Ignore miles, follow Oil Life?
#1
Ignore miles, follow Oil Life?
I love the Oil Life display, but I'm stuck in that old mode of thinking that I need an oil change every 5000 miles. Should I ignore the miles and just get it changed when Oil Life is down to 15% or so? Sometime before it hits 0%? I'm at about 4040 miles right now on the odometer and I think the Oil life is showing 70%. If it continues at this rate, I could get 8k or 10k before it gets way down to 0% or even 15%.
#3
I love the Oil Life display, but I'm stuck in that old mode of thinking that I need an oil change every 5000 miles. Should I ignore the miles and just get it changed when Oil Life is down to 15% or so? Sometime before it hits 0%? I'm at about 4040 miles right now on the odometer and I think the Oil life is showing 70%. If it continues at this rate, I could get 8k or 10k before it gets way down to 0% or even 15%.
#4
"An oil change for me is around $70 dollars but i do it every 8-10 miles." Be kinda a hassle to do that often.
The way the oil minder works is based on number of short stop and go, how many miles driven and how hard you've been on the engine. There is no sensor in the oil so it's based on simple math.
You can't go wrong with Mobil One full syth and Honda 15400-PLM-A01 oil filter.
This 3k to 5k oil change interval is really not necessary with today's engines.
The way the oil minder works is based on number of short stop and go, how many miles driven and how hard you've been on the engine. There is no sensor in the oil so it's based on simple math.
You can't go wrong with Mobil One full syth and Honda 15400-PLM-A01 oil filter.
This 3k to 5k oil change interval is really not necessary with today's engines.
#5
The Fit has been sold for some time, and isn't an unknown car. How many have you heard of having problems due to insufficiently frequent oil changes?
The maintenance minder's statistics will almost certainly keep the engine running longer than the rest of the car lasts (assuming you perform whatever other basic maintenance is also required—such as making sure the oil level is sufficient between oil changes). Every case I've seen here where someone has performed an oil analysis based on the maintenance minder, the results have indicated that the MM was pretty accurate and usually a little bit on the conservative side—that is, that it would be OK to go a little longer than it indicates between changes.
The maintenance minder's statistics will almost certainly keep the engine running longer than the rest of the car lasts (assuming you perform whatever other basic maintenance is also required—such as making sure the oil level is sufficient between oil changes). Every case I've seen here where someone has performed an oil analysis based on the maintenance minder, the results have indicated that the MM was pretty accurate and usually a little bit on the conservative side—that is, that it would be OK to go a little longer than it indicates between changes.
#8
I'm at around 9,500 miles and was at 30% at my last refuel. Plan to go ahead and change it at 10K - makes it easier to remember when it's due when it's on a regular interval. I did my TDI New Beetle at 10K intervals (full diesel synthetic) and it was running great with no sludge at 219K when I sold it.
My '99 F-250 Powerstroke takes 4 gallons of full synthetic diesel rated oil. That's an easy C-note right there!
es
My '99 F-250 Powerstroke takes 4 gallons of full synthetic diesel rated oil. That's an easy C-note right there!
es
#9
I'm at around 9,500 miles and was at 30% at my last refuel. Plan to go ahead and change it at 10K - makes it easier to remember when it's due when it's on a regular interval. I did my TDI New Beetle at 10K intervals (full diesel synthetic) and it was running great with no sludge at 219K when I sold it.
My '99 F-250 Powerstroke takes 4 gallons of full synthetic diesel rated oil. That's an easy C-note right there!
es
My '99 F-250 Powerstroke takes 4 gallons of full synthetic diesel rated oil. That's an easy C-note right there!
es
#11
Agree 100%!
#12
Q: How does the Honda Maintenance Minder know when the 0% trigger occurs?
A: The system counts down oil life based on engine operating conditions (both normal and severe). The on-board computer continuously monitors engine operating conditions such as speed, engine temperature, ambient temperature, time, and vehicle use to determine when an oil change and regular maintenance is necessary.
This is Honda's statement which is all over the internet. I don't think they've released any detailed information other than that though, and I don't really think it's all that important, but I am curious.
A: The system counts down oil life based on engine operating conditions (both normal and severe). The on-board computer continuously monitors engine operating conditions such as speed, engine temperature, ambient temperature, time, and vehicle use to determine when an oil change and regular maintenance is necessary.
This is Honda's statement which is all over the internet. I don't think they've released any detailed information other than that though, and I don't really think it's all that important, but I am curious.
#13
When I first got my '09 Fit I was changing the oil every 5k miles, since then I have gradually increased the intervals between oil changes. Lately I have been changing it at 15% oil life. It uses a little oil, but I have over 110k on it.
#14
Q: How does the Honda Maintenance Minder know when the 0% trigger occurs?
A: The system counts down oil life based on engine operating conditions (both normal and severe). The on-board computer continuously monitors engine operating conditions such as speed, engine temperature, ambient temperature, time, and vehicle use to determine when an oil change and regular maintenance is necessary.
A: The system counts down oil life based on engine operating conditions (both normal and severe). The on-board computer continuously monitors engine operating conditions such as speed, engine temperature, ambient temperature, time, and vehicle use to determine when an oil change and regular maintenance is necessary.
As s0x mentions, it seems an oil designed/rated for a longer fill interval would allow you to go beyond 0% before a change is needed.
#15
Members in the past have sent oil samples to Blackstone while following the MM using a variety of 5w20 oils IIRC. Oil samples showed the MM was pretty accurate, and even a little conservative.
IMO best to just follow the minder than have to fight with it over a couple thousand extra miles (resetting the light early or dealing with the light being illuminated constantly when you go over).
I'm all for getting the most out of your money, but it's more hassle than it's worth to me keeping track of everything when the minder does a pretty good job by itself. I don't really use the minder for anything other than oil changes though. Trans oil I change every 30k, air filter and tire rotations I do as needed. Plugs and coolant at 100k.
IMO best to just follow the minder than have to fight with it over a couple thousand extra miles (resetting the light early or dealing with the light being illuminated constantly when you go over).
I'm all for getting the most out of your money, but it's more hassle than it's worth to me keeping track of everything when the minder does a pretty good job by itself. I don't really use the minder for anything other than oil changes though. Trans oil I change every 30k, air filter and tire rotations I do as needed. Plugs and coolant at 100k.
#16
I'm all for getting the most out of your money, but it's more hassle than it's worth to me keeping track of everything when the minder does a pretty good job by itself. I don't really use the minder for anything other than oil changes though. Trans oil I change every 30k, air filter and tire rotations I do as needed. Plugs and coolant at 100k.
Exactly. That is what I do. I didn't see, or at least able to find, how often the CVT fluid needs to be changed. I know with my old 2012 Hybrid it's every 30K miles so probably the same with the 2015 Fit CVT.
I'm sure the MM will tell me that when the time comes.
#17
Members in the past have sent oil samples to Blackstone while following the MM using a variety of 5w20 oils IIRC. Oil samples showed the MM was pretty accurate, and even a little conservative.
IMO best to just follow the minder...
I don't really use the minder for anything other than oil changes though. Trans oil I change every 30k, air filter and tire rotations I do as needed. Plugs and coolant at 100k.
IMO best to just follow the minder...
I don't really use the minder for anything other than oil changes though. Trans oil I change every 30k, air filter and tire rotations I do as needed. Plugs and coolant at 100k.
On my 2004 Odyssey, I also changed the trans fluid at 15K on the recommendation of the local dealer since those units had a history of tranny issues. I traded it in at 122K and never had any problems with it.
On the Fit I think I'll stay with the 15K CVT fluid interval just to be on the conservative side.
#18
This isn't anything specific to the FIT but all cars in general.
Quality of oil has become better over the years with most being synthetic or some sort of synthetic blend. 8-10kmi on a oil change is common place anymore. Follow the oil life but never exceed the mileage interval stated by the manufacture.
Just one tidbit I always give. Look under the hood. Check the oil level once in awhile. 10,000mi of driving is a year to a lot of people. A year and never looking under the hood? Just a simple check of oil level and a quick look for oil leaks can prevent a huge expense of a blown engine from no oil.
No matter when you change it. Just take 30seconds now and then when filling up for gas to look for potential problems.
Quality of oil has become better over the years with most being synthetic or some sort of synthetic blend. 8-10kmi on a oil change is common place anymore. Follow the oil life but never exceed the mileage interval stated by the manufacture.
Just one tidbit I always give. Look under the hood. Check the oil level once in awhile. 10,000mi of driving is a year to a lot of people. A year and never looking under the hood? Just a simple check of oil level and a quick look for oil leaks can prevent a huge expense of a blown engine from no oil.
No matter when you change it. Just take 30seconds now and then when filling up for gas to look for potential problems.
#19
Reminds me of a story my dad tells of his truck driving years. He came across a girl stranded with her car dead. The problem? She didn't know you had to put oil in it and it had seized up. Guess MMs were made with people like her in mind.
#20
This isn't anything specific to the FIT but all cars in general.
Quality of oil has become better over the years with most being synthetic or some sort of synthetic blend. 8-10kmi on a oil change is common place anymore. Follow the oil life but never exceed the mileage interval stated by the manufacture.
Just one tidbit I always give. Look under the hood. Check the oil level once in awhile. 10,000mi of driving is a year to a lot of people. A year and never looking under the hood? Just a simple check of oil level and a quick look for oil leaks can prevent a huge expense of a blown engine from no oil.
No matter when you change it. Just take 30seconds now and then when filling up for gas to look for potential problems.
Quality of oil has become better over the years with most being synthetic or some sort of synthetic blend. 8-10kmi on a oil change is common place anymore. Follow the oil life but never exceed the mileage interval stated by the manufacture.
Just one tidbit I always give. Look under the hood. Check the oil level once in awhile. 10,000mi of driving is a year to a lot of people. A year and never looking under the hood? Just a simple check of oil level and a quick look for oil leaks can prevent a huge expense of a blown engine from no oil.
No matter when you change it. Just take 30seconds now and then when filling up for gas to look for potential problems.
5 mile oil change interval ftw