I couldn't find in the manual where it said the mileage for the first oil change (just that it listed first service at 10,000 miles). The dealership service dept. said to get it at 5,000 miles. Does this sound right? And is it every 5,000 after that?

Thanks!

It's 10,000 for normal service, 5000 for severe.

The break-in oil is recommended for the full first service interval- shouldn't be drained right away and replaced.

That said, I changed mine at 7000.

It's 10,000 for normal service, 5000 for severe.

The break-in oil is recommended for the full first service interval- shouldn't be drained right away and replaced.

That said, I changed mine at 7000.

Hmmm... so them saying 5,000 is them just trying to get more oil changes out of me? (Which isn't surprising, I guess.) But it really is 10,000 for the first oil change then, recommended?

Also, what's 5,000 for severe refer to?

Thanks!

Severe simply means something like normal Michigan winters (low of -5F or worse) and normal Michigan summers (high of 95F or worse), roughly. What that means, really, is that many people in the US would be in the "severe" category and want to change it every 5k. My opinion is that there are few places in the US that would not fall into the severe category, at least some of the time.

If in doubt, why risk it? Changing every 5k or so isn't a big deal.

Chagne your oil at 10,000 Miles for each and every time.

if your car falls into the extreme category then change it at 5,000 miles

Extreme conditions apply as:



Frequent Short trips of less than 5 miles.
Frequent Short trips of less than 10 miles when outside temperatures remain below freezing.
Towing a trailer, using a camper, roof-top carrier, or carrying maximum loads.
Operating in severe dust conditions.
Stop and go driving.
Excessive idling.

This is usually a heated topic around these parts, but after a lot of reading from other members and people in the know, I've decided to go back to my old method of oil changes.

I change it when it's dirty.

Yep, pretty simple isn't it ? That being said the "Hellament" has 7200 miles on it and it just received it's second oil change.

...I change it when it's dirty...

Makes sense but that begs the question...

How do you know its dirty?

oil analysis?

Well, I suppose an oil analysis would tell you a lot more about the state of your engine. But I'm not going to pay for it every couple of thousand miles. I check the dipstick and when it starts getting to a dirty color, it gets changed. It's usually over 3000 miles before it starts to turn colors.

The slight change in colour over 3000 mi is unlikely to tell you very much about the state of the oilin your engine. With modern oils and engines you probably don't need to change it that often.

I changed mine at 5,000 and intend to do so everytime now. I am also running Mobil 1 full synthetic.

Hmmm... well not really too much closer to a definitive answer! :| :twisted: :-D

Let me try to break the questions down this way:

1. My impression in general with a car is that you get the oil changed every 3-4 months or every 3-4K miles. Is this correct?

2. My reading of the Honda Element owner's manual seems to say that you get the oil changed every 10K miles. Is this correct? (This seems like a HUGE JUMP from what I always thought the norm was.) If ocrrect, why is it such a huge jump from the average/norm?

3. My dealership service department says to bring it in to get the first oil change at 5K miles (and that it's the first service that is at 10K miles). Is this correct? And if so, doesn't that contradict the Honda Element owner's manual?

4. I haven't checked the oil yet on my new Element. It has a little over 1K miles on it. Think I'll do so today, but how often should you check it to make sure it's not low? (Of course, a new car shouldn't get "low" on oil, right?) Also, where should the oil level be at on the dip stick?

5. If you think the Honda Element Owner's Manual is incorrect about getting the oil changed every 10K miles, why do you think this?

Notes: I do not have "severe" driving conditions as described earlier in this thread.

Okay, now that it's all nice and organized -- have at it! :)

Any answers to the above questions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Just change mine at 6800 miles. Used Valvoline's "modified" synthetic and the E runs great. Better MPG's, pick up and less noise.:D

Just change mine at 6800 miles. Used Valvoline's "modified" synthetic and the E runs great. Better MPG's, pick up and less noise.:D

So this was your first oil change? (And if so, why did you change it at 6800 miles instead of 10K as the manual says?)

I've never changed oil myself (don't really have any place to do it either), so I'll probably use the coupons that the dealership have me to have the oil changed there. So should I request the type of oil you used when I do eventually get it done? Is there any downside to using that synthetic as compared to whatever they'd normally put in?

Thanks!

Hmmm... well not really too much closer to a definitive answer! :| :twisted: :-D

Let me try to break the questions down this way:

1. My impression in general with a car is that you get the oil changed every 3-4 months or every 3-4K miles. Is this correct?

2. My reading of the Honda Element owner's manual seems to say that you get the oil changed every 10K miles. Is this correct? (This seems like a HUGE JUMP from what I always thought the norm was.) If ocrrect, why is it such a huge jump from the average/norm?

3. My dealership service department says to bring it in to get the first oil change at 5K miles (and that it's the first service that is at 10K miles). Is this correct? And if so, doesn't that contradict the Honda Element owner's manual?

4. I haven't checked the oil yet on my new Element. It has a little over 1K miles on it. Think I'll do so today, but how often should you check it to make sure it's not low? (Of course, a new car shouldn't get "low" on oil, right?) Also, where should the oil level be at on the dip stick?

5. If you think the Honda Element Owner's Manual is incorrect about getting the oil changed every 10K miles, why do you think this?

Notes: I do not have "severe" driving conditions as described earlier in this thread.

Okay, now that it's all nice and organized -- have at it! :)

Any answers to the above questions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

You should read this thread from MarkC. http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21756

I think it will answer a few of your questions.

Yes a car was always 3,000 miles. In fact my dealer stated to come back at 3,800 miles for my oil changes. Honda states 10,000 miles and they are the ones who back the car. There are plenty of folks here doing the 10,000 mile changes with no ill effects so far. I am doing the 5,000 route because of our cold temps, city driving and towing.

I will be sending a sample off to Blackstone labs the next time I do an oil change just to check the results.

You should check your oil level often. Once a week perhaps. This is a good habit to get into. Years ago with the full service filling stations it was checked every time you fueled the car.

As for synthetic oil, I use this for the extream temp changes in the mountains and it lasts longer in the car (plus it makes me feel better using it :D ).

Hope this helps some.

Ahh, bloomcountry - ya think too much - me too :grin:
It's a different kinda car and engine - this isn't your Daddy's Ford, in other words. 10k is perfectly normal for some of today's modern engines.
My suggestions - Go with 7500 miles between changes - and use only Mobil 1 oil.

Use the dealer, but beware "upselling" - ie services and maint you don't need and aren't suggested in the manual. Stick with the book unless you have a problem. Remember that the dealer makes money on every visit - it is then logical that the more "service" they sell you, the more they make - regardless of the manufacturers instructions. Don't authorize ANYTHING unless you have checked the manual first to see if they recommend it at the mileage your E is at....no matter what they say at the dealer or when they call you to tell you your car is "due" some obscure service like flushing out the superdynamic warp drive. NO is a good word to learn when dealing with dealer service depts.
Note: Dealerships make most of their money on service - especially service that is non-warranty (like oil changes and scheduled maintenance). Don't let them "sell" you on stuff you don't need - doing what is in the manual is all you need to do to maintain your warranty - regardless of what ANYONE tells you. If you choose to do more, fine, but there is no mandate from the manufacturer to do so.

BTW - Tell them specifically Mobil 1 oil ONLY. Make SURE the service writer spells this out on the service order when you take the car in. It will cost more but it is worth it to have the BEST oil in your E.
Now, relax and enjoy your E!

The slight change in colour over 3000 mi is unlikely to tell you very much about the state of the oilin your engine. With modern oils and engines you probably don't need to change it that often.

To each his own I suppose

However, ponder this question...

Who is more likely to profit from your engine prematurely failing. The oil companies or Honda ?

(and yes, the little green men are coming to take me away)

...However, ponder this question...

Who is more likely to profit from your engine prematurely failing. The oil companies or Honda ?...

From your postings you sound as though you have had quite a few vehicles over the years, so have I. Lots of my vehicles have had mechanical failures, some leading to the scrapping of the vehicle. Not ONE of those failures has been attributable to a failure to change engine oil often enough even though several of my vehicles were purchased (ab)used.

I don't think changing the oil every 5000 mi (or less frequently in less than severe duty situations) is going to make my Honda any more prone to engine failure than if I change the oil every 3000 mi. If the service life of my E is anything like what a lot of Hondas are capable of (200,000 mi plus), that makes for a LOT of saved oil changes.

Honda tells you can go 10,000 miles on the oil. They have teams of people that do the research on this stuff, as well as tests. So you can go 10k !!!

I don't. I change every 5,000. Cheep insurance, peace of mind.

Kilometrage recommendatoins between oil changes depend on the agenda of who(m)ever is giving the advice. Yes Honda has to back the car, but given a modicum of care today's motors will easily outlive the manufacturers warranty. It is down the road when it is your dime that counts if you are like me and run the car as long as possible.

By agenda, I mean this: Honda sells engines. Oil makers sell oil and they generally recommend intervals much shorter than Honda - no surprise!

As to telling if it is dirty - you really can't. Modern oil is designed to pick up contaminants and so should start to darken the minute you fire the motor. In the extreme, if the oil is black and lumpy it should be changed. Stop go driving contaminates oil faster than highway.

An old school Q&D (quick and dirty) test of oil is to put a drop from the dipstick on a fine kleenex (not the kind "with lotion") tissue and let it disperse. Then you examine the stain under a magnifier looking for particles - you don't want to see any flecks of metal!!!

That said, I have been running cars at 60 to 70,000 km per year for 43 years and I try to change oil inside 10000km. I'm getting antsy anytime after 7500! I use Castrol GTX. I have yet to be convinced of a benefit of so-called synthetic oils. You definitely should not use synthetic during break in - the lubrication is too good and the motor never really settles in.

Longevity of modern oil in a modern engine speaks more to the improvements in oil and the stability of it.