Albert,
I've worked for Honda dealerships for close to 30 years. It is astonishing
how technology has changed over the years. Modern oil refining has produced
very high quality and long lasting viscosity oils. Filters have also
benefited from higher technology by being able to filter out smaller
particles. All combined together, the manufacturers feel safe in
recommending longer oil change intervals. But technology is really not the
reason for these extended intervals. The real reason is our Uncle Sam.
One of the largest consumers of crude oil is oil as a lubricant. The
government is trying to ease our independence on imported oils. Probably a
good thing for our country in this day and age. Hence, the government
mandated gas mileage requirements they have forced on the manufacturers.
This is also a good thing for everyone. But, what most people don't know is
that the government has threatened the manufacturers with similar
restrictions forced upon them if they didn't take measures to reduce oil
consumption. The mfr's realized if they didn't do it themselves the gov't
would probably force restrictions that would probably cause them millions to
change and meet severe restrictions. So they did what they could on there
own terms and have postponed what is probably inevitable, more gov't control
and mandates.
Most people I know in this business feel you can go longer between oil
changes these days, but up to 10,000 miles is a little too long. As an
aside, I believe I read in the 2004 Civic Owners Manual it has a
recommendation for a first oil change at 10,000 miles and a second change at
20,000 miles and at that time to replace the filter too. That's right, no
filter change at 10,000 miles. Previously unheard of, especially for the
first change. What about all the little metal pieces supposedly generated
when a motor is first breaking in?
I suppose the mfr's know alot more than I do about their motors....but. Of
course there are different situations such as "severe" driving conditions or
"regular" conditions, as well as where you drive most such as dirt roads, or
highways, or stop and go traffic. In our dealership we think we have a
reasonable compromise to engine durability concerns and mfr recommendations.
We suggest that Honda owners cut those recommendations in half, or 5000
miles in your case.
We have always professed that the best thing to do is to follow mfr.
maintenance intervals as a means to gain long life durability to your Honda.
This is probably the only time we've veered slightly from those
recommendations. We have a number of customers with 250,000 plus miles
regularly coming in for maintenance. That is not uncommon at most Honda
dealerships. I have a friend who has a 1992 Accord Wagon with 480,000 miles,
with the original unrebuilt engine and transmission. He's replaced many
other worn out items (axles, wheel bearings, brakes, timing belts, shocks,
etc.) but follows the maintenance schedule religiously.
Check with the Service Department where you purchased your car and see how
they feel about it in your neck of the woods. Different parts of the country
may be considered severe conditions (mountains, dirt roads, high temps).
These are the guys who know your vehicle. They see the same model cars day
in and day out and they are trained to know your specific vehicle and not
generalities of every other make out there. Good luck with your new car.
Howard
"eh" <eh@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:3MBdd.69$A24.38@news.oracle.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a 98 Accord. The manual says the oil changing interval
> is 3750 miles for severe condition and 7500 for non-severecondition.
> Most of my mileage is from highway driving, but nevertheless I change oil
> every 3000 miles.
>
> We just bought a 2004 Accord. The manual now specifies to change
> oil every 5000 miles for severecondition and 10000 miles for non-severe
> condition. Should I still be keep up with the schedule by changing oil
every
> 3000 miles or can relax a bit? Any recommendations?
>
> Thanks for you help!
>
> Best Regards,
> Eugene
>
>