With most modern vehicles, you only need to change the oil once a year or around 10,000 miles. The every 3,000 miles thing is a way for dealerships and oil change places to make money. I'm pretty sure none of us current Insight owners has come close to needing their first oil change. The owner's manual gives a mileage amount, I think, but it also says change it when the MM says to. My car is at around 2500 miles and at 80% oil life.
1st Oil Change
Up until now I always changed my first oil early (1,500-3,000 miles). I read that Honda has "special" ingredients in the beginning oil that should be left in until the Maintenance Minder says to change it. By the way, I am not crazy about the MM...not used to that format and like to have more assurance that I'm maintaining at a timely manner - afraid if the system doesn't alert me properly. Anyway, I'd like some feedback on anyone's thoughts and experiences with oil changes and the 2019 Insight.
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I’ll probably get my oil change when the oil life gets to around 15%. And I will try to use Top Tier gas in it too. The manual says they ‘endorse’ it, which isn’t the same as recommending it. But good quality gas is a no brainer for me.
FWIW, old timers always change the oil in a new car after 500 - 3000 miles. Edmunds.com says:
When you buy a new car, change your oil at 3,000 miles to remove metal particles from the engine break-in process. There might be a grain of truth to this, according to the experts at Blackstone. Oil samples from engines during the first 3,000 miles of driving show elevated "wear-in" metal levels, coming from the pistons and camshafts, says Ryan Stark, Blackstone's president. But he added, "To me, it doesn't make that much difference because if the filings are big enough to cause damage, they will be taken out by the oil filter."
However, a Honda spokesman says its cars come from the factory with a special oil formulation for the break-in period. Honda advises owners to not change the oil early. Stark said Blackstone Laboratories' test of Honda's break-in oil shows it contains molybdenum-disulfide, an anti-wear additive. But Stark said Honda is the only manufacturer he knows that's using special break-in oil. The take-away? If there are any special break-in recommendations from the manufacturer, follow them. And consider analyzing the oil at 3,000 miles.
When you buy a new car, change your oil at 3,000 miles to remove metal particles from the engine break-in process. There might be a grain of truth to this, according to the experts at Blackstone. Oil samples from engines during the first 3,000 miles of driving show elevated "wear-in" metal levels, coming from the pistons and camshafts, says Ryan Stark, Blackstone's president. But he added, "To me, it doesn't make that much difference because if the filings are big enough to cause damage, they will be taken out by the oil filter."
However, a Honda spokesman says its cars come from the factory with a special oil formulation for the break-in period. Honda advises owners to not change the oil early. Stark said Blackstone Laboratories' test of Honda's break-in oil shows it contains molybdenum-disulfide, an anti-wear additive. But Stark said Honda is the only manufacturer he knows that's using special break-in oil. The take-away? If there are any special break-in recommendations from the manufacturer, follow them. And consider analyzing the oil at 3,000 miles.
Some of this may have already been discussed on this thread, but thought I would share it as well:
I just spoke to one of the service techs (who has been with Honda for over 10 years) at the dealer where I got my Honda, and he shared some interesting information:
- They use Honda Genuine 0-20 synthetic blend oil for their oil changes for the Insight.
- You can put Full synthetic in an engine that has or had synthetic blend without any issues.
- Your oil life reminder is an indicator of the life left in your oil, not the level of oil in your engine. You should make it a practice to check the dipstick on occasion to see if you are low on oil for any reason, and top it off yourself with a Honda approved oil (Oil & Filter FAQ for Honda Vehicles | Honda Maintenance)
- The oil life percentage indicator will decrease based on the type of driving you do. If your son drive it in sport mode all the time, it will likely decrease the life of the oil quicker than driving it in Eco mode.
- If your Insight hasn't gotten to 15% oil life before 10 to 12 months since your last oil change, change your oil. Never go past a year between oil changes.
- Oil companies that pay more for gasoline get to take the gas out of the top half of the tanker. Those that pay less (like the local Quicky-Mart) get the gas that is in the bottom half of the tanker, which means it is more likely to have contaminents in them.
- It isn't a good practice to let your car's gas get below 1/4 to 1/8 tank, as there is likely to be more "silt" from the bottom of your tank that gets mixed in with the gas that puts a strain on your fuel filter (or may make it through your fuel filter). This becomes more of an issue the older your car gets.
I just spoke to one of the service techs (who has been with Honda for over 10 years) at the dealer where I got my Honda, and he shared some interesting information:
- They use Honda Genuine 0-20 synthetic blend oil for their oil changes for the Insight.
- You can put Full synthetic in an engine that has or had synthetic blend without any issues.
- Your oil life reminder is an indicator of the life left in your oil, not the level of oil in your engine. You should make it a practice to check the dipstick on occasion to see if you are low on oil for any reason, and top it off yourself with a Honda approved oil (Oil & Filter FAQ for Honda Vehicles | Honda Maintenance)
- The oil life percentage indicator will decrease based on the type of driving you do. If your son drive it in sport mode all the time, it will likely decrease the life of the oil quicker than driving it in Eco mode.
- If your Insight hasn't gotten to 15% oil life before 10 to 12 months since your last oil change, change your oil. Never go past a year between oil changes.
- Oil companies that pay more for gasoline get to take the gas out of the top half of the tanker. Those that pay less (like the local Quicky-Mart) get the gas that is in the bottom half of the tanker, which means it is more likely to have contaminents in them.
- It isn't a good practice to let your car's gas get below 1/4 to 1/8 tank, as there is likely to be more "silt" from the bottom of your tank that gets mixed in with the gas that puts a strain on your fuel filter (or may make it through your fuel filter). This becomes more of an issue the older your car gets.
FWIW, old timers always change the oil in a new car after 500 - 3000 miles. [...] However, a Honda spokesman says its cars come from the factory with a special oil formulation for the break-in period. Honda advises owners to not change the oil early.
Just did some math and estimate I'll be well under 12k mi/yr on the Insight... partly due to splitting drive time between cars, partly due to the length of my daily drive, and partly due to telecommuting. I'll end up changing my oil at maximum time interval (1 year) rather than maintenance minder oil life indicator.I just spoke to one of the service techs (who has been with Honda for over 10 years) at the dealer where I got my Honda, and he shared some interesting information: [...]
- If your Insight hasn't gotten to 15% oil life before 10 to 12 months since your last oil change, change your oil. Never go past a year between oil changes.
I'm familiar with the maximum recommendation for time interval being based on oil oxidizing/degrading over time... but given the 'protective properties' quoted for factory oil, I'm wondering how much 'benefit' I lose by changing my oil at fewer miles than the 15% oil life indication. Thoughts? Opinions? Experience in this area?
I was wondering about this too. My EX was built 6/2018 (number 3900+) and purchased July 29. I have only 4400 miles but the Oil Life just reached 15%. I am planning a 700 mile trip to Maryland from North Carolina this weekend. I was thinking about making the trip and then getting the oil changed next Monday on my return. This would give me 5100 miles and 1 year with the benefits of the 'factory oil'. The Oil Life may hit 0% during the trip. I don't drive every day and the majority of my miles are 1+ hour drives. The alternative is to change the oil before the trip (at 4400 miles, 15% life). Any opinions ?Just did some math and estimate I'll be well under 12k mi/yr on the Insight... partly due to splitting drive time between cars, partly due to the length of my daily drive, and partly due to telecommuting. I'll end up changing my oil at maximum time interval (1 year) rather than maintenance minder oil life indicator.
I'm familiar with the maximum recommendation for time interval being based on oil oxidizing/degrading over time... but given the 'protective properties' quoted for factory oil, I'm wondering how much 'benefit' I lose by changing my oil at fewer miles than the 15% oil life indication. Thoughts? Opinions? Experience in this area?
I would change the oil before going on your trip because oil becomes less effective as it ages. Check your dipstick and see what the oil quality/level is at.I was wondering about this too. My EX was built 6/2018 (number 3900+) and purchased July 29. I have only 4400 miles but the Oil Life just reached 15%. I am planning a 700 mile trip to Maryland from North Carolina this weekend. I was thinking about making the trip and then getting the oil changed next Monday on my return. This would give me 5100 miles and 1 year with the benefits of the 'factory oil'. The Oil Life may hit 0% during the trip. I don't drive every day and the majority of my miles are 1+ hour drives. The alternative is to change the oil before the trip (at 4400 miles, 15% life). Any opinions ?
In today’s vehicles, the basic purpose of the engine oil is to lubricate the engine. Since the engine consists of different rotating components, oil lubrication allows all of them to work together without causing any kind of friction. The reality is that engine oil starts to degrade with the passage of time. This is due to the reason that a majority of these fluids, which are used in today’s vehicles, are hygroscopic in nature. In simple words, they absorb water vapor from the air which tends to dilute their composition.
With that said, if you keep on using the same engine oil for more than the specified duration, it will reduce its efficacy in terms of engine lubrication. That kind of situation will not only cause regular wear and tear inside the engine, but at the same time, it can also result in carbon buildup which will disturb your vehicle’s performance. https://www.prettymotors.com/often-change-oil-dont-drive-much-four-things-need-know/
I'm a low mileage driver this year and probably will only have 7500 miles by December 2019 (currently at 2635 miles 60% oil life). I plan on doing my 1st oil change around September since that would be the 1 year mark when my Insight was built even though I bought it in December 2018.
Thanks for the input. I have scheduled my 1st oil change for Wednesday before I take my trip. 4400 miles, 15% oil life. Apparently infrequent driving is 'severe' service.I would change the oil before going on your trip because oil becomes less effective as it ages. Check your dipstick and see what the oil quality/level is at.
I'm a low mileage driver this year and probably will only have 7500 miles by December 2019 (currently at 2635 miles 60% oil life). I plan on doing my 1st oil change around September since that would be the 1 year mark when my Insight was built even though I bought it in December 2018.
The only real downside to changing oil sooner than it is suggested is economic. Oil is more efficient when it's newer and loses efficiency as it ages. This isn't a case like an air filter, which is actually most effective at ~40% life left.Just did some math and estimate I'll be well under 12k mi/yr on the Insight... partly due to splitting drive time between cars, partly due to the length of my daily drive, and partly due to telecommuting. I'll end up changing my oil at maximum time interval (1 year) rather than maintenance minder oil life indicator.
I'm familiar with the maximum recommendation for time interval being based on oil oxidizing/degrading over time... but given the 'protective properties' quoted for factory oil, I'm wondering how much 'benefit' I lose by changing my oil at fewer miles than the 15% oil life indication. Thoughts? Opinions? Experience in this area?
So here's my situation. I have put approximately 8100 miles on my Insight Touring and currently averaging 57 - 58 MPG. My "Oil Life" is at 40%. I purchased the Zepro 0-W20 oil which is Molybdenum Advanced Formula and a Honda OEM Replacement Oil Filter with new crush washer. Does anyone think this would be too early to replace the Oil and Filter and cause worse MPG if I replace it now before I go on a road trip next month ? I know the consensus has been to wait until the "Oil Life" shows 15% but if I'm replacing the original oil with the Zepro Advanced Moly Formula would it be a win / win for me ? Thanks for replies in advance.
How long is your road trip? Most of us have had our maintenance light come on at about 10K miles. 8K miles is a good chunk of time though. Changing it now wouldn't cause a problem. All an early change would do at this point is waste money. If it's a long road trip, you can do it now for piece of mind. FWIW, that last 15% equates to quite a few miles (1700). That, with the approximately 2000 miles you have before the 85% light comes on means you could probably drive cross country before hitting zero oil life.So here's my situation. I have put approximately 8100 miles on my Insight Touring and currently averaging 57 - 58 MPG. My "Oil Life" is at 40%. I purchased the Zepro 0-W20 oil which is Molybdenum Advanced Formula and a Honda OEM Replacement Oil Filter with new crush washer. Does anyone think this would be too early to replace the Oil and Filter and cause worse MPG if I replace it now before I go on a road trip next month ? I know the consensus has been to wait until the "Oil Life" shows 15% but if I'm replacing the original oil with the Zepro Advanced Moly Formula would it be a win / win for me ? Thanks for replies in advance.
Just remember to reset your maintenance counter if you do the oil change.
If the factory oil isn't a year old and the oil life isn't 15%. I would allow the factory oil to stay in the car. Changing it early won't hurt your car like @hasarad stated just your wallet.So here's my situation. I have put approximately 8100 miles on my Insight Touring and currently averaging 57 - 58 MPG. My "Oil Life" is at 40%. I purchased the Zepro 0-W20 oil which is Molybdenum Advanced Formula and a Honda OEM Replacement Oil Filter with new crush washer. Does anyone think this would be too early to replace the Oil and Filter and cause worse MPG if I replace it now before I go on a road trip next month ? I know the consensus has been to wait until the "Oil Life" shows 15% but if I'm replacing the original oil with the Zepro Advanced Moly Formula would it be a win / win for me ? Thanks for replies in advance.
I am at 15% oil life left at 6000 miles, the oil was pretty dark so i changed it. I was told by the Honda dealership that 7500 miles is recommended most of the time for hybrids because they dont fully rely on the gas engine. I still get weird about waiting too long though so im going to stick to 5000 miles for my oil changes.
15% at 6K miles is on the low side of our experiences. Your ICE must have been running quite a bit during those miles. What was your average MPG over those miles? Most have gotten to 15% around the 10K mark.I am at 15% oil life left at 6000 miles, the oil was pretty dark so i changed it. I was told by the Honda dealership that 7500 miles is recommended most of the time for hybrids because they dont fully rely on the gas engine. I still get weird about waiting too long though so im going to stick to 5000 miles for my oil changes.
15% at 6K miles is on the low side of our experiences. Your ICE must have been running quite a bit during those miles. What was your average MPG over those miles? Most have gotten to 15% around the 10K mark.
Severe Conditions:
- Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
- Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
- Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.
- Trailer towing, driving with a roof top carrier, or driving in mountainous conditions.
- Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
I currently average 52mpg per tank. Winter average was around 40-42mpg per tank. Lifetime average is currently somewhere between 46-47mpg.
Very good point! I wouldn't normally think most of the items in the list would be considered "Severe." Trailer-towing shouldn't be an issue because the Insight isn't rated for that. I would think the definition of severe would be consistent high-speed driving, mountains and/or dusty conditions. Short/cold/hot drives never came to mind. I had originally thought the maintenance minder factored in engine usage and not conditions. It's nice to know the Insight is smart enough to take everything in.Severe Conditions:
According to Honda, "severe condition" driving requires an oil change every 3,750 miles on a regular gas car. 6,000 miles sounds about right for a hybrid under "severe conditions". I'm at 50% oil life with 3,050 miles. During the winter I had plenty of trips under 10 miles, idled my car while trying to de-ice/shovel it out, bad traffic here with tons of stop/go, and driving on salted roads. Most people don't realize they drive under severe conditions so it's nice that the Maintenance Minder does a good job factoring that in.
- Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
- Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
- Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.
- Trailer towing, driving with a roof top carrier, or driving in mountainous conditions.
- Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
I currently average 52mpg per tank. Winter average was around 40-42mpg per tank. Lifetime average is currently somewhere between 46-47mpg.
Average commute ~22 miles. Just noticed oil life drop to 60% from 70% @ 5000 miles. Lifetime gas mileage 50.1. And that's also with 3 or 4 Drive in nights (leave the car on for the 6 hours, engine comes on once every hour or so for a minute.)Severe Conditions:
According to Honda, "severe condition" driving requires an oil change every 3,750 miles on a regular gas car. 6,000 miles sounds about right for a hybrid under "severe conditions". I'm at 50% oil life with 3,050 miles. During the winter I had plenty of trips under 10 miles, idled my car while trying to de-ice/shovel it out, bad traffic here with tons of stop/go, and driving on salted roads. Most people don't realize they drive under severe conditions so it's nice that the Maintenance Minder does a good job factoring that in.
- Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
- Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
- Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.
- Trailer towing, driving with a roof top carrier, or driving in mountainous conditions.
- Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
I currently average 52mpg per tank. Winter average was around 40-42mpg per tank. Lifetime average is currently somewhere between 46-47mpg.
Just wanted to compare to Andrew28, because we are relatively the same weather conditions albeit him getting it a day later than I. I probably do more "mountain" driving, he definitely deals with "stop and go" more than I. Of course we didn't have our insight for winter, it hasn't seen anything below 42* since we took ownership.
I just did my first oil change at 3K miles, as that's what I'm in the habit of doing for all my new cars. I wish I had read this thread first, as I was not aware the factory oil was a special blend. I doubt the early oil change is going to be harmful per-se, but should I add some Liqui-moly to it just to be safe?
We believe this is the factory oil used by Honda. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072QXMJBS/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1I just did my first oil change at 3K miles, as that's what I'm in the habit of doing for all my new cars. I wish I had read this thread first, as I was not aware the factory oil was a special blend. I doubt the early oil change is going to be harmful per-se, but should I add some Liqui-moly to it just to be safe?
Honda recommends against oil additives(Liqui-moly) other than those already blended in the oil like the Idemitsu Zepro linked above.What about oil additives? American Honda recommends against the use of any oil additives other than those already blended in the stock oil. Such supplemental additives are unnecessary when using quality oils displaying the Starburst certification symbol. Additives cannot prolong the life of a used oil, because the oil molecules have been broken down. The use of oil additives will increase your cost of ownership, and can lead to engine damage.
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