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I'm confused of when I should change the oil for the first time for my 2004 Civic EX. I called customer care and I got both 5000 and 10000 miles.
The manual says 10000 for normal conditions, and 5000 for severe.

I drive like 20 miles to work and back using the highway which it goes into the 'normal' conditions.

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance

 
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I thought 10,000 was to long to wait so I did mine at 4000 miles. Its been debated before that the factory oil fill has more moly in it to help with break in and that you should wait 10,000 miles. Then I've read many posts from others that did their first oil change at 500 miles and havent had any problems. So its really what your comfortable with I guess.

For me, I change mine every 4K miles with genuine 5w-20 Honda oil and filter.

 
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tHAT'S the other thing. Honda says that you should wait for your first change, then in the maintenance schedule all changes are supposed to be every 10K miles, all of them. Makes no sense.
I agree, 10K miles sounds like a lot. I should call/email the dealer.

 
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Can you do the oil change anywhere? Or it has to be done at the dealer...

 
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geez..

if i got a brand new 04 civic, i'll go change my oil wil synthethic they day i got the car......whuaauhauhahahaha...

that way, my car will be freakingly clean from the beginning...

 
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That's not what Honda recommends. They talk about letting the oil that comes with the car to stay there till the engines develops its 'wear patterns'.

What's the advantage of synthetic oils compared with some others? or can you give me an overview of oils.. I have no clue of the different types.

 
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Well, I have 01 civic LX. I got my first oil change at 800 miles, next one at 1800 miles, next one at 3800miles, and then every 3000 miles. So, when I first got it, i drove for 800 miles and got an oil chnage, drove another 1000miles and got an oil chnage, drove 2000miles and then got an oil change. It is the old way of changing oil. The dealer says that you dont really need to do this any more, because when the engine is built, they put in a special oil to help the engine to break in. But I thought that well, more oil change will not hurt the car, you know? People get their oil change as fast as at like 500 miles or less than 1000 miles, because back in the days, when the engine is built, small engine particles are left in the engine, and people believed that those little particles flowing with engine oil will "scratch" engine parts. well, I read a comment about this issue on a magazine, and the editor pointed that oil change at appropriate time is the cheapest way to insure your car's reliability and durability.

 
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Remember, any car maker wants you to buy another car soon. Changing the oil frequently, especially during break-in, won't hurt a thing. THEN go with a longer change with synthetic, or every 3 to 5k with dino.
Honda's use chrome-moly piston rings, they last very long, but take longer to "seat".
1000 miles should be good for 1st oil change, though.

 
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haahahah

im not to sure about break-in period time........cos' i've never done it before...

yeah, probably after 1000 miles, then change em.

 
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4500 mi

 
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I say 3000 and then your next oil change, switch to synthetic

 
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i did mine at 7........my 04 that is.

 
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every 3000 miles, 3500 the most.

 
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i say at least 3k.. honda recommended 3750 in my 03.. you shouldnt change the oil often or really soon.. honda isnt bullshitting when they say there are special additives in the oil.. many people have posted used oil analyses of their oil after from the factory and it has got tons of anti wear additives like molybdenum which you dont really want to get rid of.

 
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I did my 01 EX at 5000 miles. Did it at the dealer. Same price as Jiffy Lube, just as fast. My 04 is due this week for its first (4800 miles).

 
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For me, I change mine every 4K miles with genuine 5w-20 Honda oil and filter.

I quit using genuine Honda filters when the last one I bought from the dealership had "Made by Fram" printed on it. I can buy a genuine Fram filter for much less.

For my 2001 Civic my first oil change was at 5000 miles. After that I tried to maintain a 4000 mile schedule. Car now has 97,500 miles and still runs great. I have used only 5W20. At first the only brands I could find were Texaco Havoline and Motorcraft. Since then I have also used Castrol GTX and Valvoline.

 
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The OEM air filter is also virtually identical to the Fram model, except for the inscriptions, and both say Made in Canada. The two must be made in the same plant. Honda seems to have caught on though, and it seems to be difficult to buy the Fram version CA8911 at Auto Zone and WalMart, forcing you to go to the dealer or buy online.

I jumped the gun on the first oil change at 1200 miles, second at 3. I wish I had followed the recommendations about keeping the initial oil in for 5000 or 3 at least, but I am at 25000 with my 01 LX and still get good mileage, no burning oil, or other engine problems.

 
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Sorry, when I said I use a genuine Honda filter, I make sure its the Filtech version and not the crappy Fram version.

 
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And you can even buy a Filtech or Toyo Roki version for $4.68.

That part number CA8911 is for Air Filter and not Oil Filter.

The p/n for 01-04 Civic is 7317 with TG or PH prefix.

Do you guys change the crush washers as well? My car is in the shop right now for her first oil change @ 2,500 miles. Changing the oil to Mobil1 Synthetic 5W-30 as well.

 
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i change the crush washer every time. i usually pick up about 5 whenever i go to the dealership.. theyre very cheap..and save you from expensive repairs.