I guess I pushed the right buttons! I received an email from American Honda Motors warning me not to change my oil to synthetic at 1000 miles! Due to the FRM Cylinders (Fiber Reinforced) in this aluminum block the "Break In Oil" (here we go again) should stay in the vehicle for at least 5000 miles. Honda claims that synthetic oil is to slippery to seat the rings properly (Seating the rings refers to the rings shaping themselves to the precise size of the bore). Honda went on to say synthetic oil is perfectly safe to use after 5000 miles. (It must be due to the FRM Cylinders, as Porsche, and Corvette come with an initial fill of Mobil 1).
HONDA IF THE IS SO IMPORTANT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE OWNERS MANUAL! Ok Honda I'll play by your rules. Now one more email, tell me what has failed in these engines causing the number 4 piston slap? Wrist pin bearing failure, Piston Skirt scuffing, bent rod, FRM failure, what is it? I still intend on talking to the Mobil Lube oil engineers who have attended my engine training to further clarify this matter.

 

Who did you email in the first place to get this reply? I've never heard of anyone getting any kind of personal correspondence from AHM via email!! What is the return email address?

 

Could i ask you to please copy the email here or forward to me? I've had such a discussion with my dealer about fully synthetic oil or not. My car initially used a lot of oil and the oil consumption has in my mind not gone down enough, even after 7k miles or so. They have insisted on synthetic oil from day one, and that may have counteracted the settling-in of the rings...

 

Sounds fair to me. I guess this is why all the Aussie S2000s have their oil changed at 1000k (600 miles) and why we are not experiencing any oil burning in our vehicles

 

Ahha. This may explain why my car burned oil like crazy after changing to synthetic at 600 mi. (Yeah, bad move; but to share this on board may be helpful to fellow owners). I later switched back to nonsynthetic for 4K miles with Techron almost every fillup to further thin the oil. Changed the smelly thin black oil and the car hardly burns any oil.

Right, why not tell in manual 5K mi for factory fill? Is this something Honda is just learning? This 5K is something between severe use and nonsevere use condition service intervals.

[Edited by Prolene on 02-21-2001 at 03:29 PM]

 

why did AHM tell you 5000 miles when the owner's manual says 7500 miles. I know 3500 is for "sever conditions". But 5000 is neither of these too figures so I am curious as to how it jives with whats in the owner's manual.

 

After it stopped drinking oil, my engine just got the change to Mobile 1 5w/30 @ 6111 miles. I couldn't wait any longer - and it is running quite well right now...ooooh yea!

Also, if you could post the email up, it would be appreciated.

 

I first changed my oil to Mobil 1 10w-30 at about 3750 miles. The car used about 1/2 quart after that in 2500 miles but not a drop since. It's now at just over 10,000 with the supercharger since about 7000.

 

I'm beginning to see a conspiracy here:

Honda's web site (modified): Your Honda engine was delivered with an oil that is specially formulated for new engines that have not yet developed their "natural" wear patterns and may contain minute particles from the manufacturing process. American Honda strongly recommends this special oil be left in the engine long enough for these wear patterns to develop, usually until the first maintenance interval specified in your Owner's Manual, based on your specific driving conditions. Forum comments (modified): (1) I guess I pushed the right buttons! I received an email from American Honda Motors warning me not to change my oil to synthetic at 1000 miles! Due to the FRM Cylinders (Fiber Reinforced) in this aluminum block the "Break In Oil" should stay in the vehicle for at least 5000 miles. Honda claims that synthetic oil is to slippery to seat the rings properly (Seating the rings refers to the rings shaping themselves to the precise size of the bore). Honda went on to say synthetic oil is perfectly safe to use after 5000 miles. (2) My brother is a service adviser at a Honda Dealership and I have seen myself the documentation from Honda North America (made to the service dept) stating they highly recommend you leave the original oil in the motor for the recommend 3750 miles. It does mention about special additives in the oil but does not specify what they are.

Sounds like a good conspiracy to me; I think I'll stick with Honda on this subject.

 

The response came from my posting under engine failures from this website. The response is from the Service Engineer for NSX, and S2000 automobiles. the response was very proffesional and shows a sincere concern for our satisfaction. What he said was that the original oil should be left in for a MINIMUM of 5000 miles. After reading his response, I will use conventional motor oils due to the FRM cylinders (And I'm a BIG TIME fan of Mobil 1!). The web site is <e-mail address deleted> but please give the guy a break. Lets not barrage him with every liitle question. I use to be a service engineer before I opened my own business, he has a tough job.

MY2001 Silver/Black
MY1986 911 Cab