Should I follow the "oil life" gage on my civic or follow the every three month rule?

I have a honda civic as well. I change mine when it gets to 20%. The sales person and the person in repair both said 20 is good. The gauge is only a guide. The first oil change I did at 20, because that is timed and that's what tells the computer how long to let your oil life go. So if you wait too long to get your first oil change, the meter will be off forever. At least that's what they told me. Cool car right? I love it. Wish I got the hybrid, but I got the LX 4 dr. sedan with a spoiler and a bunch of extras. What color did U get? Mine is dark blue, with gray interior.

CHANGE it every 3000miles or every 3 months. I am a certified tech for ford and have seen what happens when customers dont follow these words. oil can get gummy even if it isnt "time" to change it yet according to your "light" therefore not protecting all metal surfaces inside the engine. I have a 89 honda accord with over 260,000 miles on it and i know the original and only other owner of it very well. It has always had oil changed every 3000 and to this day is my daily driver with no engine work done at all.. ever!

The correct rule of thumb for oil changes is every 3000, miles not every 3 months Your car is calibrated to come on at the 3000 mile mark so change your oil

I work in a fleet as a Technician. We change oil in our cars and pickups every 5000 miles. Have stuff with over 200,000 miles and never had any major work.

We have vehicles with oil liffe monitors. It is very rare for the oil change light to come on within that 5000 mile interval. Save your money and follow the oil life monitor.

Check the oil and see how dark it is for one and go ahead and change it three months is a guideline as is the oil life gauge it does depend on how often the vehicle is driven and how hard good upkeep on the car will help to keep it's value

Unless you drive dirt roads, 7000 miles is fine between changes. Sure there is the 3 month rule and the 3000 mile rule, both made up by the oil change outfits to get more business. Easy way to decide-- pull out your dipstick and if the oil is very dirty, change it. If it is still clear, it is fine.

From a mechanic’s point of view, more is better!

What I mean is change it more often than the mfg recommends.

I have a 92 suburban, change the oil every 3000 miles and I have had no problems.

Oh did I say it has 290,000 miles on it!

LOok at it this way, If you buy some oil every 3 months it's cheaper than having to buy repair parts for a burnt up motor.

i change mine every 4000 miles or four months 3000 miles is just way to short of a life span

go by the manufacture its better going every three thousand miles is no longer valid besides you would be disposing of still good oil too early