Oil Change Light if not done at dealership?

[FTLOSM]

I got a coupon from my dealer to bring the 05 Pilot we own in at 7500 miles i think it says for the first oil change free. The guy said if we don't get the oil changed at a Honda dealership that the Oil Service light would stay on.

Ok how does this work, does the oil service light come on at 7499 miles or something telling me it is time for my first oil change? Currently I am only at 2300 btw, and I thought you were supposed to change oil every 3000 miles (at least on my other cars).

So lets say Honda is right and its 7500 etc, does a light tell me at a certain mileage (guessing every 7500?) then when I go in and get oil changed they reset or turn it off at the dealer BUT if i take it into Jiffylube or somewhere they can't reset it and the light will remain on till I take it to a Honda dealer for next oil change?

I could be misunderstanding all of this but can someone explain this whole light issue and who can or cannot change my oil or reset my light (and how often is it needed).

Thanks,

Bill

[wwong]

Directions to reset the indicator are in the owner's manual.

1) Turn off engine.

2) Press and hold the Select/Reset button on the instrument panel, then turn the ignition switch ON

3) Hold the button for approximately ten seconds until the indicator resets.

[FTLOSM]

I guess they were just trying to get me to come into the dealer for oil changes by saying the light would stay on if anyone else changed it LOL

Is it correct that its 7500 miles before first oil change? The coupon they gave me says first oil change 7500 miles, wife has the car shes out showing homes in it - i gotta go snag that book from the car to read up on this stuff but does the oil light automatically come on before the oil change is due or something as a reminder?

Bill

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by FTLOSM
I got a coupon from my dealer to bring the 05 Pilot we own in at 7500 miles i think it says for the first oil change free. The guy said if we don't get the oil changed at a Honda dealership that the Oil Service light would stay on.

Ok how does this work, does the oil service light come on at 7499 miles or something telling me it is time for my first oil change? Currently I am only at 2300 btw, and I thought you were supposed to change oil every 3000 miles (at least on my other cars).

So lets say Honda is right and its 7500 etc, does a light tell me at a certain mileage (guessing every 7500?) then when I go in and get oil changed they reset or turn it off at the dealer BUT if i take it into Jiffylube or somewhere they can't reset it and the light will remain on till I take it to a Honda dealer for next oil change?

I could be misunderstanding all of this but can someone explain this whole light issue and who can or cannot change my oil or reset my light (and how often is it needed).

Thanks,

Bill

\

ALL TOGETHER NOW:

R(ead) T(he) F(ine) M(anual)

[FTLOSM]

Will do...

Forgive me for asking, she always has the car and the book is in the car, ill have to grab it out when shes home later tonight...

I did just see this post too tho so I can flip thru that now


http://hondapilot.bkwon.net/manual/2005/

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by FTLOSM
Will do...

Forgive me for asking, she always has the car and the book is in the car, ill have to grab it out when shes home later tonight...

I did just see this post too tho so I can flip thru that now


http://hondapilot.bkwon.net/manual/2005/

Just teasing a bit since all your questions are actually covered fairly well.

[FTLOSM]

Ok I have been reading this online manual (BIG thanks to ryanb and bkwon) and had a few questions about oil etc.

In past cars it has always been 3000 miles or 3 months, the manual here says using honda detergent oil every 7500 miles or 1 yr whichever comes first under normal conditions. Later in the manual it says that synthetic "could" be used if desired (page 200).

Does Honda even make a synthetic and if so is the mileage between changes the same for synthetic vs detergent honda premium oil?

I guess I just remember the "old" days 70's,80's,90's when first oil change was important at 3000 miles to get out any initial internal shavings of a new engine break-in etc..

Also wondered if Honda even makes (or uses) a synthetic oil and or if any of you use a synthetic and what if any advantages it may offer for life of the car or engine etc.

Looking to keep this one - bought the 8 yr 120,000 warranty on it even, so would like to make sure we are doing what is right / best for the engine.

Thanks for all the help, that online manual is a bookmark on my pc here now since the car is never here (wife out showing homes all day with it).


Bill

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by FTLOSM

Looking to keep this one - bought the 8 yr 120,000 warranty on it even, so would like to make sure we are doing what is right / best for the engine.

Use conventional oil, unless you want to use synthetic.
Change the oil at 7500 miles (3750 fore severe) or earlier if you like.

Relax and don't worry about it.

No one on this board has reported an oil related problem that could have been prevented with additional maintenance.

[Sunday Rider]

Originally posted by N_Jay


Use conventional oil, unless you want to use synthetic.
Relax and don't worry about it.
snip.

I sense a weakening in the force "Luke". You are mellowing

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by Sunday Rider


I sense a weakening in the force "Luke". You are mellowing

Nah, just busy and no time for a long post.

Besides the more synthetic people use the less conventional hopefully allowing the market to lower the price I pay.

Beside there is no reason to bash the Syn using crowd (until they chime in)!

[NorthPoleGuy]

I just changed my oil (first change) at 7505 miles on it. I opted to change the filter also, I know the manual says it is not due for 15,000 miles but I could not help myself. I also opted to put in the synthetic due to the colder weather here in the winter I believe that it is better on the engine during cold starts with the lighter oil, of course I have the oil pan heater that is plugged in for two hours or so before a start.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by NorthPoleGuy
I just changed my oil (first change) at 7505 miles on it. I opted to change the filter also, I know the manual says it is not due for 15,000 miles but I could not help myself. I also opted to put in the synthetic due to the colder weather here in the winter I believe that it is better on the engine during cold starts with the lighter oil, of course I have the oil pan heater that is plugged in for two hours or so before a start.

Even I would use Synthetic if I lived there.

[ctobio]

No harm will come to your car by following a more aggressive fluid maintenance schedule than what is required.

I can't in good conscience change the oil filter ever other change, for example. I know the filter is small and thus holds very little dirty oil, but come on, it's $5 and doesn't take much extra time.

As for syn, I've been using syn for years with aggressive maintenance cycles (every 5k). I also tend to keep a car for over 10yrs/200k. My cars get "tired" mechanically- bearings, suspensions, electrical, but the engines go strong.

[ramirami]

Originally posted by N_Jay
\

ALL TOGETHER NOW:

R(ead) T(he) F(ine) M(anual)

its not Fine

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by ctobio
No harm will come to your car by following a more aggressive fluid maintenance schedule than what is required.

I can't in good conscience change the oil filter ever other change, for example. I know the filter is small and thus holds very little dirty oil, but come on, it's $5 and doesn't take much extra time.

As for syn, I've been using syn for years with aggressive maintenance cycles (every 5k). I also tend to keep a car for over 10yrs/200k. My cars get "tired" mechanically- bearings, suspensions, electrical, but the engines go strong.

But I know lots of people who have gone 150 to 200 on a Honda changing the oil with whatever is cheapest when they happen to remember to, so, unless we start finding a fair number of Hondas with worn out engines under 200K, you are waisting your time, your money, and the worlds resources!!