taintedplay

ok according to the mech, i should get one every 3mo or 3k miles. that seems like a rip. if i get a good synthetic oil, whats a good median time to get an oil change?

niju321

That is way too often, and this topic has been discussed to death and beyond in other threads...search and you shall find more than enough info.

01tl4tl

the oil change reminder light is set for 7500 miles- it starts blinking about 6500 miles since last reset- light is manually reset and reads miles only- doesnt care about oil quality or type- 7500 miles is what its set for by acura

Another recent oil thread on `DIY oil change` has all you need to know and reset light procedure
any name brand oil is fine in 5w-30 weight
semi synth, full synth, or plain oil all are ok and you can change back and forth --the engine wont care

5000 miles if you commute in stop and go traffic would be appropriate
3000 miles is old school crappy oil and quick lube shops who need you in every few months to keep them open

myisanog

i change my oil every 3k miles regardless .. just a habit since my brother does the same

piggylover1985

Same here, mine has 220,000 miles and running strong, no noise, no smoke, no leak no valve tick.

russianDude

Its a big topic that has many opinions and facts. If you want to avoid getting into depth analysis of all the facts, the simplest thing you can do is to follow your owners manual, which recommends 3750 for severe driving and 7500 for normal driving, using regular oil. Synthetic oil will help you extend that interval.

'03TL-S

iTrader: (10)

You should be fine with at least 5K miles. I just changed mines today and it was near the 8K mark.

Gfaze

Get out of that habit, it's a waste of your money and natural resources. Engine and oil technology has come a loooonnnngggg way, making this old belief obsolete. The 3k/3mo rule is now a profit generator, nothing more. Follow the factory recommendation and you'll be fine.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

5k sounds like a good interval. My MID usually tells me to change it around every 6k.

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

While the humble opinion of an Old Salt of the forums is certainly appreciated, many people come to resources like this for discourse of current, rather than past, opinions.

A local mechanic swears that if you change every 3K, regular oil, nothing high tech, your engine will last longer.

That said, my Volvo 850Turbo, which proscribed 5K intervals for turbo and 10k for non-turbo, got changes every 5~7K, and was strong and smooth when sold at 205K.

I can't wait to do my first oil change on my "new" TL, but I don't want to waste oil, either. With my highway miles, I'll do 6K in about 2 months, and then change it.

If I was driving only 6K a year, all stop and go, I'd certainly consider changing it twice a year.

fsttyms1

I had that many miles on 10-15k intervals. No tick no noise no smoke. 3k has been beaten into peoples heads to the point that they now believe that if they dont do that their motors wont last. 3k is nothing more than (like stated earlier) a profit generator.

And maybe you should search as well, as they arent "old" opinions. This topic is brought up almost weekly.

Follow what the manufacturer recommends. For 98%+ here the "normal" driving condition applies.

01tl4tl

the mait req light begins flashing about 6000 miles since reset to give warning of oil change coming due
It gives more insistant type of flashes iirc- as you approach 7500- where mine at least,,,comes on and stays on until I reset it and change the oil


a certain wife stopped at midnite on the freeway when mait light came on once -looked over the car and decided all was well,,,kept driving lol

jspagna1

I have read this interval in many owners manuals as well for the Jap cars. I am still of the old school and try to stick to the 3,000 miles, not the 3 months.

01tl4tl

it all depends on how you drive- traffic is the worst on oil- followed by trips under 5 miles and no monthly hour long drive to dry all the fluids of moisture

3000- a new york taxi goes longer~~
5000 for conservative (less for extreme use)
7500 normal people
longer requires oil analysis to see if ok to keep going, for the price of that -35$, I can change my oil at 7500 and not care!!

now brake fluid changes based on use and time ...I am mental about~

fsttyms1

And that is the mentality that people really need to change. Who do you believe more. The quick change/dealer oil change slogans or the people who actually design the motor? Who do you think knows more. My bet is on the guys that design the motor.

russianDude

speaking of dealers, my friend bough toyota with 2 year service plan included, so when they changed his oil they put a sticker 6,000 miles. I guess when dealer has to pay for oil change they stop putting stupid 3,000 stickers.

fsttyms1

I have seen that my self with a few cars now. The dealer threw in a years worth of oil changes on my dads Genesis sedan and his says something like 7500 if i remember right (and you have to pull the engine cover off to get to the filter, though it just snaps on)

01tl4tl

when the oil change is included in the sale price the interval drops
and they often have a minimum miles before they will do the change!--say 10% on mid as an example