This is the first I've heard of this. Hmm....many oils darken quickly and has no reflection (so to speak) on the quality of the oil or lubricating properties of said oil.
New Honda Accord Confusion...
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This is the first I've heard of this. Hmm....many oils darken quickly and has no reflection (so to speak) on the quality of the oil or lubricating properties of said oil.
I was shocked to hear this also. We just went through a training session on the new cars. Our owner and GM is an engineer by profession (previous). I believe the algorithm is quite complicated and like I said... It's just one "new" data input. Interesting to say the least. I'll keep ya'll posted when I find out more.
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I work for Honda. The OLM is new. It actually has an optical sensor that "dissects" (if you will) the oil pan. When the oil is sufficiently "Dirty" the optical sensor then sends data to the main ECU and it is then calculated with other "Raw" data. This data includes temps, miles, cold and hot starts, RPM, time, And other associated data. It's very accurate and I believe it's the best OLM available.
You should have zero problems going by this monitor and using Amsoil. Good luck with your car! It's a sweet automobile!
Do the 07,s have this same system or is it on the new 08's?
Don't quote me... but I believe the OLM system has been "tweaked" for the 2008 lineup. I just recently found out about it from our GM. Like I said... he's a previous engineer by trade.
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I work for Honda. The OLM is new. It actually has an optical sensor that "dissects" (if you will) the oil pan. When the oil is sufficiently "Dirty" the optical sensor then sends data to the main ECU and it is then calculated with other "Raw" data. This data includes temps, miles, cold and hot starts, RPM, time, And other associated data. It's very accurate and I believe it's the best OLM available.
You should have zero problems going by this monitor and using Amsoil. Good luck with your car! It's a sweet automobile!
Where did you receive this info? I ask as it conflicts with the info from Honda:
From: http://www.hondanews.com/categories/812/releases/4106
There's no mention of any actual oil quality sensor. MB and VW use those Europe I believe, or did at one point, but discovered that an algorithmic based system was more accurate.
The Optical sensor data input is something that is new to me. I hope to find out more next week as I talk with the Techs. I can't imagine my source being inaccurate as he is extremely knowledgeable from an engineering background.
It's interesting that Honda took this approach in that many people still judge their oil (lifespan) by the "color" on the dipstick.
I got a 2006 Accord (V6) when the MMS (OLM for you guys here) made its debut. The following are estimates based on hundreds of hours of reading about how many miles *our* Accords *generally* go on the MMS systems. There are always extreme miles the MMS will go but I am talking about the majority of drivers I have read about.
The Honda MMS is calibrated on regular dino oil, does NOT know you are using synthetic and works by a formula method of driving style(like low RPMs versus high higher RPMs) which dictate engine temps as well as engine revolutions. Your OCIs will range from 4500-5500(*estimate..might be higher) in warm hot summer climates and "civilized" mild winters to 5500 to 6500(*estimate..might be higher) in cooler or more moderate summer climates and cold winters. Also too, if you do more highway driving, your OCIs will go longer as well due to more linear engine RPMs and thus lesser temperatures.
You're not going to get the kind of extended drain intervals like 10k and greater scenarios, with the Honda MMS, using high-end synthetic oils like Redline etc because theMMS does not "know" you are using synthetic oil. The MMS does not touch the oil or do some quasi UOA inside your engine so here's what you can do...
You can either use lesser high end oils like regular synthetics (like M1 etc), synthetic blends and reduce your OCIS so you can go with the Honda MMS based on the scenarios above or ...
just reset the MMS system when it reaches the "15%" level *without* changing out the oil and go another OCI on the same oil. This is assuming you fall into the 5000-ish (*estimate..might be higher) mile OCI so you can double it to 10k or higher.
If you fall into the cooler summers and very cold winters where you get the 6500-ish(*estimate..might be higher) OCIs you can reset the MMS system without changing the oil. Personally, I would simply advise you to change the oil out right then *without* changing the oil out because you can't go another 6-6500k(*estimate..might be higher) for a total of 13000+ miles even with Redline, can you?! If you want to go 13k on RL etc, then reset it the first time it tells you to without *actually* changing the oil so you can get to your desired extended drain miles(10k +) with Redline etc.
hope that helps! PM me if you need clarification or more details...
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What in the world are you talking about?
It is impossible to predict someone's interval with the Maintenance Minder. All that I can say is that one can go up to 10,000 miles between service. Being able to go 5k miles is just your case, and cannot be applied universally to everyone.
Don't be so sure with that 6500-ish OCI in cool summers and very cold winters. My '07 CRV I got in January this year right off the truck with 3 miles on it has 7700 miles on it now with 40% oil life per MM.
And that's with lots of short trips in some very sub-zero.
And that's with lots of short trips in some very sub-zero.
Ok, I edited my post to include the disclaimer that the numbers are estimates based on reading a lot from *other Honda owners* in different climates and various driving habits/conditions.
Fair enough.
I have an 07 Accord 2.4, my commute is easy on my Accord, therefore my MM is around 10k kms for me. I am using PP 5w20 for my oil and Purolator filters. It is usually different each time first one was 8k kms, next one was 10k kms. I did do a lot more hwy driving the second OCI.
ok but 10k kms
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I would go TWICE a year with Amsoil with no more than 6000 miles per OCI.
That may be considered over-kill by some folks; but it's just my opinion.
I have searched many corners of the internet to gather all Honda-related information for the past several years. You are the first to say that there is an optical sensor that measures oil quality for the OLM. I think you need to check your facts.
I understand that you are a Honda tech. I'm just saying that people make mistakes sometimes.
I understand that you are a Honda tech. I'm just saying that people make mistakes sometimes.
The whole point of the OLM is to extend the OCI to the maximum
or minimum based upon the conditions incurred. Most* people don't have a clue when to change their oil or do it based upon
personal time/mileage parameters.
Believe it or not... there are many people out there who don't give a hoot about OCI's or oil in general. An OLM is just one modern feature that takes the guesswork out of the equation. I think it (OLM) makes decisions based on real world data VS. "Gut feelings".
I've always been a 3K OCI guy regardless... But these OLM's are probably do a better job at analyzing data that I ever could. One more thing I can let a computer do for me.
or minimum based upon the conditions incurred. Most* people don't have a clue when to change their oil or do it based upon
personal time/mileage parameters.
Believe it or not... there are many people out there who don't give a hoot about OCI's or oil in general. An OLM is just one modern feature that takes the guesswork out of the equation. I think it (OLM) makes decisions based on real world data VS. "Gut feelings".
I've always been a 3K OCI guy regardless... But these OLM's are probably do a better job at analyzing data that I ever could. One more thing I can let a computer do for me.
I go by a combination of time, dipstick color, and mileage to arrive at my OCI.
Oil changes are THE most important things you can do for your car; next would be coolant changes, air filter changes, and of course brakes.
10,000 miles to my old school way of thinking, just does not compute.
I know old habits are hard to break... I'm just thinking that automakers really want to help conserve and help people
(who think of their cars like an appliance) make a decision.
What you're doing is essentially what the on-board computer is doing. Only difference is- it's using hard data.
Isn't that "better" than guesswork?
I'd say I'm more conservative than the onboard OLM is since it usually says 60% at the time of oil change. I've been turning wrenches since I was 5 years old; to me, oil changes are like brushing my teeth.
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I'd say I'm more conservative than the onboard OLM is since it usually says 60% at the time of oil change. I've been turning wrenches since I was 5 years old; to me, oil changes are like brushing my teeth.
Yeah... I have a Miata that I love tinkering with. I love working on that car. It's 14 years old and I usually go 3-5k between changes. As for my other cars... I let the OLM do the trick.
I let it get down to 20% and change the oil. I think as the technology gets better...Many others will follow suit. You have to remember this forum is for us Car guys who love our machines. Many people I know consider changing their oil a chore!
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