Oil Change Info.

jc21 · 10-21-2006, 04:09 PM

Went to get my oil changed yesterday (first oil change) and I asked the tech a few questions that hopefully can help others out.

First off I left the oil in my car for a little over 5,000 miles which the tech told me was about the perfect time to wait before changing the "break in oil" if you want to call it that.

I asked him about the oil life percentage and he said that it's something that's confusing customers as well as techs. He said that someone could very well drive 8,000 miles before the oil life indicator tells them they need to change the oil. He recommends that 4,000-5,000 miles is a good time to get it changed.

He also agreed with me that changing it at 3,000 is just a waste of money because the oil is still practically new.

I have just over 5,000 on the odometer and they put a sticker in my window to get it changed at 10,000.

So for all that are new to the site or were curious as i was. Do not wait until the oil life indicator tells you to change the oil. If your like me and you don't beat on your civic and you keep your rpm's usually under 3,500 then changing your oil at the 4,000-5,000 mark is a good idea. Anything up towards 7,000 and your pushing it, anything under 4,000 and your just wasting money.

**Nomar06** · 10-21-2006, 04:20 PM

I have 4200 on the oil now and the minder thing is telling me 30% oil life. I think I will go with a synthetic oil.

asndragonboii · 10-21-2006, 04:20 PM

5,000 miles for break-in oil change or 5,000 for all oil changes?

BATANG CITY JAIL · 10-21-2006, 04:22 PM

changing oil at 3k is not a waste of money, tell him that.. you can get penzoil 5-30w for $10, and a k&n filter for $11. and atleast you know and sure that you put the right oil in your car..

... like our cars, we basically rev upto 8k every now and then,the more rev you have the more chance for you to burn oil faster and create a carbon pile inside the engin,so if your planning to keep your car until it gives up on you, its better to change the oil every 3k and for you who really dont care about the engines life, its okey to cahnge at 5k. and break-in period of the car is at 15k miles atleast.

jc21. why dont you change you own oil?? its fun if you change it you self.

jc21 · 10-21-2006, 10:55 PM

used to change it myself but it just looks better resale wise to have everything done at a shop. Plus i would put synthetic into my engine which would wind up costing me the same as just paying the dealership $29 to put in regular honda oil. Also saves me the time of crawling under the car and recycling the oil, etc etc etc.

PhoenixDown · 10-22-2006, 12:04 AM

I got my first oil change today. I was a little nervous although I've been using the place for years. lol

There's alot of debate about when to change the oil, but since the car is under warrenty, I am changing it whenever the maintence minder hits 15% or happens to be low.

jc21 · 10-22-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asndragonboii

5,000 miles for break-in oil change or 5,000 for all oil changes?

I'd go right to 5,000 and a little over wouldn't hurt you for your break in oil. For the rest of the oil changes just stay inbetween 4,000-5,000.

I'm mildly tempted to go by the maintence minder thing though. Then when my car goes to shit because i wait 8,000 miles between changes i can blame it on the oil life gauge and get a new civic a few years down the road.

Typerx7 · 07-16-2007, 07:59 PM

So is it safe to say than a synthetic is going to be better, just more expensive in the long run. I have heard mixed feelings on using synthetic.

1st: It's only good to use if you start early ( like brand new)

2nd: It helps the engine and lets out more horses ( not much, obviously )

Other people will just say that regular oil is just as good for these cars; not needing a great oil for Honda's

I think it could be beneficial. If it is better for the engine, then you'll get better gas mileage and less wear and tear on the engine. Therefore, the car lasts longer. It's the same thing with intake systems. If you get a good, dry, intake system, it is just as clean as having a box; and the throttle response is better, thus taking less foot pedal to get the car moving, burning less fuel.

Of course, it is all debatable.

10-21-2006, 04:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
jc21 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago/Lincoln Park Age: 23 Posts: 1,211 I Like Cheese iTrader: 2 / 100%	Oil Change Info. Went to get my oil changed yesterday (first oil change) and I asked the tech a few questions that hopefully can help others out. First off I left the oil in my car for a little over 5,000 miles which the tech told me was about the perfect time to wait before changing the "break in oil" if you want to call it that. I asked him about the oil life percentage and he said that it's something that's confusing customers as well as techs. He said that someone could very well drive 8,000 miles before the oil life indicator tells them they need to change the oil. He recommends that 4,000-5,000 miles is a good time to get it changed. He also agreed with me that changing it at 3,000 is just a waste of money because the oil is still practically new. I have just over 5,000 on the odometer and they put a sticker in my window to get it changed at 10,000. So for all that are new to the site or were curious as i was. Do not wait until the oil life indicator tells you to change the oil. If your like me and you don't beat on your civic and you keep your rpm's usually under 3,500 then changing your oil at the 4,000-5,000 mark is a good idea. Anything up towards 7,000 and your pushing it, anything under 4,000 and your just wasting money.

10-21-2006, 04:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nomar06 Miss ya J!!! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Age: 27 Posts: 22,348 iTrader: 4 / 100%	I have 4200 on the oil now and the minder thing is telling me 30% oil life. I think I will go with a synthetic oil. __________________

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10-21-2006, 04:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
asndragonboii Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,008 iTrader: 0 / 0%	5,000 miles for break-in oil change or 5,000 for all oil changes?

10-21-2006, 04:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
BATANG CITY JAIL Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Durham, NC..£╖╒◙o├æ Posts: 8,255 iTrader: 10 / 100%	changing oil at 3k is not a waste of money, tell him that.. you can get penzoil 5-30w for $10, and a k&n filter for $11. and atleast you know and sure that you put the right oil in your car.. ... like our cars, we basically rev upto 8k every now and then,the more rev you have the more chance for you to burn oil faster and create a carbon pile inside the engin,so if your planning to keep your car until it gives up on you, its better to change the oil every 3k and for you who really dont care about the engines life, its okey to cahnge at 5k. and break-in period of the car is at 15k miles atleast. jc21. why dont you change you own oil?? its fun if you change it you self.

10-21-2006, 10:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
jc21 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago/Lincoln Park Age: 23 Posts: 1,211 I Like Cheese iTrader: 2 / 100%	used to change it myself but it just looks better resale wise to have everything done at a shop. Plus i would put synthetic into my engine which would wind up costing me the same as just paying the dealership $29 to put in regular honda oil. Also saves me the time of crawling under the car and recycling the oil, etc etc etc.

10-22-2006, 12:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
PhoenixDown Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 160 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I got my first oil change today. I was a little nervous although I've been using the place for years. lol There's alot of debate about when to change the oil, but since the car is under warrenty, I am changing it whenever the maintence minder hits 15% or happens to be low.

07-16-2007, 07:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Typerx7 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 26 iTrader: 0 / 0%	So is it safe to say than a synthetic is going to be better, just more expensive in the long run. I have heard mixed feelings on using synthetic. 1st: It's only good to use if you start early ( like brand new) 2nd: It helps the engine and lets out more horses ( not much, obviously ) Other people will just say that regular oil is just as good for these cars; not needing a great oil for Honda's I think it could be beneficial. If it is better for the engine, then you'll get better gas mileage and less wear and tear on the engine. Therefore, the car lasts longer. It's the same thing with intake systems. If you get a good, dry, intake system, it is just as clean as having a box; and the throttle response is better, thus taking less foot pedal to get the car moving, burning less fuel. Of course, it is all debatable.