When to do first oil analysis?

[powayroger]

I have a 08 Honda Civic. As I understand, Honda uses a "special" break-in oil. I had that oil removed at the 5,000 mile mark and had regular oil put in. I'm coming up to my next oil change (Probably get it done at the 9500 mile mark (4500 mark with this oil) which I plan on switching to Mobil 1.

The question is, when should I do my first oil analysis? SHould I do it right before the next oil change, or wait until after I change the Mobil 1 oil>

I'd like to establish a baseline for the analysis.

Thanks

 

[Patman]

If it were me I'd start doing them right with the first oil change. It's always interesting to see what kind of additives are in the break in oil, plus it's good to see the starting point in terms of engine wear, and see how long it takes for the engine to settle into a normal wear pattern.

 

[Pesca]

I will tell you what I have planned to do with my 2008 Nissan Rogue and you will see if you want to adhere to it or modify it a little bit to suit your needs:

1) I did an used oil analysis when I removed the factory fill (bad sampling method but I am learning).
2) I did an "start" used oil analysis on the oil I put in for the next 6 months (As Gary said, put some heating/cooling cylcles on it before sampling to be more representative of the engine).
3) I plan to do an used oil analysis after 4 months and one after 6 months when I will change the oil (don't want to go further since I am under warranty).
4) I will do 2) and 3) again for my first winter oil as it is not the same for me (maybe you can skip this part with your weather).
5) If my car use changes while I am still under warranty, I will redo 2) and 3) to see if the changes affect the oil use.
6) When the warranty is over, I will push the OCIs backuped by used oil analysis to find a way for me to do only one oil change a year (I am lazy).

BTW, Honda engines are really great engines, and contrary as my previous fear, you can trust the MM and go close to the 0% before changing your oil on conventional oil (that is what we did on my wife's 2006 civic without knowing, therefore the fear, and then did a used oil analysis which is really good, therefore the relief).
You can stay on conventional oil as long as you are under warranty and change the oil when you hit the 10-15% (syn blend if you are conservative), and then move to better oil and do like some here, Pablo for example, and do two sets of MM on the same oil (backuped by used oil analysis at least at the beginning to be sure).

Everything is in the used oil analysis section if you want to have a look.

 

[MatchboxCar]

I have a 06 Honda, and changed it out at 1800 miles. The analysis came back that it was regular Mobil 5000 oil with leftover assembly lube (heavy Moly). The use of any other high quality oil is fine, and does not affect break in. My engine was not fully broken in until 7500 miles or thereabouts. I use only Mobil 1 5W-20 and have excellent results, again as proven by used oil analysis. My current OCI is whenever I need to add a quart of M1... about 9000 miles. (Instead of adding, I change it.)

 

[FZ1]

Interesting idea,thanks.

 

[Eddie]

I do one at the 2nd oil change and again at ~ 25,000 miles. I see no sense in spending $$ on the factory fill except for fun. The factory fills' wear metals and silicon values are so variable as to be of little use. I get my baseline at the second oil change or ~ 6,000 miles and the next after a complete break-in at ~ 25,000 miles. I refine my OCI based on the 25K data. Woks for me. Ed

 

[ilikemypassat]

Here's my 08 civic with 1k on the Factory Fill. I was curious.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...790#Post1171790

 

[Al]

Basically depends on your level of curiosity. I personally think sampling your Mobil 1 oil would be best. Then you will have most of the initial junk out of your engine. The silicon will have dropped and you will have the oil in that you plan (probably) using for the long run.

So sampling the Mobil 1 will tell you where you can expect to go with respect to oil change intervals. Sampling on this change won't get that done.

 

[PT1]

I would use the UOA $$ on oil as I only use used oil analysis to diagnose issues or decide to trade/keep a vehicle based on what is going on inside of the engine. I believe doing an analysis on a new engine is useless unless you are having a problem. I also believe you should run a single oil at least 3 OCI's before you look for a meaningful analysis. You stand a good chance of getting erratic numbers on a single oci of Mobil 1.