'06 Civic Oil Change Interval

There's absolutely nowhere in any of the Civic's manuals that shows the oil
change interval. Instead, there's a digital display of the percentage of
driving you have left until an oil change is needed. For example, when the
percentage hits zero, you change the oil. The manual implies that the
computer's system takes into account the kind of driving you do, in figuring
how much driving you have left before the required oil change.

I normally change the oil at an interval of not greater than 3,000 miles,
especially since most of my driving is city driving, and not freeway
driving. It'll be interesting to see the percentage that's shown in
the display as the car approaches 3,000 miles.

But I'd sure like to hear what others think of such a system. Except for
relying on Honda's digital percentage system, they're really not telling you
the recommended oil change interval in my opinion.

Thanks!

 

It's a common system nowadays. But if you'd rather do 3K oil
changes--cheap insurance, to be sure, the best and cheapest thing you
can do to guarantee the inside of your engine will remain in superb
condition--then just ask the dealer how to reset that gizmo, and do your
own changes.

 

Thanks, "Elmo"!

Didn't realize that system's commonplace nowadays. Gives you some idea of
how long it's been since I've had a new car. Yeah, I was thinking I'd change
it every 3,000 miles regardless.

Actually, resetting the oil change monitor yourself is in the owner's
manual, and it's pretty easy.

 

Someone should explain the system to my Honda dealer. I brought it an 05
and 06 for oil changes and they failed to reset the oil change readout on
both cars.

 

I just got a 2006 Accord.; all of 250 miles on it! A service writer at
my dealer says that the system assumes 5000 miles between changes. I
think I'll check with another dealer.

 

That's because you have an un-certified oil jockey doing the work even at
the dealership. These owners are too cheap and tight-fisted to pay anyone
decent money to start out, so you get someone who is more interested in
cashing in on changing your air filter, cabin filter, wiper blades, belts,
etc. That is how he makes any money, not by worrying about resetting your
oil reminder.

Most of the time what you do is hold the trip meter button in while you turn
the key on for a set amount of seconds.

 

Art, if you have your owner's manual, it's in the maintenance section as to
how to reset it yourself. It's actually pretty easy. If you don't have it,
or can't find the page that it's on, let me know, and I'd be glad to copy
and post it to you.

Bob

 

Congrats on your new Accord! Sounds like you got a deal!

Thanks for your reply, S & B. Interesting answer from your dealer, although
that does seem about right--my Civic now has about 500 miles on it, and it
says "90%" left on the oil indicator. The flaw in that system is that it
doesn't take into account different driving demands. For example,
all-freeway driving is a lot less taxing on the engine and oil than, say,
all city driving. No way I'd wait until 5,000 to change the oil in my case.

Honda's website does say that it's wasting money to change the oil sooner
than it's due. I just don't agree with that--it depends. I think it's cheap
insurance to do it sooner, especially if you do more demanding driving than
long trips.

Again, thanks,

Bob