I WANT TO CHANGE MY OIL IN MY HONDA CR-V!!

[Oil Changer]

Bought an '11 Honda CR-V 4WD. First vehicle with an OLM. First vehicle where the owners manual says not to do an early change. I've always been an early FF oil changer, usually at 500 miles.

Vehicle has less than 1000 miles, OLM reads 90%, oil clear as water and engine running like a champ. I'll wait until the OLM reads 15% but I gotta admit my OCD is driving me crazy.

Oil cap and owners manual read 0w-20.

Feel free to talk about anything: Thoughts on the vehicle and/or engine, the OLM, the recommendation of not changing the FF early, what's your favorite oil/brand for this engine, following the OLM after the FF is out, my OCD...

Any input, comments or thoughts you may have on any aspect of this vehicle are welcome.

(Yes, I was yelling in the title)!

 

[Firehawk409]

Completely different motor but when I first got my 06 Civic I let the FF stay in there till it hit 15%. Ran great all the way up to 65k with the mpg getting better around 15k. After 65k I got the dreaded "coolant weap" and got another short block. Kept the FF in that one till 15% and now have 25k on it with no problems.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I have the same issue on my new '12 fit but the oil will stay for 3.5K miles or 50% OLM at least - then the baby will get Idemitsu Subaru 0w20SM that I use on the subaru; this lube most likely was the FF and a Genuine Honda oil before Honda Amerca (most likely) cost reduced the Genuine Service oil to Conoco Phillips. I would run the FF LONGER but its going to be through many sub zero cold starts in the winter whilst breaking in and hence the 50%OLM nervousness. Car is currently at 1K miles and 90% OLM. Fingers are crossed!

 

[dave123]

Canged my 11 CR-V at about 1500 miles with Mobil 1 0w-20 and Fram XG filter. Have always changed FF early including to new Hondas never a problem, and non of my vehicles use a drop of oil. The CR-V is about a 10min job and a breeze to do oil and filter about $32 at WM will change when OLM is about 40%.

 

[Colt]

Changed the oil and filter in both my Civic and CR-V at just under 2K miles.
No issues and the Civic has 90K miles on it.

 

[Oil Changer]

Aahh! You guys ain't helping.

Same as ARCO, this vehicle is being broke-in during horrible wintery conditions. The wife is driving the "cute 'ute" so it's also a short-tripper and she idles it for long periods to warm it up before driving.

I assume the OLM will take all of this into consideration, but still...

 

[Coprolite]

Fight the urge. Do what the nice Honda engineers want and change it when it hits 15%. In truth, it is probably the lawyers that want it at 15, while the engineers would go for 0.

 

[Coprolite]

If someone said that they changed the oil every 500 miles and the engine has never consumed a drop, would you emulate them? As Honda is one of the few manufacturers that explicitly say to avoid an early FF drain, that takes precedence in my book.

 

[Oil Changer]

To all:

When (or did you) use synthetic the first re-fill after dumping the FF? I know the older vehicles spec'd 5W-20/30.

My OCD tells me to change the FF at 3000 or 50% on the OLM (whichever comes first) and fill with PP 0W-20 which I have ample access to and a Honda filter.

If this vehicle is as reliable as I have read, I plan on keeping it until rust eats through the frame.

 

[Oil Changer]

Originally Posted By: Coprolite
Fight the urge. Do what the nice Honda engineers want and change it when it hits 15%. In truth, it is probably the lawyers that want it at 15, while the engineers would go for 0.


You make sense and that's what I'm asking for. But the car is new. I want to do something with it besides driving it. Changing the oil would be the most rewarding thing for me to do.

It's very hard for me to leave it alone.

 

[Coprolite]

It has synthetic in there now and I'd kill for affordable PP 0w20 for my next TSX OC. I am just trying to patiently await the arrival of the SN PU.

The only thing that overcomes my OC impulses is the owner's manual / manufacturer's recommendations.

Dropping the FF early, would that lead to 3/3000 OCIs in the future?

 

[Coprolite]

I have a 2010 and 2011. I am in the market for an old pickup just to satisfy my tinkering cravings. These new cars are just so boring on the maintenance side.

 

[Oil Changer]

Originally Posted By: Coprolite
It has synthetic in there now and I'd kill for affordable PP 0w20 for my next TSX OC. I am just trying to patiently await the arrival of the SN PU.

The only thing that overcomes my OC impulses is the owner's manual / manufacturer's recommendations.

Dropping the FF early, would that lead to 3/3000 OCIs in the future?


Yes.

 

[Oil Changer]

Originally Posted By: Coprolite
I have a 2010 and 2011. I am in the market for an old pickup just to satisfy my tinkering cravings. These new cars are just so boring on the maintenance side.


I agree. I have an '79 Ford F100 Ranger. Mint condition original 30,000 mile Florida truck bought off the original owner. Only problem is that doesn't need anything either. All wrapped up snug as a bug in a rug for the winter. Same with the OPE.

I guess I'll go watch a movie.

 

[dave123]

Did they check TSB for oil consumption issue in SOME CR-Vs?

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: Oil Changer
To all:

When (or did you) use synthetic the first re-fill after dumping the FF? I know the older vehicles spec'd 5W-20/30.

My OCD tells me to change the FF at 3000 or 50% on the OLM (whichever comes first) and fill with PP 0W-20 which I have ample access to and a Honda filter.

If this vehicle is as reliable as I have read, I plan on keeping it until rust eats through the frame.


I went with high moly SM Toyota 0w20 synthetic and will continue to use it for awhile as I have a couple of cases.
Maybe Amsoil after.

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: dave123
Did they check TSB for oil consumption issue in SOME CR-Vs?

I just had a recall done last week for the fuel injector and vtc timing at cold start that may create deposits on the oil control rings that could lead to increased oil consumption"

 

[Trav]

Quote:
Fight the urge. Do what the nice Honda engineers want and change it when it hits 15%. In truth, it is probably the lawyers that want it at 15, while the engineers would go for 0.

Let me play Devils advocate.
I bought my first new Honda Motorcycle in 83, the owners manual (Euro) wanted the first OC at 100Km (60mi) again at 500Km and again at 1,000Km.
I think the engineers would like to get the FF out of the engine at 100mi if possible but its not.
The environmentalist and EPA would go bonkers, other state and fed agency's would be jumping up and down about wasting oil (read CA 3K oil change article), on and on.

The automobile manufacturers are appeasing these groups to some (IMHO a large) extent. The manufacturers only care about a positive experience for the first owner and getting the car through the warranty period.
Following the recommendation will probably accomplish that goal but whatever happens after that is irrelevant and they could care less.

I change the oil in any engine i own new at 1hr of use for small engines and 500-1K for cars, bikes are still 100mi because of the shared gearbox.
I don't care what they want or advocate because i know its not in my or my engines best interest.
There you have the opposing point of view.

 

[qr25de]

It's not OCD, it's misinformation or misunderstanding. Leave it in all the way.

 

[qr25de]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
Fight the urge. Do what the nice Honda engineers want and change it when it hits 15%. In truth, it is probably the lawyers that want it at 15, while the engineers would go for 0.

Let me play Devils advocate.
I bought my first new Honda Motorcycle in 83, the owners manual (Euro) wanted the first OC at 100Km (60mi) again at 500Km and again at 1,000Km.
I think the engineers would like to get the FF out of the engine at 100mi if possible but its not.
The environmentalist and EPA would go bonkers, other state and fed agency's would be jumping up and down about wasting oil (read CA 3K oil change article), on and on.

The automobile manufacturers are appeasing these groups to some (IMHO a large) extent. The manufacturers only care about a positive experience for the first owner and getting the car through the warranty period.
Following the recommendation will probably accomplish that goal but whatever happens after that is irrelevant and they could care less.

I change the oil in any engine i own new at 1hr of use for small engines and 500-1K for cars, bikes are still 100mi because of the shared gearbox.
I don't care what they want or advocate because i know its not in my or my engines best interest.
There you have the opposing point of view.

Small engines are very different machines than what we're discussing today (a very sophisticated motor with an even greater attention to tolerances).