TheNip73

Is anyone using Mobil1 0W-20 or a similar synthetic in their TL yet? I am going to hit 3500 miles tomorrow and was thinking it may be a good time to switch over to synthetic, which I would then run on the MID oil change interval. The reason I ask is I think the 0W-20 sounds really thin. I've always ran 5W-30 in my other vechicles and fear the switch to a different oil weight.

rkilian

Yes, changed my oil at 3,500 with Mobil 1 0W20. I can't say there is any difference but mentally I think there is.

bdowell

Doesn't the TL require 5W-20?

TheNip73

Yes, but Mobil1 doesn't make a 5W-20. They make a 0W-20 they say they reccomend for honda and ford applications requiring a 5W-20.

synoil

A 0W-20 is actually a superior product than a 5W-20. Better pumpability and same wt protection.
Craig

bdowell

Oh, I didn't know that. I always used 5W-30 on my WRX. So it I need to look for Mobile 1 0W-20 when it's time for my first oil change and it will be ok to use for the life of the vehicle?

Sparky

Also put the Mobil 1 in @ 3,500 miles. Peace of mind.

bdowell

I thought we were supposed to wait for the MID to tell us when to change?? I'm almost to 3,000 miles and my MID shows 40% oil life left which will put me over 3,500 before my first required change if this is true.

TheNip73

Yes, it should be good the life of the vechicle.

TheNip73

You can wait if you want. I want to change over to synthetic before the MID indicates the factory oil is bad. At the rate I am going I will be at 10,000 miles before my first oil change is needed according to the MID -- I do lots of freeway driving. I really don't want to wait that long.

Rocketsfan

According to the owners manual, yes you are supposed to wait. They've apparently added stuff to the oil to help during the initial break-in and before the first oil change. If it makes you feel any better, I'm at 6100 miles and I'm at "<15%" on my oil. I just started getting a "service soon"/"A1" light recently. Leave it in there.... listen to the owner's manual!

Shoot2Thrill

Having taken many cars to 200k and 300k. You need to change the oil often if you want to keep the car. I have a 2000 7 series and if I watched that oil moniter I would change the oil every 20K. Using 8 quarts of mobile 1 I do it every 5k. Forget the moniter. Change it as often I you feel comfortable with good grade oil. The fact that is take 5-20 indicates tolerance are as you might expect very close so I would not want grit floating around more than necessary. On the BMW the advise goes change the oil but dont reset the indicator because you dont want to trigger other service indicators.

chadr

I changed mine to 0-20 mobil 1 when the MID indicated to do so. Can't say there is a difference in anything about the car from a drivability perspective. I just like mobil 1 synth so that is why I put it in the car.

synoil

There is a real reason Honda, Ford and some other OEM's are going to the 5W-20. #1 fuel economy, #2 warm up time.
Any fluid be it oil or whatever has friction between the molecules
when it is pumped. The higher the viscosity the more fluid friction and resistance to flow. Also petroleum oils have many more contaminates which means different sizes molecules which means more fluid friction and resistance to flow. In plain speak it takes more energy for the rings to scrape the oil off the cylinder walls
in higher viscosity and petroleum oils. Hence slightly better fuel economy using a 5W-20 than a 5W-30. Lighter viscosity oils also transfer heat faster, and warm up faster. Pollution devices on cars don't work until the engine/oil are hot. So faster warm ups mean less pollution. Ever wonder why Oxygen enriched fuel is sold in the winter? This is why.
If your going to stay with the recommended 5W-20, going synthetic makes even more sense as syn oils have smaller, same sized molecules. This is why they are superior than petro oils.
They also don't burn off (have less volitility) than do petro oils.

The mechanical specs, clearances, of the Acura engine have not changed since they were recommending 5W-30. They are going to the lighter 5W-20 for the above reasons. Not a bad idea really, but know that a 30wt should also do OK in these engines.

I'm going to 0W-30 Amsoil synthetic after break in. More protection and light wt. Best of both worlds IMHO.
Craig
Soon to arrive WDP/Parchment/5AT/Navi

Ken1997TL

I got 0w-20 for free due to my dealership goofing something up a while back. It improved my MPG to 28 on the highway.

Note to all, this is on a 1997 3.2 TL

My Dad uses the same oil and gets 32 mpg on the highway in an '03 TL.

lovepo9e

Isn't that something. Acura recommends using there oil in the owners manual, but when you take it in for an oil change, at least down here in Sac, they use Castro....Go figure

synoil

Every dealer tries to get the best deal from a local oil "jobber"
for theri service oils. They make sure the oil meets the API, SAE
requirements that Acura states. That's about it.
Craig

TheNip73

I've been doing some thinking. I think I will wait for the MID indication that I should change my oil. My reasoning being that my engine has "loosened up" quite a bit since purchase. Acura may want you to wait the entire duration for the first oil change to actually allow some wear to occur, as this is the most abrasive your oil will proballly ever be due to small particles of the cylinder walls wearing away due to the nature of the machining process and its inability to do a perfect job. I know it can be argued that there is a filter to catch and remove these particles from the fluid, but some particles will still manage to get through.

With that said, I'd like encourage some feedback.

TheNip

synoil

I would also wait to change my oil for breakin. Parts need to meet each other and inure themselves and set.
After that I'm going to synthetic. (Amsoil)

Anybody know who makes the Acura oil filters?
Craig

TheNip73

I'm about 85 percent positive the Acura/Honda filters put on cars at the factory are Japanese filters from a company called toyo roki (I may have speeled the name wrong) and the non-factory filters you get at dealers are Frams (supposedly now being listed as honeywell due to the poor reputation of the name fram).

inky

For you cheaps. Walmart has 5w30 syn in 5 qts for $11 bucks, buy the super tech filter for $2 more and for $13 bucks you have good protection. I would use mobil 0w20 but no 5 quart for in that and for more than twice the price. Any 0w20, 0w30, 5w30 will work fine - I prefer synthetic for peace of mind.

fender4

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/all/misc/all_oilfaq.html