Honda CRV oil change and break in

I bought my Honda CRV 03 last month. I was surprised that in the manual and
the dealer/salesman told me I can drive the CRV with constant speed during
break in. He also asked do not change oil before 5K miles. Anyone understand
why?
I also read in the manual it recommend to change the brake fluid at 36K, it
seems too early. Honda wants me to use Honda product even engine oil. Two
things they stress I have to use their products are automatic fluid and
coolant fluid. The even said in case I need to use other products I need to
drain it completely and put Honda product in !!!

Hai

 

I got a new Element last month and heard the same speech. Some of it I
took with a grain of salt. I think I will go with their mileage
recommendations for lubrication, or a little sooner, but I won't
purchase the Honda lube and fluid products. That is just greed on the
part of an auto manufacture. Good quality oil and fluids are fine. On
sale, they are even better. It doesn't have to be a Honda name on the
container to lube the engine and trans properly.

Fweem on.

 

I suggest you read other forums and posts regarding at least Honda
fluids for ATF, power steering, and coolant (and Dual Pump fluid if
you have AWD). The Honda auto trans is not the same animal as other
auto trans, and the type Z fluid does provide smoother shifting. Many
who have tried generic power steering fluid have found that it attacks
the Honda seals and causes them to leak. Most coolants have silicates
and borates, which Honda coolant does not contain. These additives
can cause premature failure of the water pump.

Do what you want, but if you do, you take your chances. For me, when
I look at the time and money spent on keeping a car well maintained,
the increase to use certain Honda fluids is minimal. Now I do use
other brands of oil and brake fluid, but be careful on substituting
the ones listed above.

 

You should use Honda fluids, except oil and brake fluid. I prefer to use all
honda, it cost the same.
Do not listen to the salesman, just take your owners manual and follow it.
Honda buids great cars, so they really know what they write on the manual.
But ater all, it's your car, you can use whatever you want; even you don't
have to change any fluids if you don't want to.

 

FYI, Honda does not make ANY petroleum based fluids... the big oil companies
do (Chevron, Mobil, Exxon, etc.)... they are just badged as Honda (I would
like to find out who makes Honda oil, etc.). It is funny to hear people
praise Honda fluids and bash all others. I would NOT use generic fluids
either, use any of the many Brand Name fluids that meet the required specs
for your car. Similarly for things like antifreeze, just use one that meets
the specs in the manual (phosphate free, etc).

 

Correct. Ask around to find a "Brand Name" PS fluid for your Honda.

Good luck.

 

Why I should not change oil before 5K anyone knows? The brake fluid at 36K
is too early?

Thanks

 

FYI, Honda does not make ANY petroleum based fluids... the big oil companies
do (Chevron, Mobil, Exxon, etc.)... they are just badged as Honda (I would
like to find out who makes Honda oil, etc.). It is funny to hear people
praise Honda fluids and bash all others. I would NOT use generic fluids
either, use any of the many Brand Name fluids that meet the required specs
for your car. Similarly for things like antifreeze, just use one that meets
the specs in the manual (phosphate free, etc).
[/QUOTE]

Companies make parts for Honda using Honda's specs. This is obvious if
you compare a "Honda" air filter to a "Fram" air filter. Both are made
by the same company and have the same design but the Fram branded filter
is a quality control reject.

I always use Honda's transmission fuild. There are numerous additive
formulas for friction and thermal stability. The wrong one makes
shifting difficult. I could probably find a brand name that works well
too but I don't want to change the fluid 10 times in a row looking for
it.

 

Companies make parts for Honda using Honda's specs. This is obvious if
you compare a "Honda" air filter to a "Fram" air filter. Both are made
by the same company and have the same design but the Fram branded filter
is a quality control reject.[/QUOTE]

Actually, I've found it obvious on everything *but* air filter elements.

Paid ~$20CDN for a dealer air filter recently. Looks identical to a Canadian
Tire branded Fram, at less than half the cost.

 

I'm not an expert, but since this thread has gone on so long without a
specific answer, I'll hazard a guess. Other folks on this forum have
stated that the oil in your brand new Honda has an extremely high moly
content specifically for the break-in period. I don't think they want
you draining that oil out and replacing it with regular oil to soon.
I took them at their word and didn't get my first oil change in my 03
Accord until 5,100 miles.


Ron

 

Milleron,

It makes sense so they recommended for you Accord too? How about some kind
of study to see how does the oil or engine behave using this period?

Thanks

Hai

 

I'm working on the assumption that the Honda engineers have done just
that and that their recommendations are based on their findings.

Ron

 

See here for the Audi take on this:
<http://forums.audiworld.com/tt/msgs/65043.phtml>.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

I work at a Honda dealer and I LOVE people who use non-Honda fluids and
parts. I make LOTS of money fixing their screw-ups!!

 

I just bought a 03 Odyseey EX and the manuals suggests somethinh like
7k miles before oil change and then just the oil but not the filter.
When I used to work on cars it was always filter and oil. Of course
the service dept suggest every 3k and to use Honda oil 5w 20. They
say the lighter oil is better? Espescailly when it is cold. I live
in San Diego so it doesnt really get cold.

 

Hai,
Just such a place exists:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

But PLEASE!! Do a number of searches for prior Honda results and
discussion before posting questions which have already been asked (and
answered) numerous times before. Check in the "Car & Truck gas engine"
section as well as the "Used Oil Analysis Gas Engines" section.

Lots and lots of info on Hondas, oil and break-in.

--- Bror Jace

 

Walter's answer was just about perfect. I'd use Honda everything 'cept
motor oil and probably brake fluid.

Nearly all of the 5W20s have a great deal of moly and other barrier
wear additives in them. I particularly like Pennzoil and Chevron
Supreme. These should work as well or better than OEM Honda oil which
is supposedly Mobil Drive Clean and Drive Clean Blend.

--- Bror Jace

 

Bror Jace,

Thanks for your advice but I thought this is a place for discuss and ask
question, you have the option to ignore my email. You may be enable to do
more search than me but I may not.

Hai