Premature Oil Change Indicator

[E.T.Smith]

The dashboard oil change tell flipped to full red after only about 1,200 miles since my last change. Since I'm all but certain that the oil change indicator is just an add-on to the odometer, I don't think this says anything directly about the state of the engine. However I am somewhat concerned the indicator may need adjusting; the last time, it hung out at half-red for a few hundred miles before abruptly flipping. Or did I just reset it too hard with my screwdriver?

[Scooterboy45]

1200 miles is the correct interval for oil changes. Your indicator is working just fine.

[Cruiser]

Sounds to be working perfectly!
You are supposed to use your key to reset it.

[zozman]

I would keep a maintenance log on all Honda work done. The oil indicator flag is mechanical. Not accurate. My 1998 CN250 showed red after 900 miles. Your results may vary. Eat at Joe's.


zoz

[Phil]

to make it easy on myself. I just change it every 1k. 5k, 6k,7k, 8k. you get the idea. do that on all my cars as well. but at 5k. Little over kill in this day and age. But good clean fresh oil wont hurt an engine

[E.T.Smith]

1200 miles is the correct interval for oil changes. Your indicator is working just fine.

Huh. The service manual I got (Cyclepedia CPP-131) says its every two-thousand miles. Well, good to know everything is working as it should.

[zozman]

The Honda CN 250 engine was derived from the Honda CH 250 was the inaugural introduction of the engine in 1985. So what was the oil change intervals that Honda recommended when the original service manual was written in 1984?

Honda CH 250 recommended oil change intervals based upon the 1988 revision of the service manual: 1985 1250 miles, 1986 1250 miles, 1987 1250 miles, 1988 2000 miles.

Honda CN 250 recommended oil change intervals based upon the 1993 revision of the service manual: 1986 1250 miles, 1987 afterward 2000 miles.

The longer oil change interval appears to have come, therefore between 1986 and 1987.

Considering the Elite CH 250 and the Helix CN 250 has only a .8 quart oil capacity and no oil filter, longer durations of operation between oil change intervals is, in my opinion, questionable.

I recommend full synthetic oil at the 1000 mile interval.


zoz

[Cruiser]

For me it is easier to rely on the 1200 trip to red. I have three Helix to keep track of!

[Jim Caudill]

The numbers are 1,200 miles or 2,000 KILOMETERS or every 6 months

[Cruiser]

1200 miles is the correct interval for oil changes. Your indicator is working just fine.

Huh. The service manual I got (Cyclepedia CPP-131) says its every two-thousand miles. Well, good to know everything is working as it should.

I checked my Service manual. 1200 miles (2000 km)! Like Jim said.