zeke1312

The question of when and what to use for your first oil change. I have a new 2009 Accord Coupe V6. I'm close to changing the oil at 70% and 4k on the clock. When to change and what oil (I like Mobil1) to use?
Thank you

redbull-1

Well, the owner's manual says change it at 15%. However, I changed mine at 80% with 2K on the clock with Mobil 1. I've been using Mobil 1 for years in other cars. There has been a shortage of Mobil 1 lately due to damage from Hurricane Ike to the plant from a while back; but, should be back up to full capacity pretty soon (refer to Mobil 1's webiste, get a $10 on-line rebate too).

Everything is your personal choice.

briq4

I'll tell you the story of my past Accord. I used nothing but dino oil, name brand but whatever happened to be on sale. The previous owner had all the services done at the dealership and they had all the records, the changes were done at approximately 7,500 (bascially whenever the red light came on the dash) I did my oil changes between 4,000 and 5,000 miles, filter every time. I purchased the car with 35,000 miles on it. I sold the car two years ago with 364,000 miles on it with not one internal engine probelm.

So guess the question is do you want to spend that extra money on synthetics and what are the chances you will keep the car past 350,000 miles? If you want to do synthetics for the exteneded oil change intervals then for convienice go for it, but given your still supposed to change the filter at the mfg specs, then seems a waste to not just change the oil at the same time... and then why use the x2 expensive synthetic oil?

Just my .02. Also I did all the maintenance on my Mother's 98 Accord v-6, she went 170,000 miles and till the day the car was totaled, never burned any oil between changes etc. Again just used dino oil.

briq4

Also on page 248 of your owners manual it clearly states "Do not change the oil until the scheduled maintenance time." From what I have read Honda does have extra additives in the factory fill to aid in engine break in, draining your oil early is NOT advisable.

07acrd

draining your first oil early is always a good thing metal parts do wear in and cause shavings etc. Never hurts to have good clean oil and additives do nothing for clogged oil filter that can't catch debris. On the synthetic front I noticed mpg difference when I did the 3rd oil change. I like the idea of added protection and a oil I feel comfortable changing at the minders says so. I know many people get tons of miles on their accords but if I was to not maintain like I know something would go wrong. Mobil 1 is a great choice for your accord and should pick up some mpgs. Everyone I know that put synthetics in their honda picked up 1-2 mpgs. I don't have data for the Mobil 1, they all used Amsoil. But in theory it should be the same.

rzmurph

honda's recommendations to follow the maintenance minder stems from them trying to reduce the cost of ownership (service costs) and protecting the environment (by not using as much oil). i''ve seen some go almost 9,500 miles before hitting 15% oil life. dealers use mobil1, and i would until your warranty is over. after that any name brand, quality oil will do. every manufacturer says their oil is superior with a study to prove it. use what you like, or rather what you feel like paying for. a few extra gallons of gas over an oil change period is roughly the same as the additional price of synthetic oils last time i checked.

07acrd

what dealers use mobil 1? don't they use honda motor oil too? It really depends on the cost of gas at the time. When it was over 4 bucks a gallon 2mpgs makes a huge difference. Lets say you go 7500 miles per oil change and average 34 mpgs with synthetics that would be 220.59 gallons in that oil life at 2 bucks a gallon would be 441.18. assuming same 7500 miles per oil change and getting 32 mpg with conventional oil that would be 234.38 gallons at 2 bucks a gallon is 468.76. Costs 27.58 more per oil change in fuel. average synthetic oil change is around 35 with filter and average conventional oil change is 18? So difference in price is 17 bucks so synthetics would save you 10.58 per oil change not to mention the better protection. As gas prices go up synthetics save you even more. usuing same numbers but at 4 bucks a gallon you would pay 882.36 in fuel for synthetics and 937.52 for conventional so you would save 55.16 at 4 bucks a gallon. little math and food for thought. example was figured using our accord as before synthetics best ever one tank mpg was 34 with a low of 28.8 and with synthetics best single tank was 37.7 and low of 32.

BLKFLSH

From what I've heard, Honda's motor oil is Mobil Clean 5000. Not the synthetic Mobil 1. The dealership probably charges more for Clean 5000, than you can get Mobil 1 at a regular store.

redbull-1

The Honda dealerships (SF Bay Area) near me have Mobil 1 synthetic; but, only if you pay extra for it. Otherwise, they use the regular Honda (Mobil/Exxon) dino oil. I have confidence in Mobil 1 synthetics; I used them on my former VW GTI, Honda CRX Si, 5th Gen Accord, and my current 8th Gen Accord and always been happy with it. All the cars I had, the compression tests were still at stock specs. when I got rid of them at 100k, 150k and 293k, using Mobil 1. On my former VW GTI, it had a hot start problem; the Mobil 1 synthetic and a lower temp. radiator fan switch, help cure it. The VW GTI had an actual VDO brand oil temp. gauge, and the gauge always read a lower temp. using Mobil 1 vs. conventional oil.

07acrd

I would stick with what has been working for you. Unless you were using royal purple as there have been waaaaay too many issues with it

George Knighton

With newer Hondas, I would do what the owners manual says to do.

There's a reason the manual suggests that you wait a while before changing the oil that came in the car.

This assumes, of course, normal functioning and that you've checked the oil and don't see any unusual consumption for a brand new car.

Don't abuse your car during its break-in period. That's a lot to ask for 10,000 miles, I know. :-) But you don't want to impose any unusual wear on your engine while you're still on the break-in oil, which technically has fewer additives, not more. Technically. :-)

07acrd

Being raised old school in break a motor in for a short time and change the oil and filter due to the chance of filter being plugged with assembly lube and not being able to catch metal as well. It's cheap insurance and the simple fact most of us hate not having our car due to being in the shop for warranty issues

redbull-1

Many new cars come with Mobil 1 synthetics. I cannot see how changing the oil early (especially with Mobil 1 synthetic) will have any detrimental effect on the life or performance of the engine. All my previous cars which I used Mobil 1 on always had compression tests at stock specs. throughout the life I kept the cars, and they seem less prone to oil seal leaks.


http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...ics/Myths.aspx

07acrd

I understand this but there is a chance of a stuffed filter or some metal from break in going through the motor. To me it's just cheap insurance to change the oil sooner than later on a new motor. Heck I don't even run my oil over an hour when I drop a new motor in a car. I run it for 30 min to break in the cam and change it all. I would rather be safe than sorry.

ch0baca

honda dealerships near me use valvoline.....