First Oil Change Advice 2021 Civic Type R Almost Three Years Now.

[bohlken99]

I need advice on when to get my first oil change on my 2021 Type R. She is bone stock and has 2200 miles on her, and the oil from the factory is special and eats the metal shavings in the break-in period. Honda recommends not changing the oil for the first 5,000 miles.

At the pace I am putting miles on her currently, it will be six years to seven years before her first oil change.

This seems super dangerous to me either way. Change the oil now and have metal shavings mess up the engine down the road, or drive around with seven-year-old oil.

Still, trying to figure out what to do here?

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[Village911]

https://www.civicx.com/forum/forums/civic-type-r-forum-fk8-10th-gen.10/

 

[MoodySara]

I'd just follow the Maintenance Minder.
My CTR usually goes about 7,000 miles before it says it needs an oil change.
My wife's 2.0T Accord goes a lot fewer miles, though. She doesn't use it much, so it usually goes by time rather than miles. Last time it was a year and about 4,000 miles.

 

[AspecR]

I need advice on when to get my first oil change on my 2021 Type R. She is bone stock and has 2200 miles on her, and the oil from the factory is special and eats the metal shavings in the break-in period. Honda recommends not changing the oil for the first 5,000 miles.

At the pace I am putting miles on her currently, it will be six years to seven years before her first oil change.

This seems super dangerous to me either way. Change the oil now and have metal shavings mess up the engine down the road, or drive around with seven-year-old oil.

Still, trying to figure out what to do here?

Oil should be changed at least once a year, regardless of mileage driven.

 

[chopsuey34]

https://www.civicx.com/forum/forums/civic-type-r-forum-fk8-10th-gen.10/


You are being too neurotic. You aren't going to eat bearings or destroy the engine or whatnot by changing the factory oil out at 2,000 miles. If fact, you may have damaged the engine more by not changing it yearly. You should change the oil at least annually because even fresh oil slowly absorbs moisture, which promotes corrosion and acidification.

 

[TypeRD]

It’s a valid question. The first oil that comes in the engine, from the factory, is different than typical off-the-shelf oil…at least last I knew. I believe it is referred to as “engine break-in oil.” Perhaps this is no longer the case and special oil is no longer used? If I were the OP, I’d call or email Honda Corp (email is obviously better for record keeping) and 1. Verify the oil in the car from the factory. 2. The answer to question 1 should help determine the oil change interval…which Honda should he able to give the answer to also.

From my understanding engine break-in oil actually puts micro-deposits of metal in the cylinder walls which fill teeny tiny (microscopic) imperfections from the machining process, thus making the cylinder walls even cleaner and smoother than straight from the factory. This is why it is advised not to perform the first oil change ahead of schedule. Again, maybe this is no longer the case due to advances in machining and polishing processes. I don’t know for sure. Check with Honda.

 

[bohlken99]

From my understanding engine break-in oil actually puts micro-deposits of metal in the cylinder walls which fill teeny tiny (microscopic) imperfections from the machining process, thus making the cylinder walls even cleaner and smoother than straight from the factory. This is why it is advised not to perform the first oil change ahead of schedule. Again, maybe this is no longer the case due to advances in machining and polishing processes. I don’t know for sure. Check with Honda.

Yes, this is exactly what my service guy said the factory oil did at my local dealership.

 

[TypeRD]

Doesn’t answer your question about the longevity of that original oil, though. It’s probably expected that most people would drive 5k within the first year of ownership. I’m surprised there isn’t something specific about this in the manual. Maybe the dealership is supposed to relay this info to the owner?

 

[Shankmeyster]

Oil viscosity breaks down rather more quickly in these engines as they are direct injected, mixing fuel into the oil causing dilution. Wouldn't be such a big deal if you had changed the oil within the first year but you'll be lucky if you haven't done some minor damage to the internals by waiting this long. I hope you are also using a fuel stabilizer as fuel loses octane rating and turns goopey in your tank if you let it sit too long as well.

 

[TypeRD]

Well…since the OP apparently never drives the car, I doubt any damage has been done. ? To your point, though, even cars just sitting and collecting dust have to be carefully maintained if one wishes to keep them operational. Car collectors know all about this.

 

[bohlken99]

Thanks, guys for your responses! I will take her in for a oil change based on the advise I received here.

 

[Catanzaro]

I spoke to my dealer, and they stated that people do come in for an oil change early when the car is new. They do the oil changes at 2,000-3,000 miles, but I would have had to pay. The service department knew nothing about break in oil (maybe there is). I waited until 2,443 miles and changed my oil on my 2024 Touring Model. I did not wait. I doubt highly damage has been done by changing it early.

At 15% life, it will go in for another oil change. And YES, each year you should change the oil. They did recommend yearly or 5,000 as well, even if you are not at 15%. Why even have Honda Care if you are going over 5,000 miles (smh). Toyota is yearly no matter what the maintenance light is on or off.

There is nothing in the manual, the dealer was ok with me bringing it in and changing it early, and she spoke to other service writers. One would think the manual would specify this, but it does not. The car was babied for the first 2,000 miles with the correct break-in procedure. I did not see anything out of the ordinary in the oil. The level was perfect with no oil dilution.

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