Hey guys,

Just wondering what kind of oil you are all using for your Acura Tsx's? Does Acura recommend a specific brand?

Also, is 45k miles too late to switch from regular to synthetic oil?

Thanks much!

 

Acura recommend using their brand: Honda Genuine Motor Oil.

I use Mobil 1 Synthetic in the TSX. I wouldn't see why there would be a problem switching from regular to synthetic unless you have high milege and are leaking oil.

 

and

 

I agree-
I get the regular oil change-no synthetic. Works for me.

 

Reg oil is fine most of the time. Syn oil will provide some added protection if you live in extreme conditions (car sits for a long time, extreme heat +100 degrees, extreme cold below 0 degrees, stop/go traffic short trips only, dusty conditions, etc...).

I fall in the extreme heat and dusty conditions, I figure Mobil 1 couldn't hurt.

 

Just a quick tip - if you're looking to save a few bucks on the difference between synthetic oil and regular oil ask your oil change provider if you can bring in your own oil for the oil change.

My local Acura dealer charges $25 (including disposal,taxes, and fees), for an oil change, filter, and crush washer. Could I get it done cheaper at an independent garage? Probably, but I do like the multi-point inspection they do. It gives me a bit of peace of mind, and it lets me establish a relationship with my dealer (which has come in handy from time to time on larger repairs). I spend about $22 for a 5 quart container of Mobil 1 synthetic, while I would spend about $10 for regular store brand oil. So the "spread" for me getting a synthetic job is $12 - well worth it for me, considering I can extend the interval as compared to regular oil.

My major problem with garages in general is the markup on supplies. In many cases, garages charge double for a synthetic change, when the labor is exactly the same, and in many cases, the oil just a few bucks more.

 

I've used Roayl Purple since the first oil change - change it every 5K. I've had no regrets, but it's an expesive proposition (~$36 just for the oil, per change). So I change it myself. I guess the only real reason was for some extra peace of mind. I plan to own the car to around 180-200K and I only need about 3 changes per year, so it seemed like a reasonable trade off.

The only advice I got is if you switch, don't switch back.

 

why?

 

Earlier generations of synthetics contained components that caused engine seals to swell. The seals would then wear down at their swollen sizes. If people were to switch back to conventional oil, the seals shrunk and caused engine leaks.

Modern synthetics don't have that problem anymore. If one buys synthetic oil at the store today, they won't have any problems switching back to conventional oil. On the other hand, if one goes through his/her garage and finds unopened bottles of synthetic oil from years ago, problems will arise from their use and subsequent switch to conventional oil.

Thus, 1Louder is right about previous versions of synthetic, but misinformed about the current synthetic oil technology.

Personally, I have been using synthetic oil ever since my TSX's second oil change. There have been a couple of times where I brought my car to the dealer for an oil change, though, and they used conventional oil (two oil changes in a row). I didn't have any leaks during that time.

 

thanks for clearing that up-I did some research and it said basically the same thing. It also said if you have high mileage, using conventional oil and wanted to switch to sythenic to change the oil sooner and then increase the intervals.

 

I change once per year at 10k miles with Mobil 1 and Purolator filters. Blackstone says I'm good for 12k.

Oil brand really doesn't matter much. All oils must meet certain stringent requirements to meet their rated specification. If it were important to use synthetics, the car manufacturer would recommend this.

How did you determine the 3 change per year frequency?

 

What weight M-1 are you using?

 

Anyone use Castro x? It was recommended to me a mechanic for Acura TSXs. Also I moved to a new location (maryland) and still looking for mechanics in the area. Should I do an oil change through a standard mechanic or the dealer?

 

Probably for an oil change, you can do whatever is easier for you. I wouldn't say that a dealership does a better job at an oil change, as it's a relatively easy task.

On the other hand, while it might cost a few more bucks to get the oil changed at a dealership, it does build up a valuable history with them, that may help you down the line. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, you can always bring your own oil to help shave the cost a little.

 

Do you know what defines "old" vs. "new"? I've been using RP since August 2006. Is that "old"?

Although, I've no real reason to change back to regular anyway. But I'm curious if you know when this happened.

 

It's just based on my driving. I average 15,000 miles per year, and I change it every 5K. Although, many people, including the Acrua mechanics, tell me that RP can run for 10K under normal driving. The oil minder on the car would probably to to 6 or 7K before giving me the alert. However, I'm old enough to remember when the 3K interval was religion. So going to 5K was a big mental leap. Not sure if I'm ready for 7 or 10K. However, the barrier here is mental and not engineering. I just haven't gotten over the years of 3K brainwashing yet.....

 

You're fine. Most, if not all, oil manufacturers learned their lesson by the 90s. It took a while for consumers to re-consider synthetic oils after all of the problems that they ran into in the previous decades. Even to this day, people's qualms are still pervasive.

I have been using synthetic in my 2006 TSX ever since its 2nd oil change. However, during the two times I took my car to the dealer for an oil change, they used regular oil. I haven't had any issues from switching back and forth between the two oils.

 

Until this car I used to have the oil changed every 3,000 miles. I now follow the maintenance minder on my tsx. It seems to be working for me.