First Oil Change, When?

[Pilot Rider]

When should the first oil change be done on a 2005 Pilot? Some people have been saying 7.5k miles due to special additives in the oil. Is this correct information and documented somewhere?

[ryanb]

This is discussed in a number of threads but for Honda documentation you can look in your '05 owner’s manual between pages 189 and 194.

[Pilot Rider]

Originally posted by ryanb
This is discussed in a number of threads but for Honda documentation you can look in your '05 owner’s manual between pages 189 and 194.

I checked the pages you referenced in the owner's manual but other than the standard change your oil every 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions, there's no other note. I usually change engine oil every 3k-4k, so I was looking for something specific from Honda that says there is something special about the first oil change.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by Pilot Rider


I checked the pages you referenced in the owner's manual but other than the standard change your oil every 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions, there's no other note. I usually change engine oil every 3k-4k, so I was looking for something specific from Honda that says there is something special about the first oil change.

Doesn't it say NOT to change it before the regular scheduled interval (or something like that)?

I would not change it any sooner than the severe schedule.

[Pilot Rider]

Originally posted by N_Jay


Doesn't it say NOT to change it before the regular scheduled interval (or something like that)?

I would not change it any sooner than the severe schedule.

Found it on page 146 of the '05 manual under Break-in Period. "Do not change the oil until the scheduled maintenance time." thx!

[laurco]

The leading sentence refers to only the first 600 miles of driving on page 146, so it seems safe to change the oil any time after that, and I plan to at 3K.

In any case the manual isn't the clearest in the world.

[mdesmaraisva]

I have had this discussion with the dealer when we bought my wifes CR-V and when i got the Pilot. I have never gone beyond 3,000 miles for any oil change, but the dealer was able to talk me into waiting until - at least 5,000 miles. With both vehicles I was at the dealer right when it turned 5,000.

Both are running well and I have never had an oil related problem with any Honda.

I think the first is important due to the additives but the rest of the oil changes are more important!

[Bugshu]

Id recommend changing the oil during breakin at least by 2500 miles and then again at 5000 miles. I would recommend getting a bottle of Valvoline synpower and using perhaps 1/3 to 1/2 of it to restore the moly (special additives) that came in your original break in oil.

Ive seen lots of used oil analysis done on Pilots and other vehicles using the Pilot engine and they almost universally spin off copper during break in. Do you really want copper bouncing around in your oil and engine?

Honda doesnt want people to replace a very good break in oil with cheap garbage that wont protect your engine well. During break in good oil matters. However, anybody who changes their oil with a good quality oil and then keeps solid additives in it will be alright if they change their oil before the recommended interval. Additives may very well be more important to an oils performance than the basestock of an oil.

The problem with manufacturers recommendations is that they universally have to provide good advice for a wide range of customers and situations and among those with different knowledge levels of experience and practicality. Good advice isnt always the best advice.

During BreakIn, Its better to use Honda's recommendations than to go to your Wal-Mart quick lube place and just have your oil changed with a sorry $15 supertech oil change.

However, Its probably better to change your oil at 2500 miles and use a good solid moly rich oil plus a bit of Valvoline Synpower to boost your moly and other anti-wear additives than to leave your oil in for 7500 miles and let copper bounce around your engine for an additional 5000 miles.

My dealer actually believes so much in the first oil change at 3000 miles that he gives it away for free and I concur with him. Hes believes in preventing problems and will go the extra mile in order to keep his later maintenance costs and warranty repair costs to a minimum. I like my dealer.

Change your oil whenever you feel comfortable but if you do change it during breakin then use a good oil with good anti-wear properties.

Happy Motoring All,



Bugshu

[robottik]

Looking for some feedback... I waited until 6000 miles for the first oil change, and I put in Pennzoil 5w-20 synthetic.

Bugshu, with the above PZ synthetic, would you still recommend the Valvoline Synpower additive?

Also, I don't know much about engines and oil (although I'm learning though this board!) but what is main issue with keeping oil in longer than say 3000 for the first oil change... (assuming non-severe usage). I've heard about metal chips floating around in the engine, and I realize it will cause damage, but what exactly is the damage that will result from that? Pardon my ignorance!

Thanks, Robo

[Bugshu]

Every engine is a different animal. However to be general about it, engines are made out of metal and have moving parts. Across their entire lifespan metal will come into contact with metal and wear will result. Often you will get more and increased wear when an engine is new and "breaking in" as the metal comes into contact with each other for the first time. The oil as it flushes through the engine will pick up the small metal particles. Many are caught in the filter but some smaller particles will pass through the filter and can potentially do some damage to an engine. Imagine if you will very fine grit being added to the oil. Its not going to cause a major problem but over time it can cause some wear. Most oil filters will filter only down to >.20 microns or so and even the best generally only filter down to >.10 microns. Even the best of engines will have metal shavings in it that are smaller than .10 microns. When an engine is new you get more engine wear and metal shavings as the parts come in contact for the first time. As the engine smooths down and the parts get used to working together the metal wear that is spun off and carried away in your oil is reduced and your gas mileage will increase.

Almost all oils have additives in them designed to reduce wear and protect against metal on metal contact. Soft metals like Zinc and Moly are often used to coat or sheet metal surfaces with a protecting layer. When discussing oil the experts will refer to them as anti-wear additives.

Ive seen some analysis on the Honda break in oil and it has a lot of Moly. Moly is a great anti-wear additive. Therefore you can look at it this way. The Moly in the Honda breakin oil will do a good job of protecting the engine during its breakin period when the engine is spinning off metals from having been used. However draining the oil and replacing it with a new filter and fresh clean oil will also protect your engine by getting the old oil and the old particles out of the system.

IMO, by draining the oil and replacing it with a high Moly oil you will get the best of both worlds and take the metals causing the wear out of the engine while putting fresh clean oil back into the system with high amounts of Moly and anti-wear additives to protect in case the engine continues to spin off metal as it settles into being a useful powerplant.

Eventually your metal engine will smooth a bit where the metal comes into contact with each other and the break in period will be over and less metal will enter your oil.

The best way to get the metal out of your oil, filter and engine is to change the oil and the filter. The second best way to protect against metal in your oil causing wear is to use an oil with good anti-wear properties.

Hope this helps.

Pennzoil usually has a good amount of moly in its add packs. I recommend the Valvoline Synpower because its filthy rich in Moly. The Valvoline is a good choice if you want to boost anti-wear additives in your oil and replicate so called break in oil. If one were to feel that the Pennzoil had enough Moly to do the job with more additives then I perhaps wouldnt argue or debate the point.

Some people can change their own oil and some cant. For those that cant then staying with the Honda recommendations isnt a bad plan. For those that can, they can get lots of benefit from removing wear metals from oil by just draining with frequency during break in. You dont need anti-wear additives protecting you as much if you have fresh clean oil without wear metals in it and thats usually the case with oil after being changed. Anybody using Pennzoil and changing it with good frequncy would probably be fine.

Happy Motoring All,



Bugshu

[Pilot Rider]

I spoke with a Honda dealer service dept and they recommended doing the first oil change at 3,750 – 4,000. I inquired about why does the owner’s manual imply not to do it until the recommended interval of 7.5k for normal use and the answer I got was because it all depends on how you drive and that there’s lots of gray area. I changed mine at 5k.

[pilot747]

I am new to this forum as a Pilot owner.
I have noticed on this forum that lots of Pilot drivers use Synthetic oil such as Mobil1, Amsol, SuperSyn...to protect their car.

Any recommendations for the Synthetic oil ? Or are they all the same ?

Thanks,

[Pilotari05]

The dealer where I bought my 05, indicated that I should bring it back for oil change when I reach 3,700 miles. I asked why. The guy said that Honda placed special oil for the first 3,700 miles with additives. This is meant to handle any minute impurities that might still be in the engine when it rolled out from the factory.

[mbass]

Originally posted by Pilotari05
The dealer where I bought my 05, indicated that I should bring it back for oil change when I reach 3,700 miles. . . said that Honda placed special oil for the first 3,700 miles with additives. This is meant to handle any minute impurities that might still be in the engine when it rolled out from the factory.

We have 1500 miles on our '05 and getting ready to put on 2000 miles round trip. Asked service dept same question above and received similar answer, wait until 3700 miles, even a little longer wouldn't hurt as the oil has "special additives."

I'll change it between 4 - 5K miles.

BTW, this site rocks!!

[RFM]

Originally posted by mbass
Asked service dept same question above and received similar answer, wait until 3700 miles, even a little longer wouldn't hurt as the oil has "special additives."

Which is why Honda says in the vehicle's manual not to change the oil for the first 7500 miles (except under "severe" driving conditions, which few of us fall under). Of course, there are good reasons why a dealer would say to do it every 3500: they'll make twice as much money off you.