I have a 2018 FIt Sport 6MT. I was under the impression that Honda does NOT have any special additives in their factory fill oil. Today at the dealer, the service writer said otherwise. He advised me against changing my oil to full synthetic yet, because the car has only 2,100 miles, and he said that Honda has advised them (the dealers) that there is a special additive in the factory fill oil. From various other sources (including Honda customer support chat), I have heard the opposite - that is, that the factory oil is just 0W20 synthetic blend, with nothing special in it. Now, I know that Honda uses high-moly assembly lube, but what my dealer told me was something different. He said that Honda has specifically told the dealers to leave the factory oil in for 5K-6K (unless it has been a year, in which case the oil should be changed regardless) because "Honda puts in a special additive." He said he's been working as a Honda service tech for 20 years and this has always been the case. One of the other service writers agreed, saying "yup, that's what we were told."

You'd think that for something as black and white as this, it would be easy to get a clear answer. I'm inclined to believe the dealer, because Honda customer support is decidedly non-technical. Plus, the dealer could have easily taken my money and done the oil change, but he "strongly recommended against" doing it.

 

I had an oil analysis performed on my '15 Fit when I had the initial oil change. The factory fill DID have a high quantity of molybdenum in it ( molybdenum disulfide is an anti-friction additive). Whether this is from an assembly lube, or from the factory fill oil, I do not know for sure. I do know that my dealer also told me NOT to change the oil early due to break-in additives that Honda uses. I was told to run the oil until the oil life showed 15% remaining before changing it, so that's what I did.

 

 

 

All I can attest to...is that with my 2010 Honda Fit, which was the first time I had a "Maintenance Minder" system, I wanted to change the oil BEFORE the maintenance minder system alerted.

I was use to buying a new vehicle, and changing the oil out the first time early. It made me nervous to wait so long to do that 1st oil change.

But I clearly remember the dealership service department telling me NOT to change it out early, to wait until the maintenance minder recommendation, because the factory oil was a "special" break in oil.

This time? 2016 Honda Fit, There was no warning about having a break in oil, but the similar recommendation to just wait until the maintenance minder illuminated was still in place.

Short answer? I don't know who really to believe. But I also think I was OK in both cases in just waiting until the maintenance minder recommended the change.

 

I racked up all of 2,000 miles before a year had passed. I did the oil change then.

 

I had a 2010 Fit and now have a 2016. The 2010 manual said not to change the oil early. The 2016 manual doesn't say that. I took this to mean there's no more break-in oil.

I wonder if the service folks you spoke to were working on old info and were just never told anything new.

 

What does the owners manual say? Thats what I would go by.

 

As far as I am concerned, I will not lose any sleep over whether additive was added or not. Neither should you allow the dealer to wing it when you should wait to change the initial oil at 15%. It's just an engine. You should easily get at least 200K miles on it if you don't abuse it.

 

This is part of the dilemma for me. The owner's manual says nothing about break-in oil, but the dealer is saying it is in there. I will probably end up changing the oil myself.

 

 

 

My belief was that Honda does use break-in oil. Unless their manufacturing tolerances have gotten so tight that they've nearly eliminated the friction that shaves off little bits of metal over the first few thousand miles, I can't see that will have changed. So I don't think your dealer is lying to you.

But I also think 2K is enough that your engine isn't going to, you know, grenade itself if you change the oil. I wouldn't sweat it.

But every 6 months or 2K miles is too short of an interval in general. Once a year, if you don't want to wait for the Minder. You're not providing any benefit to your car with more frequent changes, and that oil becomes industrial waste once you get rid of it. If you really want to "do something" every six months, take the wheels off and check all the rubber bushings and pipe joins.

 

If it helps you sleep at night, change the oil (and filter).

If you don't want to spend the money, Don't.

Your Fit will be fine either way. <SHRUG>