just talked to the service guy at my local dealership. he said that the first oil should stay in the engine until the maintenance minder comes on. apparently there's some magic in it. does anyone know specifics ? i thought the time for break-in oil was over a long time ago.

 

I believe it's so that the piston rings properly break in... but I could be wrong.

 

I was told the same thing by the Toyota dealer when I bought my Tacoma. I dunno what it is chemically, but I was told the factory oil is specifically engineered to help break-in.

Motorcycle manufacturers don't use that stuff though. At my dealer, we use the same oil for our Honda motorcycles as every other Honda motorcycle dealer in the country: Honda GN4, by the drum.

Best rule of thumb, follow manufacturer's suggested maintenance. For those who think they know more sbout the motor than the people who built the car: You aren't honoring the warranty, they are.

 

My dad's Mazda was 3k, every time. He is going on 6k now.

 

Search and you'll find the answer. High moly was the prominent thing, but assembly lube has the stuff. Some people change out their oil early with no ill effect. New replacement engines don't get the factory fill either.

Still if you dig farther back, one poster who worked at Honda America advised keeping it in as long as possible initially.

Being in sunny California, I'm planning to keep the factory fill to 5000 if I can bear the torture just in case there truly is something special outside of normal oil testing parameters. Everything points to early oil change = flush out machining and no bad effects. But just because this car's engine is relatively unique and has fibre reinforced cylinders, I'm going to hold out on the oil change. This being from a guy who changed out his motorcycle's oil 3 times by 1000 miles.

PS. Do you have an 08? Chicane is not an 07 color.

my random newbie two cents

 

Before we go any further with this post, please use the search and crack open that manual....

 

Having owned more than a few Honda and Acura products over the years and have been told every time the same thing to leave it in there until you hit 7500 miles. My last two honda products I changed the oil at 3k and once I hit right around 9k I made the switch to synthetic and never looked back, no oil consumption what so ever. I personally would not leave it in there that long but that is me.

Swiftoy

 

I always do the same thing with my cars no matter what the dealer says. 3K change with regular oil. 7500 change with synthetic.

My mom's BMW, when it was new, it's first change was at 15K. After that, it was 3500 each.

 

dont go by what people say
read the manual that came with your car!!!

 

Absolutely. I've never been a believer manufacturer conspiracy theory when it comes to motor oil. Look at almost any car fourm and you'll see more raging debates about oil than anything else.