Hi everyone,

This is my first post. My 2011 Accord just hit 100k. I was getting oil changes per the maintenance indicator but now I have reached the high mileage mark, should I be getting the oil changed every 3000 miles?

thanks,
john

2011 Accord Coupe, Ex-l

 

I don't think so. Is it losing any oil during the interval based on the oil-life monitor? You should be checking the oil level with the dipstick, and that's more important as you get to higher miles.

Did you own the car since new? Do you do your own oil changes? If you want you can have a sample of used oil analyzed for about $35 and that can say a lot about how healthy your engine is.

You should be changing spark plugs pretty soon. If you do that yourself, take a look at the plugs compared against some photos that we can show you. If you have a shop change the plugs, you can ask them to check because they'll know what the used plugs "should" look like from a healthy engine.

If you want to keep the car for a long time, you can think about some things that are commonly overlooked, like flushing fresh brake fluid to help prevent corrosion inside the brakes. There's a few other things if you're interested in our suggestions...

 

What benefit do you think a 3,000 mile OCI would give you?

I'll answer that; nothing.

 

Hey Jim,

I’m definitely open to suggestions, that would be awesome....thank you.

I had the Honda dealer do all the 100k service. Change spark plugs, flush out all fluids, new timing chain, clean brakes, etc.

On this last interval, I had to add a quart of oil when I was at 50% and 20% oil life. No oil leaks present. Just not sure if I should do the oil change every 7500 miles like I have been. I bought the car in 2012 with only 15,000 miles on it. I would like to drive it as long as possible. I can’t seem to find any info on how to maintain the engine and transmission after 100k.

I am going to be checking oil dipstick every 500 miles.

 

Use synthetic oil and change the oil every 10,000 miles; the engine will outlast the rest of the car.

 

Continue to use the same oil; your engine seals are used to its chemistry.
When you change is up to you; no engine has been damaged by using fresh oil ...

 

You got almost 300,000 miles on your Accords? That’s freakin awesome! I hope I can get a lot more out of mine. I hate car payments!

 

2011 4-cyl Accord calls for 0w-20 oil and I've only ever seen that weight as a synthetic oil. So that's what the dealer has been using.

After 100,000 miles there's nothing special, just keep the same schedule. For example oil changes when the oil-life monitor says to change it, and all the other maintenance that it calls for. Your owners manual should tell you what is scheduled based on the code that comes up when the maintenance light comes on. A 1 2 3 or whatever numbers are displayed. If you continue to have the dealer do the work, they should certainly know what the schedule is. If you start going to an independent garage then the schedule is in the owners manual packet.

There's only a couple things that are scheduled by time, not mileage. One is getting fresh brake fluid and another is fresh antifreeze. I'll try to look up for 2011 specifically but I bet brake fluid is every 2 or 3 years, and antifreeze might be every 10 years.

I'm surprised that replacing the timing chain was done at 100k miles. That doesn't sound right, unless something was found to be wrong with it.

 

Yeah, they had to replace the timing chain at 90k, it was stretched too much. I had check engine light and no cruise control when that happened. I appreciate all your help and feedback. Thanks.

 

I've heard stories of that happening if the oil level gets low. Make sure you check the oil level with the dipstick like you said. The oil life calculation doesn't measure the oil level getting low. Not sure if your car has a warning lamp for low oil but typically those don't light up until it's pretty low.