I'm planning to go on a trip to San Fransico and my approximate travel miles will be 1200 miles. My question is that, my oil level is down to 50%, do you think the oil level is sufficient enough for the trip? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Oil change is cheap. Be nice to your car and just change it now.

 

It's been my experience (I'm at 15% for my 2nd scheduled service) that when the oil level drops below 30% or so, the car begins reporting the interval to the next service more quickly. However, with 50%, for the kind of driving I'm experienced with, I'd still have 3,000 to 4,000 miles before before the service light comes on in the 20% to 15% range. The way the car is driven and conditions encountered also figure into the intervals. YMMV. On the subject of oil changing generally for all vehicles, some folks recommend changing the oil at 3,000 mile intervals, which is double what I've ever done with my Hondas...I've always followed the recommendations as per the Honda manuals and what the car is set up for...7,500 intervals...although the Honda dealers down here advise to come in at 3,000 mile intervals. So, it shouldn't do any harm to change the oil prior to the trip. I'm having my oil changes when the car says to have them so that the other recommended services happen at the right time...for instance, this time the SHAWD needs inspection and servicing.

This is my first Acura, but I've owned 2 Hondas, and my '94 currently has 458,000 miles on it, the last time I checked...it's been well maintained, but any problems with this car haven't been related to my changing the oil only when the indicator comes up...at about 7500 mile intervals.

 

CAVEAT: The computer may keep up with maintenance items no matter how many times the oil is changed, so my reasoning for that comment may be out in left field.

 

As long as this isnt your first oil change, I'd swap it out for fresh fluids. If the oil in your motor is the same as when you purchased the car, wait until you get back.

 

Like bkw said, if this is the original oil in the car, do NOT change it. The % of oil should drop at around 10% per 500-600 miles. So you have just enough to get by, but if it is past your first oil change, go ahead and change it.

 

Don't change it until you get back. You will have plenty of miles left after you get back before you need to change it. Don't waste good oil.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I haven't change the oil since I purchased the car. The car currently has about 3K miles on it. So I'll take on you guys' advice and wait till after I get back from my trip.
This forum rocks!! Thanks again for the infos.

 

If your oil LEVEL is actually down to 50% then, please, add some oil immediately.

If it's just the remaining oil life indicator as I suspect then 50% is no problem for a 1200 mile trip.