Engine oil computer alert in newer vehicles (insurance, 2012, CR-V)

[jm31828]

My wife and I bought a brand new 2012 Honda CR-V in October of 2012. We don't drive many miles, we have 5500 miles on it so far and the oil indicator computer message shows the oil is still at 40%. Is it OK to just keep going until the computer says an oil change is needed- even though it's been 6 months already? Or would it be best- especially since this is a new car on the original oil- to get a change done earlier? I'm just stuck on that old 3-5,000 mile recommendation from the old days with 6 months being the maximum time to leave oil in a car, so I am having a hard time trusting the computer.

[Billy_J]

Here is how a similar oil life monitor works...
ZDP depletion and GM oil life monitor - Bob Is The Oil Guy

[Charles]

Originally Posted by jm31828

My wife and I bought a brand new 2012 Honda CR-V in October of 2012. We don't drive many miles, we have 5500 miles on it so far and the oil indicator computer message shows the oil is still at 40%. Is it OK to just keep going until the computer says an oil change is needed- even though it's been 6 months already? Or would it be best- especially since this is a new car on the original oil- to get a change done earlier? I'm just stuck on that old 3-5,000 mile recommendation from the old days with 6 months being the maximum time to leave oil in a car, so I am having a hard time trusting the computer.

Changing oil is cheap, like $20 with a coupon from the dealer or reputable place or do it yourself. Yes, if the oil hasn't been changed, I would change it now (sooner would have been better) since it is the original oil, initial engine wear.

Cheap insurance.

[jm31828]

Originally Posted by Charles

Changing oil is cheap, like $20 with a coupon from the dealer or reputable place or do it yourself. Yes, if the oil hasn't been changed, I would change it now (sooner would have been better) since it is the original oil, initial engine wear.

Cheap insurance.

Good call, I think I will do that. The salesman told me to never worry about it until the indicator said to get oil changed, even the first time, but I've always heard about the initial engine wear and worried about that.

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

Originally Posted by Charles

Changing oil is cheap, like $20 with a coupon from the dealer or reputable place or do it yourself. Yes, if the oil hasn't been changed, I would change it now (sooner would have been better) since it is the original oil, initial engine wear.

Cheap insurance.

My oil changes tend to be around the 70-80 dollar range unfortunately for full synth. Gotta keep that turbo happy

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by jm31828

Good call, I think I will do that. The salesman told me to never worry about it until the indicator said to get oil changed, even the first time, but I've always heard about the initial engine wear and worried about that.

The Honda Maintenance Minder is more than just an oil odometer. It considers temperature, mileage, time the engine is running, etc.

Don't be stuck in that old mindset that oil changes must be every 3000-5000 miles "just because." Oils and engines have changed and improved significantly from the days when your dad told you what to do. Changing oil more frequently than the manufacturer says is wasteful of oil and money. The only data you will hear to justify is that schedule is something like "I've been changing my oil every 3000 miles and I've never had a problem." That doesn't prove anything.

I have two Hondas with V6 engines and one with a 4. I do my own oil changes. I use synthetic, and change it when the oil life indicator says 5% or even 0%. It ends up somewhere around 7,000-8,000 miles between oil changes. Of course I say "never had a problem." But it doesn't prove anything.

If Honda wanted that first oil change earlier, they could easily have programmed it to do so. The dealer would like that because it would get you back on the lot so they could sell you a service package.

[cdelena]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

The Honda Maintenance Minder is more than just an oil odometer. It considers temperature, mileage, time the engine is running, etc.

Don't be stuck in that old mindset that oil changes must be every 3000-5000 miles
...

Agreed. The monitor does a good job and using today's oil for a year and 15K+ miles is not unreasonable.

[MrWillys]

I got a 9 year old Chebby that tells me when to do it. I've got 26,000 miles on it and changed it 3 times. Mobil 1 is not cheap, so I follow the computer guidelines.

[jm31828]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

The Honda Maintenance Minder is more than just an oil odometer. It considers temperature, mileage, time the engine is running, etc.

Don't be stuck in that old mindset that oil changes must be every 3000-5000 miles "just because." Oils and engines have changed and improved significantly from the days when your dad told you what to do. Changing oil more frequently than the manufacturer says is wasteful of oil and money. The only data you will hear to justify is that schedule is something like "I've been changing my oil every 3000 miles and I've never had a problem." That doesn't prove anything.

I have two Hondas with V6 engines and one with a 4. I do my own oil changes. I use synthetic, and change it when the oil life indicator says 5% or even 0%. It ends up somewhere around 7,000-8,000 miles between oil changes. Of course I say "never had a problem." But it doesn't prove anything.

If Honda wanted that first oil change earlier, they could easily have programmed it to do so. The dealer would like that because it would get you back on the lot so they could sell you a service package.

Good to know. So is there any concern about the first oil in a brand new car, no reason to change that oil any sooner than the maintenance minder tells me to?

[Peregrine]

Agree with Hoffdano.
Nails on chalkboard when I hear someone changes oil every 3,000 miles.
Has technology advanced in every facet of our lives EXCEPT automotive? Of course not.
In 30 years I expect we will have a lubricant that never needs changed.