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Hi,
I have a 2011 MDX, tech package, 30,300 miles on it. Mainly city driving, light use.
Last oil change was done at 26,800 in July 2018.
The oil life currently is at 50% per the minder.
I looked at the dipstick today and wasn't
quite happy with what I saw (pics attached). Called the dealership and they said typically wait till oil life is at 15% or a year has elapsed.
Would appreciate some input on typical oil change intervals.
Side note: received a notice from Acura recently indicating that 2011 mdx is one of the year models that might be affected by excessive oil consumption and to have an oil consumption test done, so a bit freaked out by what I saw on the dip. Thoughts welcome.
Thanks
A couple of questions:
1.- Did you do the previous oil change?
2.- If you did the oil change did you overfill?
Those are quite low miles for the oil consumption issue to appear… I am guessing here it probably wasn´t overfilled? the normal level and I mean FACTORY LEVEL is between the upper and lower marks, Lets call it "Middle way".. As per your picture your oil level is within the specs of a factory fill. Some of us like to simply put 5qs on the engine (Stock fill is 4.7q) so that puts the oil on the upper level when hot, This means it will require at least a full quart loss to reach where you are.
Fill it back up to the middle and measure how much you put back. Then calculate your loss between 1000miles... Honda wants at least a full quart loss between 1000 miles to consider it a problem.
A couple of questions:
1.- Did you do the previous oil change?
2.- If you did the oil change did you overfill?
Those are quite low miles for the oil consumption issue to appear… I am guessing here it probably wasn´t overfilled? the normal level and I mean FACTORY LEVEL is between the upper and lower marks, Lets call it "Middle way".. As per your picture your oil level is within the specs of a factory fill. Some of us like to simply put 5qs on the engine (Stock fill is 4.7q) so that puts the oil on the upper level when hot, This means it will require at least a full quart loss to reach where you are.
Fill it back up to the middle and measure how much you put back. Then calculate your loss between 1000miles... Honda wants at least a full quart loss between 1000 miles to consider it a problem.
Thank you for the response. The oil change was done by the dealership at 26,817 miles. I would hope they did not overfill and followed factory specs.
Is the color of the oil in the pictures the expected/natural color tone ? Just a bit concerned given the dark tone. The dealership said that they can monitor the oil after the next oil change to evaluate consumption. Just wanted to get clarity on whether a oil change is necessary at this point given the mileage it was last changed at and the color tone.
Yes if its done at the dealership they will pour 4.7 exact because that is how the barrel supply the oil (In factory specs) so that should put the oil level right between the lines… Your oil level should level out once it sits down for 5 minutes or so, It doesnt look low at all. As per the color that is somewhat of a myth, Oil color does not dictate its current lifespan.. Mobil 1 for example will be golden day one and get dark in a single week this is because the additive package respond to heat and change color. Honda stuff reacts the same..
The J37 is a monster of an engine and it stress out the oil more than other J-Series, Its normal for it to black out the engine oil fast. Only way to measure oil life for sure is with an Oil Analysis Test (Ex: BlackStone Labs Test).
03-09-2019, 06:40 PM
