How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

[Adrian]

Does anyone know how the 06-08 Civiv GX oil change life indicator works? My first oil change was around 7k miles with the oil life indicated at 15%. I put Mobil 1 synthetic in, and now, 7k miles later the oil life is indicated at 15% again, with the maintenance minder indicating it's time for an oil change.

Synthetic oil should last longer than traditional oil. I am very curious as to what data is used by the oil life indicator and the maintenance minder. If it's simply a mileage counter, than I know I can run 12k miles conservatively with synthetic oil. If there's more to it, than I don't want to shorten the engine life by ignoring the OEM indicators.

Thanks,

[kierandill]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

I'm sure someone else on here knows more about the details, but the way it was explained to me is that the computer essentially accumulates engine "effort" - that is rpms, miles, temperatures - so that 5000 miles on flat ground at 50mph is not nearly as much strain on your engine, and thus oil, as the same distance in the mountains, or the streets of San Fran (cop shows not included).
What it doesn't do is chemically analyze your oil and measure how worn it is, and it has no idea that you are using synthetic. I asked that specifically of the dealer because I intend to go Mobil 1 as I do with all my cars, and he said that, yes, it would jump the gun on change required by easily 50%.

[OhMyGas]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

I was told that the oil life indicator essentially just reflects the miles driven. I figured that about 9k miles would be the 100% (or 0% on the display).

[siai47]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

I might not be right on this but most cars with a oil reminder work on miles driven over time to estimate when the change needs to be done based on what the manufacturer wants for a change interval. The GX recommends a longer interval then a gasoline Civic, therefore the reminder runs longer before requesting a change.

[Curtis]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

Kirendill was right. I don't have all the particulars, but it does watch certain perameters, like engine temp, rpm's, etc. If you'redoing a lot of short trips that don't allow the engine to warm up, you'll see shorter intervals. If you do a lot of fwy cruising, you should see longer intervals.

In my experience, 7000 is a fairly short interval. I frequently see 8500 miles on many Civics. You must do a lot of city driving, or some other "severe driving condition" that the computers are interpreting as needing more frequent oil changes.

My car is out of warranty and I stretch my oil changes a bit. CNG is a low carbon fuel and doesn't fowl the oil as fast because of it. Carbon is what turns your oil black and is like sand in the engine. The GX also uses the same Maintenaance Minder the regular Civic uses and doesn't take into account the difference in fuels.

By the way, my understanding of synthetics is that their true value is cold-start-wear. They cling to hot surfaces, unlike conventional oils, and is in place on the cylinder walls at start-up. It should be replaced as often as regular oil due to the carbon fowling. The only exception I know of is if you run bipass filters and have filters that have superior filtering capabilities. Obviously removing the contaminants from the oil would effectively extend it's usable life.

I'm sure that the engineers out there will straiten me out on this one.

[Adrian]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

... it has no idea that you are using synthetic. I asked that specifically of the dealer because I intend to go Mobil 1 as I do with all my cars, and he said that, yes, it would jump the gun on change required by easily 50%.

Sounds like I should be fine changing my synthetic oil at 12k intervals. My gut feeling is even 15k should be ok. I know we tend to be overly conservative here in the US when it comes to oil change intervals compared to Europe. I think it's the service industry that has driven this now entrenched mentality. Of course, if the engine fails somehow, that's probably the first thing Honda will point out and refuse to honor the 120k warranty I bought.

[freedml]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

If you want some piece of mind about extending the oil change interval, you can have the oil analyzed. This is common in piston aircraft engine maintenance to test for engine wear. I did this after a 15k interval with regular oil in my GX and it passed the same lubrication standards as new oil. There was very little metal content and, of course, the oil was still clear, just a little darker amber than it was brand new.

Most of the expensive stuff that's likely to go bad, such as fuel system and ignition components, already have a 150k special emissions warranty in California. so, I think an extended warranty is a waste of money on the GX.

[Curtis]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

Mike, I agree with most of what you're saying. The oil degradation is negligible on cng cars. In fact, the school district changes the oil in there cng busses at 25,000 mi, however I would not recommend modifying the oil change schedule for anyone under warranty. What Mike's post indicates to me is that you can feel comfortable using standard oil and not having to worry about it failing you while you are under your warranty period.

As far as the warranty, it is true that emissions items are covered up to 15 yr/150k mi (in Ca only), there are no cheap repairs on cars any more. If it weren't for all the electronics in new cars... I might agree with you, but even though Honda has fewer problems than any non-luxury brand... They are not problem free. They just have fewer problems than everyone Else's cars.

That's like saying "I'm young and healthy, so I don't need medical insurance". You might be right... right up to the point that you're wrong. Warranties are just medical insurance for your car. Yet another form of insurance we grudgingly pay for and hope we never have to use. And since virtually no one can work on their own car these days, and everything is expensive, it's never a bad idea.

[freedml]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

Ok, Curtis, I'll start with your health insurance analogy.

Buying an extended warranty on a GX in California is like buying yourself private health insurance when you're already covered under your employer's policy. You're already covered, so now you're doubly covered.

Insurance is for catastrophic events that are unlikely. Honda Civic repairs are unlikely but not catastrophic.

I assume we're talking about HondaCare because no other extended warranty (that I know of) will cover the CNG stuff or a CVT.

There may not be 'cheap' repairs, but there are normal and then there are EXPENSIVE ones. Because of Honda's pricing formula, CNG specific parts are OUTRAGEOUSLY priced. A $300 HPR is $2000. A $200 fuel tank sender is $2000. I suppose it is better than needing a $2000 compuvalve and being told that it is backordered a year, but not much. The CVT can't be repaired (there is a repair procedure, but no one will attempt it because it doesn't work) so that is $3000 for a rebuilt or $6000 for a new one. I include it here because it was used on very few cars other than the GX.

Normal Honda Civic repairs are few, far between, and not terribly expensive. I can't even think of any that we needed and I have two civics that have about 120k miles each.

[Curtis]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

Here's one to consider, at 60k your AC compressor grenades and takes out the entire system. Something the service dept has seen more frequently as of late. Depending on how many components need to be replaced... $1500-$3000. With a HondaCare warranty, you only pay your deductible (if any). This is one of numerous things that can happen that would cost the price of a warranty or more.

"Cheap" is a relative term, and these days cash is tight. A warranty could go unused, or be worth it's weight in gold. Like Vegas, it's a crap shoot. Some would say it's better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Granted, California is blessed with a great emissions warranty. Everyone else gets 3yr/36k. That accounts for about half of the members of this site. Perhaps if they heed your advise and have a problem... they could just send the bill to you?

I know where you're coming from. Honda's are legendary for their reliability, but they're machines, and mechanics make $100 an hr these days. Something that used to be $50 to fix costs $500 now days. It blows my mind that anything outside of a complete engine would cost $3000, but there's lots of relatively pricey parts in new cars, all cars. If you don't think warranties are a good investment for yourself, fine. Perhaps you can afford the odd $1500-$3000 repair. Personally, I can't, and even if I could, it never happens at a convenient time (or place). What if you're a single woman, or elderly? Is it a good idea then?

A warranty is simply peace of mind. And now that those who are faced with the decision to buy, or not to buy, have our input... they can figure it out for themselves.

By the way, the CVT is in the Insight, GX (01-05), and Civic Hybrids use them to this day. It's not exactly a rarity.

[freedml]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

I'd say that's a very poorly designed AC system if a compressor failure can result in a $3k repair.

The same goes for a transmission that can't be repaired and no one but the manufacturer will rebuild it. My transmission started failing at 70k but Honda delayed mailing the notices of the warranty extension until after it hit 100k so I was stuck with part of the cost.

The Federal 80k emissions warranty would apply to a number of items beyond 3/36.

That said, remember the premise of my post was that having the 150k California warranty covered most of the major things that go wrong in a GX.

All in all, I'd still rather have a car that has reasonable repair costs than feel like I'm taking a big financial risk if I don't purchase an extended warranty.

[TheBundo]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

I was told that the oil life indicator essentially just reflects the miles driven. I figured that about 9k miles would be the 100% (or 0% on the display).

I think it counts RPM's accumulated, not miles. 10,000 miles in low gear is a lot different than 10,000 miles in Drive

[freedml]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

"Oil degradation is negligible" in all cars. It's the dirt accumulating in the oil that causes problems. I know a mechanic who specializes in Hondas who has a toilet paper auxillary filter in his Element. He never 'changes' the oil, just changes the toilet paper roll once a month and tops off the oil.

[topaz420]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

So, just to clarify, what is the maximum number of miles between oil changes for those of us under warranty, to not jeopardize our warranties?

Thank you

[Curtis]

Re: How does the 06-08 Civic GX oil change reminder work?

So, just to clarify, what is the maximum number of miles between oil changes for those of us under warranty, to not jeopardize our warranties?

Thank you

I would have to say thet when you zero your Oil Life Minder, it's time for an oil change.This way the warranty issue should be a non-issue.