Is the 2011 MDX synthetic Oil? Do I have to use synthetic oil or can I switch to regular oil?

If I have to keep synthetic, how many miles should I wait before changing the oil?

What about tire rotations?

Please let me know. Thanks.

 

The default is regular oil, but synthetic is optional (that's what I use).

The car will give you a warning when it is time for oil change, but it is roughly every 7500 miles (depends on how the car is driven). I rotate my tires every oil change.

 

Does the warning light in the MDX just turn on at 7500 miles? What triggers the warning light to appear?

 

Most people use the maintenance minder. However, I do my oil and tire rotations every 5,000 miles. Cheap insurance IMHO. (Flamesuit on!!!!) LOL

 

May we assume that your 2011 MDX didn't come with a manual? The time to learn about such things is before you spend 40 - 50k on a car not afterwards.

 

follow your MID. the oil life gauge will dictate when you should change your oil (@ less than 15% oil ife is when the car will begin "talking" to you). this can vary depending on how the car is driven (city miles vs hwy). lots of hwy...longer interval (7500mi +). lots of city...shorter intervals (4k mi). mileage intervals don't exist for acuras.

OP-invest in an owner's manual. learn the maintenance schedule/codes that the MID will tell you (A, B, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). brake fluid is to changed every 3 yrs. power steering fluid is not in the OM as a regular maintenance item (change if dirty). the car will NOT know whether you are using synthetic or dino. and yes, you can switch between the two without issue.

following the MID has been well established in the 3G TL forums in terms of oil analysis and the intervals. acura would not spend tons of money on the complexities of the MID system that would potentially cause harm to your engine in a "green" world. the MID's calculations based on your driving habits is actually conservative with its indcator to change the oil. keeping in mind that us, enthusiasts being a lot more anal about maintenance, the MID is for those that have no clue on how to appropriately care for a vehicle (the masses). acura has really focused on having these people make maintenance for the car pretty idiot proof unless they completely neglect/ignore the MID.

 

There is no such thing as idiot proof, in fact, we are teaching it in our schools.

 

- You can't fix stupid.....

 

true...you certainly can't teach stupid...and there are plenty of idiots out there...i'm just hoping they aren't acura owners!

 

here's what I dug up:

Engine Oil: 7,500 Miles or 12 Months
Rear Differential: 15k-30k Mi or 1 year, 30k Mi or every 2 years thereafter
Transmission: 45k Mi or 3 years, 30k Mi or every 2 years thereafter
Brake Fluid: every 3 years
Power Steering Fluid: (with brakes) - every 3 years
Spark Plugs: 60k Mi (heavy service), or just rely on maintenance indicator
Air Filter: 15k Mi (heavy service), or just visually check
Cabin Air Filter: As needed (I use 1X/yr.)
Tires: rotate with engine oil change
Timing Belt, Tensioner, Water Pump, Coolant: 90k Mi. (60k in heavy service)

 

^^please site your source. there is nothing in my owner's manual that has mileage intervals. the only thing time dependent is the brake fluid. everything else is indicated by the MID except power steering which is not mentioned in the OM.

 

it was another forum (can't find the post ) but the member said he was able to procure the information from his own experience in his mdx...obviously, a lot of stuff is driving habit contingent, but power steering, brake, and transmission fluid can be time-based, if they've been sitting in the car for too long.

 

The oil change intervals are based on the number of revolutions the crankshaft makes over time. There is a sensor off the crank. Obviously if you keep the revs down and travel in the higher gears you won't accumulate as many revs over the same number of miles. A light foot = longer oil change intervals.

 

The light foot also gives better gas mileage and fewer service problems. It amazes me how many drive lead foot then scream bloody murder in these forums.
Tire rotations can be every oil change to every other.
Potholes are a reason for frequent rotations as well as alignments.