[gupt0014]

I'm just curious, how often are you guys planning on changing your engine oil?

The manual states it should be replaced every 7,500 miles with the filter itself at 15,000. I've never been a big proponent of this. IMO, the filter should be replaced at every oil change.

Being that this is a pretty efficient engine, do you guys think it is worth using a fully synthetic oil? And if so, would you increase the oil change interval to 10,000 or even 12,500 miles?

I'm not sure how comfortable I feel going 7,500 miles on a petro-based oil.

Your thoughts???

 

[Cheesehead]

I'm going to be going with the 3 month/3,000 mile philosophy. We usually keep our cars about 8 years and the minimal added expense of having the oil changed more often not only gives me peace of mind but will hopefully extend the life of the vehicle. Although the life of a Honda is much, much longer than the 8 years we'll have it I just can't force myself to extend an oil change to 7,500 or more miles. :4:

Am I living in the past here and not giving enough credit to the engines/oils of the 21st century?

 

[HavBluNav]

I am planning to change both the oil and the filter every 5000 miles. The only reason that I might consider using a synthetic oil is that 5W20 is a very light weight oil and I am a bit concerned about using it in the summer. I would think that a synthetic 5W20 would give better hot weather protection. I have also been thinking about possibly using 5W30 during the summer and 5W20 in the winter.

 

[03pilot]

I am planning on changing oil at 3000 or 3500 miles as well.. Just like we do on our Accord.

 

[texaspilot]

Funny,

My dealer stated to come in every 3750..... didn't think to stretch beyond this.

texaspilot
SS EX - C
#6587

 

[N_Jay]

Why funny

1. He wants you in more often.
2. Keeps his service schedules simple for all his customers.

 

[jfrano]

What about time? If you haven't exceeded the mileage recommendation. Is there any time factor that realistically needs to be considereded for an oil change?

Joe

 

[BC-Pilot]

Twice a year - minimum....

You don't want to leave oil in your system longer than 6 months.

 

[PrG]

I have always found it good practice to change the oil immediately after the recommended break-in period. I know the PILOT says 600 miles, and that seems real short, but just by nature of the engine break-in. Metal shavings and residue build up in your oil ... and if left in there can reverse the effects of your efforts to properly break your car in. Also you'll find that the engine will continue to form it's personality and break in out to 20-30,000 miles ... most don't reccomend switching to sythetics until this point in the engines life. Petrol based oils are best for break in. Just my two cents ... By the way I just changed my oil today ... odometer read 898 miles ...

PrG

 

[Paul]

I have an '02 CR-V, and my wife is considering a Pilot. I am curious about the different Honda oil change recomendations for the CR-V and the Pilot. My CR-V manual has the FIRST oil change @10,000 mi (5,000 mi if "severe conditions"). This seems a bit long to me, and there has been some chatter on the CR-V boards about 3,500 mi being a prudent interval. There was also some advice (warning) about allowing the initial factory oil to stay in place for the initial 10,000/ 5,000 mile interval.

So I am wondering, is there someting very different between the CR-V engine and the Pilot engine that would have Honda making such different oil change recomendations for the two? Is the factory oil on the CR-V perhaps a special formulation designed to assist the break-in process? Otherwise, why the importance of NOT performing the FIRST change too soon?

I have run synthetic (Mobil 1) in my last several vehicles, and am planning to do the same with my CR-V. But at the moment I admit to feeling a bit confused about the subject. Can anyone help me make some sense out of it?

 

[N_Jay]

Nope

No one on these boards will help make any sense of the oil issue.
You will get a lot of OPINIONS; some good, some bad; some based on facts, some based on myths.
It is up to you to sort through it all.
Just remember, it is of no use to Honda to recommend less than the minimum maitenance the vehicle needs.
This goes for how long break-in is, what type/grade of oil to use, how often to change it, etc.

I also have an '02 CR_V, and will have my Pilot next week.
My OPINION is that I will be changing the oil about every 4000 to 5000 miles on the CR-V.
Why; well it is under the recommended severe schedule. Rememberr you might be using the vehicle in a severe manner during the second 1/2 of the oil change interval.
It is easy to remember, and it is not too expensive.
I will be using conventional oil of the specified weight. (guess I trust the Honda engineers)

I will probably do the same for the Pilot, maybe reducing the milage to 3500 to 4500. I will see what the oil looks like after 3000 to make the decision.

 

[davemac]

Hey PrG

Assuming you did your own oil change, how did it go? Any surprises? Are the filter and drain plug accessible or are there skid plates that need removal? -dave

 

[JungleJim]

I have an 87 VW that has 182,000 miles. I've changed the oil every 5,000 miles, along with an OEM filter. Always used Penziol (not the best, not the worst oil).

We also own a 97 CRV. After 3500 miles, I changed to synthetic. Again changing the oil at 5,000 mile intervals. I have been using Mobil 1, but put Amsoil in for the last change.

By the way, Amsoil recommends that you leave the "break-in oil" in for about 500 miles. Then drain it ( and refill using NON-synthetic oil. After another 2500 miles of breakin, then switch to synthetic.

Mobil claims Mobil 1 can be used at break-in. They quote that BMW, Corvette, Porsch, etc. have Mobil 1 as factory fill and recommend to always use Mobil 1.

Differing opinions.

Paying $3 more a quart is small change for possible benefits down the road. If it doesn't end up helping, then at least it will do no damage and cost little.

Just my humble opinion