I checked my oil today after a 500 mile road trip. The oil was changed at the dealer just before I left. Out of curiosity, I siphoned some oil (Honda synthetic blend) out to see what it looks like. As you can see, the oil in the cup is dark brown, almost black. I thought the blended oil would be clearer than this. Is this how dark the oil should look after only 500 miles?

The dipstick shows some slight discoloration which is normally the way it looks.

 

Maybe they didn't really change the oil ??? (Just a joke....hopefully). I dunno, they wanna get your car in and outta there asap, not likely to let it drain as long as one probably would doing it diy. When I used to change my own oil, I'd pull the cap, pull the plug, and go in the house for a while.....they ain't gonna do that

 

Only an oil analysis can tell you for sure whether they actually changed the oil. Then, too, if the didn't change the filter too, there would be a lot of old oil left in the system.

FWIW, modern high-detergent oil will turn dark quickly, because it's doing its job of holding dirt in suspension so it can be caught by the filter and/or drained out at the next oil change. The alternative is that the dirt stays inside the engine in the form of sludge, and you wouldn't want that.

 

Nothing to worry about. Move along, citizens.

Seriously, the only question that comes to mind is whether the oil filter was changed along with the oil (should have been). But you really can't tell anything about the lube quality of the oil from its color.

You should take a look at a diesel engine's oil after 500 miles! I had two TDI Volkswagens, and ran 10K oil change intervals on them (full synthetic). The '00 New Beetle was still running strong at 220K miles when I sold it (still see it tootling around town four years later).

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Yeah, there would be a fair amount....does not Honda change the filter every oil change? Haven't gotten it done yet (40% "oil life"), but I've got a free oil change/tire rotation from the dealer, I'd like to think they'd change the freakin' filter....just sayin'

 

Yes, the filter was also changed - at least that's what the invoice says.

 

shouldnt be dat dark with only 500miles. chances are, dealer did not do the oil change. take it back, demand a real oil change.

if you can, mark your oil filter to ensure they change dat too. faking dealers.

 

yeah after 500 miles, my oil looks a bit amber, but still super clear where it is hard to read on the dip stick.


Maybe they forgot to change the oil filter, and the old and new mixed??? I would either go back and see whats going on or just do one yourself and NEVER go back there EVER...

 

Mine is much cleaner after 5000 miles, I am serious. But I use full synthetic, and synthetic blend you mentioned may be susceptible to this color change with this mileage. So it's hard to know whether they have replaced all of the oil.

 

I can buy a 5qt jug of 0W-20 full synthetic for less than $25, then an oil filter for $6. Do it yourself and know it's done right.

According to the MM, an oil filter change is not required for every maintenance. A code is just oil, the B code includes changing the filter.

 

If the mechanic did not change the oil, wouldn't the MM soon detect the old dirty oil and report an oil life number less than 100%?

 

I know that is the applied standard of Honda. BUT...
Every dealership I took my 2010 to, replaced the filter at EVERY oil change, which I actually thought was good.
I did mark the old filter so I know it happened.
And they were more than happy to sell me a new one.

Given the importance of maintaining the engine, I think it is somewhat ridiculous to NOT change the filter when changing the oil.

 

The Fit is not the first vehicle I've owned where the oil filter wasn't scheduled to be replaced every oil change. I'm sure the dealership is more than happy to charge you and change the filter everytime.

What are you all paying for an oil change at the dealership out of curiosity?

 

My '01 TDI Golf had dirty oil immediately, and it is now driven by a neighbor, a year after I reached 220,000 miles and bought a '16 Fit LX. (I can't hear the Fit's motor; the TDI I can still hear a block away)

 

No. It only does a CALCULATION that takes into account cold starts, idle time, and total running time. You are thinking of BMWs and others...



As was said, if the dark oil keeps you up at night, have the oil analyzed (Blackstone Labs or similar). But: modern oils darken quickly due to holding the dirt in suspension. Some brands are darker than others. (Remember, dealers often use bulk oil suppliers so YMMV.)

 

looks normal. oil gets dirty pretty quick.

 

not sure u drove in da past, but does NOT get dat dirty in 500miles.

 

Another thing I liked about my 2010?
It was easy to see the oil filter and mark it.
I can't even see the filter on my 2016.

 

Or just change it again yourself, and sleep better at night knowing that it is new....???

 

Every time I've changed the oil on any car, it's dark and dirty looking. Granted I've never changed it after only 500 miles. The shortest interval is probably 1 year / 3500 miles. I imagine there is SOME period during which it still looks like it did in the can, but probably not very long. Did you really change the oil after 500 miles, ie how'd you get the sample in the cup?