First Oil Change

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artbuc

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Our 2010 MDX MM says 30% oil life left at 5100 miles. I know the factory fill has special break-in additives but I really don't like going more than 5k without an oil change.

Is it ok to change now or should I exercise some self-restraint?
 
Change it! 5000 miles is long enough. Sure you might go further but, why?

Honda makes great engines as do most mfg's. Today isn't like many years ago when people like us had to change the oil/filter very soon just to get out all of the dirt, metal particles and what not that may still be in the engine from the not so well cleaning. Engines today are cleaned very well prior to assembly, the standards have changed. This is why there is no need to change out the oil/filter at 500-1000 miles.
 
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I dont to make you worry since its after the fact, but I dont believe in the break in oil. I bought a new pickup in 2006 and looked at the manufacture date on the door and that truck was actually made almost a year before I bought it, yet it only had 17 miles on it when I got it, I changed the oil first oil at 1000 miles and it looked to me like it had alot of moisture in it. It was a pale whitesh yellow. The truck now has 32,000 miles on it, runs Great and does not use any oil between changes. I change it about every 3000 miles, which is about 5 months, to keep the Lifetime warranty intact.
 
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
I dont to make you worry since its after the fact, but I dont believe in the break in oil. I bought a new pickup in 2006 and looked at the manufacture date on the door and that truck was actually made almost a year before I bought it, yet it only had 17 miles on it when I got it, I changed the oil first oil at 1000 miles and it looked to me like it had alot of moisture in it. It was a pale whitesh yellow. The truck now has 32,000 miles on it, runs Great and does not use any oil between changes. I change it about every 3000 miles, which is about 5 months, to keep the Lifetime warranty intact.


Panzerman, In your particular case, I would have changed the oil too! But, I would wager to say the the MDX wasn't sitting on the lot for almost a year. Honda/Acura doesn't make so many of these MDX's that they sit around for long periods of time prior to sale. Maybe, but I doubt it!
 
It's entirely your call if you want to change it or not. I myself change the oil out early, but I acknowledge it's not needed any more.

If you're concerned that you might be changing it out too early you can look at it like this. Your OLM says it's at 30% with 5100 miles on it. Someone else with a different commute (more stop and go traffic, more city driving) or a different driving style might be at 10% at 4500 miles, and would change it out then. What I'm trying to convey is that you'll do no harm in changing it out now b/c under different circumstances it might've already been time to change it out.

I don't think you'll do any harm leaving it in there, and I don't think you'll do any harm changing it out.

Someone with more info can chime in, but if I recall correctly the break-in oil that Honda/Accura uses is just a high moly oil. If it makes you feel better you can change your oil now and go with an oil that has more moly than most, or you could go with a moly additive to add to the oil you use (this last one is mentioned more for completeness and not b/c I think its needed). Some oils that have shown to have more moly than most include Havoline and MaxLife (it's perfectly safe to use MaxLife in a new vehicle).

Try pushing it to 5,500 miles to ease yourself into following the OLM. They've shown to be on the conservative side, and to do a really good job. So ease yourself into being comfortable following it and you'll be able to save some time and $$$ by doing slightly fewer oil changes than you would otherwise.
 
The early changers say "It doesn't hurt, and it might even help".

The others say "Millions of cars have gone on to live long, happy lives without an early change of the FF".

Both are right-
 
I recall a few Honda/Acura FF used oil analysis posted here where the oil was changed per the MM at around 15% and the numbers were good. And yes, what primarily distinguishes the Honda FF is its high moly count.

OP, as others have noted, I think you're fine changing now or waiting until the MM calls.
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Does that engine spec 0w-20? If so use the honda oil with no worries. It has high moly like the FF.
I believe it does spec 0W-20.
 
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
I dont to make you worry since its after the fact, but I dont believe in the break in oil. I bought a new pickup in 2006 and looked at the manufacture date on the door and that truck was actually made almost a year before I bought it, yet it only had 17 miles on it when I got it, I changed the oil first oil at 1000 miles and it looked to me like it had alot of moisture in it. It was a pale whitesh yellow. The truck now has 32,000 miles on it, runs Great and does not use any oil between changes. I change it about every 3000 miles, which is about 5 months, to keep the Lifetime warranty intact.

We're talking about Honda break-in oil. It's been tested in used oil analysis and has high levels of moly. Unless you are talking about a Ridgeline, your case is different from the MDX.
 
He's lucky it's wearing the Acura label. If this was a Honda you would have mercenary ninja warriors descending from above pulling a beat down on you for violating Honda ZEN by not following the OEM recommendations.
 
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
At over 5k, go change you break in original oil, for goodness sakes!


That is the way I feel, but I am still stuck in the 3k OCI world. Many people, including Acura, tell me emphatically "do NOT change the FF until the car's MM tells you to". I know the FF has special break-in additives and I just want to do the right thing. My problem is that I don't know what the MM is looking at. Is it simply miles driven or is it more sophisticated taking into account number of start/stops, accelerations, braking, etc? If the MM is super sophisticated and Honda has the data to back them up, I am leaning towrds following the MM. If the MM is just miles driven, I want to change the oil NOW.
 
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
He's lucky it's wearing the Acura label. If this was a Honda you would have mercenary ninja warriors descending from above pulling a beat down on you for violating Honda ZEN by not following the OEM recommendations.


Are you talking about me?!
lol.gif


I'd leave it alone until the MM got to 15%. There, I compromised.
 
art - Even if the OLM is super sophisticated, it does not allow for break in particulate matter, mfrg debris, type of oil, contamination, etc..
You have nothing to gain by going longer, 5k is enough to satisfy any proponent of long first OCIs.
Whee! Fresh oil!
 
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