Today SF Honda swapped my filter but kept the original break-in oil in
the crankcase : Someone here suggested keeping the 'exotic' formulation
of the break-in oil to 4 or 5,000 miles in the crankcase to ensure that all the stressed mating surfaces would be properly sealed and seated. They did it for free, so I was quite pleased. Now I'm ready to go to Death Valley and nearby desert areas this weekend and between the heavily loaded Element and the grueling temps and some very steep roads the buggy will be very stressed - and should be properly broken in when it's over.

Who has the experience or knowledge or just perfect prediction whether we
Element owners CAN USE THE HONDA 85MM OIL FILTERS IN PLACE OF THE 65MM ONES? ...Yes, of course, we know the fit is interchangeable and also that the 85mm ones have considerably more capacity - but someone here said weeks ago that there is a chance the the 85mm one could interfere with some bit of chassis componentry when driven hard, as in off road.
Any thoughts??

Anybody beside an isolated Honda dealer employee know anything re
whether in fact Honda branded engine oil is REALLY CASTROL IN DISGUISE?
If so, I would be very favorably impressed. Hope we get a confirmation!
Very long...Sorry.
Cheers, Tim B. - GalaGreenBullPup

I'm getting ready to change my oil (as soon as my HandA order arrives). i will use the 85 mm oil filter. Got under the E and looked closely, no visible signs of interference. As far as "Genuine Honda Oil" being Castrol, I don't know. When I changed the gearbox oil on my 97 Civic, the Genuine Honda Gearbox Oil was re-packaged Mobil.

Honda ran out of the smaller, taller filters earlier in the year, and they put out a bulletin to Honda Service Depts saying the 85mm could be used interchangeably. This bulletin applied to CRV's, Accords, and Elements.

My Service Manager told me on Saturday that he would use the 85mm filter - more oil and more filtering element itself - were his reasons.

He told me that his Element customers are ordering Oil Filters for the 2002 Honda Accord (Mobil One, Purolator, etc) with the same engine if they go aftermarket. The 85mm was a Honda standard for years.

I just wanna' say how great this Message Board is (and by extension most
of the world's Message boards, no?)...I'm still a relative novice so it tweaks
my calendula every time when I see how this wonderful growing/accretion and building of new knowledge takes place in such an apparently simple
setting. It is no doubt one of the most dynamic forms of info exchange
and really GOOD OL' DEMOCRACY IN ACTION. If the rest of life were just so
simple and honest. It's really a very free institution and we're lucky to have
it (lots of the globe doesn't for either economic or political reasons) so let's
continue to practice it and perfect it and enjoy it and share our feelings,
thoughts and ideas. CHEERS ALL AROUND ... Tim B. ... BEEP! BEEP!

Tblask - a most eloquent piece of writing. We do this because we are very enthusiastic about this little car and I personally enjoy giving people honest and straightforward advice. I hope you will continue to enjoy your E and participate in our discussions.
Cheers,
Lon