Brand New Car - What precautions should I take from the start?

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: fastz28
Don't wreck it. 😉

😱

Too late 🙁

Oh.
Crap.

 

[TubStain]

That must suck real bad. Nothing like getting hyped about a big ticket item and then finding out bad news.


Really sorry bro. Make sure they give you a new one!, dont accept patchwork!

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Vic - Perhaps I should read my Honda owner's manual?

I have to get down to the bottom of oil changes.

So far I am only driving about 6k/yr, the dealership insists that I change the oil every 3 months but I insist that I do it based on mileage not time (Roger agrees).

I'll have to do some research on the Net, search some forums, maybe write some car mag's, contact Honda America's headquarters and ask my local trusted grease monkey to see what he says (specializes in imports).

Why should I have to change the oil in my 2002 Honda Accord SE sedan automatic every 3 months when it's only been driven 1,500 miles?

The dealer is being overzealous on the oil changes. The owners manual on mine recommends oil changes every 6 months or 7,500 miles. I actually do it every 5,000 miles, which is about 5-6 months for me. Check you owners manual for your exact engine/car.
I'd ask you who your mechanic is, as I never found a decent mechanic I could trust in the 5.5 years I've owned by Integra (thankfully though it was never really necessary, Honda being what they are 🙂 ), but I'm finally making plans on trading it in around the end of this month. 😎
btw, you really should wax your Honda more often. They have great paint jobs that can be kept looking like new for years.

 

[RossMAN]

Vic, after trading in your Integra what are you going to get?

I have my car detailed inside/out every year and get an AWESOME price ($75).

How long would it take for me to wash my car, dry the car and wax it? Please say 30 mins or less!

 

Vic

Roger, Honda uses a special oil for the break-in period and recommends that this not be changed for the first 3,000 miles.

That's new one on me 😉

Honda must be breaking in thier new engines at the factory now 🙂

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Vic, after trading in your Integra what are you going to get?

I have my car detailed inside/out every year and get an AWESOME price ($75).

How long would it take for me to wash my car, dry the car and wax it? Please say 30 mins or less!

The ol' lady is makin' me get a WRX 😉 😀
No, seriously, at first she wanted it more than I did (even though I'm the one buying it). I was luke-warm on the WRX at first (no leather, no sunroof 🙁 ), but after test-driving it several times and test-driving all the other cars in its price range (GTI, RSX, etc), I'm sold on it. It's looks like I'm going to get it in blue pearl with the spoiler and the shift kit, and probably change the wheels/tires and exhaust aftermarket.

Hey, that's an amazing price on a inside/out detail. Can you PM me who? Do they do window tinting as well?
And sorry, wash, dry, and wax is really at least an hour to do it right. You really want to let the wax sit on the car (out of the sun!!) for at least 15 minutes before buffing it off in order to get the best finish/protection. I do Meguiars 3-step too, which makes it almost 2 hours.

 

[RossMAN]

Almost 2 hours? That is sheer Torture!!!

I'll ask the guy if he does detailing as a regular gig and will PM you, probably won't be for a little while as he is seasonal.

LOL sun? This is PORTLAND! Have you looked outside the window today?

😛

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Where do you guys find the time and energy to take such good care of your cars?

It's an effort for me even to go to the automated car wash (I know I know it's bad it's bad!!!) but I'm lazy.

Automated car washes make me cry. They are *so* damaging to your paint. One time, my rear window received several vertical scratches from the brushes.

Once your car has a good *base* level of cleanliness, keeping it clean is easy. I spend no more than 1 hour per week keeping both of our autos clean.

The chances are that the car has been sitting on the lot for more than a month. I would go ahead and wax it.

Actually, the dealership might (should) put a coat of wax on it before you take delivery. But, this depends on the dealership.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Vic, after trading in your Integra what are you going to get?

I have my car detailed inside/out every year and get an AWESOME price ($75).

How long would it take for me to wash my car, dry the car and wax it? Please say 30 mins or less!

Nice price on the interior/exterior detail job. In my area, the price would be $149. Are you using coupons? Price matching?

 

[halik]

hahahahah WOW,
whats the odds of that !

 

[Doggiedog]

Sweet car!

I know Roger is the guru of cars here but I think he is wrong about changing the oil in your car the first time. On my MDX, the first oil change is 5000 miles. The oil in Honda cars supposedly has something in it to help remove contaminents and shouldn't be changed early. After that, its your regular 3000 miles. Read your owners manual and check.

Edit: Whoops, didn't see the previous thread on changing the oil.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
The first 1000 miles should be on a dyno, at redline.

Viper GTS

LMAO!

I dunno why, but that comment nearly made me spit coffee (yes, it's late :Q) all over my monitor.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
The first 1000 miles should be on a dyno, at redline.

Viper GTS

LMAO!

I dunno why, but that comment nearly made me spit coffee (yes, it's late :Q) all over my monitor.

But, if we were to run the vehicle on the dyno in 'reverse' would the mileage get turned back??

 

[3L33T32003]

Easy starts. Easy stops. Don't play ricerracer.

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
The first 1000 miles should be on a dyno, at redline.

Viper GTS

LMAO!

I dunno why, but that comment nearly made me spit coffee (yes, it's late :Q) all over my monitor.

But, if we were to run the vehicle on the dyno in 'reverse' would the mileage get turned back??

It worked for Ferris Beuler, right? 😉

 

[Eli]

Hmmm.... This is going to be a long one. 😉

First, do not put any oil additives in your shiny new Honda V6!. Ever.

As Roger says, Change the oil after the first 500 miles. I would go one step further and change it again after another 500 miles. After that, you are certainly safe to switch to the 3000 mile schedule.

Again, forget the oil additives. If you're concerned about engine lubrication, use Mobil1. If you're feeling like you want to splurge, buy AMSOil.

Originally posted by: LordRaiden
If it's got under 1500 miles, you'll need to pay close attention to the fluids, and definately don't do any highway driving. You need a lot of slower gentle city driving to help break the car in. Any stomping of the gas, hard driving, or anything abusive may create problems farther down the road and cause existing issues with the vehicle such as lubrication, gas millage, and such until all the parts are worn in properly. Use a light weight oil for the first 3000 miles (the first 500 you'll use a standard factory breakin oil, very light, only good for about 500 miles) then switch to 10w30 till 3000 miles, then go with your manufacturers recommended fluids and oils from there.

Dude, I want some of whatever you're smoking. First, your advice about highway driving is totally back-asswards. City driving is some of the harshest conditions a car engine will ever see. Think about it.

Use whatever weight oil the manual recommends for operation for breakin, and from then on. There is no need to use a lighter oil. The goal is to get the contaminated oil out of the engine within a reasonable ammount of time. It has nothing to do with how long the oil "lasts". I reapeat.. do not use a lighter weight oil than is recommended.

Originally posted by: uncJIGGA
Honda appreciates if you use only their own oil through the break-in period and try not to go above 3500 rpm too often for the first 1500 miles (not hard w/the V6 engine...difficult with my four-banger!)

You're typically gonna put up 4500 miles before doing your first oil change, with later oil changes coming at shorter intervals of 3000 miles. Honda told me to keep their 'special starter oil' in this long so that particles wearing off the engine could flow through and "scrub" it (like how a good facial cleanser has that gritty stuff in it to make your face smooth.) After that, start your baby on a steady diet of Mobil One!

I have no idea why they would recommend that you damage your engine for the first 4500 miles, that is mind boggling. Please, do not keep the oil in there for 4500 miles. :Q

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: Snatchface
Should I use synthetic, semi-synthetic or plain old stuff (oil)?

I'm more interested in this, than the polish or wax. If you use synthetic, how often do you change it, and how often do you change the filter?

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Originally posted by: Vic
Roger, Honda uses a special oil for the break-in period and recommends that this not be changed for the first 3,000 miles.
Snatchface, congrats on the new car! 🙂
Honda makes a good owners manual, read that.

Don't do it, dude... lol. It does not matter which oil you use for breakin, it still occours. They probably use an oil with a very robust detergent package. They do it for convienence, not because it's better to leave the oil in there for so long.

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Vic - Perhaps I should read my Honda owner's manual?

I have to get down to the bottom of oil changes.

So far I am only driving about 6k/yr, the dealership insists that I change the oil every 3 months but I insist that I do it based on mileage not time (Roger agrees).

I'll have to do some research on the Net, search some forums, maybe write some car mag's, contact Honda America's headquarters and ask my local trusted grease monkey to see what he says (specializes in imports).

Why should I have to change the oil in my 2002 Honda Accord SE sedan automatic every 3 months when it's only been driven 1,500 miles?

You most likely have no reason to do so, it's cheap insurance though. It is not good for oil to sit around, especially if it has been contaminated by running engine byproducts. If you frequently take short trips, it might be advisable.

Originally posted by: Jzero

There seems to be some difference of opinions here. Some saying change it at 500 miles first time.

I hate to be the RTFM guy but......RTFM.
TFM (at least for my '02 Civic) recommends not changing the oil until the recommended interval, which is 5000 miles (10k for light driving, yeah right).

According to the service dept head that I talked to, the engine parts are well-fit right from the factory, and the rule of changing the oil after the first 500 miles to flush out filings and other particles is no longer necessary.

We could go back and forth all day about how the dealer has a financial interest in you changing the oil less so that they can replace your engine later, of course. But for me, I just do what the manual recommends.

Nonsense. Even with the most precise machining technologies, on a microscopic level the metal is nowhere near perfect. Every friction surface in the engine goes through some sort of "mutual honing" process.

Of course, this all null and void if Honda breaks their engines in at the factory. Oil is cheap though, you certainly aren't going to hurt anything by changing your oil too often. 🙂

All this said, the most important things for the longevity of your engine is frequent oil changes and being easy on her for the first few hundred miles. You should definately be changing the oil if you can't resist the urge to step on the gas a few times during the first 1000 miles. Don't worry, everybody does it. 😉

 

[FrustratedUser]

Drain half of the oil and redline the bastard for a few minutes every morning.

j/k 😉
nice car

 

[Eli]

Oops.

 

[isekii]

My manufacturer recommends 5000 mile intervals..

I have a Lexus , I heard BMW also recommends 5000 intervals as well.

Why change the oil frequently if you don't need to ?

I doubt the manufacturer won't recommend 5k intervals if it was harmful to the car, seeing how majority of the cars are either leased or what not.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: isekii
My manufacturer recommends 5000 mile intervals..

I have a Lexus , I heard BMW also recommends 5000 intervals as well.

Why change the oil frequently if you don't need to ?

I doubt the manufacturer won't recommend 5k intervals if it was harmful to the car, seeing how majority of the cars are either leased or what not.

The change interval depends on which type of driving you do. If the mileage is all highway driving, 5,000 miles should be a realistic interval to change the oil. However, if you are in a lot of commuter traffic (stop 'n go) - then, you might want to ensure that you change the oil more frequently. 5,000 miles does not apply to all situations, just like 3,000 miles does not.

Jiffy Lube and other oil change places recommend the 3,000 mile intervals mainly because they will have a steady stream of customers. Even if you did straight highway driving, Jiffy Lube would still push the 3,000 mile change intervals.

 

[machintos]

when you get an oil change, use synthetic oil, don't just use regular oil....

 

[ProfessorFate]

the dealership insists that I change the oil every 3 months but I insist that I do it based on mileage not time (Roger agrees).

The dealer shouldn't be. Read the manual, you have 2 service schedules, "Normal" and "Severe". I doubt you'll do anything warranting severe service maintainance. An oil change every 6 months or 7500 miles as the manufacturer suggests is sufficient. The Jiffy Lube 3000 mile oil change is a service schedule for cars built 30 years ago. But if you do go to Jiffy Lube and they try to upsell you a manual trans service (this is how they make their money- It's like going to Winston Tire for an oil change: Surprise! you need struts!) for that new 6 speed don't do it. Only run Honda MTF in it. The 90 wt they put in it will tear it up. Hey save all that money on oil changes and buy an extended warranty in case something does break, but most likely not the engine. 🙂