Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: Tortuga
Merkava_4, I don't think you need to jump all over Adam over this. If you don't want to read the pages and pages of this thread, then simply scroll past it. I am glad that Adam took the time to outline the problem he's had; it's provided a lot of good info. I own a Honda with the same engine and it has certainly educated me.
In regards to him ignoring the dealer's/manufacturer's recommendation, if you spend that much money on a new vehichle, shouldn't you be able to trust their maintenance recommendations? Looks like the MM is far too aggressive for this Honda and or a better type oil should be specified. Hopefully, his story here can help someone avoid the same problem. I know it's helped me; I won't be following the MM with my vehichle and I will be using a syn-blend or full-syn oil in my iVTEC engine from now on.
Thanks Adam, for sharing your experience.
NO!! If I spend that kind of money on a car, I'm going to change the oil when ... I ... want to. And I don't mean to jump all over Adam. I certainly did not mean for my post to sound like that. I just think it's important for people who are reading this thread to know what the consequences are for not changing your oil. We've all made mistakes that are costly. I've made some costly mistakes too. But I think it's important, if for no other reason than a person's mental health, to own up to one's mistake and move on.
Some comments. The manufacturers OCI "recommendations" (all they are) have been extended dramatically in recent years. The entirely hands off-ers solely relying on the ‘‘OIL LIFE’’, ‘‘CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’, ‘‘SERVICE DUE SOON’’ (under 15% on the OLM) and ‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’ (appears if the OLM is 0 or below) Maintenance Minder indicators may be in greater peril of engine failure than they were with the 3k OCI.
Example: With age, the majority of engines start burning some oil. While going low may not seize the engine or set off any idiot lights, the oil life will degrade more rapidly than it would full. The contaminants become less diluted, more concentrated. Less oil cycles more often, so its hotter, less time cooling away from the engine. While it may not be hot enough to make the oil flash, its stressing the oil's additive pack, shortening its life span. Running a top tier synthetic will help but will suffer the same fate if oil levels are not monitored manually.
Notes from the 2009 Pilot service manual:
- The "Maintence minder" computer appears to be in complete control of maintenance schedule. No mention of actual miles for OCI's, tranny fluid changes, coolant changes, etc.
- The "Maintence minder" indicator flashes with maintenance schedules (A or B). Again, no actual numbers for fluid change intervals.
- Owner’s Maintenance Checks - "You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the appropriate page listed. Engine oil level Check every time you fill the fuel tank. Engine coolant level Check the radiator reserve tank every time you fill the fuel tank. Automatic transmission Check the fluid level monthly". Thats all I could see in 581 pages for manual intervention.
- 4.5 qt capacity is rather small for a v6 to begin with, making oil level more important than engines larger capacity for the reasons stated above.
Opinion: Adam should not be liable whether he checked his fluids every gas fill or not because..
- Honda has created a scenario where the owner is reliant on algorithms and idiot lights in place of an actual maintenance schedule.
- Honda made it more difficult to self maintain the vehicle by not disclosing actual fluid change miles intervals, increasing the chances of a visit to the service bay.
- Oil capacity does not match the engine displacement or maintenance minder algorithms. If that engine was down only a quart, 3+ quarts would be responsible for lubrication, cooling, and cleaning. Insufficient for the displacement and other options like VCM.
- Lack of information required to manually maintain the vehicle properly.
