Pulling The Break-In oil

[Alamogunr]

Being relatively new here and only recently left the ranks of the 99.9% clueless, I can only add my experience. I drive a 96 Toyota Avalon(that apparently preceded the "sludge mobiles") that now has 175K on it. I don't remember when I had the first OC performed but I'm sure it was at the dealer. I started doing my own at about 8K using Castrol 5w30 and Toyota filters. From that point on I was religeous in changing it at 4-6K (not too many at the 6K interval). If it uses any oil, I haven't noticed. If we were so inclined, we could probably drive it another 50K. This thing has had so few problems that even my wife is agreeable to replacing it with another Avalon Her only gripe is the small mirror on the visor.

I realize this is an enthusiast's forum, but I think I will stay in the camp that follows the owners manual as long as it is convenient, and use a good(as defined by BITOG)oil and filter. Criticisms of this approach??

 

[Rexer]

The replies have been great everybody. ThanX

I did here from Terry and I have trusted him in the past so I am going with what he says this time. I'll give the factory fill 3K miles and at that point do my Havoline 5W-20 and Pure 1 change for another 2K. At 5K miles I'll go with the Havoline 5W-20 with LC

 

[427Z06]

Rexer, good move. Terry won't let you down.

 

[ex_MGB]

One theory I've not seen about Honda's oil change recommendations-
The long initial oil change interval is to break in the CUSTOMER! All the little niggling things about a new car, initial squeeks etc may actually go away in the customer's mind after a little use!
So the owner stays away from the dealer for quite awhile and therefore does not pester them with small warranty claims! Warranty costs go down and the profit goes up.
No engineering input there, simply bean-counters making the rules.

This cuts both ways, as an owner, do you really want that brand new vehicle being worked on?

I buy vehicles based on several factors with dependability being a major one. Of the past three new vehicles I've purchased (with two of them now out of warranty), none has been anywhere for service other than my garage.

If you hang out on some vehicle forums, it's a shame how some people obsess about their vehicles and wind up going into some service death spiral. It's sort of like the modern medical definition of "healthy" being someone who hasn't been fully "worked up".

To me, it's an absolute no-brainer that the odds are infinitely greater of causing harm by doing way too early oil change-outs rather than following the vehicle manufacturers recommendations.

[ July 26, 2005, 01:38 AM: Message edited by: ex_MGB ]

 

[edvanp]

Can't go wrong listening to Terry!

This topic is about as good as thick oil vs thin oil. Lots of people with good opinions and what I like about this site is that nobody gets bent out of shape if someone disagrees with them.

Good luck with your new car!