FIRST oil change - 03 4 cyl Accord

Our owners manual for our 2003 Accord EX-L 4 says to NOT change the oil for
the first time (And every time after) until 10K miles. Does anyone have an
opinion of this? The dealer said to do at 7500 miles because of the break in
oil that is in it. ALSO - the manual says to NOT change the filter except
once every TWO years or 20K miles so this original filter will stay in the
car for 20K or two years? This seems far fetched? I know Toyota had a BIG
problem w/ 10K oil changes and engines failing due to sludge. I never go
over 3000 miles or 3 months between oil changes and 99% of our driving is
very mild - slow highway etc. Waiting for 10K or 1 year scares me. Am I
worrying for no reason? Should I go 10K? That's easy to say but after 36K
when the warranty expires, they won't care if 10K caused the problem. Any
opinions?

Jim / NJ

 

Thanks! I did read that the break in oil should stay in for 7500 like the
dealer said before the first oil change. Maybe I'll do that and then 5k
changes w/ filter from then on.

 

That sounds like a *very* good idea.


Regards,
Steve
Ottawa

 

Jim, if you don't mind, tell me where in the manual it says not to
change the filter except every 20K miles or 2 years. I have an '03
Accord, and although I read it cover-to-cover a couple of times, and
asked a question similar to yours in this group some time back, I missed
this.

Thanks.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen

 

Change your filter.

 

I had this saved from Honda's website (not sure if it's there anymore):

Why should I wait to change the oil the first time?

Your Honda engine was delivered with an oil that is specially
formulated for new engines that have not yet developed their "natural"
wear patterns and may contain minute particles from the manufacturing
process. American Honda strongly recommends this special oil be left
in the engine long enough for these wear patterns to develop, usually
until the first maintenance interval specified in your Owner's Manual,
based on your specific driving conditions.

 

Dave,
Look in your schedule maintenance you will see it. According to the manual
the oil filter should be changed every two years or every other oil change.
I do not think that's a good idea.

 

It's interesting that manufacturers are starting to specify a filter
change every other oil change. Some years ago, I have an oil engineer
tell me just the opposite. He said, change your filter more often than
the oil.

It certainly cannot hurt to change the filter more frequently. I'd do
it at every oil change.

The manual does say not to do the initial oil change until the
specified interval. That is precisely because of break-in oil, I
assume. So why the dealer would say to vary from the schedule because
it is break-in oil, contradicts the specific instructions provided by
the manufacturer for the first change. I'd trust the manufacturer over
some guy who may or may not know what he is talking about.

 

Well an oil filter, like any other filter collects dirt. As it gets dirty
flow is reduced. When flow is reduced you don't get the lubrication that you
did when the filter was new.

You may not need to change the filter every oil change according to the
schedule, and if you want to follow there recommendations its totally up to
you. They don't void your warranty for changing your oil or filter to much.
It will just keep your engine cleaner, which would only be an advantage for
you. Especially since an oil filter is on the average about $5 and your
engine will just last longer for that little extra you spend. Its that "you
can pay me now, or you can pay me later" thing.

If I was using regular oil, I'd probably go with 7500 for oil and filter at
the outside. If you use synthetic oil, I might stretch it to 10000.

I will probably go with synthetic oil and a K&N oil filter every 7500 miles.
That depending on how dirty it looks at 5000 miles. BTW I have a 2003 Civic
EX so I have the same recommendations as you do.

 

My worry is NOT changing the filter and the car would easily make the 36K
warranty and then need repair soon after. A money maker for Honda....

 

I have an oil engineer at work that tells me the same - change the filter
more often then the oil. He said today that the car companies are finally
starting to see things his way sort of. His van has 240K and he NEVER
changed the oil once he swears. Only changed the filter once a year. He says
oil gets more slippery as it ages and additives mean nothing.
Jim

 

Dave,

In "my" book / owners manual it's on page 250 under 4 CYL maintenance
schedule under normal conditions. It says oil every 10K and filter every 20.
As I replied to another person - an engineer at work swears by oil never -
filter once a year. Good Luck and save that soap.

Jim

 

What company does this tribologist work for?

 

Jim,
Regardless of what any manual or person tells you, the best thing to do is
change the oil and the filter every 3000 miles. All car companies want you
to buy a new car every four years or less. They want their new cars to
wear out within four years so they can sell you a new car. If you want
your car to last longer than four years--change the oil and filter every
3000 miles. I'm sure some people--especally car salesmen--will post
differert opinions--they also want to sell you a new car every four years
or less.

 

Stephen,

He works for a printing company with plants worldwide. He does many
things but one is lubrication of the presses.

Jim

 

What company does he work for?
Does he ever change the oil he uses in the presses?

 

They sure have lengthened the oil change interval on the 03. I would
always go with the severe service interval, which is (was) 3750 miles
for the first oil change.

 

Actually, a few years ago Consumer Reports tested for the oil change
interval. One group of taxi's had oil and filter changed early (every
3000 miles). The second group was changed at the full manufacturer's
recommended interval (e.g. 7500 miles.)

The two groups showed no difference in breakdowns or engine wear. CR's
conclusion was that early oil changes waste money and provide no
benefit. for most cars. They said to follow the manufacturer's
recommended interval.

The Consumer's Union is about as unbiased a source as one could find
anywhere. While you can wonder if you can generalize their test results
to your car, you can't question their objectivity.

My point is that there is credible independent evidence to suggest early
oil changes are unnecessary.

 

Actually, a few years ago Consumer Reports tested for the oil change

I used to change my oil every 3K miles and then got to thinking, why?
Every time I change it, the oil color was a very light brownish color.
Looked like it was too early for an oil change. Next time around, I
check the oil at 3K miles and it was a very light brown color, hardly
dirty at all. At 4K miles, it was a little bit more brown. At 5K
miles, the oil was a good brown color but not black. That's where I
determined that it's about time to change it. I've been changing the
oil every 5K miles and my Honda's and two of my cars have gone over the
100K mile mark with no problem.

I saw an auto program that had a Q& A session and one of the questions
was about 3K mile oil changes. With older cars from '50s-'70s, their
engines had bigger tolerances thus causing the oil to get much dirtier.
With todays cars having advanced engine design and very tight
tolerances, it's not recommended to change your oil every 3K miles.

Unless you are constantly driving in stop-and-go traffic or hauling a
trailer, changing your oil every 3K miles is overkill and just dumping
more oil into the environment.

 

Nope. Long trips, no cold starts.