Recently got a new 2009 CRV, and it has an oil change readout on the dash. After about 3500 miles or so, the oil life reads as still have 70% life left, and the owner's manual says that under normal driving, only an annual oil change is needed. This seems a radical concept, I'm not sure if anyone knows any information to the contrary, if this is normal for new Honda's, or why this would be the case?

 

You are correct, it is a radical concept, I have been told by the Robertsons Palmdale Honda during the new owners meeting/confrence that we will all need to get use to changing oil according to the new "life" percent. The oils now days have been so improved that oils will last a lot longer. Even with the new break in oil, wait to 20% to change your oil. Or if you insist and you want your oil changed, you can insist an oil change. ( just spending money not needed to ) I asked if the warranty is still good with changing at 7500+ miles, he said you are covered. Make sure it is the oil used by the dealer only, while under warranty. I have a 07 Fit and oil change is at 10% over 7k miles per change.

 

JRICE, Im like you I just cant get use to changing oil after so many miles. I have been changing oil in my wives 07 Accord and my 08 CRV every 5k. This time my wives car has 8k on this oil and the MM reads 40%. Im having it changed tomorrow. My V has about 6k on this oil and at 50%. I well wait until it has 40% and change it. I have been using Mobil 1 in both with first Oil change at just over 3K. I also use Bosch filters.

 

I had the oil changed this morning. My machanic told me somthing I think a lot of people dont reaslize. He said the oil filter does not filter oil accept at idle speeds. He said this was because the higher oil pressure opened the by-pass valve and that there would not be enough oil to lube the engine properly if the oil had to go through the filter. He also convinced me that we dont have the problem of fuel contaminating the oil with the F/I compared to the old carburator fuel systems.
I was very suprised how clean the oil was after close to 8K miles. I am finally changing my mind about the high milage oil changes. Walleye

 

good info to know about oil filter. Thank You

 

I also have a 2009 CRV- I follow the maintenance minder- and the oil change interval is usually around 8K miles-
I change it at 20%-
Hard to get used to this long interval between oil changes-
But- Modern/better oils and cleaner running Engines-
Makes sense to me to run on out to 8K on the oil change-
So- I do not waste my money and needlessly change oil at the "Old School" 3K interval- Modern Times-
Mark

 

Wow i wish i only had to change mine every 8k miles lol. yes this idea is crazy but its possible. i believe castrol now has a synthetic oil that is guaranteed up to 10k miles. Crazy but super awesome.