I started to get the A1 service reminder in the multi-information display of my Honda Insight. For those of you who don't know yet. "A" means that a oil change needs to be done and "1" is that the tires need to be rotated. Right now, it's at the dealer now being service, so I'm without the car for half the day because I am having them install Blue Ambient Lights that I got from the UK.
I do mostly highway driving, so maybe that's why it took so long to get it down to 15% oil life. Before I went there though, I checked my oil level on the dipstick and it didn't go down much. I checked it once before and it was close to full, so I didn't put any oil. However, I don't understand why the owners manual tells you to check your oil level every time you fill the car with gas? It uses very little oil right now. Could someone answer that?
I had a Honda Accord before and I had to fill the oil about once or twice before I went for an oil change, so this is new to me.
The oil change intervals are just on part of the cars qualification to meet "green" standards. Most engines will "survive" but a small number will succumb to the cumulative affects of prolonged oil change intervals. The viscosity modifiers do not have infinite life, coupled with short drive cycles lead to sludge formation. The trapped dirt and combustion byproducts can precipitate out on to the rings leading to sticking. The best strategy would be to change the oil after each trip a compromise would be once a month or 3500 miles. I use conventional oil (which is a blend anyway) and the cost is the same as using $$$ oil and not changing it enough.
The oil change intervals are just on part of the cars qualification to meet "green" standards. Most engines will "survive" but a small number will succumb to the cumulative affects of prolonged oil change intervals. The viscosity modifiers do not have infinite life, coupled with short drive cycles lead to sludge formation. The trapped dirt and combustion byproducts can precipitate out on to the rings leading to sticking. The best strategy would be to change the oil after each trip a compromise would be once a month or 3500 miles. I use conventional oil (which is a blend anyway) and the cost is the same as using $$$ oil and not changing it enough.
With used oil analysis to provide information on whether or not it could be done and how far I could go with it. I've just done my 9th oil change on my 95 Prizm, I bought the car at 140k miles. The first two oil changes were synthetic but with the oil consumption of 1/2 quart every 1,000 miles(standard for high rpm highway driving with a Toyota 4A series engine that was designed back in 1982) I decided against using it. I'm currently at 211k miles so 9 changes off of 70,000 miles of me owning the car. My longest oil interval was 15,000 miles and oil analysis said I could go longer considering the makeup oil over what the mileage of what would normally be 5 3,000 mile oil changes, and this was with standard non-synthetic 5w30, my driving is 90% on the highway and I rarely do short trips so sludge really isn't a factor. I've pulled my valve cover and things are clean and sludge free inside.
I generally drive for good fuel economy but I've also had plenty of fun going nuts too, especially when I first got the car, but as gas prices went up to $4, I've calmed down and stuck with a more casual method of driving.
Personally I'd stick with used oil analysis and run to 15,000 miles on a synthetic if I had a Gen 2 Insight that way I've got a good idea of what going on in the engine and that have the piece of mind that everything is going great in there and that no issues with fuel dilution from auto-stop or viscosity drift is happening with the 20 weight oil, along with any air filtration or coolant ingestion issues that can be detected by silicates and phosphorous in the oil. I don't see any issues with the Gen 1 doing the same accompanied by at least an occasional used oil analysis either.
I don't think these cars will have any issues running 15,000 miles using a synthetic as long as you aren't driving it 3 miles to work and back everyday where the oil doesn't get hot enough to burn off condensation and fuel that can build up in the oil.
I've been thinking about using synthetic oil, but I haven't yet. Is it better to use that instead of regular oil in a hybrid. The dealer service department put OW-20 oil but they charge extra for it ($29.99). Is $70.00 a lot of money to change the oil and rotate the tires?
To respond the galileo5's question about why I felt a certain way after changing the oil at 10,000+ miles. I'm so used to changing the oil every 3000 miles in every other car I owned, it just doesn't seem right to me to wait that long for an oil change.
By the way, has anyone taken their 2nd Gen. Insight and brought it for an oil change other than a Honda dealer yet; like an oil change place, repair shop, gas service station, etc?
Sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions. I don't much know about cars. In fact, I'm lucky I know how to put gas it.
I've been thinking about using synthetic oil, but I haven't yet. Is it better to use that instead of regular oil in a hybrid. The dealer service department put OW-20 oil but they charge extra for it ($29.99). Is $70.00 a lot of money to change the oil and rotate the tires?
To respond the galileo5's question about why I felt a certain way after changing the oil at 10,000+ miles. I'm so used to changing the oil every 3000 miles in every other car I owned, it just doesn't seem right to me to wait that long for an oil change.
By the way, has anyone taken their 2nd Gen. Insight and brought it for an oil change other than a Honda dealer yet; like an oil change place, repair shop, gas service station, etc?
Sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions. I don't much know about cars. In fact, I'm lucky I know how to put gas it.
I get free oil changes from my dealer every 5000 miles but I could easily go 10000 miles if I needed to. My dealer charges about $40 for tire rotation every 10000 miles so I think your dealer is right on with price. I personally would not use synthetic oil unless manual requires it but I don't think it will hurt your Honda if you do.
Yeah, we beat the oil change thing to death. Its fine to use the indicator unless you like wasting time, oil and money. Americans have that down to a science, trust me.
I checked with a few mechaincal friends and it seems many new vehicles have 10 thousand mile oil changes, 100 thousand mile tune ups, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by russellc
I am having them install Blue Ambient Lights that I got from the UK.
Tell us more about these lights. Are they interior, under the dash or like curb feelers along the front of the car?
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Enginer 4 kilowatt PHEV, 3000k 35 watt fogs, Eco bulb highs, 4300k 35 watt low all w/relay kits, DRLs/Rear Wiper removed&rear interior gutted, Sony HU W/front speakers, Tanabe nf springs, 35% tint all around, all LED lamp replacement, 09 fit progress rear sway bar, OEM block heater, full gril block, KN Filter, Honda vent visiors, group 51 battery, home made balancer/grid charger Best/Worse MPG 96/36
Where did you order them from? I really want to get my hands o a few of those accessories available on the other side of the pond...
And I've been following the MM and using Mobile 1 0W-20 on my HCH II for 45K miles and the I2 for 5300 miles now, no problems thus far with 50% life left.
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2010 Insight Ex w/navi Tango Red
2006 Civic hybrid w/navi Alabaster Silver
The Blue Ambient lights are sold in Europe and these go inside the car. There are a total of three lights that are below the dashboard of the car. One light each for the center console, driver side floor and front passenger side floor. I got this last week with the other item I bought, Door Garnish. It was not cheap though because of the currency conversion rate, the VAT I had to pay and shipping charges.
Anyways, I plan on posting a new thread in Modifications and Technical Discussions with details on how to get them and I will show pictures on how these look in my car. Haven't had time to take the pictures yet, but I do so sometime this weekend.
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Finally... 15% Oil Life at 10134 miles
a compromise would be once a month or 3500 miles. I use conventional oil (which is a blend anyway) and the cost is the same as using $$$ oil and not changing it enough.
