Lost Oil during first 3k miles?

[sdimicko]

I was just about to change my oil for the first time at about 2900 miles. I checked the dipstick before starting. To my surprise it was about a 1/2 quart low. The car was on a level surface and had not been running yet that day. Called dealer service department.

Honda Service department told me not to change the oil until it reaches 15% oil life. He was very emphatic about not changing the oil yet. He said it is part of the break in period with the first oil.

Is this correct? I've read some threads here from people who say they change their oil right away because they think it removes any loose metal shavings from initial break in.

I would like to do a teflon treatment and use synthetic asap.

[Kidekat]

This has been an ongoing debate on this site.

I would just fill the oil to the proper mark, and drive it until it needs to be changed.

Skip the teflon garbage. Use synthetic as needed.

[sdimicko]

Why do you say teflon garbage?

[06NaviEX]

Don't put any Teflon in your engine!!!!

Even Dupont has an article floating around that states it's not for internal combustion engines. If you feel you need better, go syn.

As far as burning 1/2 a quart in 3,000 miles.... I wouldn't worry. Lots of new cars burn a little oil during break in. It will go away with a few more thousand miles .

If it makes you feel any better, go and buy a quart of Mobil Clean 5000 or Exxon Superflo (both are rumored to be the same as the Honda Genuine oil) and fill her back up to the full mark.

I would wait until you hit 15% to 20% before changing your factory fill. Some people will say that there is no such thing as break in oil . That's true for some cars, but Honda does use a beefed up OEM oil. I've seen the used oil analysis on the factory fills.

Don't sweat it, it will all be OK.

Good luck,
Brian

[sdimicko]

Thank You for the info. I had never heard of a break in oil. Also never a new car. Thanks again for the reply

[dennisc]

What kind of oil did ypu use on your first oil change, i dont want to go synthetic until my second oil change, the dealership use Quaker States, its that one any good for the Si

[a10thunder]

I don't think Honda fills the motor oil up to max at the factory. As long as you are between low and high on the dip stick, you are fine. The engine may also burn some oil during break-in. Just fill up the oil and wait until your oil life drops below 15%.

[Cybergypsy]

Mine went 6300 miles before the first oil change, let it break in right

[MindFusion FX]

Originally Posted by Cybergypsy

Mine went 6300 miles before the first oil change, let it break in right

i dunno how u did that..im at 3975 and my oil life is 15% as of yesturday.

[civexsi]

Keep in mind that you are supposed to check the oil on a warm car. You said your car had not been running that day, so the cold oil probably read a little lower than where the warm oil would run. I'm not sure if that would make a 1/2 quart difference, but it is something to remember. -Andy

[MarcDavid]

Every Si i've had burned oil for the first few thousand miles. Especially if you run it hard from time to time. It's normal, don't sweat it, just make sure you keep your oil level stays topped off during this period.

[Anubis]

To the OP don't worry I was 1 1/2- 2 quarts low by the time I hit 1500 miles. I switch to mobile 1 at 1,500 and it made the huge losses stop. Always check your oil!

[dextor]

Originally Posted by civexsi

Keep in mind that you are supposed to check the oil on a warm car. You said your car had not been running that day, so the cold oil probably read a little lower than where the warm oil would run. I'm not sure if that would make a 1/2 quart difference, but it is something to remember. -Andy

That's very interesting, I've always thought the correct level was when the car was "cold".

[MindFusion FX]

Originally Posted by dextor

That's very interesting, I've always thought the correct level was when the car was "cold".

+1..when the oil is warm it rises and give you a false read out. cold is the way to go.

[racerex]

Originally Posted by MarcDavid

Every Si i've had burned oil for the first few thousand miles. Especially if you run it hard from time to time. It's normal, don't sweat it, just make sure you keep your oil level stays topped off during this period.

+1

For my first oil change, I took it out to 15% (around 6.5k), if I'm not mistaken. I added maybe a total of 1.5 quarts of dino oil over the first 6.5k miles. I switched to Mobil 1 at my first change and I'm using a 4k change interval. I currently have 12k on the clock and she is burning maybe a 1/4 quart between oil changes.