Today I met the Honda Oil Nazi!
Actually, he was pleasant enough to deal with, but the tech at my dealer (Sport Honda in Silver Spring, MD) wouldn't change my oil.
I've put 3500 miles on my car since buying it in February -- about 60% highway driving. I figured I should be prudent and take it in for its first oil change, but the guy seemed leery when I told him the mileage. He checked with the service manager; they both say Honda is ADAMANT about the first service occuring at 7500 miles or 6 months, and they prefer to go by mileage.
The car's running great, but I just want to make sure I do the right thing.
Comments?

 

I would change it before then. I changed mine at slightly over 4K miles and it was black. Then again I drove the hell out of it after 600 miles and it was under the Texas sun.

 

Maybe AHM is adamant but in other parts of the world it is common for the Honda organization to insist on a change at 1000km (~600 miles). This is a silly stand that some American dealers take and I would simply find another (or do it myself). This whole break-in oil thing has turned into black magic IMO.. if it were that critical it would be clearly stated in the owners manual or shop reference.

 

This is from Honda's site:

Follow the "severe" schedule only if you drive in one or more of these conditions most of the time:
* Trips of less than 5 miles (less than 10 in freezing weather)
* Extremely hot weather (over 90 degrees F)
* Extensive idling or stop-and-go driving
* Trailer towing, driving with a car-top carrier, or driving in the mountains
* Muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads


3750 miles:
Services to be performed: Replace engine oil and filter.

http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/Maintenance/m...edule.asp?sch=s

I live in Northern VA and my dealership was happy to do it.

-YS

 

I had the same push back at my Honda dealer when I took in my '02 with 5k miles. I returned with 6k miles and they performed the service. Oil level was fine but it was a hassle, nonetheless. My old '00 was changed when she hit 3k miles and I never got any push back.

Now my baby has 22k+ miles and runs smooth with Mobil1.

 

This is just example of yet another dealer full of misinformed morons (and there have been lots noted by many on this forum). We have an engine that revs to 9000 rpm, "break in" oil is not a proven fact and may just be a myth. The extra "stuff" found in analysis of the factory fill may just "assembly lube". Make sure you are regularly checking the oil level and topping up with dino oil. Go somewhere else to get this done or do it yourself:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=70348

 

I changed mine at 4K and have been on Mobil 1 ever since. While there are some fanatics who swear that you shouldn't use Mobil 1 until 10K or something silly like that, I sold my Accord in May with 203,000 miles, still running like I just pulled it off the showroom floor, and it had its first dose of Syntec (by a previous owner) at 3K.

Just do it...

P.S. you might want to learn how to do it yourself or offer to host maintenance days at your home so that you can learn watching someone else. Dealers are notorious for not being as careful with S2000's as the owners here would like! Just save your oil receipts and you'll be golden!

 

Since its so easy to change the oil in this car, I'd just change it myself and be doe with it. I mean, why risk someone else working on your car when you know you will pay the utmost attention to it when you work on it.

Get a set of ramps, and oil filter tool and a socket set; get 6qts of oil and a HONDA oil filter, and you are in business. It will save you alot of hassles...trust me...I mean, do you REALLY want to deal with those dealer peopel any more than you have to?

 

yu888, is right. I change my own every 3,000 like clock work. To make the job even easier, I use one of those vacuum pumps to extract the old oil. Works like a charm. No ramps, no mess, no spills.

 

Helios,

I am in the same boat. My S2k has 3950 miles and I was going to take it to that same dealer for an oil change this week. Haven't driven it very hard, so I think that I'll check the dipstick and top off if needed. Which dealership in Northern VA was that Yellow Streak? Any recommendations for brand of oil? Thanks.