Maintenance for low miles

[RahTX]

This is probably not a common question, but because my commute is so short these days, I have really low miles on my Insight. I bought it in September '09 and just recently turned 3K miles and so have not had any of the routine maintenance reminders come up on the MID yet (oil change, tire rotation, etc.).

I've of course kept an eye on my tire pressure (36-38psi) and check the oil at fill-ups (as infrequent as they are...). But I was wondering if there is anything I should be checking or doing based on a time interval rather than mileage? I'm not particularly mechanically inclined - I put my computers together and do moderate wrenching on my bicycle - but was wondering if there is something I should be doing (if able)?

I'm getting the Accord horn replacement from CHH this week, so figured now would be as good a time as any to do anything else...

[waterdog]

Short commutes are hard on oil. While I don't think there are any hard and fast rules, I would probably change every 6 months regardless of mileage, and would definitely change out the factory fill now. If you are also getting out for longer drives (half hour at normal operating temperature) at least every couple of weeks, I might be comfortable going up to a year between changes using a high grade synthetic oil (e.g., Mobil1, Amsoil, Penzoil Platinum, Castrol Syntec, Redline, etc.).

Brake fluid changes should be based on time, regardless of miles.

Most other items can be mileage based, though I might also change out the transmission fluid every 2-3 years and coolant every 5 years, even with low mileage. I also refresh the power steering fluid every other oil change, but many would consider that excessive.

[insightfulone]

The oil life algorithm takes into account short trips, engine temp, rpm, and lots of factors, I would tend to trust it. The manual specifically recommends NOT changing the original oil before the oil life indicator. I would give it a year before changing the oil if the indicator does not go off by then.

I think the IMA battery does not like extended periods (12+ days) of no use, so I would recommend driving it a little bit if it has been sitting for a week.

[MN Driver]

Synthetic oil or not, it's best to get a 10 mile trip on the highway at least once and awhile if you don't normally get a trip about that length in there any condensation in the oil along with PCV gasses will, over time, cause your oil to shear out and eventually cause bearing damage as your oil losses its ability to maintain tension between the bearings. Short trips under 5 miles in warm conditions and 10 miles under cold conditions are what the 3,000 mile 6 month severe service oil change schedules are based on because the PCV system needs the oil(not just the coolant) to be hot to draw out and burn off the harmful PCV gasses and condensation.

I'm not someone who supports the 3000 mile oil change, but to avoid the problems that would normally be present to cause such a short interval with short trips, the best thing you can do for your engine is to get it on the highway for 10 miles or more every other week or so. That's about 26 trips or 260 miles a year and you would be able to continue using the same oil for a year with no problem if you keep that up.

[RahTX]

Thanks for the opinions and advice. I drive it at least 6 days out of the week (if not 7), so sitting idle is not an issue. I volunteer to do the driving with family and friends whenever possible, so I do get greater than 5 mile drives on it at least once a week.

I guess this topic is more "general automotive" rather than Insight-specific, but one more question: as I check the engine oil, is there anything I should keep an eye on besides level? I know that color is an indication of wear and darker means it's time to change, but is there a rule of thumb? The last time I checked it, it was definitely brownish, but still translucent.

It's kind of sad, really, that in a vehicle that aims to conserve gas, I end up worrying that I'm abusing it by not driving it enough!

...I really need to get back to biking to work so I can measure my efficiency in miles per burrito

[MN Driver]

Oil color really doesn't mean much. This is coming from someone who has used both conventional and synthetic oil into the 5 digit numbers of mileage many times. I've changed out oil(on a 95 Prizm) after 15,000 miles of use before and it doesn't look new, it's very dark but an oil analysis indicated that it was an acceptable interval, but my driving involves every trip to work being on the highway and I usually go on a few long out of state vacations on an oil change too so I have more room to stretch it than pretty much anyone else. There are tons of topics about it in the Bob Is The Oil Guy forums and oil color unless it gets milky or frothy, which indicates severe condensation or coolant in the engine, there isn't much to do other than check the level and if you have a really good nose you might smell fuel, but by the time you smell fuel in your oil, you've got quite a bit in there and preventing it is better.

"I volunteer to do the driving with family and friends whenever possible, so I do get greater than 5 mile drives on it at least once a week."
In this case, you shouldn't need to be concerned.

"I drive it at least 6 days out of the week (if not 7), so sitting idle is not an issue."
This will keep your battery active and happy.

[Ehetleos]

Originally Posted by insightfulone

The oil life algorithm takes into account short trips, engine temp, rpm, and lots of factors, I would tend to trust it. The manual specifically recommends NOT changing the original oil before the oil life indicator. I would give it a year before changing the oil if the indicator does not go off by then.

I think the IMA battery does not like extended periods (12+ days) of no use, so I would recommend driving it a little bit if it has been sitting for a week.

+1 from me.

[waterdog]

Originally Posted by insightfulone

The oil life algorithm takes into account short trips, engine temp, rpm, and lots of factors, I would tend to trust it. The manual specifically recommends NOT changing the original oil before the oil life indicator. I would give it a year before changing the oil if the indicator does not go off by then.

You may be right, but how do you make the judgment that 12 months (rather than the 8-9 months currently on the car) is the right interval at which you stop trusting the oil life algorithm?

Also, I could not find where the owner's specifically discusses the first oil change. Do you know the page number?

[RahTX]

I found an older thread that points to page 284 (under break-in period) that says not to change the oil until the "scheduled maintenance time".

I'm just not sure if that means not to do it until the MID tells you to, or just not to do it before x-many months/miles? My dealer already sent me a reminder in the mail a while back saying I was overdue for maintenance, but I just ignored it since I knew it was way too early.

Someone else in that older thread says his dealer turned him away and told him to come back with the MID read 15%, so maybe I'll just go with that...I guess I'm just not sure weather in special circumstances like mine (very low miles) that at some point time doesn't trump the MID?

[Cobb]

You engine is full of different metals and moisture from the outside. Even if you do not drive it the distance, you still need to change it once a year according to my Honda dealer.

Other than checking all tire pressures including the spare, there is not much to do for a garaged kept car. Of course the usual wash, wax 4 times a year at least. Maybe some tire shine on the tires and armour all on the dash to keep it from drying out and use the ac at least 4 times a year.

Honda strongly recommends changing the brake fluid every 2 years and since Ive found air in my lines I am inclined to do so, but never had on any previous vehicles.