Why do we change our oil so often?

[JohnD1079]

i was just curious to see some peoples reasoning behind peoples oil change intervals, especially since most of the time its 'honda knows best' and ' i think honda engineers know what they are talking about when they say ________', especially the 3k people. turns out the 3k crowd are brainwashed or do it for the peace of mind.

me? i drive like a grandma most of the time and am in neutral for a good portion of my driving, so i think ill be fine with the 7,500.

what do people consider 'hard' driving?and how is 'hard' driving any different than normal dd driving?

[Rayz91]

I thought there was a synthetic oil out there that was designed for 15k. Anyone else heard of this?

I personaly do it about every 4-5 months. I drive 1.5 miles to work so i dont get alot of mileage. I have only put 25k on my car in 5 years. 2,500mile road trip included.

[DJ metadelic]

Ah yes, this topic again lol.

I change oil in both cars every 3k because thats how I roll. My uncle does his Ram's every 2,500 (he's a little crazy) but is a diesel mechanic, he lives in his own little world most of the time anyway lol. Some people change it every 5k, which is what we see normally at work. If your engine has leaks, and contaminants seep into it thus, then you have a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. The normal consumer though will just kinda let it run it's course. Hence, why I see cars that need to have their oil changed every 3-4k but are normally older models. We recommend as a Volvo dealership an interval of 5k miles due to Northern driving conditions; to comply with our warranty services and also to satisfy our customer's SAE complex... But technically the recommended is 7500 with the brake, OBD, etc check.


EDIT just noticed that my CB is missing it's sticker

[AndyD]

what do people consider 'hard' driving?and how is 'hard' driving any different than normal dd driving?

"Hard" driving refers to stop-and-go driving. The way they calculate how often you change your oil is based on how many hours the engine runs, not the actual mileage.

[Ralphie]

"Hard" driving refers to stop-and-go driving. The way they calculate how often you change your oil is based on how many hours the engine runs, not the actual mileage.

I always thought hard driving was referring to stomping the accel pedal?

"spirited driving" if you will.

Stop and go??

How is that hard driving?

Thats just bad for MPG and rear ends.

[Ralphie]

turns out the 3k crowd are brainwashed or do it for the peace of mind.

See i like how you pin me as being an elitist and making snide comments but here you are stating that anyone who changes oil at 3k is brainwashed?

Assinine much?

[gloryaccordy]

what do people consider 'hard' driving?and how is 'hard' driving any different than normal dd driving?

Short drives
Taking the car to redline regularly
Mods that put more stress or allow more dirt into the motor

Etc.

It's obvious you're trying to pump yourself up by pegging 3K mile oil changers as "idiots", but by your own admission you "drive like a grandma" so it makes sense that you could go longer without oil changes. But what you do or what works for you might not work or be what it is for everyone else. Pretty simple concept

[Straight Success]

Thanks for this thread. You know, I haven't even read the maintenance schedule for our cars. How not responsible of me!

I'll be reading the owners manual front to back now. It shouldn't take me long at all.

Every 6 months it is then.

[JohnD1079]

yes, if you drive in hard you should change it more often, but most people DD their car, which isnt considered hard driving.

Every post here regaurding 3k oil changes was related to peace of mind and marketing. The two go hand in hand. And any type of marketing is done to make you believe you need to buy/do something that they want. I wasnt calling anyone an idiot. Sure it may not be bad for your engine, but every 3k is 2.5 times more than Honda recommends, which is why I think its excesive.

Thats like changing your underwear every time you take a piss. Sure its not bad, but really?

[Ralphie]

I would say its fair to say that the majority of people on here drive their car hard.

And i do consider DD hard on the car.

Unless you DD it and drive it under 4k everywhere you go all the time, then the engine takes on considerable loads and therefor can benefit from fresh oil.

I do agree that changing it every 7500 is not bad and that Honda recommending it is on par with other manufactuers "recommendations"....meaning it is a guide...doesn't have to be followed strictly but should not be exceeded.

So anyone doing it at 3k is not brainwashed or an idiot...

or simply being bought and sold...

they most likely either A) dont know enough and was told or read 3k somewhere or applied it from another platform or B) understands that doing it earlier then 7500 MAY avoid a problem down the road.

Idk thats my take on it, but like i said earlier....its your car and everyone surely is allowed to do what they want.

Change it at 3 or 8 or even 10 like Deev....just change it, that is what is important.

[gloryaccordy]

yes, if you drive in hard you should change it more often, but most people DD their car, which isnt considered hard driving.

Every post here regaurding 3k oil changes was related to peace of mind and marketing. The two go hand in hand. And any type of marketing is done to make you believe you need to buy/do something that they want. I wasnt calling anyone an idiot. Sure it may not be bad for your engine, but every 3k is 2.5 times more than Honda recommends, which is why I think its excesive.

Thats like changing your underwear every time you take a piss. Sure its not bad, but really?

Like I said and you keep ignoring, a lot of factors go into oil life.

Just cause someone isn't tracking their car doesn't mean there aren't factors in their ownership that warrant more frequent oil changes. Just having a cone filter intake instead of the stock one can make engine oil get contaminated more quickly.

You are foolishly applying Honda's one-size-fits-all recommendation to a wide range of operating parameters. In the owner's manual I recall Honda also recommending never to shift gears above 3KRPM and I'm almost certain their maintenance schedule is based on keeping the car 100% stock- which a lot of CB7Tuners don't do. So I'm at a loss as to what your agenda here is; whether you really are this dumb or are just failing at trolling.

Bottom line is Honda's recommendations are just that- recommendations- and aside from added cost (an afternoon and $20, which if you can't afford you shouldn't have a car, let alone 2, anyway), there's no downside to more frequent oil changes... ESPECIALLY if your car is modded, or your usage contains any parameters ("spirited" driving, dusty climate, etc) outside of what Honda recommends or deems "normal". This is not rocket science bro.

[Ralphie]

Like I said and you keep ignoring, a lot of factors go into oil life.

Just cause someone isn't tracking their car doesn't mean there aren't factors in their ownership that warrant more frequent oil changes. Just having a cone filter intake instead of the stock one can make engine oil get contaminated more quickly.

You are foolishly applying Honda's one-size-fits-all recommendation to a wide range of operating parameters. In the owner's manual I recall Honda also recommending never to shift gears above 3KRPM and I'm almost certain their maintenance schedule is based on keeping the car 100% stock- which a lot of CB7Tuners don't do. So I'm at a loss as to what your agenda here is; whether you really are this dumb or are just failing at trolling.

Bottom line is Honda's recommendations are just that- recommendations- and aside from added cost (an afternoon and $20, which if you can't afford you shouldn't have a car, let alone 2, anyway), there's no downside to more frequent oil changes... ESPECIALLY if your car is modded, or your usage contains any parameters ("spirited" driving, dusty climate, etc) outside of what Honda recommends or deems "normal". This is not rocket science bro.

And that ladies and gentlemen is how you shut someone the fuck down.


/thread.

[JohnD1079]

I never said its a one size fit all. Im just pointing out that 2.5 times more often than what honda recommends is excessive, even if you are a tuner and doing all these mods and then DDing.

And I cant consider DDing hard on the car. Cars, especially accords, are made to DD, drive around town, etc....so I cant consider it hard driving.

[Ralphie]

I never said its a one size fit all. Im just pointing out that 2.5 times more often than what honda recommends is excessive, even if you are a tuner and doing all these mods and then DDing.

And I cant consider DDing hard on the car. Cars, especially accords, are made to DD, drive around town, etc....so I cant consider it hard driving.

By who's book is it excessive?

Your's?

You also don't wash your hands after you pee, but before, because apparentely your dick is cleaner then the bathroom.

So sorry if i question your logic.

[darkfusion42]

"Hard" driving refers to stop-and-go driving. The way they calculate how often you change your oil is based on how many hours the engine runs, not the actual mileage.

I always thought hard driving was referring to stomping the accel pedal?

"spirited driving" if you will.

Stop and go??

How is that hard driving?

Thats just bad for MPG and rear ends.

i was pretty sure his original post made it clear. while your car is "stopped" the motor is still running, therefore, still working. what he means is though your MILEAGE may be lower than say, someone who motly has longer trips, the hours the car works is more. example: an hour long trip on the interstate will give you lets say, 65 miles. An hour long trip through town with red lights....depending on traffic...MUCH LESS miles...yet at the same time, is also harder on the engine. repeated acceleration will cause more wear than just cruising...think of it in terms of weight lifting. you can do multiple reps of a lower weight....the reps work your body pretty good, even though its just a little weight. The repetition of it works you.