Too early for oil change?

[Lopaka69]

It's been a little over 3 months and about 2,000 miles ago that I got my last oil change - used synthetic oil. Just to be on the safe side, should I do another oil change because it's been the requisite 3 months, or is it okay to wait since I haven't put that many miles on the car?

Thanks for any help.

 

[MvM]

Were did you get that 3-month period from. I change my oil every 10000 km/6000 miles. Sometimes a little earlier than that.
If you stick to the 3000-mile interval you will be fine. Check the FAQ here:
http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Maintenance/fluidfilter.htm

For the normal maintenance-schedule, also check the FAQ:http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Maintenance/schedule.htm

 

[nsxtasy]

The frequency of oil changes is often the subject of extensive (and occasionally rancorous) debate.

I believe the recommendation in the NSX owner's manual is that the oil be changed every six months or 7500 miles, whichever comes first, on the '91-96, and one year or 7500 miles, whichever comes first, on the '97+. However, the manual also specifies that you should perform this service more frequently than their stated recommendations if your usage falls into several "severe use" categories, such as short trips, etc.

Beyond that, you will get different opinions from different owners, opinions that vary all over the place. I could tell you what I do, and then ten other owners would tell you what they do. Do what you're comfortable with.

EDIT: Corrected interval recommendations in the manual. (Thanks, Lud!)

 

[coolnsx]

If your using synthetic 2000 miles is very premature to change the oil IMO. But as Nsxtasy stated everyone has an opinion.

 

[jrehner]

The time frame for severe areas is 3k. That includes high heat areas where I live as well as people who drive short distances etc..Someone did not fill their location in on their profile----also in high heat areas we use Castrol 20-50 not the 10-30 per Basch Acura--that's what they put in in my last service everywhere oil is used in the car....

 

[sjs]

Read all about it:

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html

That's the closest thing you'll find to facts, although it requires careful reading and some interpretation. Bottom line, it would seem that you should feel safe for at least another 1k no matter what.

 

[Lud]

Re: Re: Too early for oil change?

I believe the recommendation in the NSX owner's manual is that the oil be changed every six months or 7500 miles, whichever comes first, on the '91-96, and one year or 15K miles, whichever comes first, on the '97+.

No, the '97 maintenance schedule specifies 7500 miles or 12 months for normal maintenance, 3750 miles or 6 months for "severe" conditions maintenance (whichever comes first in either case).

To answer the original question, I would not change it at 3 months with 2k miles unless I had been driving the car at the track. But it's your car, so maintain it however you feel is appropriate!

 

[jrehner]

partially wrong

Can LUD be wrong--well partially maybe---On page 136 of my 93 manual it does say 6000km (3750 Miles) or 3 months under severe driving conditions--which are repeated short distance driving, dusty conditions.....this on page 128 where it states to replace both the oil and the filter under these two conditions.

It's 6 months or 7500 miles for the air cleaner in the same conditions.

 

[nsxtasy]

Re: partially wrong

Can LUD be wrong

No. Absolutely not.

On page 136 of my 93 manual it does say 6000km (3750 Miles) or 3 months under severe driving conditions--which are repeated short distance driving, dusty conditions.....this on page 128 where it states to replace both the oil and the filter under these two conditions.

That's correct for your '93. Lud is quoting the intervals for the 1997 and later NSX. They are not the same. (As I indicated above.)

 

[jrehner]

Now wait a darn second you guys with the expensive newby cars... Lopaka69 is talking about the interval I indicated and he did not state the age of his car and nsxtasy states 91-96 is 6 months in his post when it should be 3 months and LUD did not stipulate that his figures were only good for newby cars and did not state what the interval was for 50% of the years. I think that makes you both wrooooooonnnnnnnng

 

[ChrisK]

Now wait a darn second you guys with the expensive newby cars... Lopaka69 is talking about the interval I indicated and he did not state the age of his car and nsxtasy states 91-96 is 6 months in his post when it should be 3 months and LUD did not stipulate that his figures were only good for newby cars and did not state what the interval was for 50% of the years. I think that makes you both wrooooooonnnnnnnng

I believe NSXTASY is still correct with his 6 month or 7500 miles (Whichever comes first) statement. Under normal driving conditions that is what is recomended by Honda for the 91-96 cars as indicated on the same page 136 as you got your information. True, under severe driving conditions the recomended interval drops down to 3 months or 3750. LUD did mention his information was for a 97. I think the FAQ mentions the change in maintenance schedule for the 97+ cars when the 3.2 and 6-Speed came out.

So, it appears you are all right since Lopaka69 never mentioned what type of driving condition he thinks he drives in.

However, like it was mentioned above, changing oil is a very debated topic, so each owner should just chagne it when it feels like he wants to.

 

[ss_md]

Oil question - Doesn't the oil accumulate acid and other crap from repeated heat cycles and blow-by gasses? And aren't these acids harmful to the metal parts in the engine? The owners manual for the '02 states 7500 or 1 year (normal driving) which ever comes first. I was told not to change the oil before this period of time because there is "Special break-in oil" Is there any truth to this statement or is it BS? There are lubricants used in engine assembly to aid in premature scuffing, but I've never heard of break-in oil.

I have 2300 on the odo as of today and it will be 6 mo. in Aug. Do I change oil then or do I wait for the milestone Honda prescribes? 7500 miles sounds a bit excessive for a $30K motor. I have always thought 3000 miles between changes was a bit of over-kill for a normal car - maybe not for the NSX.

 

[ChrisK]

The owners manual for the '02 states 7500 or 1 year (normal driving) which ever comes first. I was told not to change the oil before this period of time because there is "Special break-in oil" Is there any truth to this statement or is it BS? There are lubricants used in engine assembly to aid in premature scuffing, but I've never heard of break-in oil.

It is true. I don't know what is in the break in oil, but it is a special brean in oil that Honda uses for new cars. Just wait untill the 7500 miles than change it. After that you can use whatever oil change interval you prefer.

 

[Lud]

Now wait a darn second you guys with the expensive newby cars... Lopaka69 is talking about the interval I indicated and he did not state the age of his car and nsxtasy states 91-96 is 6 months in his post when it should be 3 months and LUD did not stipulate that his figures were only good for newby cars and did not state what the interval was for 50% of the years. I think that makes you both wrooooooonnnnnnnng

Huh? The first thing I said in my message was "No, the '97 maintenance schedule specifies...." I cannot find any way to read my message and not understand that I was talking about the changes to the maintenance schedule in 1997, but I'm sorry if somehow that was not clear.

For anyone else who is not clear, let's try this... Here is the factory recommended maintenance schedule for oil change for all years of US market NSXs:

1991 - 1996 "severe" conditions = 3750 miles or 3 months, "normal" conditions = 7500 miles or 6 months

1997 - 2003 "severe" conditions = 3750 miles or 6 months, "normal" conditions = 7500 miles or 12 months.

 

[nsxtasy]

I believe NSXTASY is still correct with his 6 month or 7500 miles (Whichever comes first) statement. Under normal driving conditions that is what is recomended by Honda for the 91-96 cars as indicated on the same page 136 as you got your information. True, under severe driving conditions the recomended interval drops down to 3 months or 3750.

And I also mentioned the need for shorter intervals with the severe conditions whose description applies to many of us.

However, like it was mentioned above, changing oil is a very debated topic, so each owner should just chagne it when it feels like he wants to.

Yes, assuming he is familiar with the car manufacturer's recommendations.

 

[Joel]

Oil question - The owners manual for the '02 states 7500 or 1 year (normal driving) which ever comes first. I was told not to change the oil before this period of time because there is "Special break-in oil" Is there any truth to this statement or is it BS? There are lubricants used in engine assembly to aid in premature scuffing, but I've never heard of break-in oil.

No BS. Your car is the MY2002 and that "special break-in oil" is just that--special. I don't recall that the initial engine oil from the factory is ever replicated in the aftermarket world. The oil you have in there has a purpose and it will behoove you to stick to what the manual says.

I have 2300 on the odo as of today and it will be 6 mo. in Aug. Do I change oil then or do I wait for the milestone Honda prescribes? 7500 miles sounds a bit excessive for a $30K motor. I have always thought 3000 miles between changes was a bit of over-kill for a normal car - maybe not for the NSX.

After the 7500 mile break-in period, then you can change to your choice of oil. I'd recommend going synthetic. 'Redline' brand if you plan on tracking the car. 'Mobil 1' for the more practical and cheaper approach. You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[RyRy210]

For 97 NSXs:

Normal:

Severe:

 

[nsxtasy]

Interesting. That says that you should check the coolant (presumably the coolant level in the overflow tank...?) at every fuel stop. I've never done this (with this frequency) and I've never before heard this recommendation. Comments?

 

[sjs]

Interesting. That says that you should check the coolant (presumably the coolant level in the overflow tank...?) at every fuel stop. I've never done this (with this frequency) and I've never before heard this recommendation. Comments?

It was cheaper than reengineering the coolant battle which is known to fail.

 

[jrehner]

The original post

It's been a little over 3 months and about 2,000 miles ago that I got my last oil change - used synthetic oil. Just to be on the safe side, should I do another oil change because it's been the requisite 3 months, or is it okay to wait since I haven't put that many miles on the car?

Thanks for any help.

So the above was the original post----requisite 3 months--if he's looking at severe conditions that's the only place 3 months could come from. Does not give year--Lud assumed newer -otherwise why give info for a 97---and it's likely an older vehicle. I'd like to know where lopaka69 lives and what year his car actually is but he has never weighed in since he started the thread----now we have the intervals for all cars under normal and severe conditions----it's all Lopaka69's fault--what a badly worded question with limited information so we have to make assumptions and you know what happens when you assume.

 

[ss_md]

The person that originally started this thread has a '91 per his profile. He never stated the year of his car in the post.

Thanks for the info on the break-in oil and synthetic tip.

 

[nsxtasy]

Re: The original post

requisite 3 months--if he's looking at severe conditions that's the only place 3 months could come from.

It could have also come from the oft-repeated longtime mechanic's advice of 3K miles or 3 months. Whether you follow that for your cars, of course, is your decision, and I am not advocating for or against it.

Does not give year--Lud assumed newer -otherwise why give info for a 97---

No, Lud did not assume newer. What happened was, I gave the intervals for the '91-96 as well as for the '97 and newer. The interval I originally stated for the '97 and newer was incorrect (but I since edited my post to correct that information). Lud stated the interval for the '97 and newer only to correct what I had said, and did not indicate that his advice to lopaka was based on that assumption. In fact, he separated the two issues when he prefaced his recommendation with, "To answer the original question".

Clear now?

 

[ChrisK]

Interesting. That says that you should check the coolant (presumably the coolant level in the overflow tank...?) at every fuel stop. I've never done this (with this frequency) and I've never before heard this recommendation. Comments?

Can you even do this without the coolant blowing out when you open the cap? Just curious. I figure if you are filling up gas the coolant has to be pretty hot and under pressure still. As far as I remember you can't just open up a radiator cap when the car is that hot. I assume the coolant bottle cap is the same since that is the only cap we have.

Never mind. I take it they mean just look at the level through the plastic bottle. The only reason why I forgot it is supposed to be a see through bottle is because I can never see thrhough it and usually hav to take the cap off anyway Now that I have Science of Speeds Aluminum bottle it is a must.

 

[jrehner]

Where is lopaka69?

See--it's still his fault--poorly worded question with no basis which requires us to assume and that makes an ass (donkey) out of U & ME...AND it's not fair editiing out mistakes if you're going to say u are never wrong

 

[Lopaka69]

Ok, just to make everything clear. I have a '91 auto, and I live in San Diego, CA. I drive about 1/2 freeway, 1/2 city. I don't believe this is considered severe driving conditions.

For every car I've ever owned, I have always changed the oil at 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. Just for peace of mind, I'll do the same with my NSX. The price of an oil change ( I use synthetic ) is insignificant to me, so I might as well be safe.

Thanks for your opinions.