[Spanish Johnny]

I got my Accord Sport almost a year ago. It now has 8500 miles on it and I'm getting the alert about maintenance needed soon. Oil life is at 15%. Should I change it now? Wait until it's at 5%.

And sorry for being lazy but can someone remind me what kind of oil I should use? It's supposed to be a specific weight in all-synthetic, right?

 

[Dan Villa]

Supposed to use honda approved 0w-20. I personally wouldn't wait until 5% or even 15% .

 

[Fired00d]

My dealership recommends it be changed at 15%. It's going to be a personal preference if you want to go less than that. I would definitely not go below 0% though as there may be some data left in the car that could be pulled and impact a warranty issue if one was to arise.

 

[Spanish Johnny]

thank you both!

 

[Dan Villa]

No problem

 

[Fired00d]

thank you both!

You're welcome.

 

[Renaissance Man]

At what percentage do you replace your toilet paper? When there's 15% left? 10%? 5%? Or when it down to ZERO PERCENT?

There are two types of people on this forum: those that say "do exactly as Honda says, they know best." Then there are those who say "I know better than Honda: I'm gonna tinker with the suspension, the engine, the computer, the wheels, the exhaust, yada,yada, yada. And if Honda says to follow the MM, 0% is good, then 15% must be better. Of course, the dealer is going to tell you to change oil at 15% so they can sell you oil changes 15% more often.

 

[Dan Villa]

At what percentage do you replace your toilet paper? When there's 15% left? 10%? 5%? Or when it down to ZERO PERCENT?

There are two types of people on this forum: those that say "do exactly as Honda says, they know best." Then there are those who say "I know better than Honda: I'm gonna tinker with the suspension, the engine, the computer, the wheels, the exhaust, yada,yada, yada. And if Honda says to follow the MM, 0% is good, then 15% must be better. Of course, the dealer is going to tell you to change oil at 15% so they can sell you oil changes 15% more often.

Oil isn't tp and doesn't just run out like it. It degrades at different rates depending on driving habits. That percentage gauge isn't 100% accurate. I don't think it would be wise to wait until 0% but its your car

 

[Spanish Johnny]

yeah, i doubt that engine oil provides a constant and unchanging level of protection until it finally hits a certain point and then suddenly takes a quantum step down in protective ability. it's probably a gentle, somewhat linear degradation.

i went 9,000 miles before having to change oil at 10%. The cost savings of pushing to 10,000 miles does not sufficiently offset the risk i perceive to my engine in doing that.

 

[kerrydeare]

Just making this post to add another "data point" to the mix.

Local dealer where I bought the car (2020 EX-L 2.0T) offers "Free For Life" oil/filter changes to buyers. I never was able to get a definitive ruling over the phone on when I could bring the car in based on Maintenance Minder readings, as the service department seemed to suggest 20% remaining life. However this was never actually specified with any precision.

When the Maintenance Minder showed 20% a few days back (mileage 2360 after some 10 months ownership), I made an appointment online for the service. I know this seems quite low mileage, etc., but at these prices (i.e., free) it seemed worth the trouble. It was described as "Service B" which evidently means a few extra checks of system levels and wear. Somehow I got an appointment set for about 2 hours after I actually made it online.

Got out of my pajamas (remember that Covid thing?) and drove the 1.9 miles to the dealer and checked in. Next thing I notice is that a dealer employee gets into the car, starts it up, and then cannot seem to move it. I ask him to roll down the window and, based on my particular set of preferences and settings, tell him to (1) fasten the seat belt, (2) step on the brake, (3) put the car in reverse, and (4) tap the accelerator to automatically release the parking brake (my preferences require this specific sequence). He follows these instructions and moves the car to a work bay. I go into the customer lounger to wait, meanwhile wondering why a dealer employee cannot figure out how to put the car into reverse. Actually more than just wondering.

Net result was a free oil and filter change, levels and wear point checks, and an escape from the dealership with vehicle intact. Not exactly an exciting or informative story, but then sometimes I'm just not exciting or informative myself.

Regards all.