KMcalTL

1. Do you guys recommend going to the dealer for an oil change or does it not matter.

2. Is it bad to get your oil changed too often?

3. Would getting my oil changed more often than the scheduled be better for my car?

4. Could someone explain why you should use different oils for different age of your car?

yu888

Oil changes can be done by anyone. It isnt difficult and can even be done by yourself. As long as you use a Honda filter and a new drain washer everytime, any mechanic can do the job.

Dont change out the first oil until after 3750 miles so the breakin oil can do its job. But after that, every 3000 is what I do, some do it every 3750, and still others who drive highway only and are easy on their cars do it as little as every 7500

There is no harm in changing oil more often, excpet it may cost a little more in oil, filters, and labor. Changing more often keeps the engine cleaner and freer of particles that can cause problems.

You can use the 10w-30 that Honda/Acura recomends, but many drivers run synthetic (like Mobil1) because it provides more lubricatiosn and protection. That would be your call.
Good Luck!

------------------
1999 Satin Silver TL Dunlop SP9000 215-45/17-mounted on CL-S 17" Rims
H&R Springs-Axiss MetalMasterPads-Crossdrilled Rotors
-Inspire Tailights-20/30/40 tint

Y2k S2K Honda Roadster
- Mingster Aeroscreen, Smokin Front mesh Grill, Clear Sidemarkers...

SinnedTL

Correction, Our manuals as well as the Acura Dealers recommend 5W-30 but if you live in an area that does not go below like 10 degree fareinheit, you can use 10W-30...I would not go more than 4000 miles with a petroleum based motor oil, with synthetic i would probably go about 6000 miles to be on the safe side...

VTEC

change my oil(Mobil 1)and filter by myself every 3000 miles.It will better if u change ur oil every 2800-3200 miles.

------------------
2000 3.2TL Firepepper red w/o nav
stock spoiler
Bosch 4+ platinum spark plug
25% Tint/Mud guards/
acura-tl.com sticker at front windshield
Comptect springs

fred3113

my dealer told me to bring it back for my first oil change in 1000 miles , due to engine breaking in might have debre in it, then after that 3000 miles, but i recently started using mobil 1 synthetic, and i paid 240 dollars at the dealer now they change my oil for free and do all the checks for the life of the car, with synthetic, pays itself off after 4 or 5 oils changes,

p.s. with synthetic they reccomend every 5000 miles!!

------------------
2000 TL, Satin Silver, Burlwood shifter, Fog light ports, front air dam and mud gaurds custom painted to match car! 18" Alba Blaze with 235/40ZR18 Toyo Proxes F4

Guest

"Oil changes can be done by anyone. It isnt difficult and can even be done by yourself. As long as you use a Honda filter and a new drain washer everytime, any mechanic can do the job."

Whats a "drain washer"?

To the other guy "Change synthetic every 3000 miles"...Although doing that isn't bad, its a waste of money. Hold off for 5000miles with synthetic.

Anyone see the oil filters they sell on A&H sport's website? They are very cheap. I'd like to get them but the cheap price worries me. Are they as good as the "whatever brand" you get at Pep Boys?

------------------
2001 - 3.2TL - Naples Gold - Factory Spoiler

Devil's Advocate

What is the story with dealers recommending the first oil change at 1000 miles, or with my dealer, at 3000 miles when the owner's manual specifically recommends the first change at 7,500 miles (under the normal maintenance schedule)? And under the Break-In section of the manual, it even tells you not to change out the first oil until you reach the recommended mileage.

I'm more inclined to believe/follow the manual than to follow the dealer's advice as they just want to charge you for another oil change. What do u folks think?

DA

Shyne

I think you would save so much more money if you stayed away from the acura dealership ... They suck and anywhere that has a service menu on hand to give you with a bunch of high prices on it, sucks because you know they makin money ... Our TL's are smart as hell the car will tell you when maintainanence is needed, when you crank up your car, the main. req. light will flash for 10 seconds or ten times... If you change your oil yourself or have another mechanic do it make sure you hold the "select" and "reset" buttons with your key in ignition pos. II for about 15 seconds... Everything you need to know about your car is in your owners manual, get familiar with it, it can save you time, money, and a lot of heartache ...

Shyne--Hittin Big beavers with little cleavers ...

Polyman

My Honda/Acura mechanic said that every 90 days is what he does -- this is taking into account that you are not doing all of your driving in the city. He also said he puts Valvolive in his TL -- what oil do you guys put in your TL's? Also, are there any females on this board -- just curious.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by Polyman on March 01, 2001 @ ]</font>

DDubb

I know this, i have had some friends that worked at Grease monkey tell me some messed up stories about what they are supposed to do to cars. Like put in the wrong oil to mess up the engines, put in cheap oil when the customer oredered a premium oil, etc...I take mine to the dealer just because if something ever goes wrong, I can take it back to them and demand that they fix it...They have to, they're the dealer that I bought the car from. Any dealer can dispute a problem going on with your car, but if you only have had the car serviced at the dealer, there's not much that they can say. That's just my opinion...

------------------
Rosewood 97 3.2 TL Premium
-HID Headlights
-PIAA 1400X Platinum Series Fogs
-Clifford Solaris Alarm w/Remote Start
-Alpine Deck 7862
-Punch 800 Amplifier
-Obcon Custom Prefab Box w/Fosgate HX2 subs
-MB Quart Mids Front/Rear
-Infiniti Tweets
-10% Tint

pv22clif

i would highly recommend going to the dealer for oil changes if you are thinking about bringing it to jiffy lube or something like that. my dealer(park ave acura) only charges $23 for an oil change and i get my car washed too how can you beat that