REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

ziggyx · 08-13-2009, 09:15 AM

So my parents just bought a brand new 09 accord about a month or 2 ago and they have taken it once down to california. Currently the odometer reads about 7000 and the car's computer says I still have about 50% oil life left (keep in mind that this is mostly highway driving).

My dad has been insisting that the car needs an oil change, but when I called honda to book an appointment the girl said I should wait until the light comes on. I also talked to the guy at the service counter and he said that I should also wait because the first oil new cars receive has additives in it to help with the engine breaking in. He said it's not odd for him to see 10 or 11000 kms till the first oil change.

So my question is it alright to leave the oil in there for that long even if it is mainly highway driving?

ilvtofu · 08-13-2009, 09:24 AM

isn't the first oil change around 2000 or 3000kms?

fliptuner · 08-13-2009, 09:24 AM

You can never do too many oil changes.

sexyaccord · 08-13-2009, 09:25 AM

is the oil change free/covered by the dealer?
if so they will make you wait until the light comes on.

not sure about the 09 accords, but people generally do it at 5k-8k. when is the light suppose to be on for the 09 accord? 10k? if so you should be fine.
www.vancouveraccords.com

mmmk · 08-13-2009, 09:48 AM

^
I think the computer in the car calculates when the oil needs to be changed. My 2008 MDX had it's first oil change at around 8000kms (all city driving).

Despite the mileage, the oil is probably fine...but just call another Acura dealership and ask them as well. If you get the same response, then just wait until the light comes on.

Dragon-88 · 08-13-2009, 09:56 AM

my 09 Corolla need @ 8000, i have 7600 currently and going in for a chang this saturday. aswell as a tire rotation..... Toyota FTW, 5 free oil changes....

!SG · 08-13-2009, 10:09 AM

check oil

does it look black and dirty.

if not it should be good

and is the dealership paying for the oil change

if ur paying they will tell u to do it every 5000km, if they are paying, 14,000km.

Mugen EvOlutioN · 08-13-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fliptuner

You can never do too many oil changes.

werd

first time i would recommand around 2000km

afterwards every 5000km

i change it more often if i drive it hard

lilaznviper · 08-13-2009, 10:52 AM

i dont even follow the guide
first oil change or any i always get it changed at every 4000km even though the toyota guy told me to change it at 8000km mark
i guess its just a habit

ziggyx · 08-13-2009, 11:20 AM

My parents bought the oil change package that kingsway honda offers. Its something like 500 bucks and you don't have to pay for another oil change as long as you have that car? So Technically I am paying for the oil changes lol.

and yeah i've been told by several that the car's computer calculates when the oil needs to be changed. Although i don't really know how that works.

I guess the best thing to do is check the dipstick like !SG says

Thanks guys

shenmecar · 08-13-2009, 11:56 AM

keep in mind that honda has a "A" and "B" package service.

Sometimes its 6000k for a oil change, and sometimes its 8000k for a oil change.

it goes like A-B-A-B- and so on.

death_blossom · 08-13-2009, 12:10 PM

are the first few oil changes free for new Hondas? they are probably telling you to wait so they don't have to give the first free oil change so soon. if that is the case, just bring in the car and pay for your own oil change. I also believe in having the first oil change early after the engine is broken in.

fliptuner · 08-13-2009, 02:15 PM

It's the first oil change since the engine was built. I don't care how clean it looks. The fact is there are a ton metal particles floating around in there from parts seating and the oil filter has probably captured as much as I'd feel comfortable with.

I'm sure the oil life calculator counts key cycles and mileage and uses a formula to decide the quality of the oil. I DON'T think it would take engine break in into consideration.

On my GF's '07 Civic, we changed the oil at 2000, 4000 and followed the computer after. The filter gets changed every single time also. She planned on keeping it for a while so a couple of extra oil changes were cheap insurance.

Volvo-brickster · 08-13-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !SG

check oil

does it look black and dirty.

if not it should be good

and is the dealership paying for the oil change

if ur paying they will tell u to do it every 5000km, if they are paying, 14,000km.

just cause its black doesnt mean it should be changed

my oil its black after 1500km. Then again the motor has 288k on it, but nonetheless, colour isn't the main thing to look at when deciding whether to change it or not

//RacingSpirit>> · 08-13-2009, 06:58 PM

If the oil sensor on hondas are like bmws, then it'll measure the quality of the oil (harder you drive, the sooner you'll need an oil change). Oil colour doesn't tell you the quality of the oil (you can have black oil that still has excellent lubrication qualities). Check your oil level and make sure it's at proper levels (top up oil if necessary). Cars these days cannot be compared to cars of the past. Car's engines are assembled with clean parts, so the old myth with new engines having metal shavings mixed in the oil can be thrown out completely. I would trust the car's computer until you've hit atleast 8000km. If you are paranoid, take an oil sample and get it analyzed at a lab (you'll be surprised at how well engine oils hold their lubrication qualities). FYI, BMWs recommend oil changes every approx 24,000km (but that obviously doesn't apply to your car).

Volvo-brickster · 08-13-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by //RacingSpirit>>

FYI, BMWs recommend oil changes every approx 24,000km (but that obviously doesn't apply to your car).

and how long is an BMW oil filter good for?

fliptuner · 08-13-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by //RacingSpirit>>

Car's engines are assembled with clean parts, so the old myth with new engines having metal shavings mixed in the oil can be thrown out completely.

You don't really believe that, do you?

Friction between metal parts = metal particles - it's a fact.

//RacingSpirit>> · 08-13-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fliptuner

You don't really believe that, do you?

Friction between metal parts = metal particles - it's a fact.

Parts are clean when they are used to assemble an engine. Engines do not get fired up with no oil in them. Any "metal particles" if any, during the first firing cycle, will be caught in the oil filter. Once oil is cycled through the engine, it will provide enough lubrication until your next oil change (to be determined by a sensor for accuracy, or mileage/time).

Eclypz · 08-13-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggyx

snip....

I also talked to the guy at the service counter and he said that I should also wait because the first oil new cars receive has additives in it to help with the engine breaking in. He said it's not odd for him to see 10 or 11000 kms till the first oil change.

This isn't the first time I've heard about this, and I don't really know if this is true, but if it is true, then you should wait, and let the "special oil" run it's course.

Maybe a honda tech can chime in?

PS: I've also heard about the newer cars having a "break-in" program in the ECU, and it is removed during the first oil change.
any truth to that?

1990TSI · 08-13-2009, 07:52 PM

I did my first oil change at 2000k kms and have done them every 3kms since. I'm coming up on 11k and will be running full synthetic and going 8k+.

my oil is dirty and black 100kms after the oil change so the color isn't a great way of deciding when to change you oil.......

6k kms is what my shop reccomends, seems pretty standard.

eurochevy · 08-13-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugen EvOlutioN

werd

first time i would recommand around 2000km

afterwards every 5000km

i change it more often if i drive it hard

x2 only way to do it

fliptuner · 08-13-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by //RacingSpirit>>

Parts are clean when they are used to assemble an engine. Engines do not get fired up with no oil in them. Any "metal particles" if any, during the first firing cycle, will be caught in the oil filter. Once oil is cycled through the engine, it will provide enough lubrication until your next oil change (to be determined by a sensor for accuracy, or mileage/time).

It has nothing to do with "clean assembly" or the engine running with no oil. It's assumed that the new parts are extremely clean and pre-lubed during assembly and the motor is never fired with no oil. New parts require seating and to be broken in to each other - this leaves metal circulating in the oil. Of course the filter catches most of it but what about the rest? I've seen firsthand, many oil analysis results on new motors that show a considerable amount more metal particulates when compared to motors with over 20K km/+100hrs.

JesseBlue · 08-13-2009, 08:31 PM

i think its not an additive they put but actually a different type of oil...dunno for sure though...but it is definitelly to ensure that any/most particulates/debris/whatever you wanna call it are taken out after that first oil change...
and for crying out loud...listen to the techs at the dealership...when they say wait...wait...don't go assuming that you know more than they do...unless of course you're a head mechanic at some other shop...

nbjovo19 · 08-13-2009, 09:28 PM

You should get the first oil change around 3000km as there will be metal in the oil as the filter will not catch it all. Even though the engines that are assembled are clean, it is during the break in period where the metal will be introduced to your oil. Dont trust the service advisors or what the girls tell you on the phone since they dont know shit, half the mechanics dont know shit either. My friend worked for ford and toyota and he said the service advisors have never opened an engine before and they just know basics stuff. My friend asked around at the toyota dealer he works at and said they put regular oil in for break in and that just insist that they change your oil even if you have to pay for it, it is better to have a properly running car that will last. Also that engine computer thing telling you to change your oil is bullshit just change regular oil every 3000km and synthetic you can change around 5000km or longer if you want.

shenmecar · 08-14-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbjovo19

You should get the first oil change around 3000km as there will be metal in the oil as the filter will not catch it all. Even though the engines that are assembled are clean, it is during the break in period where the metal will be introduced to your oil. Dont trust the service advisors or what the girls tell you on the phone since they dont know shit, half the mechanics dont know shit either. My friend worked for ford and toyota and he said the service advisors have never opened an engine before and they just know basics stuff. My friend asked around at the toyota dealer he works at and said they put regular oil in for break in and that just insist that they change your oil even if you have to pay for it, it is better to have a properly running car that will last. Also that engine computer thing telling you to change your oil is bullshit just change regular oil every 3000km and synthetic you can change around 5000km or longer if you want.

true, service advisers are there to sell service.

Are your brakes squeaking? Why not do a timing belt replacement while you're at it!