2009 RDX Tech 34K
Mtc minder shows 15% oil life after 2811 miles. Mostly city driving. Is this normal?

 

 

What other 1-6 service is due at the same time?

Sometimes the maint reminder might be very close to another 1-6 service like 5AT fluid or rear diff. My theory is the maint reminder may shorten the oil change % if you are getting close to being over for another 1-6 service if you go the full 5-6K oil change interval. This is assuming you are driving pretty much the same way and your previous oil change intervals were around the 5000-6000 mile intervals.

 

What the Russian said...it takes many different variables into account to determine your expected oil life expectancy. Lots of stop and go, idling, short trips, etc. will shorten your time. Mine just ticked the 15% mark today at 5500 miles, but I'm almost always on the highway with a 50 mile round trip commute to work.

 

I also think same as others highly recommend you to change earlier than the regular time .

 

I'm not a fan of this since I haven't used it myself a full cycle. I think they didn't reset it when it was serviced and mine is at I'd guess under 1000 miles signaling an oil change.

So I would reset it but I can't find a mileage based interval. 3k 5k?

Also, while I'm grumping... what is the trick to checking the oil level? Thi's design pisses me off. Not only is the stick stubborn annoying. But it seems to have oil all over it every time. I let it sit a long time and it seems the same. It's almost like the bend in the tip drags oil up the tube when you're trying to check it?

 

^most modern cars have an algorithm dictating service intervals. therefore there is NO set intervals...
which then leads to modern oil...modern chemistry has made it so that you can drive longer than 7k miles before the oil starts to break down.

if you don't want to listen to the great algorithm that the car is dictating... try a 6k mile service interval.
I have 3 cars in my family and it just makes it easy to do everyones oil at 6k intervals.

 

I have that issue with my MDX and RDX with the dipstick covered in oil and hard to read the level. I've notice the vehicle need to be perfectly level for a correct reading and letting the vehicle sit overnight (or over the weekend) help also.

 

The stick will have some oil on it, but just look at the holes at the bottom. Ideally you want the bottom hole covered by oil film and the top hole open. Both open = too low, both filled = too high. But also make sure the car has been sitting for a bit before checking, just to be safe.

As for the algorithm, you should have no issues going by it. I want to say that most of the other maintenance items in there are mileage-based, so something like a "3" for transmission change or a "5" for coolant should pop up on your first service after "X" miles have passed. But, that is only my assumption and I don't really have much evidence behind it. I actually just got a B13 at 137k miles. My front brakes are also down to the wire, so it'll be a fun weekend of maintenance for me!