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There is a reason why the manual states the oil change schedule it does.
Of course, you could listen to those claiming to know better, what with all their years of automotive engineering and such.
Follow the manufacturers recommended schedule. If you follow the advice of others, always make sure they are there if things go wrong. Then see how many are still willing to play.
I don't know anything about Hondas and whether they have special break-in oils or not, but the manual should address that. I will tell you that blindly believing that everything in the manual is written by engineers who have the customer's best interest in mind is probably not right either. Marketing, initial cost, service cost, warranty cost and many other things factor in. Keep in mind that once the warranty is up, the car maker or dealer are done.
On the other hand, these days, oils are much better and engines much better than 20-30-40 years ago. So, going a few miles over is not like some switch that will kill your car and if there is a break-in oil, changing 20% too early is probably not going to hurt it either as most of the wearing in is long since done anyway. Like in the first few hundred miles really.
With the Honda system, you do not need to change it with the oil life that you have left. At 15%, you need to have the oil changed, and the Acura dealer I use will not change oil early. If you are at 50%, it is too early to consider changing the oil, especially with the factory oil in the system. Follow Honda's recommendations, but I would go on vacation and not worry about changing the oil.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
Hey, everybody. I have a '13 Civic with about 3800 miles on it so far. Nothing but fairly light-footed driving.
We're going on vacation to Ohio (425 miles there, about 100 miles worth of driving around, 425 miles back) in the next couple weeks.
I should have 4000 miles on the day we leave. I'm wondering if I should change the oil before we go. According to Honda, the oil is to be changed every 5000 miles. Even at 3800 miles, the maintenance info in the car says my oil life is at 60%.
Should I play it safe and change it, or should I just wait until I get back? I REALLY don't want to mess my car up. Any advice is appreciated.
i always change the oil in my cars before going on a long trip.
Your car and engine are at a critical point in life. I'd change the filter + oil just to be on the safe side.
You've got everything to gain and nothing to lose by changing
The engine is still breaking in. Changing oil too early slows the break-in process. If the engine manufacturer wanted it changed early they would say so.
i always change the oil in my cars before going on a long trip.
Why?
Long trips are typically highway driving. That is the easiest type of driving for an engine. Constant speeds, good cooling of the engine, few starts, etc.
"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."
Now, what is all that difficult to understand or believe and why would anyone listen to all the various opinions from those who:
1. Don't know
2. Didn't build the car
3. Aren't going to service the warranty
4. Pay up if something goes wrong
5. Think they now more than the people who designed and built the car?
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