I recently purchased a Honda.
The owners manual specifically states to
not change the oil until 5000 miles in severe duty or 10,000 miles in light duty driving.
I get squmish thinking about leaving metalic bits, etc floating around the engine for 10,000 miles, let alone 5000!

Questions then:

1. Is there such a thing as a "break in oil" which is why the long interval for the first change?
2. Could you do any harm changing the oil out at a more reasonable 3000 mile interval?

Thanks

The vehical uses 5W-20

Absolutely no such thing as a special break-in oil that is better to leave in than to change at a shorter interval. Off the top of my head, i can't tell you what major blender or refiner makes Honda's factory fill, but is is not that special! If you're really curious, you can get a used oil analysis on it after you change it.

Personal Preference:

Change oil and filter at ~500 miles, then again at 1500 or 2000. (depends on how the oil is looking). Nothing sacred about this...if the oil looks really nasty at 300 miles and 1200 miles, and it would make me feel warm and fuzzy to change it, I change it. ~$8 and 15 minutes is worth it for me.

In my mind, it is easier to justify the appropriate ring seating/breakin driving if one changes the oil early and often. Since I'm cheap and the intervals are short, unless a car is factory filled with a full syn lube, I like a decent brand name dino for breakin.

I agree with the answer of shortening up the factory suggested oil change, because even the factory cannot control what contaminants that might be left in the engine after manufacturing and machining processes. i have found personally that oil samples after the first couple of normal oil changes have ALWAYS been higher in wear metals.The analysts call it normal breakin wear particles,I call it"dont extend oil drain intervals on new motors".

Perhaps the concern is more in relation to problems that commonly occur with synthetics and new/rebuilt engines. Such as piston rings not seating properly. I would never differ from the manufacturers recommendations especially on a new car. Clean lube is definately a good thing but there is always a flip side to these things. Make sure your research is done. Try and contact Honda and find out why they have set these limits. To be honest, time based change outs aren't my cup of tea. I'd rather do condition based change outs but car manufacturers haven't seem to have got the message yet... Just my thoughts though.

Dave,

Modern engine manufacturing is now high tech and similiar to "plug-and-play" in many electronic equipment.

The engine metalurgy has changed from heavy duty steel to steel & aluminium alloys in the past few decades. Today the pistons and cylinders walls are super finished, they are finely honed and maybe, even lapped.

Further, heavy duty washing machines (for engine blocks) ensure no machining debris or other contaminents are left in the system. Thus the "breaking-in" is no longer required. From the showroom the cars can be taken for a 1500 km drive.

Hussam Adeni

Umm, used oil analysis on factory fill oil always shows higher wear metals. Changing it sooner than later at worst costs some oil and a filter. It is true that modern engines do fine without changing the factory fill out early, but it certainly doesn't hurt anything if one is inclined.

You're right about cars being ready for use from the factory. In fact, spirted driving in the first miles helps ensure quick and positive ring seating.

The information in the posting on this subject is certainly interesting and useful to a new car owner like myself who has not yet done the first oil change on the vehicle.

Personally I am a believer in changing around 600 miles, and my two Toyotas ceme with that instruction, and the warrantee was not valid if not changed between 980 km and 1020 km at the dealer.
But Honda recommends a longer initial interval and the Honda Used Oil Analisis that I have seen on www.bobistheoilguy.com indicate a very high amount of Moly in the oil. I'm no chemist, but they may be trying to coat parts during that time. In any event the oil is different from the normal oils used.