fstshrk

In my newly acquired 08 RL (Dec, 2) with 400 miles on the odo, the oil life went from 100% to 90%. I have been driving the car very conservatively due to break-in period. Mostly city driving but not stop and go.

Should I expect to get an oil change every 4000 miles or so based on this.
It seems a bit short to me for a modern car.


Thanks

visuelz

You oil life will indeed suffer from breaking in your car due to the metal shavings. After a few oil changes, you'll get to wait longer before you change it.

fstshrk

How does the MID know that there are metal shavings in the oil?

kirbyflorida

I change my oil at 40% no matter what, that one extra oil change per year is nothing in cost.
40% for me is at 4000 miles.

kirbyflorida

It has these little nano robots that go in there and analyze the oil .
These cars are remarkable.

fstshrk

How many miles do you usually drive before going from 100% to 90%?

Thanks

TampaRLX-SH

The MID calculations for oil life are not constant.

It counts down based on driving type, temperature, engine starts, idling time, etc. So an RL that cruises 400 miles on the highway will count down slower than an RL subject to many short trips with more engine starts. So if your driving habits are typically city driving, it will count down faster than an RL with mostly highway trips. And should your driving habits change, the MID count down will reflect that.

Further, the % the MID depicts is not soley about oil life...it also bundles other service needs (tire rotations, filter changes, etc) based on the mileage on the car and groups them into more 'conveniant' service call reminders. Many here find the MID reporting adequate, and always some prefer to change oil more routinely.

Another point to make concerns the factory oil fill for the new RL. It had additives to assist with the initial engine break in, and Acura recommends leaving the initial oil in the vehichle until the MID reports a needed change. Some here will argue that point, but it is covered in the manual.

Bottom line is, I would not worry about the 10% drop in 400 miles. It is a new vehicle, under break in period and the MID is reacting to the conditions of your driving and the initial oil fill from the factory. If I remember, my 1st week or so in the car, mine dropped also and likely due to the amount of idling time I had learning the features in the driveway, short visits to show off my new RL and the additional volunteer runs to the market to get some time in the seat.

Now I find my MID averages 10% for every 750 - 1000 miles based on my typical driving habits.

GoHawks

Some dealers will actually refuse to change the initial oil until indicated.


I average between 6k to 7k miles between oil changes.

NavyDoc333

Just make sure that you check your dipstick. The dealer (and Acura) will tell you not to 'change' your oil until the MID tells you to, but what they don't tell you is that your car may 'use' oil... when I owned my RL I just happened to check the dipstick when the car had 5,000mi on it, and the stick was DRY. Make sure you check it!

Rexorg

I'm from the Old School and was raised on 3 months or 3,000 miles. However, with my last five or six cars with oil monitors I will let the oil go for 6,000 miles or so, but no more than 6 months. IMHO, there is too much crud and condensation in the oil to go over 6 or 6.

Rexorg

Wow, I wonder what happened? That is very unusual for a new car, especially a Honda engine. I know a lot of owners will report they don't use a drop of oil between changes, but what most don't know is that a lot of what's in your crankcase after several thousands of miles is water from the combustion process and condensation.

SpicyMikey

My first oil change was at 6000. I do mostly city driving but don't drivea agressive (anymore). My next oil change is running at about the same pace

dwboston

I've put 3000 miles on the car since the last oil change. The oil life just hit 50% on the MID yesterday.

NavyDoc333

I don't think you use my case as 'the standard'. My RL continued to 'use' oil and I ended up getting rid of it because Acura refused to investigate... but I've beaten that horse to death in this forum...so I won't belabor the point. Just make sure you check yours frequently to make sure that you don't have one like mine. If it's not consuming oil...than my is to do it every 5k. That's a good compromise between what Acura recommends...and the 'old school' 3k.

neuronbob

I get 5-6k between oil changes.

jfprl

I get about 8K. I do mostly highway driving at 65MPH +/-. (Mostly +)

ram_g

Also don't forget round-off. The indicator only displays values in 10's until it reaches 20%, then steps down to 15, 10, 5. So your oil life may theoretically be at 94% rounded down to 90%, i.e. the "usage" may have been less than 10% although that is what is displayed.

Bottom line is that it is too early to fret about it!

Strategr

To expand the topic, ...

synthetic or conventional?

Someone told me synthetic will produce better mileage. Never have used it in any of my cars, but getting curious.

I imagine those nanorobots might not know synthetic from conventional and it will require modification to the MID info about fequency of changing.

SpicyMikey

I use Mobil One on my RL. There are some high mileage synthetics but Mobile One basically has a recommended mileage that is the same as regular oil. Main advantage with standard synthetics are reduction of engine sludge over the long haul and somewhat better lubrication. It's not absolutely necessary. I use regular oil on my leased MDX.

backfire

I use Mobil one also in everything I own. I just change every 5000 miles no matter waht the computer says