When is the first oil change in the Ridgeline

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Ask ten people, get 10 different answers. Someone please answer these questions? What does Honda say? This is for dealers or members.

Is there special break in oil in the Ridgeline?

When is the first oil change?



I've heard 3,700, 5,000, 1,500, when the oil monitotor says so 15% life left. What's the Holy word from Honda on this? Don't be surprised if I ask: Are you sure? after you post. Someone has to know this.

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Ridge wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Ask ten people, get 10 different answers. Someone please answer these questions? What does Honda say? This is for dealers or members.

Is there special break in oil in the Ridgeline?

When is the first oil change?

I've heard 3,700, 5,000, 1,500, when the oil monitotor says so 15% life left. What's the Holy word from Honda on this? Don't be surprised if I ask: Are you sure? after you post. Someone has to know this.


I'm guessing on more than 10 answers. This is based on over two years "experience" on the Honda Pilot forum where this has been dicussed (and cussed) to no end!!

What I will suggest is to read your manual very carefully. Also, if not all ready - join the AHM Ownerlink and read the info there on your vehicle.

The following is MY take:
Follow the manual - kinda. Just like every other new cage I have bought - I changed mine at 5K miles and every 5K after that. Plain and simple. No muss no fuss and easy to keep track of. If you are so inclined to use synthetic - fine. If you are comfy with a good quality dino - that's fine too.

YMMV

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Got a note from my dealership saying first change at 3750. That's about when I'll change it. :lol:

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rapid-richard wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Got a note from my dealership saying first change at 3750. That's about when I'll change it. :lol:


And why do you suppose they sent you that note??

It's all about $$$ They don't know what conditions you drive in.

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true, but I do and it sounds about right. I used to change every 3k but I don't do that any more. Oil companys trying to get us to so they can sell us more. 3500-4000 sound about right to me. :lol:

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rapid-richard wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
true, but I do and it sounds about right. I used to change every 3k but I don't do that any more. Oil companys trying to get us to so they can sell us more. 3500-4000 sound about right to me. how far are you going to go? :lol:


5K - just like my note about 4 places up in this thread.

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please note I removed that question from my post. :lol:

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So is everyone just going to ignore the oil life monitor display in your dash? I thought I'd follow that after the first change.

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Yes, I am going to ignore it and change it when I think it is time. :lol:

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I will probably change it at 3750 the first time, but I'm getting out the manual tonight to see what it says in there.

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Good idea :lol:

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I'd stick to the old reliable 3,000 miles unless you just can't seem to keep your foot out of the accelerator. Of course we're talking about Ridgelines not S2000s.

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I tend to agree with the 3k oil change, but I'm trying darn hard to wean myself from that habit, especially when the auto manufacturer doesn't recommend it.

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It is my belief that the 3k oil change is Oil Companys way of making extra money and with gas prices as high as they are it is time to take a closer look at it. Corvette, which uses Mobile 1, recommends 15,000 miles. No way I will do it but they are probably correct. I believe we are wasting too much oil just as we waste gas on full sized pick ups. Oil companys are also trying to get us to use premium fuel. If your car is not designed for premium, it is a total waste of money and natural oil This is just my opinion, not any thing else:lol:

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That's all true, but you speak volumes when you say you won't follow the recommendation for the vette --- you will make a determination as to when the oil should be changed regardless of what the manufacturer says. I've read many post in other forums about this topic and I too agree that we have to get away from the automatic 3,000 mile oil change, but we need some guidance. I use Mobil 1 in one of my other cars and still change it every 4,000 miles or so. I do this based on the way the car 'speaks' to me after that many miles.

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I'm going to stick to what the display and owner's manual say to do. When it gets down to about 10%-15% I'll be changing it. I'll also keep track of the mileage at which that happens, just for my records. Based on what the truck is saying currently I believe my first oil change will be between 6,500 and 7,500 miles. I haven't decided if I'm going to go with synthetic oil yet. I probably will, but I just haven't priced it yet to see what the cost difference will be. BTW, anyone have any opinions on filters? The only other new Honda I've ever owned was an Insight. For the first year or so the Honda filter was the only one available, but last year WalMart started carrying a Fram filter that fit so I switched, just because it was cheaper, though I used the Mobile 1 0W-20 synthetic in it. Has anyone looked to see what size filter the Ridgeline takes? Is it the same as Honda's other V6s?

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That is what I am saying. Buy the way, I am a big beliver in Mobil 12006Ridgeline wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")That's all true, but you speak volumes when you say you won't follow the recommendation for the vette --- you will make a determination as to when the oil should be changed regardless of what the manufacturer says. I've read many post in other forums about this topic and I too agree that we have to get away from the automatic 3,000 mile oil change, but we need some guidance. I use Mobil 1 in one of my other cars and still change it every 4,000 miles or so. I do this based on the way the car 'speaks' to me after that many miles.

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Me, too! :cool:

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coolcat wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I'm going to stick to what the display and owner's manual say to do. When it gets down to about 10%-15% I'll be changing it. I'll also keep track of the mileage at which that happens, just for my records. Based on what the truck is saying currently I believe my first oil change will be between 6,500 and 7,500 miles. I haven't decided if I'm going to go with synthetic oil yet. I probably will, but I just haven't priced it yet to see what the cost difference will be. BTW, anyone have any opinions on filters? The only other new Honda I've ever owned was an Insight. For the first year or so the Honda filter was the only one available, but last year WalMart started carrying a Fram filter that fit so I switched, just because it was cheaper, though I used the Mobile 1 0W-20 synthetic in it. Has anyone looked to see what size filter the Ridgeline takes? Is it the same as Honda's other V6s?

I'm guessing the RidgeLine takes the same filter as the Pilot ( I need to check for sure). The original OEM filter for the Pilot was nice hefty one. The new OEM ones are smaller - AND are made by Fram. I'm not saying that's good or bad - but some people have some REAL strong feelings about Fram.

YMMV

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If you buy Honda filters look for the ones with the Filtech label (made by Wix I think, but it's a good quality filter) Stay away from the ones with the Honeywell label (made by Fram) There is a big quality difference between them. They look the same except for the Filtech or Honeywell label.

I think I will use Dino until 12,000 miles, then switch to Mobil1 5-20 synthetic.