2008 Coupe First OCI, Oil Analysis

[Trip]

For anyone interested, I got back the results of the oil analysis for my 2008 V6 6sp Coupe.

Mileage: 5,250
Oil: Factory fill
Quarts used during period: 0.0
MMS: 50% (I opted to change out at 5K intervals to keep it in line with tire rotations).

Results: The high wear metals and silicones are not unusual finds in the oil from your new 2008 Accord. The wear is high due to the break in of new parts, while the silicone is from sealers and sand-casted parts. Universal averages show show typical wear metals for oil from this engine after 5,600 miles of use. We suspect your engine will look that good or better in in two or three more oil changes. Your TBN read is 1.9, showing some active additives are still left in the oil but not a whole lot. 1.0 is considered too low. Stay with a ~5,000 mile oil run until wear improves, then we'll suggest going longer.

So, all the metals were just a hair above averages. The most noticeable number was the molybdenum. The average is a reading of 80 and my oil sample read 357. Aluminum was next (avg=4, my sample=29), iron next (avg=12, my sample=32). everything else was just a unit or two higher or lower.

My experience with MMS has been favorable. The analysis at 10-15% oil life left (per MMS) always showed the oil was right at the end of its usable life. But I had to raise an eyebrow this time around. Even though I changed it at MMS=50%, it seems like it was pretty much nearing depletion of active additives.

[krazyfiend]

thanks for the info trip ! pretty interesting breakdown & nice to know

[RTexasF]

Wise move on the 5K initial changeout. This should show some of the "Oh, so you know more than Honda?" people here that the first oil change is critical. The oil life monitor is just not in sync for the first and second oil changes. After all wear items have been removed from break in it is trustworthy. In this instance your oil would have been completely shot by the time the oil minder read 15%, it was pretty close as it was. :notworthy:notworthy

[WisAccord]

Thanks for sharing the analysis...I'm glad I changed the factory fill out at 4k.

I agree with RTexasF; the MMS probably isn't something you want to rely on for the first few oil changes. After that, it's probably fine.

[Trip]

I totally agree, Tex. Granted, I did it more specifically to keep the tires on a 5K rotation schedule, but it proved to be a smart move IMO. When the contaminants from the engine assembly process have been flushed out in another change or two, MMS should be fine to follow. It will be interesting to see if the TBN life extends as the contaminants drop.

[culvercoupe]

Wow Trip I just noticed your signature...

You got 29mpg with the V-6!!! You must drive waaay more conservative than I. I've been getting around 21-22 with mixed driving, my best has been 25.5 all highway (in that instance I was cruising at 80 the entire time, except for one short jump to 118 just to see what she could do). I'm at about 4500 miles. What's your secret?

[RTexasF]

Let's see here......cruise at 80 and jump to over 100. His secret is he doesn't do that!!! :D

[Trip]

Let's see here......cruise at 80 and jump to over 100. His secret is he doesn't do that!!! :D


Actually, guilty as charged. :naughty:

I set cruise on 75mph but much of the time my foot is down in the fast lane doing 85mph + + I’ve nipped 100 without realizing it.

The 29mpg is mostly highway and long stretches of suburban roads without lights. The times I have been on the highway, I’m finding it difficult to break 30mpg. Granted I should stop the high speed hijinx but I think it has more to do with the bulldog face which I suspect isn’t very aero friendly and a relatively short 6th gear. 6th could really be a lot taller. This car doesn’t need to be spinning at 2,500RPMs. 1,500 is just fine and even then, its nothing a quick downshift wouldn’t fix. I need to try to set cruise and resist temptation and see what the highway mileage can realize.

Compared to what I get in 100% city (22mpg), highway mileage has been surprisingly low.

In the city, tho, I am very happy with the mileage. 100% stop and go/suburban driving, 21 – 22 mpg creeping up to the 22 – 23 mpg range. I stomp the gas when I can to play but I’ve found as long as I cruise in the highest gear possible (6th by 40mph) mileage recovers quickly. Unfortunately I don’t get a lot of opportunities to stomp it. There’s usually too much traffic and not enough space to accommodate the speed.

[Peniole]

Not surprising about the molybdenum, honda uses it on the pistons as a solid lubricant. Here's their 2002 paper describing the method... I remember seeing an online presentation about the I-VTEC engines using this method for reduced internal friction.

http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200214/000020021402A0451957.php

for those who can't get the paper here's the abstract from Science Links Japan


Accession number;02A0451957
Title;Technology for Applying Solid Lubricant to the Piston Skirt of Internal Combustion Engine and Its Effects.
Author;OGIHARA HIDEMI(Honda R & D. Co., Ltd., Tochigi Labs.)
Journal Title;Honda R&D Tech Rev

Journal Code:L0353A

ISSN:0915-3918

VOL.14;NO.1;PAGE.85-92(2002)
Figure&Table&Reference;FIG.12, REF.4
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;Japanese
Abstract;A molybdenum disulfide piston manufacturing technique was developed that uses the Wonder Process Craft (WPC) processing method to apply high-purity molybdenum disulfide onto the sliding surface of the piston skirt for an internal combustion engine. This technique is a first in the world, and the pistons manufactured using it gained the full effect of durability while also achieving significant reduction in sliding resistance at a low cost because the coating process does not require use of a binder. The technique is also noteworthy for making manufacturing easier because it does not alter the dimensions, shape, surface roughness, and so on of the base material. In addition, this piston manufacturing process uses only compressed air and molybdenum disulfide powder, so that the molybdenum disulfide that is discharged from the process can be recycled. Thus the process realizes zero waste and addresses the current need for environmentally-friendly technology. (author abst.)

[The Critic]

When OEMs do their fluid testing, they take multiple samples over a course of time to establish trends. Unless there's an imminent failure, multiple samples will provide more accurate long-term results.

However, just remember that TBN is not the only limiting factor when it comes to oil life. Also, wear is always going to be higher when the engine is new and it isn't something that you should be overly concerned about.

[bbrowncods]

MMS also says A-1 for the first service. A is oil only! B is oil and filter plus checking other systems. I would never just change the oil without the filter. I went to 7800 and 15% for the first change, but I added 1.5 quarts of Motorcraft Semi-Synthetic along the way.