engine oil type
12-02-2002, 08:26 PM
#1
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engine oil type
I have 1300 miles on my TLS and just had the oil changed. I used Pennzoil 5w-20w. I noticed on the label it says API-SL/EC and on the oil cap on the engine it says to use API-SJ. Does this make a difference if I used oil that says SL instead of SJ? What does this mean?
12-03-2002, 09:49 AM
#2
Cruisin'
I'm not sure about the designation letters, but I did basically like you. I changed my oil at 1500 miles, and yesterday at 3147 miles. on the 1500 mile change I went with 10w-30 castrol. On the 2nd change yesterday, and all others after I used mobil-1 5w-30 full synthetic. Neither of these oils will void your warranty. 
12-03-2002, 10:24 AM
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WTF? I thought the first oil change has to be performed at 7.5K miles as per the manual indications. If I had to change the oil every1.5K miles I'd go broke in 6 months... At 100 miles per day, my car would be in the shop constantly...
Besides, doesn't the original oil contain some "break-in" aditives that are vital for proper future engine operations?
Besides, doesn't the original oil contain some "break-in" aditives that are vital for proper future engine operations?
12-03-2002, 11:35 AM
#4
Cruisin'
Firstly, If i'm not mistaken (or lied to) the Acura motor has already had a (I believe) 20 hour break in before it is sent out. the oil is changed after this break in run. You are correct the manual DOES say it is good for 7.5k. I PERSONALLY will not ever let ANY car get to 7.5k before a oil change. 3000 miles....change oil. Most oil manufacturers say change their brand of oil at 3k also....I think SYNTHETIC...CAN be run to 6k, but a FILTER change at 3k is recommended.
It does state a disclaimer in the manuel.....SEVERE DUTY...change at 3000 miles, and severe duty is defined as...in the manuel....stop and go traffic, hot weather, dusty conditions, etc. Let's just say the conditions for 75% of the people on planet earth. I'm not lucky enough to have a LONG country road to my house to eliminate the stop and go traffic.
I just wanted to get rid of the oil the car came with, after running it for a good 1500 miles, I'm sure more metal particles are still flying around the engine....sure the filter is supposed to catch the big ones, but the oil still has some fine metallic content to it...squeezing this metallic laden oil into the tight tolerances of the engine internals doesn't make me happy. some of this "wear" is needed for break-in to occur, but I don't want to "break in" my engine for 7500 miles!
I did my 2nd change at the 3000 mile interval...just to be SAFE again.....I may be a little anal, but 2 early oil changes will NEVER hurt the car, and it only costs $25-30 per change. It gives me a piece of mind. At my 2nd change (3000 miles) I went with synthetic mobil 1 oil 5w-30 and filter. I will do a change every 3000 miles from here out. You have a very nice expensive luxury car with a performance oriented engine....not some Kia-Sophia. I would recommend you do the same, But this is just my opinion, which may or may not be shared with others. Use your best judgement, with information provided to you. Happy motoring!!!!
It does state a disclaimer in the manuel.....SEVERE DUTY...change at 3000 miles, and severe duty is defined as...in the manuel....stop and go traffic, hot weather, dusty conditions, etc. Let's just say the conditions for 75% of the people on planet earth. I'm not lucky enough to have a LONG country road to my house to eliminate the stop and go traffic.
I just wanted to get rid of the oil the car came with, after running it for a good 1500 miles, I'm sure more metal particles are still flying around the engine....sure the filter is supposed to catch the big ones, but the oil still has some fine metallic content to it...squeezing this metallic laden oil into the tight tolerances of the engine internals doesn't make me happy. some of this "wear" is needed for break-in to occur, but I don't want to "break in" my engine for 7500 miles!
I did my 2nd change at the 3000 mile interval...just to be SAFE again.....I may be a little anal, but 2 early oil changes will NEVER hurt the car, and it only costs $25-30 per change. It gives me a piece of mind. At my 2nd change (3000 miles) I went with synthetic mobil 1 oil 5w-30 and filter. I will do a change every 3000 miles from here out. You have a very nice expensive luxury car with a performance oriented engine....not some Kia-Sophia. I would recommend you do the same, But this is just my opinion, which may or may not be shared with others. Use your best judgement, with information provided to you. Happy motoring!!!!
12-03-2002, 04:42 PM
#6
Manual and dealer state 3750 for the first oil change... I ended up doing mine around 4200. I used Mobil1 Synthetic 5w30 with a Purolator Filter. Once that case was used I switched to Redline 5w20 with a Mobil1 Filter..... I go about 8000 miles between changes....
12-05-2002, 11:10 AM
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"API, SG, SJ" labels can be applied to any weight oils. the letters mean the fluid meets certain parameters such as sheering effects or that it is a "fuel efficient oil". Honda recommends using specific classes and always does recommend that you look for the specific class that designates fuel efficiency.
my 2003 Accord EX-L uses 5W-20 and the oil change intervals are at 10,000 miles! the "severe" schedule is every 5,000 and that's what i'm going to follow. my A4 and Passat had 5,000 mile intervals and that was just fine. newer oils and flters have better lucbrication, cleaning, and cooling properties so i don't have a problem with it. plus manufacturing processes have better tolerances and there is less chance of debris in the original oil as well as engine blocks withbetter built in cooling and lubricating features. as a matter of fact, BMW and Benz have some intervals up to 18,000 miles! the oil life monitor may signal a change at that interval.
another interesting note - my manual specifically says that there are factory additivies in the oil and that the oil should be changed before 5,000 miles. this would apply to the 6cyl as well since it used the same owners manual.
i'm sure these items will start popping up in Acura vehicles as well.
my 2003 Accord EX-L uses 5W-20 and the oil change intervals are at 10,000 miles! the "severe" schedule is every 5,000 and that's what i'm going to follow. my A4 and Passat had 5,000 mile intervals and that was just fine. newer oils and flters have better lucbrication, cleaning, and cooling properties so i don't have a problem with it. plus manufacturing processes have better tolerances and there is less chance of debris in the original oil as well as engine blocks withbetter built in cooling and lubricating features. as a matter of fact, BMW and Benz have some intervals up to 18,000 miles! the oil life monitor may signal a change at that interval.
another interesting note - my manual specifically says that there are factory additivies in the oil and that the oil should be changed before 5,000 miles. this would apply to the 6cyl as well since it used the same owners manual.
i'm sure these items will start popping up in Acura vehicles as well.
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