Wondering if anyone had an opinion on just when you can
change the oil for the first time in the 2004 TL. I know the
the book says wait for the info display but I've always been
accustomed to changing the oil myself initially after break-in
(600 mi). I read somewhere that there is a type of break-in
oil in the car and should be left in till 4000 mi or so... I plan
on using Mobil1 (5w30) synthetic instead of the hard to find
5w20 (except at the dealer) and might as well use syn for the
price of dealer oil..any thoughts?

 

This car tells you when to change the Oil I had 3400 miles on mine when it reminded me. I was going to switch to Synthetic.. the service manager told me to wait until the I had 10000 miles or so. My next service most likely.

 

There have been stories about voiding warranty by using the wrong viscosity of oil.
I believe that Mobil will have a 0w20 Mobil1 product that you should use (and not the 5w30).

As to when to use synthetic, generally a break in period of 2500 miles is good, but all the Acura stuff says to leave in the existing (break in) oil until it asks you to change this - which seems to be around 7000 miles.

Personally, I'll put in Mobile1 0w20 at the first car service at ~7000 miles.