Honda CRV oil change and break in

Discussion in 'CR-V' started by Hai Pham, Sep 14, 2003.

  1. Hai Pham

    Hai Pham Guest

    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
     
    Hai Pham, Sep 14, 2003
    #1
  2. Hai Pham

    Old Bugger Guest

    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.
     
    Old Bugger, Sep 14, 2003
    #2
  3. Hai Pham

    Walter Guest

    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.
     
    Walter, Sep 14, 2003
    #3
  4. Hai Pham

    JDS Guest

    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.
     
    JDS, Sep 14, 2003
    #4
  5. Hai Pham

    93 Fox Guest

    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).
     
    93 Fox, Sep 14, 2003
    #5
  6. Correct. Ask around to find a "Brand Name" PS fluid for your Honda.

    Good luck.
     
    Stephen Bigelow, Sep 14, 2003
    #6
  7. Hai Pham

    Hai Pham Guest

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

    Thanks
     
    Hai Pham, Sep 14, 2003
    #7
  8. 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.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Sep 14, 2003
    #8
  9. 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.
     
    Stephen Bigelow, Sep 14, 2003
    #9
  10. Hai Pham

    Milleron Guest

    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, Sep 15, 2003
    #10
  11. Hai Pham

    Hai Pham Guest

    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
     
    Hai Pham, Sep 16, 2003
    #11
  12. Hai Pham

    Milleron Guest

    I'm working on the assumption that the Honda engineers have done just
    that and that their recommendations are based on their findings.
    Ron
     
    Milleron, Sep 16, 2003
    #12
  13. 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??
     
    George Macdonald, Sep 16, 2003
    #13
  14. Hai Pham

    mk Guest

    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!!
     
    mk, Sep 17, 2003
    #14
  15. Hai Pham

    Joel Guest

    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.
     
    Joel, Sep 17, 2003
    #15
  16. Hai Pham

    Bror Jace Guest

    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
     
    Bror Jace, Sep 18, 2003
    #16
  17. Hai Pham

    Bror Jace Guest

    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, Sep 18, 2003
    #17
  18. Hai Pham

    Hai Pham Guest

    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
     
    Hai Pham, Sep 19, 2003
    #18
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