Recent oil change with lab results

[ChristopherSi]

For anyone that cares I’ve started documenting the maintenance minder % and doing an oil analysis for that oil change. My goal is to find the right balance between maintenance minder % and a decent TBN # to determine oil changes. The first oil change was at 70% with the factory file with a total of 1931 miles. I decided to change the oil since I was getting low and didn’t want to contaminant with adding oil. Below is that oil analysis which they say was a good time to change the oil even though the TBN was relatively high at 5.3.



I’ve done my 2nd oil change this time at 15% on the minder and 5499 miles on the odometer. As they projected the highlighted metals (Aluminum and Silicon) declined. The TBN was a bit lower but then it’s a different type of oil. Next sample I’m might send in some virgin oil to determine true TBN reading, I’ve been running Castrol GTX 5w-30 and plan to continue to use it. According to the report the motor is still breaking in. The majority of my driving is city with about 20miles round trip to work daily with the occasional trip of about 200miles. I vary my driving from the causal shifting between 3k and 5k and when I’m dogging it its 8400rpm shifts.



I just thought I would share my findings to date.


Christopher

[taste]

Preciate the work man. Any thoughts on putting synthetic in and checking those #s?

[si_civic]

Wow, that's a lot of calcium eh?

Good for our car's bones!

[Janizary]

Great update.

I've been a big fan of Blackstone labs and will be sending in a sample for the Si on my next change.

[2evolved]

That's pretty cool that you did that... what does it cost to do that?

[srivendel]

Hmmm. 70% left on your oil life gauge, yet the lab is telling you it was a "good time" to change the oil. That seems like a pretty serious disconnect to me, and it makes me skeptical about the accuracy of Honda's little device.

Thanks a lot for doing this, man. This is the kind of good information that we need. I'll be changing my factory swill at 2,000 miles.

S.

[bubbletop1961]

Very good info, Enjoyed reading thru.

[ChristopherSi]

Originally Posted by srivendel

Hmmm. 70% left on your oil life gauge, yet the lab is telling you it was a "good time" to change the oil. That seems like a pretty serious disconnect to me, and it makes me skeptical about the accuracy of Honda's little device.

Thanks a lot for doing this, man. This is the kind of good information that we need. I'll be changing my factory swill at 2,000 miles.

S.

Yeah I agree especially for factory fill. After the first few changes I think it’ll be sufficient for maintenance especially for the average Joe. But you have to considered that the lab is actually looking at the contents of the oil while the maint minder is likely just referencing # of starts, RPM and time run. I’ll feel comfortable following the maint minder suggestions after I do another couple of samples and get similar results. Its much easier to follow the maint minder then to change ever 3k especially if it’s not needed. And currently I do not intend to go full synthetic on this car, dino oil for the daily driver.


I thought I’ll share to let everyone form your own opinion on the worth of oil sampling and following the maint minder for oil changes. Plus if you ever consider selling the car this should help you get that few extra $$$ when the buyer sees how anal you are about taking care of the car. I had multiple samples for my Nissan Max and the new owner was delighted with the car.



Christopher

[guacaro]

hi guys. After read this coments, i am no sure about when to do oil change in my lx. PLease let me know is the best time or % to do it. THX
The info will be apreciated.

[Corpsman]

I would think there a a good reason that Honda advised not to change the initial fill oil until 8k miles. It seems the moly-additive needed to be in the crankcase for that period of time for proper break-in. I am not sure you did yourself a service by changing it that soon regardless of what the TBN said.

[Kakashi]

wow great research! +1

[DougNuts]

Good research! It really makes me stand behind my opinion of no synthetic until 10-15K miles. There is nothing really "wrong" with dino oil if you're just daily driving it, so let her run in on it.

[Cicero]

Thanks for the UOA post! Super. I'll help out and post mine too. Maybe talk the mods into creating a UOA/oil catagory?

The "factory fill" high moly numbers can be repalced I believe by using basic Havoline oil, a "lowly" GII+ oil if I remember right, which is exactley the oil I'm going to use soon. (Cannot get a hold of Schaeffer oil fast enough this time to try it.) If Honda means for this engine to break in on a high moly oil then I think a resonable compromise to dumping early is to put back a "similiar" oil.
Everyone else has to do what they think best for their own peace of mind. I claim no special insight into what is best for this engine. (Will have about 1,500 on the oil by the weekend and if the Blackstone kits gets here in time! They are draggnig their feet this time.) I'll install the Fumoto valve, a new "Filtec" Honda OEM filter, Havoline 5W30 and will use that oil for 3,000 miles and make a second UOA.