[TopMomm]

OK, here's a question...I'm now just over 3,000 miles (took delivery June 1) and I'm wondering what we're going to do with that first oil change?

Do we follow Honda's prescribed advice and wait until 7,500 for the first change? (Emphasized by dealer) Or do we follow age-old wisdom and change at 3,000 or 3,500? Or do we split the difference and do it at 5,000?

My Pilot's predecessor had to be "put done" because of engine failure -- a mechanic friend said the whole problem would never have happened if I'd changed the oil every 3,000 miles. When I said I went maybe 5,000 on occasion, he fumed and fussed and said that "if you say 5,000, you probably went 7,000 from time to time!"

So what are YOU doing?

Poll-starter, anyone?

 

[banningjr]

I am at a toss-up myself. The manual says 7500 miles. Old time mechanics say 3000. I have fallen into a 5000 schedule (religiously). Now I see the Pilot has some really interesting items.

A: Only change oil at 7500 miles and rotate tires.

B: At 15000 change oil AND filter and rotate tires....

There were others but I forget what all of them were. I think I am going to go to the 5000 mile interval again and rotate tires at 10000, maybe 5000, I have to see how they look. The major services 15000, 30000, 45000, 60000, etc... seem to still be the same and while it is tempting to go 7500 I just don't think I can bring myself to do it.

 

[03pilot]

How about doing the first one at 7500 and then going to the 3500 routine ?

I had heard that the first oil change is critical and you do not want the original oil (with some special additives ??) drained out before 7500. I could be wrong but i remember reading about this on this forum or somewhere else.

 

[hondacuraplanet]

From what I've been told by reps from Honda, the initial oil contains a greater amount of molybdenum disulfide (moly) to assist engine break-in. My advice is to wait until the 7500 for the first change, and then go with a 3,000 mile interval.

 

[banningjr]

Does that affect gas mileage as well? I thought after the break-in things would get semi-normal. I am now at 1000 miles and due for another fill-up, I can't wait to see what I get but it is not looking too promising. My first three were 16.5, 13.5, 14.4, and the one which is about to happen. Maybe I need to call again! Would Crossbars, the Air Deflector, and the Fog lights affect mileage by that much. While not all of it was highway it wasn't all city either. This latest tank I paid special attention to not slam it if I had to pull out, stayed away from sitting in traffic, stayed away (as much as possible) from short trips where I had to shut off the engine, etc..

 

[Cheesehead]

It would be nice to get consistent advise from dealers on the initial oil change. According to the owners manual and Tim the first one should not be until 7,500 miles. My dealer indicated the first one should be at 3,750 miles. Who to believe??????

 

[03pilot]

Go with Tim and the manual. And me

It would be nice to get consistent advise from dealers on the initial oil change. According to the owners manual and Tim the first one should not be until 7,500 miles. My dealer indicated the first one should be at 3,750 miles. Who to believe??????

 

[mugen660]

Every 3000

Better to be safe than sorry. Oil is a lot cheeper than new motor. I'm actually changing mine evey 2500-2800. :8: Why not?

 

[hondacuraplanet]

You know, the interesting thing is that every board that I's had the pleasure to be a part of (10 at present count, most daily) has asked the same question. The first oil change is recommended at 7500, and then every 3K after that. But, thinking pragmatically, I can't remember ANY Honda engine that couldn't go 200K easily if maintained. So either way, I don't think that anyone has to worry.

 

[N_Jay]

Used to Doubt 7500 miles, not anymore

I used to doubt 7500 miles oil changes but not anymore.Just talked to a friend with a new Porsche Boxster-S.
Recommended first oil change is 15,000 miles or 1 year, and every 15,000 or 1 year there after.
His dealer said, if he was uncomfortable he could bring it in at 7500 miles, but no sooner.

 

[JungleJim]

Re: Used to Doubt 7500 miles, not anymore

I used to doubt 7500 miles oil changes but not anymore.Just talked to a friend with a new Porsche Boxster-S.
Recommended first oil change is 15,000 miles or 1 year, and every 15,000 or 1 year there after.
His dealer said, if he was uncomfortable he could bring it in at 7500 miles, but no sooner.

But one major difference is the all Porsches are factory filled with Mobil 1 synthetic. Regular dino oil will bread down prior to that.

Also, remember Honda recommends the super thin 5W-20. A VERY thin protective coating (Personally, I will use 5W-30, since Honda and Ford are only recommending 5W-20 to increase fleet mpg averages.)

 

[banningjr]

Honda Engineer

So, does anyone know how we get a hold of a Honda Engineer to fully explain this jazz? Dino oil vs synthetic...gas mileage over engine longevity...3000 miles is now 5000 is now 7500? Ack! If I wanted a 50,000 mile vehicle I'd buy and American SUV and save a couple of dollars before I blow the engine or transmission.

 

[gupt0014]

Here is what I am going to do...

Wait the 7500 miles and then switch to Mobil1 Syn 5W-30 with a K&N oil filter. Then I'll do the same every 7500 miles after that. The engine should go 200+ no prob!

 

[HKuo]

Engine coolant change

The manual says to replace the coolant in 10 years. Is this a typo or is it for real?

 

[N_Jay]

Yep

There is very little to cause the coolant to age.
No wear or combustion products get in it.
As long as you dont overheat the engine it never exceeds its boiling point.

 

[pjb3]

Actually coolant does wear out. The properties that protect against freezing do not change but the corrosion inhibitors wear out. For many parts of the country freezing is not a problem but corrosion is. I have heard that Zerex has antifreeze available for large trucks that lasts 300,000 miles and then corrosion inhibitors are added and it is good for another 300,000 miles. None of the readily available antifreeze is rated for more than 5 years. I believe Honda uses a high quality antifreeze and the lack of cast iron engine parts may increase the life span but I would be careful about the 10 year period.

 

[Monkey8]

I think I will stick to the manual. I am sure that all of us did not buy the honda because we dont need to change oil until 7500 miles. This says that it was not the sale department that put this number down for marketing purposes, but the engineer did. I dont think we have any other concrete reason for not doing what the manual say.

 

[lxblack]

Special oil

Someone mentioned that the Pilot comes with specially formulated oil to let it break-in properly. We shouldn't change it sooner than the 7500 mi. That oil needs to be there for that period.
Is this quoted anywhere in the manual or from Honda mfg?

 

[pjl56]

Re: Special oil

From Honda OWNER LINK (http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/Maintenance/maint_faqs.asp?faq=oil):

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.

Someone mentioned that the Pilot comes with specially formulated oil to let it break-in properly. We shouldn't change it sooner than the 7500 mi. That oil needs to be there for that period.
Is this quoted anywhere in the manual or from Honda mfg?

 

[Monkey8]

Re: Special oil

Someone mentioned that the Pilot comes with specially formulated oil to let it break-in properly. We shouldn't change it sooner than the 7500 mi. That oil needs to be there for that period.
Is this quoted anywhere in the manual or from Honda mfg?

yes, take a look at your Manual, if you own a pilot. It says that first oil change is at 7500. I personaly will not do any different than what suggested unless I have a better reason for doing so.