I wouldn't be asking this is I wasn't pinching pennies right now, because it would be a no brainer to just change it...

BUT

I changed my oil (I use valvoline high mileage synthetic blend) on my 95 honda accord, then let the car sit for 3, 4 months of no driving. Should I change the oil again now that I'm back driving it?

 

If you had just changed it before letting it sit for 3 - 4 months, you should be okay without doing another change right now.

 

Before you start driving it check the oil level and the color of the oil on the dipstick.

 

ehh i dunno i'd be a little worried.. make sure theres not alot of water in it from condensation. if it still looks fresh and no signs of water you should be okay, but remember oil is "supposed" to be changed after about 6 months regardless. Or so i've always been told.

 

Honda's current service and owner's manuals state that the engine oil should be changed once per year if you haven't accumulated the full mileage for the oil change interval. You'll be fine.

Unless it's due, I don't bother changing the oil after storing my car for 4 months in the winter. It's not a problem.

 

Yep. The owner's manual states that and most Honda dealership service advisors will tell you the exact thing.

 

good info. thank you. Guess it was probably the quick lube places that started the "3k or 3 months" myth. ha.

 

word, well they need business! Plus they mean 3k or 3months of driving whichever happens first, they don't mean when its sitting, they assume you're driving it.

Letting in sit for 4-6 months is fine, just make sure the oil is still fresh or still good to go like everyone said.

 

Yeah, you should be fine. I'd put a little oil between your thumb and finger then rub it to see if its still slippery which will indicate if the oil still serve its purpose. If it feels like its fuel or coolant, I'd change it out. But you'd be fine.

 

3000 Miles /3 Months.

This came out of the owners manuals for 1948 plymouths.

Modern motor oil is of much better quality, and has additives that make it a better lubricant. It lasts longer and lubricates better. You don't need to change it every 3000 miles, its overkill with modern oil.

Owners manuals from todays cars say 6 months/7500 miles and I usually change mine every 8000 or so.

 

^^ I'm assuming you're talking about fully synthetic oil, not conventional right?

 

Although the older Honda's owner's manual stated 6 months or 7,500 miles (normal conditions), due to improvements in engine oil and engine design, Honda stretched it's recommended service intervals between oil changes. Those with the recommended 7,500 miles interval became 1 year or 7,500 miles.

Other newer Hondas became 1 year or 10,000 miles, and the newest Hondas uses the maintenance minder or 1 year.

This is from a 2007 Honda newsletter:

 

Isn't better (while daily driving) to change the oil every 4000-5000 miles or so though? Or are these intervals for when the car is just sitting? My GF drives a 2010 Fit and it comes with electronic oil meter and at about 3800 miles, oil life was at around 50%. She got it changed at 4100 miles at the dealership and oil life was at 45% or so. I'm sure the first oil change is different from the oil changes there after because the dealership told her to take it in at 3000-4000 miles to have it changed (complimentary). Isn't it better to keep the oil fresh and I'm speaking from the conventional oil standpoint. I'm sure if it was synthetic it could probably go till 5000-7000 miles w/o oil change. My mom gets her oil changes around 4500 miles each time.

 

Vehicles with the Maintenance Minder should have the oil changed when the Oil Life meter reaches 15%, or once per year - whichever comes first.

Modern natural oil is generally good for at least 5000 miles. It can be pushed longer if you do a lot of light duty driving (easy non-stop highway miles, flat terrain, clean air, etc.). Synthetics can go longer still. The biggest problem that I see with today's longer drain intervals is that people don't make a habit of checking their oil level on a regular basis. Even if you don't think your engine burns oil, you should still be checking the level regularly (I recommend pulling the dip stick every 1000 miles at a minimum) just in case something abnormal happens. Running the engine low on oil will cause major problems down the road, especially in engines with a timing chain.