What is obvious to you, and to me in hindsight, is not always obvious at
the start of a process. You have apparently been involved with these
things for a long time, I just bought my first new vehicle in 23 years.
Honda in their manual made a statement about changing the oil at 10 k;
they did not offer any explanation for this. There was no reference to
proper seating of rings or other things. People at various Honda
dealerships (who presumably should know something) said completely
conflicting things. There is a lot of advice from a lot of people on
both sides of the issue- The old wisdom -change the oil more rather
than less- get rid of particles that might remain in the block from the
manufacturing process, etc- is deep seated in many of us.
I am merely trying to say that a clear explication from the Honda people
as to WHY it would be better to leave the initial oil in - ie., the
seating of the rings etc., would have been helpful and persuasive. the
fact that this question comes up so often should say something.

The Don on AudiWorld advice I did not see until a few days ago, 4 months
too late.

I have gotten some thoughtful responses on this list, and I am grateful
for them.




<> wrote:
> "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.
>
>