Bob Burns wrote:
> T. Nelson wrote:
>> In article <gsqXb.4482$W74.431@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.n et>,
>> "Bob Burns" <treborburns@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Steve Mackie wrote:
>>>> What is the proper oil change interval for an '03 Civic. The owners
>>>> manual and dealership have to different opinions. The manual says
>>>> 20,000kms or 12 months, the dealer says 8,000kms or 4 months. Is
>>>> the dealership just tring to take my friend for a ride by
>>>> discounting what the owner's manual says?
>>>>
>>>> Steve
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>> Yes! Follow the manual; Honda engineers know what they are doing.
>>
>> Yes, I agree that the Honda engineers know what they are doing. Those
>> engineers know that a Honda engine will last much longer if the oil
>> is changed every 3000 miles. They recommend 8000 mile changes so your
>> engine won't last as long and therefore they can sell more cars. I
>> heard of one other car company that recommends 10,000 mile oil
>> changes for these same reasons. Another company recommends a tune-up
>> at 50,000 miles. Those companies have one goal in mind--to sell more
>> cars. My goal is to buy a Honda car and make it last at least 10
>> years without any major engine work. That's why I change the oil at
>> 3,000 miles.
>
> REspectfully, disagree. Our '90 Accord lasted 270K miles and just
> died, our '94 Integra is at 165K mile and running strong on factory
> recomended oil changes. And my '86 CRX was at about 150K in '94
> whaen I traded it in on the Integra.

The manufacturing methodologies have improved vastly over the years since
the recommended 2K-3K oil changes. Tolerances are tighter, measurements are
more accurate, methods of machining are more precise then ever (and will
become even more precise).