My friend had a telephone conversation with a Honda Canada technical representative recently concerning his 2004 Acura RSX Premium (not a Type-S) because we both questioned the Acura RSX Owner's Manual instruction regarding engine break-in: the OE engine oil is not to be changed until 8,000 kms (5,000 miles).
I certainly felt the first change should come at around 1,000 km or certainly before 2,500 km (about 1,500 miles). However, the Honda Canada guy stated that because of the metals, coatings and tolerances achieved in the manufacture of 'today's' I-VTEC engines, early oil changes are not required. He said the oil installed by the factory is a special break-in oil which will help break-in specific engine parts. Because the engine parts in the break-in stage are in the process of wearing-in/seating-in, the installed break-in mineral oil with special additives (whatever those are) is considered by Honda to be advantageous for this purpose. Furthermore, changing the oil after 1,000 kms and substituting with synthetic oil could have a detrimental effect. "Use of a fully synthetic oil early in the engine's life could result in 'blow by' of oil on the cylinder walls past the rings," he said.
What do you think about these statements? What's so special about the Honda factory initial oil fill that would make one want to keep it in so long, against the usual logic? And what about not going to synthetic at an early mileage in this engine? What's different about this engine compared to Mercedes and others that fill with synthetic at the factory?
[ April 30, 2004, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: Shifter ]
I certainly felt the first change should come at around 1,000 km or certainly before 2,500 km (about 1,500 miles). However, the Honda Canada guy stated that because of the metals, coatings and tolerances achieved in the manufacture of 'today's' I-VTEC engines, early oil changes are not required. He said the oil installed by the factory is a special break-in oil which will help break-in specific engine parts. Because the engine parts in the break-in stage are in the process of wearing-in/seating-in, the installed break-in mineral oil with special additives (whatever those are) is considered by Honda to be advantageous for this purpose. Furthermore, changing the oil after 1,000 kms and substituting with synthetic oil could have a detrimental effect. "Use of a fully synthetic oil early in the engine's life could result in 'blow by' of oil on the cylinder walls past the rings," he said.
What do you think about these statements? What's so special about the Honda factory initial oil fill that would make one want to keep it in so long, against the usual logic? And what about not going to synthetic at an early mileage in this engine? What's different about this engine compared to Mercedes and others that fill with synthetic at the factory?
[ April 30, 2004, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: Shifter ]