i know that we have discussed when to first change the oil to death! but...
jay li and i have been discussing the service manual's suggestions- that under "normal" conditions the change is 7500 miles or 1 year; and under "severe" conditions it is the 3750 miles and 6 months that is usually discussed on this board. (by the way, the filer is changed at the first change only under severe conditions)...
are we assuming that severe conditions is VTECing constantly? i do that and consider it normal!!! i would assume that honda would consider it normal too.
anyone have a clue as to what "normal" means in the service manual?

 

Severe service usually means many short trips when the engine is cold, driving in very dirty conditions (dust storms), extensive idling (engine running but no miles on the odo), and maybe heavy loads in hot conditions (over loaded car with a lot of throttle).

VTEC use of a fully warmed engine is not as severe as these other uses, but a high percentage of miles at WOT would qualify as severe.

Normal use is when most miles don't include the above.

 

I follow the "Severe Conditions" maintenance schedule as this is a sports car (duhh) which gets treated differently from other cars.

 

I pretty much drive the snot out of my Stook so I will be following the Severe conditions schedule.

 

i never drive in dirt, extreme heat, or pull trailers with my stook!!
i do drive in stop and go traffic (not too often) and do have a whole lots of VTEC!
i would like to get as much benefit from the original "break-in" oil as possible...
sounds like i should be somewhere close to normal, but should probably be kind to my engine and change the oil before 5000 miles and less than a year- a good compromise that makes sense?

 

I'm wondering what I should do with my car as well...my 6 months is just about here, and I only have 2.2k miles on my car. I plan on following the "severe" conditions maintenance, but I'm wondering if I should leave the break-in oil just a little longer than 6 months, or if I should go ahead and change it. Any suggestions?

 

Honda knows this is a sports car, & knows how it is going to probably be driven(lotsa VTEC)...so I'll be following the normal schedule(I don't live in a dust bowl, & it's garaged all year, so severe weather is not a concern). However, for those of you concerned, you can have your oil tested!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jay Li
[B]I'm wondering what I should do with my car as well...my 6 months is just about here, and I only have 2.2k miles on my car.

 

Remember stop and go driving is "severe". To me, a compromise between the two periods makes sense, and it doubless isn't critical- whenever it is convenient past 3000 miles or so IMO.

 

Change it at 3700. It isn't going to hurt it. I would rather have the peace of mind myself myself!