I just got my "screaming yellow zonker" in May and got a letter from the dealer that it is time for my first oilchange. Since this is a second vehicle, I only have about 1950 pleasureable miles on it and I have seen that it is best to keep the break-in oil in for the full 3000 miles. I don't want to go against the warranty, but I want what is best for the engine. Can anyone help me?

 

I don't think anyone knows for sure. In Australia, they do the first oil change at 1,000 km (about 621 miles) and Aus2000 says that the warranty is voided if you miss it.

American Honda Motors calls for the first oil change at 7,500 miles (or six months) for regular service and the first oil change at 3,750 miles (or six months) for severe service.

AHM defines severe driving conditions as:
Less than 5 miles per trip or, in freezing temperatures, less than 10 miles per trip OR
In extremely hot weather over 90 deg F OR
Extensive idling or long periods of stop and go driving OR
Driving in mountainous conditions (which I do do but just occasionally) OR
Driving on dusty, muddy or de-iced roads.


My car has about 2,000 miles on the original oil (original with my short block replacement, that is) which was done at the end of January. Even though seven months have gone by, I plan to wait for another 5,00 to 1,000 miles before changing oil.

Like you, my car is just a pleasure vehicle. That means that 99% of the driving is "regular service" not "severe service." I do long drives at highway speeds, rarely exceeding 80 mph. I discussed this with the service manager at Valley Motor Honda and Joe was okay with it.

 

Thanks Barry. My plan was to change the oil around every 3750 miles and not every 3 months like the dealer wants (I think they want the money more than whats may be best for the car). I plan on keeping this car for a long time and want to take the best care of it that I can. I have never felt about a car like I do this one.

 

I was also told by my selling dealer to keep the break-in oil in for at least 3000 miles or more, I forgot. John, it looks like you may hit that 3750 point about the same time you hit the 6 month point (Nov.). That might be a good time to do the oil change.
Remember. like you may have read already, to check the oil level often though.

 

Yeah. I hear these engines use up some oil. Any idea why?

 

Most dealers of most manufacturers will send out these notices to their customers. It's one more way to keep up cash flow to their service departments. I've always ignored them and go by the owners manuals. You don't have to go back to them to get oil changes done to maintain warranty. You can do it yourself and keep the receipts.
I've always wondered about why these engines use so much oil. I thought maybe it's because it revs so high and assumed it was characteristic of such motors. Then I recall all the motorcycles I've owned and how they rev up to 13 grand and above and NONE of them used any oil. I don't know.

 

Oil will be burned until the skirt seals are properly seated. The "break-in oil is high in Molybdenum. I soft metal which will fill in the very minor scratches which occur during machining. I just changed mine out at 4,200 miles. My oil sample is heading to Blackstone(www.blackstone-labs.com) for complete analysis tomorrow.

 

Oil Consumption

per Honda owners manual: Check oil and coolant with every fill up. Belive It!

per S2000 Forum member: The only time I get any consumption is when I do a lot of high G corners, particularly right-handers. Then oil is siphoned through the valve-cover breather and into the intake tube. I can actually put my finger in the intake tube and come back with fresh oil on it after such a run. Guess I need to do a catch can. Won't prevent the oil level from dropping on the track, but at least I won't burn it then.

I

 

Thanks for all your help guys. It's final. I go with the owner's manual instructions and change it around 3750 miles.

 

Along these same lines....

I just had my first oil changed yesterday at about 4550mi. Anyone know the reason they always say "3000mi or 3 months, whichever comes first"? If it's been 3 months and you've only gone an additional 1000mi since your last oil change, why do you need to change it? Does it really "go bad" over time? I could see if you let your car sit an extended period of time without driving you might want to change the oil out, but not if you're taking it out every weekend or every couple of days.