Hi guys sorry for such newbie questions and if you have a newbie faq i'd be glad to read it. I picked up my car yesterday and have a few questions.

My sunroof doesn't seem to open all the way. It stops about 4 or 5 inches from the back..I assume this is normal?

I want to use synthetic oil in my car and have allways used Mobil 1 5w-30 in my cars but i see the Honda manual says to use 5w-20?

I live in California where the weather is allways pretty warm and can get hot sometimes in the summer. Is the 5w-20 thick enough to protect? And what company makes synthetic in this weight?

For the break in period I guess I'll just take it easy on the throttle. Any other break in tips?

Should I wait any special length of time to change the oil the first time. I know some car companies put special "break-in" oil in the engine that should be left in for awhile.

Thanks for any help you have.

 

I can only answer one question

It's normal for a sunroof to open that far

 

While your at it, it would be nice to know what you bought.

 

Doh! sorry. I bought a 2002 Accord EX V6 Coupe

 

I had the same concern when I bought mine last year. If you look at the chart in the owner's manual, it shows the upper protection limit on 5w-20 at about 100 deg F. Well, I don't live in as hot a climate as Cali, but it can get into the upper 90s here regularly. So I decided to go with Mobil1 5-30 as well.

Honda and Ford have started recommending 5w-20 with their new models. It's a semi (?)-synthetic, and the narrower the band in viscosity, the better job it'll do within each end of the range (ie; 5w-20 will protect better than 10w-40 - that's why you saw 5w-30 as the preferred range after GM's testing many years ago - it was considered the optimum range).

I've seen 5w-20 by Halvoline (Texaco) and Motorcraft (Ford / ?) at retail at only one chain in my area - Murray's Auto Parts.
(oil freaks - would you believe I was in there the other day and found Amsoil - AMSOIL! - on the shelf. $6/qt).

So, anyway, I decided to go with Mobil1 5w-30 (as they don't make -20, yet), and especially because Honda practically insists in the owner's manual that you only need to change the oil every 7500mi. Another reason to go synthetic, I think, although some of the dino oils have improved recently.

Honda is the one manufacturer I know of that DOES use the 'special break in' oil at the factory fill. For that reason, you'll see dealers reticent to change it before 3000mi, and they usually like you to leave it in for 5000, if not the 7500 as stated in the owners' manual. I changed mine at 3700 the first time, put in the Mobil1 (with a Mobil1 filter, since switched to the Purolator micronic one), and I change about 5-6000 miles, topping off where necessary (usually use about 0.5qt in that 5000 miles - pretty good oil control. At first, I used a quart in the first 3000 - a sure sign that everything hadn't settled in yet).

Yes, your sunroof only opens that far. Look at the slope of the roof, and you'll see why. Another thing to notice - the sunroof in the sedan is WIDER than the one in the coupe - I was in my friend's car last week (he got a 02 SE), and noticed it.

On your break-in - vary the throttle from time to time (don't take it out for a highway road trip from mile one and drive 1000 miles), don't thrash it (redline) for the first 1000 or so.

Good luck, and enjoy your car!

 

Thanks for the long and informative reponse. I was thinking along the lines of what you said. I will probably wait till 5 or 6K for the first oil change since you confirmed the use of break in oil and I'll switch to 5w-30 Mobil 1.

Maybe in the winter time I'll use 5w-20..I know Amsoil makes that wait but in the summer in california if you drive 20 minutes from the coast the tempature can go from 70 to over 100 real fast. After I get past the first 700-1000 miles I plan to take a long road trip and I don't want that 20 weight oil breaking down on me.

Gosh I love that new car smell :-)

Thanks again

 

congrats

 

I changed my oil around 5000 the first time. Thats pretty normal for a new Honda. There was a big article before on the 5w-20 and 5w-30 oil thing. I dont remember the link, but 5w-30 is what Honda said to use in their 98-00 models I believe (somebody verify in their owners manual please) but they changed it for some reason in the 01+ models. Bottom line was to just keep on using 5w-30 oil. I change oil now around every 3k miles.