"sam" <innomid@worldlynx.net> wrote in message
news:3F593C1C.1020002@worldlynx.net...
> George McD:
>
> I read the below attached,as well as the posting on the Audi World Forum
> which you presented as a link, with interest. I changed the oil on my 03
> Honda Element at 2300 or so miles, even though the manual said 10K for
> the first change. I got conflicting advice from Honda dealership
> personnel, including, "there is no break -in oil in use any more by
> Honda". No matter who I asked and where I looked I was unable to find
> any specifics or any conclusive technical discussion, including in the
> Manual, which did not "educate" as to a break in oil, but just made the
> statemnent that the oil should be left in for 10K. I would have found
> it helpful and persuasive if I had been told, by Honda somewhere, that
> there is a special oil in use, what it does, what the too early dumping
> of it might do, if putting such oil back in later could compensate for
> or correct any of the improper breaking in that might have taken place,
> etc. Ie., the point by Don on AudiWorld that we should not second
> guess the engineers is a good point, but this point would have been
> stronger if the engineers had presented an explanation that accompannied
> their proscription, in the manual. Surely they must know how much fable
> and fiction and misinformation exists regarding this topic.
> I come from an era where a 1000 mile oil change was not excessive; I
> also had a mechanical engineer for a father, one who wanted to
> understand the underlying chemistry and physics, and was not content
> with pat rules and proscriptions.
>
> Assuming Honda will now sell me "break-in oil", is there any point in
> putting it in, at 14000 miles???
>
> Thanks to any and all.

Why are you still asking for advice? You ignored written instructions by
Honda and the solid advice from Don on AudiWorld for what purpose? Your
engine has an oil filter which is very effective in catching metal particles
and dirt from initial assembly. You had very little to gain by changing the
oil prematurely. You now face the risk of permanent high oil consumption
from unseated piston rings. Did it ever occur to you that if Honda really
felt it was advantageous to change the oil at 2300 miles, they would have
recommend this in the manual? Honda engines will last a very long time if
you just follow the recommended maintenace intervals.