I change mine whenever the light comes on, which is at 15%. Depending on how busy I am, I might run the car until its at 10%. This was the case for my first oil change, did it at 10%, the second one I just did at 15% because I had some free time. As far as miles go, I have about 13.5K miles so I go about 6K or so between changes. Mobil 1 full synthetic is what I use.

 

I'm getting my first oil change done this week at a little over 7,000KM and 5% oil life on the minder. I figure changing it anywhere between the 15% and 5% is fine. I trust the engineers at Honda that made the engine.

Also, be sure to physically check your oil frequently to ensure that everything is okay.

 

For those who question your oil change intervals, what makes them think Honda engineers set the meter instead of marketing? That meter probably runs on pressure drop changes in oil density and viscosity and there will be significant differences between brands and weights chosen; the meter likely has a difficult time telling just what is 100% starting point. The oil change interval has to be superior. Old Sochiro would not have approved that meter. Cureness and pretense just wasn't his thing. Just like his motorcycles he would go with intervals based on how hard you ran his vehicle.

 

does anyone actually know how that oil meter actually works? because i figured it was just counting the mileage.

 

Read the owners manual, it explains it a bit, but from what I recall it does use the mileage, but also "revs" and conditions.

BTW, if you change your oil every 3,000 miles you're probably the type of person who will "lather, rinse, and repeat" when using shampoo!

 

every 5k miles......regardless of the %.....

 

I say 5K is the safe zone, but I really believe 7K can be achieved if you really baby your car. The reason why I believe so is because the fit uses the same size oil filter as some older civics, which is 1.8L. Of course civics would need more oil than the Fit's 1.5L. Most Civic oil changing intervals is 5,000 miles. But the Fit requires less oil, causing less oil to circulate. So I say 7K would be the complete danger point of running your oil to death. But after 6K sounds kinda scary though.

 

My maintenance minder came on before 5,000 miles -- about 4,800. So if it's coming on at 6,000 for some of you, it's not just set on mileage for sure. I do almost no stop and go driving. Short town trips and a lot of bombing up and down the highways at 80 lately.

 

Thanks mahout. Funny how people say I am throwing away my money. I have been working on cars for a long time. The one thing you learn is, never trust your gauges with your life. Or your cars life either. The Oil Life Minder System is a recommendation. I drive my car pretty hard. In cold one day then hot the next. Not to mention lots of stop and go and cold starts and then drive offs. If any one has their warranty paper work in front of them, post up the part about the the oil changes and what the warranty says must be done. This may clear up some gray areas.

 

Don't do it at 1k. The owners manual specifically instructs you to not change oil the first time until the maintance minder comes on. The oil from the factory has extra additives to assist with engine breakin. Yes, this is contrary to conventional wisdom about engine breakin, but this is not a Harley. If I were you, I'd follow Honda's instructions.

After that, it's your call. Personally, I'm happy to listen to what the car tells me to do - Honda's engineering is pretty damm good.

 

lol, you have worked on cars, so you must know more. surely nobody else has ever worked on one. (i am giving you a hard time, but im not trying to be too vicious, so dont take it the wrong way.) i dont think anyone is advocating soley relying on the guage and throwing your brain out the window.

i know one thing, i have never designed a car before. if honda has somehow managed to design a motor that reduces the breakdown of oil, this is not something that we can really prove or disprove for the next several years.

also, i don't think the warranty is a good indicator of mechanical design, functionality or ability of the car. warranties are just another way to make money.

but you know, we all are going to do what we feel is comfortable with our cars. obviously its not going to be damaging to change your oil in a traditional fashion. i just dont think it will be damaging to do it my way either. synthetic oil is suppose to last longer anyway.

 

Andy is right. The initial oil has added moly, and is intended to help your car break-in right. READ YOUR MANUAL instead of asking for opinions. Opinions are like, well, ...

And of course the engineers put that maintenance minder in there, not marketers. Gee whiz! Marketers are companies hired by manufacturers. They don't make cars.

And FYI, the maintenance minder works off of revs and other conditions. With modern engines and oil, it is a waste to change the oil so often. It's your car, and your money, but it is still a waste.

 

i dont follow that meter thingy. i just reset it because i dont want no beeping noise or something.


i use royal purple 5w-30 with a oem filter. but last resort is the k&n if i dont want to drive to the dealer. those stupid oem filters are getting freakin expensive now. like 6 something each, close to 7


i change my oil around 3,500 miles. i run my car VERY hard, and i can notice a difference...actually a big difference everytime i do an oil change.

when i was using mobil 1 my oil was always black around 4k.

but now with royal purple, the oil is purple its hard to tell if it is dirty, i just can feel it being a bit gritty when touching it. so for me 3500 miles is perfect.

 

this is the thing that i never understand about civic owners...
why do u bother? just change as the indicator says so..stop trying to fool urself in using castrol oil wtf? i bought a honda because i didnt want to be hassled it's a cheap car..i could care less about the best % to change the oil???

 

You're entire post sums it up perfectly. Honda engineers are SMART people...believe them!

 

Thats cool, I can take playful ribbing. But if the engineers were so smart, they would have put a RSB and a turbo in these things as well.

Since they did not we must go this road alone. What I was saying about the warranty is maybe it will tell you the required frequency for oil changes in order to keep it valid.

 

Amen. I am shocked at 3,000 miles interval. My reading is 30% after 7,500 miles and I'll change it when my indicator will be 15%. My odometer is 150K.

 

Amazing Old thread revival lol.

Changed the oil in mine today, oil life monitor still said 37%, but for my peace of mind, it was time.