Does Honda Really Use a Break-In oil?

[Red]

I was contemplating my 1st oil & filter change around 500 miles and using Amsoil Signature Series 0w20 for the life of the engine. Going forward I would use the OLM down to 15-20%. Not sure if that factory fill oil has to stay in there longer. I would think the engine if fully seated by 500 miles. I thought I'd get some opinions. Also, Amsoil doesn't show one of their brand oil filter for this engine so I'd have to buy a different brand. Would you stick with the OEM Honda filter or use something like a FRAM Ultra, Mobil 1 or ? I appreciate your input.

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[GAS2HI]

For the the Type R’s, there was a TSB encouraging owners to leave the factory “brake in “ oil in for 7500+ miles. I changed mine at 3700 miles and 1 year that the car was put into service as the manual says change oil at 15% oil life or 1 year. MM said I still had 60% oil life on the factory oil, but I didn’t want have any hassles with the dealer saying I left my oil in over a year as I have the Honda Care extended plan for 8/120k miles. If the 1 year had not come up, I would have kept the oil in until 15% oil life or 7500 miles.

 

[Red]

Thanks WC. I called Amsoil and spoke with their tech department also. They told me to run the Honda oil down to 15% then go with Amsoil 0w-20 going forward. They said it wouldn't hurt changing the filter once during that factory fill so I'll probably do that around the 1000 mile mark. They didn't have the 2022 in their database yet so we went off the 2021 data. That oil filter number is EA15K13 if anybody's interested.

 

[PhilF]

I was contemplating my 1st oil & filter change around 500 miles and using Amsoil Signature Series 0w20 for the life of the engine. Going forward I would use the OLM down to 15-20%. Not sure if that factory fill oil has to stay in there longer. I would think the engine if fully seated by 500 miles. I thought I'd get some opinions. Also, Amsoil doesn't show one of their brand oil filter for this engine so I'd have to buy a different brand. Would you stick with the OEM Honda filter or use something like a FRAM Ultra, Mobil 1 or ? I appreciate your input.

You may want to check, Honda requires an API certified oil to meet warranty requirements, last time I checked the Amsoil Signature didn't meet that requirement. It's an excellent oil, however not API rated. The Royal Purple filter is identical to the Amsoil at about half the price. The most important thing for a small displacement DI Turbocharged engine is a synthetic that's ILSAC GF-6A rated, most current 0W-20 synthetics have that rating as well as API certification. Honda recommends running the factory fill for at least 5000 miles as it's got a lot of Molybdenum in it to aid break-in.

 

[OGGsr]

Recent Blackstone Oil Analysis for my '22 Si. Changed the oil at 2500 miles.

 

[zeroptzero]

Honda does use a break-in oil as you can't find any Honda oil with the same formula that you see in the factory oil (as shown above ^) The high moly is a dead give away.

 

[SwiftTone]

Recent Blackstone Oil Analysis for my '22 Si. Changed the oil at 2500 miles.

Can you share the summary narrative they include in the oil reports?

 

[OGGsr]

Can you share the summary narrative they include in the oil reports?

Sure!

 

[PhilF]

You may want to check, Honda requires an API certified oil to meet warranty requirements, last time I checked the Amsoil Signature didn't meet that requirement. It's an excellent oil, however not API rated. The Royal Purple filter is identical to the Amsoil at about half the price. The most important thing for a small displacement DI Turbocharged engine is a synthetic that's ILSAC GF-6A rated, most current 0W-20 synthetics have that rating as well as API certification. Honda recommends running the factory fill for at least 5000 miles as it's got a lot of Molybdenum in it to aid break-in.

Still true, also you may want to consider filter restriction on flow. I'm currently looking into the K&N Gold..the Honda A02 isn't the finest, but certainly meets Honda warranty requirements.

 

[cryptolime]

i've heard they don't use any special oil and the high moly is from the assembly lube which gets mixed into the oil. so, it basically does the same thing as break-in oil.

 

[2001]

Here is my 1100 mile break in oil from my FL5

 

[TypeRD]

i've heard they don't use any special oil and the high moly is from the assembly lube which gets mixed into the oil. so, it basically does the same thing as break-in oil.

I’ve also heard this, but I have yet to see anything that substantiates this claim. With that said, it makes sense and there’s likely some truth to it. Additionally, I think there’s likely truth to the claim that Honda uses a special break-in oil. In other words, I don’t think it’s an either/or thing. I think it’s both/and. I don’t know why people feel they have to pick a hill to die on with all this.

I’d personally just follow what Honda recommends for the break-in period and the 1st oil change. Beyond that, do whatever suits you.

 

[Catanzaro]

Given the consensus is to wait until 15% before changing the oil and filter or 5,000 miles, does it make sense to just swap out the oil filter with an OEM?

I picked one up this morning ready to change at 2,000 miles, but I think this will have to wait. At 80% and a tad under 1,500 miles. I am betting that the 15% will be between 6,000-7,500 miles.

I have HONDA PASS and they stated only at 15% will they pay for the oil change, and contemplating if I will bother. You always have to inspect the car before and after and ask them nicely not to damage anything.

After the Honda Pass is done, I will change my own oil, as it is much easier.

 

[GoSailin]

I just called my local Honda dealership service department. He tells me that Honda no longer uses break-in oil and to follow the dash light system for oil changes. I was explaining to him that I never let me 1st oil change go beyond 2k miles and I am already there, but my oil life still says 90%. He says that is normal and to keep driving it until 15%, then bring in for 1st service that is covered by Honda. I stressed to him that I did not like waiting so long for the 1st oil change it makes me nervous lol. He said I could bring the car in as early as 30% if I wanted and they would still cover it. He said they have been seeing these cars range from 3000-12000 miles for the 1st oil change, depending on driving style etc and the system seems to be working without issues thus far.

 

[piotrush]

I just called my local Honda dealership service department. He tells me that Honda no longer uses break-in oil and to follow the dash light system for oil changes. I was explaining to him that I never let me 1st oil change go beyond 2k miles and I am already there, but my oil life still says 90%. He says that is normal and to keep driving it until 15%, then bring in for 1st service that is covered by Honda. I stressed to him that I did not like waiting so long for the 1st oil change it makes me nervous lol. He said I could bring the car in as early as 30% if I wanted and they would still cover it. He said they have been seeing these cars range from 3000-12000 miles for the 1st oil change, depending on driving style etc and the system seems to be working without issues thus far.

I've submitted claims when the MM was at 50% with no problem. The one limitation that I'm aware of is time. They will not cover it if its been less than 2 months. Even if the MM requires it. I had a customer who went on a long road trip and was due for his next LOF 6 weeks after his last one. I couldn't do it under the SericePass, but I sold it to him for half price so he was happy.

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