RTFM

Albert,
I've worked for Honda dealerships for close to 30 years. It is astonishing
how technology has changed over the years. Modern oil refining has produced
very high quality and long lasting viscosity oils. Filters have also
benefited from higher technology by being able to filter out smaller
particles. All combined together, the manufacturers feel safe in
recommending longer oil change intervals. But technology is really not the
reason for these extended intervals. The real reason is our Uncle Sam.
One of the largest consumers of crude oil is oil as a lubricant. The
government is trying to ease our independence on imported oils. Probably a
good thing for our country in this day and age. Hence, the government
mandated gas mileage requirements they have forced on the manufacturers.
This is also a good thing for everyone. But, what most people don't know is
that the government has threatened the manufacturers with similar
restrictions forced upon them if they didn't take measures to reduce oil
consumption. The mfr's realized if they didn't do it themselves the gov't
would probably force restrictions that would probably cause them millions to
change and meet severe restrictions. So they did what they could on there
own terms and have postponed what is probably inevitable, more gov't control
and mandates.
Most people I know in this business feel you can go longer between oil
changes these days, but up to 10,000 miles is a little too long. As an
aside, I believe I read in the 2004 Civic Owners Manual it has a
recommendation for a first oil change at 10,000 miles and a second change at
20,000 miles and at that time to replace the filter too. That's right, no
filter change at 10,000 miles. Previously unheard of, especially for the
first change. What about all the little metal pieces supposedly generated
when a motor is first breaking in?
I suppose the mfr's know alot more than I do about their motors....but. Of
course there are different situations such as "severe" driving conditions or
"regular" conditions, as well as where you drive most such as dirt roads, or
highways, or stop and go traffic. In our dealership we think we have a
reasonable compromise to engine durability concerns and mfr recommendations.
We suggest that Honda owners cut those recommendations in half, or 5000
miles in your case.
We have always professed that the best thing to do is to follow mfr.
maintenance intervals as a means to gain long life durability to your Honda.
This is probably the only time we've veered slightly from those
recommendations. We have a number of customers with 250,000 plus miles
regularly coming in for maintenance. That is not uncommon at most Honda
dealerships. I have a friend who has a 1992 Accord Wagon with 480,000 miles,
with the original unrebuilt engine and transmission. He's replaced many
other worn out items (axles, wheel bearings, brakes, timing belts, shocks,
etc.) but follows the maintenance schedule religiously.
Check with the  Service Department where you purchased your car and see how
they feel about it in your neck of the woods. Different parts of the country
may be considered severe conditions (mountains, dirt roads, high temps).
These are the guys who know your vehicle. They see the same model cars day
in and day out and they are trained to know your specific vehicle and not
generalities of every other make out there. Good luck with your new car.
Howard

From previous post:

My $0.01 worth.....(I'm not a very disciplined oil changer-every time my
odometer hits a five or ten thousand mile mark, it's done)

*Change your oil every time you shut off your engine.*
What?????
Not practical?
Motor oil's first job is lubrication, and the additives in your refined
motor oil break down and lose their properties after prolonged use and
exposure to heat.
Motor oil's second biggest job  is to collect contaminants (carbon, grit,
etc.) Changing motor oil removes these contaminants from your engine where
they would cause wear and friction. So frequent oil changes would be better
for your engine than infrequent changes.
The obvious drawbacks to oil changes are:
1)time spent just to do it or have it done,
2)cost of materials and labor,
3)adding to our stores of waste oil in this country, and
4)maintaining a dependency on foreign oil supplies.

Can you trust the auto manufacturer to set the oil change frequency to be in
your best interest?
1) If I'm the manufacturer, I want your engine to last a long time, thus
improving my standings with you- the customer. I'm in the business of
selling cars-I want you to buy from me.
2)I have detailed technical information about your engine and its
requirements. I'm in a good position to tell you how long your oil will be
in good condition. Although....
3) I don't want to add to your cost-of-operating a vehicle so much as to
discourage you from buying from me again.
So...as the manufacturer I'm probably going to make a recommendation that
considers all of these factors.

Can you trust the oil companies to tell you how frequently to change your
oil??
That is a rhetorical question. They are in the business to sell you oil.

My biggest problem with oil changes is remembering when each vehicle is due.
With four cars I would have to do a lot more bookkeeping than I want to. I
just watch for the odometer to reach a five thousand mile mark and know its
due.
BTW...I converted from Pennzoil to Castrol GT after I saw my wife's Voyager
engine disassembled. I use generic filters and change filter every time.
*Interesting sidenote: recently saw two oil filters under different brand
names, different paint schemes, the whole visual package
different.......inside it was the EXACT same filter.(AC Delco and STP, I
think). Don't buy filters with flat gaskets...buy the ones with O-rings.*
-- Sorry so long-winded.
From the Doc'