Oil Change

[goldaccord]

Hi! I searched this forum but couldn't find what I was looking for. I have the 2004 accord and the manual says to change oil at 10000 mile intervals, even if you drive ocassionaly in severe conditions. If Honda says 10000, why do the local dealerships do it at 5000 miles. 10000 miles seems to be a lot of miles before a oil change but that's what the manual recommends.

[princess]

Because Honda, like all the car companies, want the maintaince costs to look low. (That's what happens when the competition gets tough! They can say our car costs more out the door, but less after that....) What's best for your car's engine isn't what's always best for your wallet...... well, it can be what's best for your wallet in the long run concidering the price of a new engine!

You don't say where you're from, but if you drive when it's over 90 degrees or under 32, then you'd qualify for severe. If you do short trips (5 miles)... it's severe. Most seem to agree on 3K or 5K or 7500 depending on your conditions.

Welcome to the forum!

[Dave]

Originally posted by princess

if you drive when it's over 90 degrees or under 32, then you'd qualify for severe. If you do short trips (5 miles)... it's severe.

i thought the 10k number sounded too good to be true.

lets see...where can i move to where the temp never goes below freezing or above 90 and where everything is over 5 miles away...
i hope they pay the people that come up with this stuff very well. its genius...

[benjamming]

10,000 miles OCI is ludricous for "regular" oil. The engine wear rates will be thru the roof. The oil will thicken & mpg will go down. Not a good idea.

[BenjiBoy650]

Originally posted by Dave
lets see...where can i move to where the temp never goes below freezing or above 90 and where everything is over 5 miles away...
i hope they pay the people that come up with this stuff very well. its genius...

If you want, you can move to the Bay Area. Our temps go above 90 maybe 10 days out of the year and almost never below 32 Well actually everything is less than 5 miles away but you can take public transit.

[ratmicecar]

Hi Guys,

That manufacturer 10,000 mile oil change interval is rediculous and somewhat irresponsible. I'm sure if you keep excellent maintenance logs and something goes wrong with your engine, Honda has not choice but to honor the claim if all you did was follow their recommendations.

However, if you care about your vehicle and want to make it last as much as possible, change the oil RELIGIOUSLY every 5000. This is a good number that is neither too high or too low.

Oil Changes are cheap and are well work it. However, don't throw your money away either by changing the oil every 3,000. Man, you'll never get out of the shop and one is more inclined to skip and oil change here and there.

I have had numerous vehicles and all have lasted over 150,000 miles by me doing the above. Take care of your vehicle and your vehicle will take care of you.

[BenjiBoy650]

Originally posted by ratmicecar
Hi Guys,

That manufacturer 10,000 mile oil change interval is rediculous and somewhat irresponsible. I'm sure if you keep excellent maintenance logs and something goes wrong with your engine, Honda has not choice but to honor the claim if all you did was follow their recommendations.

However, if you care about your vehicle and want to make it last as much as possible, change the oil RELIGIOUSLY every 5000. This is a good number that is neither too high or too low.

Oil Changes are cheap and are well work it. However, don't throw your money away either by changing the oil every 3,000. Man, you'll never get out of the shop and one is more inclined to skip and oil change here and there.

I have had numerous vehicles and all have lasted over 150,000 miles by me doing the above. Take care of your vehicle and your vehicle will take care of you.

Honda's warranty is only 36,000 miles. I'm confident that even following their recommendations, you will not notice engine problems until well past that but well before you'd expect it to have any problems.