When to have oil changed

[blaze8371]

I have a 2007 CRV 6 months old now with just over 4,000 miles. I was always told with other vehicles to change the oil every 6 months or 3,000 miles but when contacting my dealer, was told to wait until the maintenance reminder pops up. The oil percentage indicator is only at 60 % and am concerned. Thanks, Mary near Baltimore

[Carvingbarn]

I just got my 07. There is a sticker on my window that calls for first service at 3750 miles. I have always changed oil in my cars between 3500 and 4000 miles. I think the Honda suggest not to go over 5000 mile. But I am still learning my new manual.

[07CRVOWNR]

Someone correct me if I am wrong. Honda uses a break in oil. The first oil change is done at a longer interval. When I called my dealer to make the appointment for my CRV's first oil change they indicated that the first one should be at 6,500 miles. My CRV happened to have 6,550 miles and the reading on oil percentage was around 40%. The maintenance minder system was activated, which prompted my call to the dealership. This makes me wonder if the oil percentage reading is accurate. It is a little disconcerting to wait this long for the oil change. Waiting this long for the first oil change is better for the engine, in the long run.

[Black Pearl]

Not knowing for sure but I have read in this forum that Honda does use a break in oil that is high in moly. The owners manual makes a point to not change the oil until the maintenance minder requires it.

The accuracy of the maintenance minder was discussed at the tail end of the following thread:

http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1081

Honda has a longer interval than we are accustomed.

[Carvingbarn]

I am not sure why but the sticker they put on my windshield says to bring it in for first service at 3750 miles.
I just called the dealers service department. I ask why they say 3750 miles and Honda says 6000 miles. They said it was because of the heat and because it is so humid along the gulf. I then told them that as part of the deal I got a 60/60000 service contract and that said to bring it in at 5000 miles. I ask what I should do. 3750 or 5000 or 6000. He said, Oh you will be fine at 4500 to 5000.
And if you wondered they do not have music with this dance!.

[Black Pearl]

I am not sure why but the sticker they put on my windshield says to bring it in for first service at 3750 miles.
I just called the dealers service department. I ask why they say 3750 miles and Honda says 6000 miles. They said it was because of the heat and because it is so humid along the gulf. I then told them that as part of the deal I got a 60/60000 service contract and that said to bring it in at 5000 miles. I ask what I should do. 3750 or 5000 or 6000. He said, Oh you will be fine at 4500 to 5000.
And if you wondered they do not have music with this dance!.

It seems as though they have a bit of a forked tongue! Does the service contract have some sort of anti-gulf heat and humidity additive?

[2RedV's]

I am not sure why but the sticker they put on my windshield says to bring it in for first service at 3750 miles.
I just called the dealers service department. I ask why they say 3750 miles and Honda says 6000 miles. They said it was because of the heat and because it is so humid along the gulf. I then told them that as part of the deal I got a 60/60000 service contract and that said to bring it in at 5000 miles. I ask what I should do. 3750 or 5000 or 6000. He said, Oh you will be fine at 4500 to 5000.
And if you wondered they do not have music with this dance!.Your dealer put a sticker on your windshield with the INCORRECT OIL CHANGE INTERVAL to make you SPEND MONEY. Your Owner's Manual is very specific on oil changes. You do not need to change the oil at 3750, 5000 or 6000 unless the maintenance minder reads 15% or less left.

[Carvingbarn]

I think that the additive for the heat humid weather they offer is gulf coast buffalo chips.

[2RedV's]

Use NO oil additives in a Honda. Honda even had an article in the Honda Service News a while back on this.

[JayMarN]

on 07 crv, oil change is on 20-15% of oil life... as soon as you reach 15% maintainance minder start reminding you about changing your oil.

[cascademan]

Yikes. I misunderstood the dealer and thought I was supposed to change the "new car" oil @ 650 miles (which I actually changed @ 1500 miles and thought I was being a negligent CRV owner). I had an independent service provider do the change. Should I go to the dealer with my tail between my legs and have them change back to "new car" oil?

[mikey]

Yikes. I misunderstood the dealer and thought I was supposed to change the "new car" oil @ 650 miles (which I actually changed @ 1500 miles and thought I was being a negligent CRV owner). I had an independent service provider do the change. Should I go to the dealer with my tail between my legs and have them change back to "new car" oil?


Personally, I would contact Honda instead of a dealer. And even if Honda says it would be a good idea to switch back to break in oil, it's quite possible that dealers won't have any, since normally it's only put into new cars at the factory. I would still want to know what Honda says about it though, and if you find out, please let us know.

[Black Pearl]

Yikes. I misunderstood the dealer and thought I was supposed to change the "new car" oil @ 650 miles (which I actually changed @ 1500 miles and thought I was being a negligent CRV owner). I had an independent service provider do the change. Should I go to the dealer with my tail between my legs and have them change back to "new car" oil?

With some of the shenanigans that are being reported about the dealers here, you probably did not misunderstand him. See Carvingbarns variable mileage told to him by the dealer. You're only sin was to take it elsewhere. I don't think I would lose any sleep over the oil change.

From what I have read here in the forum, Honda uses a break-in oil at the factory that is high in moly. They want it left in for the first oil change duration. It has been reported in the forum that the dealers do not have this break-in oil. Personally I think little or no harm is done in changing it early but calling won't hurt. But I agree, I would call Honda and not the dealer. They will have you come in and just put standard Honda oil in. Do note that you want to use Honda fluids for everything else, read your manual. But motor oil? As long as you got a quality oil with the correct weight and API certs, I wouldn't worry about it.

[2RedV's]

The main thing that will happen is that you will experience a longer than normal break-in period before you gain the benefits of a properly broke-in engine.

Go out and run the pee out of it, under load for the next couple of tanks of fuel. Do not rev it in neutral.

[Carbuff2]

We just changed the oil in our daughter's Fit for the first time today. Maintenance Minder gave the 15% warning at 5250 miles (about 4 months).

On her previous car we changed the oil every 3000 - 4000 miles.

I say the Maintenance Minders are a GOOD DEAL.

[cascademan]

Personally, I would contact Honda instead of a dealer. And even if Honda says it would be a good idea to switch back to break in oil, it's quite possible that dealers won't have any, since normally it's only put into new cars at the factory. I would still want to know what Honda says about it though, and if you find out, please let us know.

I called Honda's Customer Service today. The Honda person said that no special action was needed and that I don't need to be concerned about changing the oil early. She was a low level person and it sounded like news to her that their vehicles come with break in oil. So there is the official word.

[mikey]

It would have to be just a recommended thing. A lot of people are going to change the oil every 3000 miles no matter what. And I've heard of people driving 7-9k miles before the MM shows 15%.

[rrbhokies]

It would have to be just a recommended thing. A lot of people are going to change the oil every 3000 miles no matter what. And I've heard of people driving 7-9k miles before the MM shows 15%.

I'm at 4,400 miles and it still shows 70%. Going to be a while I guess!!

[Will 14]

My V has 5002 miles (8050 kms) and my oil life reading is at 20%. It's been 8 months since I got the V (January 2) and I just received a letter in the mail from my Honda dealer asking me to make a service appointment. I've never run a car for over 6 months before I had to get an oil change and am getting a little antsy as this my first brand new car I've had in quite a while.

[Black Pearl]

Mine clicked from 60% to 50% somewhere between the gas fill-up at 4400 and the fill-up at 4700. I have ordered the 6 pack of filters and crush washers from H&A.

[jedimaster]

Perform what the manual says. Do the first change, then follow the guidelines. I sometimes change my car's oil at close to 7500 miles. Subaru says that's fine, so I go with it. Whatever Honda says, do that.