Recommended Oil Change Interval

Honda suggests an 8000 mile Oil Change interval after the 600 mile initial service. My pa ALWAYS changed oil at 3000 and his pa too. Line Haul diesels MUST change at 3000 miles.

Now, is it me or is 8000 a little excessive?

1. Why waste oil if you don't need too.
2. Maybe engines are cleaner running and oil is better consistency.
3. Honda must know what their talking about.
4. 8000 miles service would save a boatload of money (or would it?)

Thank you for your response.

Piaggio suddenly doubled the service interval for the newer X9s a few years ago. I guess your points 2 & 3 are right.

I've done very few miles on my scooter so qualify for a 'time' rather than 'miles' assessment of the need for a service. I really don't think I need to have a full service after one year.
Naturally brakes and bits should be checked but change the oil and filter?

I feel if you put over 8,000 miles a year then you can change according to mileage, even if you change it at 3,000 to 5,000 that's up to you. If you don't ride over 8,000 miles a year I would change it once a year probably when you put it away for the winter for those up north. I change my oil approximately every 5,000. Oil changes will not hurt your scooter but the lack of oil changes can hurt your scooter. So I guess what I'm saying is do what you feel comfortable with.

I concur with Roger's (model28a) post above.

I am up over 6000K on oil changes now and given right circumstance can see no reason why 8K is not viable. Just abide by manufacturer intervals and change at least once a year. Good question but by gosh DON'T ask what kind of oil or filter to use...   

To add fuel to the fire, allow me to present this: that Honda-recommended oil change interval is based on using petroleum based motor oil. I've used Mobil 1 full synthetic oil from the beginning and change oil & filter at 8-10,000 miles. Now at 82,000 miles it doesn't burn oil and haven't experienced any problems. YMMV

Tim

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Now at 82,000 miles it doesn't burn oil and haven't experienced any problems.

Tim, I'm curious.
Have you ever checked valve clearances? If so, what were your findings?
Also, have you had to replace your fuel pressure regulator?

Again, just me being curious. There's no way I will ever rack up that kind of mileage on my Swing in my lifetime.

bigbird wrote:

<>Have you ever checked valve clearances? If so, what were your findings?Also, have you had to replace your fuel pressure regulator?<>

Never checked the valves. I'm about to change the FPR as a preventative measure before this upcoming IBA Scooter Insanity ride to Chicago next weekend.

And, sure Terry, you too can accumulate some big miles. All ya got to do is take a trip or two every now n' then. Have ya ever thought about going to Memphis for BBQ? Or Philly for a cheesteak?

MikeO my wife's car manual says 5k but dealership says change oil at 10k miles.
Just another example of doubling mileage.

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Have ya ever thought about going to Memphis for BBQ? Or Philly for a cheesteak?

Been to Memphis for BBQ, just down the street from Elvis's place on E.P. Boulevard. Marlowe's. Seriously.
Never been to Philly, though.

I'd like to take my Swing out west through the Rockies to Vancouver Island.

bigbird wrote:

<>Never been to Philly, though.
I'd like to take my Swing out west through the Rockies to Vancouver Island.

Actually there is very little reason in coming east to the vast urban megalopolis. The Rockies are much more sensible.

While not the Rockies, try stealth camping at the base of the Devils Tower during the Perseid Meteor showers. F'n awesome. 

Or try for the IBA's National Parks certification: Visit 50 National/Provincial parks, monuments, etc in 25 States or Provinces. Have your National Parks "Passport" stamped at each one within 1 year. Check the IBA's site for more info.

Tim

Jiffy Lube and the dealers would love to have us change oil every 3000 miles like dear old dad taught us all to do, More money for Jiffy, more opportunity for the dealer to find something more to charge us for. But today's oil is just flat out better than it was back then. Oil does not loose its lubricating properties under normal conditions, it just gets dirty, and today's syns will hold more contaminates, so be sure to get a good quality filter so it can last 5-10000 miles, My cars, 10,000 with Mobil 1, MC's 5000 miles, both because its an easy number to remember on the odom!

I'm just back from my 600 mile service. Pretty costly. Ill be changing own oil here out. Maybe I can tune a little too.

Greysilver wrote:

I'm just back from my 600 mile service. Pretty costly. Ill be changing own oil here out. Maybe I can tune a little too.

If I might ask? How costly? I have always done my own. Nearest Honda dealer is over 50 miles away so much easier to just bite the bullet and do it!!!

Hi Glenn:
The total 600 mile service was billed at 1.5 hours and oil change was included. Oil and filter were about $25. The total bill was $161. I like this dealer, I trust the service dept. It just costs dough these days for what used to be routine. I changed the oil on my Gold Wing I will sure figure it out on the Swing.

Thanks for the info. You can easily do this service yourself; look on the forum here and make sure you have the correct tools. Actually I feel it is easier than the Goldwing. There is a pictorial here on the forum to make it easier for you too!

Hi Glenn, I read Arizona Rider magazine and this features all kinds of dealers and products. Toward the back is a couple pages on Musselmans Honda. They are in continuous one family operation since 1948. When they started, maintenance was charged at 60 cents an hour!

I was wondering about the intervals too when I saw 8k in the manual. I don't expect to do that many miles per year most years so I'll be doing the once a year 600 mile anniversary change at least almost every time. I'm not sure I'd go more than maybe 6k anyway. I'm 57 so I remember the 3k interval when first starting driving and that was always my dad's policy. So for me doubling it to 6k would seem logical.