I have an 04 with 2,500ish mils on it, when would be a good time to change my oil for the first time? The guy at honda says every 4,000 miles but I don't like the idea of that. Thanks

 

do a search. i believe it's been covered A LOT of times before.

I'm planning on my first oil change at 5k miles. And go with synthetic after 10k

 

Worse comes to worse, you can always read your owner's manual and follow what it says.
You might want to search out some threads made by "Road Rage". He is our resident oil expert who also recently took delivery of his own '04. He has never hidden the fact that he intends to do his first oil change at 1000 miles. See what he has to say on the subject.

 

so then should I get it changed at 3000 or what?

 

If you follow the manual and you fall under the "severe" schedule (which most drivers do), then change it at 3750 miles for your first change. If you want to change it now, many of us don't think this will harm anything. Perhaps just put in a can of moly rich oil additive till you get to your second change.
In any case, it is important to maintain the proper oil level. The choice really is yours.

 

What would be the best thing to do for the engine

 

I mean this in the nicest way....

Damn. Take the hint. READ THE MANUAL.

 

Dealers really need to be telling owners about this....

 

6 months or 3750 miles, whichever comes first.

refill with castrol gtx 10w30.

 

I also mean it in a positive, but resolute, manner - there have been many on this Forum who have put in the time to research, think, and post detailed analyses in their areas of expertise. Many have posted not based on their technical prowess, but on their equally worthwhile experiences.

The point is: they have done all the work gratuitously, and when someone pops in, wants a sound bite answer, and won't take the hint to do some work for themselves, it does not "speak well".

The truth is out there - now you need to do your homework. That is how knowledge is built, and passed on, rather than Internet "Top 10" lists. One is lasting; the other transient and superficial.

And if the question is one that a 2-hour read of the Owner's manual would have covered....well, let's just say that it smacks of intellectual dishonesty, since it is a question not based on ignorance and a healthy desire to learn, but merely one of intellectual convenience, and asking someone else to do one's legwork.

P.S. If a question sounds ordinary, it has likely been "asked and answered" many times here. Many board members will simply ignore such a question, and the ones that answer may be ones with less credentials and credibility. Think about it.
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The 1000 mile oil change is a perfect example. The sound bite response is "RR said to change at 1000 miles. Period". That is intellectually dishonest, because I posted a lot more than that on point, explaining why I did what I did, and how I believe I adhered to Honda's objectives, while fulfilling my own.