Alright, so I bought a new Civic 09 last August and have since put 5000 miles on it and my oil life is still at 40%. I know I'm not supposed to change it until it is <15%. I'm concerned about this as I will be driving it on a road trip 1500 miles round trip and I don't really feel comfortable driving it that long of a distance without getting an oil change. Basically, my question is: Why is it required that my first oil change be when the oil life is at <15% and should it be a big deal to drive the 1500 miles without an oil change?

 

welcome to the forum. You can change the oil any time you feel like it, its your choice, Honda is just trying to save the owners money. My first oil change was at 5k on my 07 fit, there after at 30-20%. now at 85k miles I changed it at 11k -% and the oil was dirty dirty dirty. Now done at 5k to keep engine clean.