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Originally posted by larryhot13
I havent looked yet, I'm under 2k miles so far, but how does your oil look on the dipstick? clean? dirty?

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Originally posted by larryhot13
Like you, I usually put only 7k miles on my car each year, I'm gonna change at 4k miles or 4 months, whichever comes first. I think that would be sufficient. I havent looked yet, I'm under 2k miles so far, but how does your oil look on the dipstick? clean? dirty?

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Originally posted by msu79gt82
The first oil change should especially follow the manual. Acura uses a special break-in oil and the first change should not be early.

For normal driving condition that is at 7500 miles
For extreme driving conditions it is at 3750 miles; and the manual defines what constitutes extreme conditions.

For What It Is Worth this has been endlessly debated; use Search to dig up the discussions.

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Originally posted by renov8r


With as tight an engine as Honda/Acura, the low mileage, and todays newer oils I would bet your oil will NEVER LOOK dirty.

You have to a) go by mileage b) go by the owners manual c) go by the calendar.

The first two are easy. The calendar is harder to understand, but still is valid. Suppose you you ALWAYS only put 5-7K on per year vs the typical 12-15K, common sense dictates that certain 'aging' properties are gonna be the same. The vehicle is still in a non-temperature controlled environment. Most garages aren't "dirt proof" either. You want to change the oil AT least to match the best case "non-severe" use, and that would be TWICE a year (assume 7500 non-severe internals AND 15K annual mileage). For the peace of mind the extra $50 a year to change QUATERLY makes great sense for an infrequently driven vehicle, especially since you operate costs are so low anyhow.

Finally, your REAL question -- about the INITIAL oil change @3750. Honda use theire 'special oil" and it makes good sense. The idea is that you'd build up some molybdenum on the wear surfacesin the 3750 miles. My recommedation to you is GO TAKE A ROAD TRIP, that will give you the wide range of rpms, heat, and acceleration that Honda is HOPING you'll do in those first 3750 miles. I would not want any oil changes longer than about six months aparts, so when you get back from the road trip you'll be right on schedule.

Now go out there and enjoy that thing. I mean it :D

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Originally posted by renov8r


With as tight an engine as Honda/Acura, the low mileage, and todays newer oils I would bet your oil will NEVER LOOK dirty.

You have to a) go by mileage b) go by the owners manual c) go by the calendar.

The first two are easy. The calendar is harder to understand, but still is valid. Suppose you you ALWAYS only put 5-7K on per year vs the typical 12-15K, common sense dictates that certain 'aging' properties are gonna be the same. The vehicle is still in a non-temperature controlled environment. Most garages aren't "dirt proof" either. You want to change the oil AT least to match the best case "non-severe" use, and that would be TWICE a year (assume 7500 non-severe internals AND 15K annual mileage). For the peace of mind the extra $50 a year to change QUATERLY makes great sense for an infrequently driven vehicle, especially since you operate costs are so low anyhow.

Finally, your REAL question -- about the INITIAL oil change @3750. Honda use theire 'special oil" and it makes good sense. The idea is that you'd build up some molybdenum on the wear surfacesin the 3750 miles. My recommedation to you is GO TAKE A ROAD TRIP, that will give you the wide range of rpms, heat, and acceleration that Honda is HOPING you'll do in those first 3750 miles. I would not want any oil changes longer than about six months aparts, so when you get back from the road trip you'll be right on schedule.

Now go out there and enjoy that thing. I mean it :D

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Originally posted by msu79gt82
The first oil change should especially follow the manual. Acura uses a special break-in oil and the first change should not be early.

For normal driving condition that is at 7500 miles
For extreme driving conditions it is at 3750 miles; and the manual defines what constitutes extreme conditions.

For What It Is Worth this has been endlessly debated; use Search to dig up the discussions.

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Originally posted by srpbep
I think the Owner's manual says something like:

"7,500 miles OR 6 months whichever comes first".

If it does say this [and I think it does] then you are failing to comply with the mfg scheduled maint. if you go 10 months waiting until you hit 7,500 miles!!

Additionally, I think the VTM change is also 6mos/7,500.

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