Hello,

I'm about to get an oil change after driving about 3,500 miles since the last oil change in span of 3 months. During last oil change, I used Mobil 1 M1-110A filter which protects up to 20K miles or 1 year. Do I need to replace the filter as well during next oil change after driving about 3,500 miles in 3 months? Based on manufacturer recommendation, I don't think I need to replace the filter. Oil life runs out fast since I'm idling the engine often. Thank you.

 

no, just drain it and re-install if you'd like.

 

Did the maintenance minder say that you need an oil change already? 3500 is awfully short, even for a turbocharged car.

 

Do you have to? Absolutely not. Is it a better idea? Absolutely. Any reason you're running a M1 oil filter though? I can see if you were running extended mileage/hours on the engine, but if you're going with more frequent changes, you can still get a quality filter that is a fraction of the cost.

 

After 3 months and 3.5K miles, why is it a better idea?

 

Wirh the $17 mobil rebate working at Walmart right now, I can get 5qt Mobil 1 AFE with Mobil 1 EP/AP filter for $15 total...which is probably cheaper than anything else comparable. You can use the rebate up to four times and I’ve already stocked up for the next couple of years.

 

How is a new, clean filter not better than a used one with contaminants? Even after 3 months and/or 3.5k miles, the filter is going to be plenty contaminated ... it's literally the job of the filter.

 

Cool, thanks for the heads up on the rebate! But, the rebate is only for the oil, not the filter ... doesn't matter if you get the filter or not.

 

The rebate is only $12 if you just get the Mobil 1 oil without the filter, but becomes $17 if you get Mobil 1 oil with the Mobil 1 filter. The offer expires Sept 30. This makes the Mobil 1 filter pretty cheap-around $5.

https://apfco.com/secured/R10130W/

 

Ooooo, my bad, didn't read the fine print. Definitely a great offer.

 

so how often do you replace your oil and filter? 3K miles and 3 months?

 

Any time I change the oil, since I'm already there. If I'm using conventional oil, 3k miles, once a year if the car isn't driven often. 5k, once a year, for synthetic. Cheap insurance. I have access to a lift, so it's a bit easier, but still, if you're doing it in your driveway, you're already down there, might as well.

 

0w-20 oil is synthetic. Is there conventional oil at this viscosity? Regardless for me I change my oil and filter every six months regardless of mileage. I usually put in less than 4K during that time. This is cheap insurance and I plan to keep the car for a long time. I always use fully synthetic. I recently switched to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum oil form M1 Full Synthetic.

 

Yes, AFAIK, 0W-20 is strictly synthetic. But, I was talking in general, not just the RDX. I have another car that gets conventional ... along with my parents' cars that also get conventional which I do for them. I'll probably switch to 0W-30 for the summer and keep 0W-20 for the winter once the warranty is up. *sits back and prepares for the shit-storm of people saying 0W-30 is going to destroy the engine, bearing tolerances, newer engine technology, other internet folklore galore, etc etc etc ...* Heehee ...

 

Life is too short to install cheap oil filters.

If ya wanna be cheap, swap the filter every other oil change like Honda/Acura suggests. Just use a good filter when you change it.

In general, the costs of engine oil and filter are incredibly minor compared to all the other costs of vehicle ownership. OTOH the potential costs of neglecting same are relatively high.

 

Oil and filters are relatively cheap now-a-days. Especially when considering the overall cost of car ownership. IMO, going conservative on all fronts is a low expense to avoid a potentially expensive fix. Good oil, good filter (change it every time), OCI's a bit before the mid tells you. Nothing extreme though. Boutique oils aren't necessary and 3K OCI's are overkill.

I use Pennzoil Ultra-Platinum, Royal Purple filters and change at about 7500 miles. That's about the mileage that the MID will calculate your change but with a good synthetic, you could go longer. But why? To save a few bucks? Not worth it IMO.