[insightfully]

I'm at 7,500k, 2020 EX in Southern California, Oil says 30% still. I guess I'll wait for the 15% but it would be convenient to do it earlier while I'm still off work (furloughed), I have nothing but time on my hands, lol...Hey, is it true that the original oil in NEW Hondas have some sort of extra or additional oil additives that help the new engine, and thus shouldn't be changed sooner than 15%?...or it that just a rumor.🤨

Welcome to the forum. Moved your post to this thread which includes discussion from other forum members on first oil change mileage/experiences and factory oil. There's also mention of factory oil in the following break-in and mpg thread.

 

[andrew28]

I'm at 7,500k, 2020 EX in Southern California, Oil says 30% still. I guess I'll wait for the 15% but it would be convenient to do it earlier while I'm still off work (furloughed), I have nothing but time on my hands, lol...Hey, is it true that the original oil in NEW Hondas have some sort of extra or additional oil additives that help the new engine, and thus shouldn't be changed sooner than 15%?...or it that just a rumor.🤨

 

[hasarad]

I'm at 7,500k, 2020 EX in Southern California, Oil says 30% still. I guess I'll wait for the 15% but it would be convenient to do it earlier while I'm still off work (furloughed), I have nothing but time on my hands, lol...Hey, is it true that the original oil in NEW Hondas have some sort of extra or additional oil additives that help the new engine, and thus shouldn't be changed sooner than 15%?...or it that just a rumor.🤨

We have no definite proof the OE oil is different - just suspicion. Don't worry about the time it takes to change your oil. It's quick and easy in the Insight.

 

[sathyan]

Just to add to the data...
Maintenance Minder A came on today with 15% oil life on my 2020 EX. I've had the car for about 11 months and the odometer is at 2500. Most trips have been under 10 miles and there many days I didn't start it up at all (work from home since last March).

 

[jhs123]

I purchased my 2022 EX Insight on September 10, 2021, a little over 8 months ago. It now has 3800 miles on it. The maintenance minder says the oil life is at 30%. I am planning a long road trip in early July (just a few weeks away), for a total of 2200 miles in two days, taking me from Virginia to Montana. Then a week of normal driving in Montana. Then another 2200 miles to get back.

Should I have the local Honda dealership (where I purchased the car) change the oil right now, before I start the road trip, and before I reach the 15% oil life value (and removing the "factory oil" with whatever beneficial break-in additives it has)? Or should I wait until I reach the 15% level, which seems likely to be during the long two-day initial road trip?

I know, weird timing.

 

[DrGlide]

I purchased my 2022 EX Insight on September 10, 2021, a little over 8 months ago. It now has 3800 miles on it. The maintenance minder says the oil life is at 30%. I am planning a long road trip in early July (just a few weeks away), for a total of 2200 miles in two days, taking me from Virginia to Montana. Then a week of normal driving in Montana. Then another 2200 miles to get back.

Should I have the local Honda dealership (where I purchased the car) change the oil right now, before I start the road trip, and before I reach the 15% oil life value (and removing the "factory oil" with whatever beneficial break-in additives it has)? Or should I wait until I reach the 15% level, which seems likely to be during the long two-day initial road trip?

I know, weird timing.

Your oil life is based on roughly 10,000 miles or one year and it sounds like you should be back before that year is up. I'd wait and do the oil change when you get back home.

 

[andrew28]

I purchased my 2022 EX Insight on September 10, 2021, a little over 8 months ago. It now has 3800 miles on it. The maintenance minder says the oil life is at 30%. I am planning a long road trip in early July (just a few weeks away), for a total of 2200 miles in two days, taking me from Virginia to Montana. Then a week of normal driving in Montana. Then another 2200 miles to get back.

Should I have the local Honda dealership (where I purchased the car) change the oil right now, before I start the road trip, and before I reach the 15% oil life value (and removing the "factory oil" with whatever beneficial break-in additives it has)? Or should I wait until I reach the 15% level, which seems likely to be during the long two-day initial road trip?

I know, weird timing.

Personally I would do the early oil change and multi-point inspection. Any benefits of the break in additive would be negligible at this point since the protective properties of the oil breaks down over time. Sounds better to rack up 4k+ miles on fresh oil which can give you a slight boost in fuel economy and a check-up before a long trip.

 

[sjmuller]

before I reach the 15% oil life value

This is a common misconception. The maintenance minder will not actually say maintenance is "due" until you hit <5% oil life remaining. At 15%, it will merely say maintenance is due "soon." I ended up doing my first oil change a bit early at 10% just because I had a free weekend, but you can go all the way to 0% before it will say maintenance is "overdue." Additionally, people who have had their Insight's used oil tested by Blackstone Labs at their first oil change said the oil still had plenty of life remaining, so the maintenance minder is probably a bit conservative even. I definitely wouldn't change your oil at 30%, waste of money in my opinion.

 

[jensight]

I agree with @sjmuller. Modern oils are a lot more hardy. If you drive a lot of miles per year, there are now oils and filters designed for a 20k mile or 1 year cycle. Better for the environment, your time and your wallet.

In our Insights, the combustion motor doesn't run all the time, so that gives the motor oil even longer life. The oil life percentage is based on one year, as well as miles, as pointed out earlier.