I have one question, I did have first oil change around 1500 miles at the dealer, and 2nd one around 7000 miles at local shop since did not have time to go to dealer. I remember the local shop guy showed me 100% oil life oil indicator right after they worked on. (it means they reset it?)
Now my mileage is about 11000, my display indicated 15% oil life yesterday even I drive only 4000 miles.
Is it possible? Should I do oil change right away? I checked the stick in engine room manually, and oil touched little above the lower dot. I plan to trip 600 miles this week. Is it okay to do oil change after the trip??

I am very concerned if my car leaking engine oil or something. In this case, the indicator can catch it?
Please help.

 

Since the stick is just above the lower dot, I'd change it just to be on the safe side. Also, be careful where you have your oil changed (specifically the oil/filter they use). Most Honda dealers have express service and are opened even on Sunday until noon. My 2000 Accord goes down about 1/2 quart after 5k miles. That's when I normally change it.

 

Even if you don't change the oil before the trip, at least add some to get it up close to the top mark on the dipstick. You might lose more oil during the trip, and you don't want the level to go below the lower level mark.

 

Per Honda's recommendations, your dealer should have refused to change your oil at the 1,500 mile mark, Honda uses special assembly pastes during the manufacturing process which double as additives to aid in engine break in. Changing the oil out early can dramatically prolong the break in process (which is likely why your oil level is so low after only 4,000 miles).

As for the oil life monitor, it keeps track of various metrics to determine when the oil should be changed, and if it says you're down to 15% after only 4,000 miles, then it is highly likely you've spent a lot of time either driving in heavy traffic or have used the car for lots of very short trips where the engine never had a chance to fully warm up.

 

- this -

 

Thanks guys, I just added 1 bottle of engine oil so it is almost touch the top mark on the dipstick, but display still shows 15%.
Anyhow, I will go to dealer to change oil right after trip. Thank you all!!

 

The oil-life monitor only takes account of driving habits. How many times you start the engine, how many total revolutions, how much hard acceleration, how much it runs when the oil is cold, etc.

It cannot measure the amount of oil in the pan, and it cannot measure the actual properties of the oil. So it has no way of knowing you added oil, and unless you reset it, it has no way to know when you change oil.

 

Oh.. I was gonna pour one more bottle.. LOL
You save my $10. Thank you!!

 

Even if you left the oil pan plug out, and started the engine with no oil, the maintenance minder wouldn't know anything. Don't depend on that thing to tell you when your oil is low.

 

absolutely true!