and that you drive 30 min each time - 5000 btwn changes may be for you and I don't disagree with the other high milage posters. It is apparent they do not plan to keep their vehicles any length of time.

As for those who DO NOT change oil the first two times from new - one only has to hold the oil drain container up to a bright light and/or cut open the filter. You would not believe the silvery specks of alum/steel suspended, (or if you let it sit for a few days and check the bottom of the container). Even in a $300 mower they instruct an oil change after the first two hours to drain assembly/componet wear contamination.

As for dirty oil not being a problem - It is the whole problem. That is why it need to be changed. The filter can filter out the particles and only SOME of the contamination. After all - oil does not wear out - it just gets dirty and sometimes, in some conditions, it must be changed at less than 1000 mi.

Believe it or not.

It is apparent they do not plan to keep their vehicles any length of time.

I will keep mine for 10 years with oil & filter changes from 7-10K using Mobil 1, I've done it before and I'll do it again!

i totally agree

i plan on keeping my car forever

Made the change to Mobil 1 5W20 today. My Accord has 25,000 miles on it. So I should change the oil/filter after 5000 miles then I can go to 10,000 miles thereafter?

Thanks.

depends on your driving - if you drive long miles every day - 10K is not a problem otherwise 7-8 thousands not a prob - K&N oil filter - and you're allset.

This is seriously a great thread... i belive in going about 5000- 6000 miles on my car which is a 94 with 160xxx miles on it but it worked for me soo far and even back when i had the old vovlo with 350,000 ( rip) but like someone said before that 3000 mile oil change is a way for dealers and jiffy lube to make alot of cash

Bottom line:

Most people do not know s*** from shineola about oil.

Many factors enter into the equation.

Short trip driving, (less than 10 miles), bad - worse in cold climate.

Warm climate - good.

Distance driving where engine is at normal operating temperature for long periods - best.

Idling in warm/hot weather with A.C. on - very bad.

Cold engine temperature - (under 190) - bad.

The 3000 recommendation is a general rule that takes into consideration a mulitude of driving situations. Considering oil is the life blood of an engine, those that have no idea what is adequate, and care about their vehicles, need to follow a reasonable recommendation.

Being a six year State Patrol Metro Area Motorist Assist volunteer, we help motorists experiencing engine problems due to inadequate engine lubrication maintenance, (much more than one would think). Occasionally a motorist will experience a locked engine due to insufficient engine oil or oil that is so badly contaminated that there are no lubricating properties present. Some are unaware of what is proper, some do not pay attention, some don't have the money and some just do not care.

Believe it or not.

Oil changes are cheap insurance for the life of your engine. Go with the 3k oil change

quote:

ORIGINAL: diftw

Made the change to Mobil 1 5W20 today. My Accord has 25,000 miles on it. So I should change the oil/filter after 5000 miles then I can go to 10,000 miles thereafter?

Thanks.

A general rule when switching over to synthetic is to go 5K the first round then change oil and filter. After that you should be clear to go farther. I choose to go 7500-8000 between changes but only several used oil analysis can truly tell you when to change for sure.

I have a 2005 Accord EX v-6 with 35K miles on it. I am thinking about going to synthetic M1 5W20. I noticed most of you discuss the 2.4L engine in the accords. My questions is if I switch to M1 and OEM Honda Filter can I go at least 7500 miles without any worries? I mean, I will do what RTexasF recommends that first time switch at 5k then to higher i read somwhere else because you have to get the old dino oil out first. Any thoughts?

I have a 2005 Accord EX v-6 with 35K miles on it. I am thinking about going to synthetic M1 5W20. I noticed most of you discuss the 2.4L engine in the accords. My questions is if I switch to M1 and OEM Honda Filter can I go at least 7500 miles without any worries? I mean, I will do what RTexasF recommends that first time switch at 5k then to higher i read somwhere else because you have to get the old dino oil out first. Any thoughts?

Some of the newer Hondas are takeing all the guesswork out of it. The maintenence minder system calculates when oil changes and other miantenance items need to be done based on driving conditions.

The reason I recommend 5K with the first use of any synthetic is because the new oil is slightly diluted with some of the dino still left in the engine. Actually the recommendation is not mine but that of many more knowledgeable members than I on Bobistheoilguy. It made sense to me so I put it into practice on both of our cars at the first change to full synthetic. Certainly others' opinions will differ.