Morning! 🙂 I bought an '09 Honda 4 cylinder with 146,000 miles. I put like 3800 miles on it sort of quickly to see loved ones 400 miles away a few times. The oil in it is SO clean on the dipstick...it was when I bought it, and still is. My Dad says it is because synthetic oil is like that, and I am confused now. Should I change it at 4000-5000 miles, even though it is still clean? Really confusing, thank you, Forum folks... you guys are great!
I would still change it every 5,000 miles oil is cheap engines cost a fortune
Changing every 5,000 miles is the best way to go about it.
Clean oil is good. Not too sure what you are confused about haha. synthetic oils do last longer than conventional ones due to certain additives and other properties they possess. But it is still good to follow the guidelines when it comes to oil changes. Whatever they may be for your car or whatever you are comfortable with should be within the ballpark. So yes, do the oil change when clock goes off, or alittle before or even after a bit if you really don't have the time for, So long as you're not like a crazy amount such as 5,000 milies over the due. Then you are fine. But people still do anyway. Big sigh. Sooner is always better and that is the best for your engine. No need to get too crazy soon either, it's a honda, not a Ferrari. Haha
IMHO, if you are doing mainly stable highway driving (not crazy freeway driving) to get those miles, it can go a little longer without an oil change. Engine wear is less on the highway than stop and go driving city driving.
With that said, I'd still change it as the manual suggests. Even if it looks clean.
OK. Im not used of looking at clean oil, obviously. 😆😆
If the oil looks clean, then personally I would wait.
What did Scotty say... 10 highway miles = 1 city mile ... something like that.
@mountainmanjoe Here in the city, I always ride down the 4 lanes or take the diagonals...the latter has way less stopping. Also, I always have the option of taking the Edens or Kennedy expressways...so ya, it is the big city... but I baby my car and take the path of least resistance. 🤪😁