AlexMN

Just as the title says. I changed the oil and filter last week and the oil is already dark (may be around 100 miles). I've only had the MDX for about a year and I always noticed this. I change the oil myself.
Is this an MDX charecteristic ?
I have a CL in which the oil stays clean for a long time before it starts to change the color.

BTW: Thanks for the DYI posts. I changed the transmission and the Diff. fluid over the weekend with no trouble.

fxcarden

Hmmm.....maybe the detergents are doing their job ?. how long do you go between changes ?.

mdx_1976

What brand of oil do you use? Has it turned dark during your previous oil and filter changes?
How many miles on the MDX?

IIRC - In my 2008, the oil stays almost new/clear for the first 1500-2000 miles

AlexMN

There is 93K miles on the car.
I used to change when the message pops up (oil life indicator gets down to around 10%) but now I think I should be more aggressive.
I even treated with seafoam this past time.
I use the walmart brand oil and filter on both cars and it works just fine in the CL.

bobin

I use Amsoil 0-20 engine and a Amsoil oil filter. Its the best synthetic engine oil on the market to and there oil filter will trap engine particles down to 5 plus percent as your filters that you bust are very cheap oil filters and will only trap particles down to maybe 30 or so percent. Also city driving will change the color of the oil much more quickly.You get what you pay for is the saying. Do not want to spend the money then you can pay more later on repairs etc.

EL_PIC

Search and you will find ...
http://www.oilsandlube.com/oil-color.htm

moto94536

well the type of motor oil that you are using may turn black after 2000 miles. I think you are using mobil 1.

I have good luck with castrol syntec on my 2006 toyota camry v6. I will probably stick with 1 brand.

dominik331

Is the bulk oil used by Acura a synthetic blend? An Acura tech told me his dealer is supplied by Castrol and that it is supposed to last up to 8k miles between changes. Any truth to that?

db22

Dark looking oil, with modern lubricants, is because of a chemical reaction to the application of gasses and heat condusive to a cars engine. It is not an indication of particulate matter, retained viscosity or performance.

moto94536

same here. our local honda dealer use castrol synblend. Oil life is depend on the type of the driving.

I have castrol synblend oil. If you drive mostly highway, it will go 8,000 to 9,000 miles.