vtechbrain

Its cost me 83 bucks and I haven't changed the oil yet!!!
Since I'm so enamored with the damn car I went to the auto store and bought the required 5 qts (5W20/ non sythetic), long oil spout (#4; never been quite satisfied with the previous 3!). An 11 buck mobil one oil filter. Can never be too safe you know! And, since I was there, got some new plastic ramps and a neat new crawler (easier than my 2 hydraulic jacks and towers)!!!!
My wife is starting to worry.
Maybe my Prozac dose is too low???
Any suggestions? Any TL addiction groups out there???
:bowdown:

Lore

I was at the Oakland Acura service dept. yesterday and I noted that they were selling $9 Acura oil filters. The Mobil One can't possibly be more "recommended" than the Acura one!

I considered doing my own oil changes too... did you get yourself a oil filter bolt from the Service Department for the oil change?

rets

That's my next goal, to do oil change by myself or other shop rather than giving this job to my stupid dealer.

I will get Acura oil fitler $9-12 and washer $1-2 from Acura part department, and whatever oil you prefer...

vtechbrain

You never need a new bolt. What you have to replace is the washer, I've changed my oil for years and usually reuse the original washer. Never had any leaks. This time though, my pride and joy will get a NEW one!

Z Factor

Good choice of oil filters , but why stay with the dino oil instead of synthetic

If it makes you feel any better, my oil changes on my vette cost about $85 bucks with only the filter and oil:lol2:

Lore

I read in the owner's manual that you have to ask the Service Department for a bolt for oil changes. Can someone confirm?

rets

My service manger only changed 04TL washer, filter, and oil. I'm sure... He said it's unnecessary to have bolt changed each time if you tight it properly, except it's leaking......


I never changed bolts in any previous cars... although their books talk about the same thing... as long as it's leak-free, IMHO, it should be ok...

greenseed

Some of the Toyotas I've had suggested replacing the washer during the oil change, but I never did. Went somthing like 130,000 miles in my '98 4Runner before selling it. Never leaked through.

Wouldnt worry about it.

Majorhouse

Don't you have to reset the car's diagnostic computer after the oil change?

How did you get around this?

6spdzoomzoom

you can manually reset it .

RJC RSX

you should return that oil for Mobil 1 0W-20 synthetic if you want to do it right

erikmoeser

Just bought filter and washer....$7.09 including sales tax at Acura of Brookfield (WI).

I was in for 1500 mile free check...and they changed the oil! I hope that doesn't spell trouble as I have read (here and in the manual) that the oil that comes with the car is special, and that it should stay in until the service reminder says to change it.

Still, in the past, I always dumped the original oil at 1000 or so miles...

vtechbrain

RJC to make you squirm even more......
it's TEXACO!!! Just some insider info, my daughter's god mother is an Ivy league chemical engineer that worked for Mobil in the synthetics division. Mobil one and the other synthetics are hogsh*t. Her advise: buy the cheapest API oil you can find!!!! Its interesting that an insider in the industry would give you the same advice that consumer reports has been giving for years!!!!!!

mrtech

Eric - did they give you a 1500 mile free checkup coupon or something?

Z Factor

Consumer Reports? :lol2:

Although I like reading it for certain things like batteries, detergent, toaster ovens, etc., I don't trust them to be the all knowing wizard on every subject. If they are down on synthetics then it is most likely due to the high cost vs perceived benefits. The fact that high performance vehicles such as the Corvette comes with it standard would be good enough for me, much less other industry experts feeling the same way.

I'm only guessing, but CR probably doesn't think you need a Mobil 1 filter either, but you still buy one because you have no doubt done research to determine it is one of the best. They would probably suggest putting on a AC Delco or K-Mart sale special, but you know better, so why trust them when it comes to synthetic oil?

Modeler

I'd love to hear how it is that you "know better".

vtechbrain

I accept, the filter is probably overkill too! Its been years since CR tested oil filters but the last time the best was good ol' Fram. In my defense though the mobil filter did have a bypass valve no of the other filters did! For the non mechanically inclined : A bypass filter is a spring loaded valve within the filter that allows the oil to "Bypass" it should the filter ever get clogged (very rare occurence!). The last time they tested oils was a couple of years back. Their methodology was flawlwess. They took a whole fleet of NY cabs new had the cabbies drive them for Ks of miles. Pulled all the engines out and weighed all the components to the microgram level. Their results: they all worked the same including mobil one !!! Trust me nobody has done a more thorough testing procedure. People think that CR is like CD a couple of guys driving cars around with a G tech computer WRONG! Consumers Union is the worlds largest private independent testing organization. It has more engineers that UL, EU and any government consumer testing organization put together. On top of that it has an enormous pool of mathemathecians, medical staff and consultants. Comparing consumer reports to other mags is like comparing the US air force to the Air force from Haiti. No, they are not perfect but it's as good an advice as your ever going to get.

RJC RSX

her advice is wrong, unfortunately. maybe she was bitter for only having "worked" at Mobil

fram's normal filter is of very low quality and filters poorly. however, it has good flow.

nxtr

Changing your own oil?; Get the parts from your local Honda dealer;

Honda filter around, $6

Alum washer, .25 cents

Mobil 1 0W20 around $4.50 a qt. at your loacal Redneck Mecca (Walmart)

Multi directional "disposable" oil drain flow diverter (to direct oil to pan instead of everywhere else you dont want it), Free; made from the roll of Alum foil that has been sitting around the house for years, because your spouse actually thought it may get used for reheating leftovers.

Changing your own oil priceless, since, you will in time find your self checking all the other fluid levels, tire pressures (even the spare).

This will leave you the extra $'s for the new DVD A's, Escort Passport 8500, or maybe that new BT phone so you can use your HF feature.



V/R,
Nick

vtechbrain

RJ
I'm going to have to put you to the test!! Show me any technical papers where it is shown that synthetic oil provides superoir protection to regular oil at the temperatures engines are likely to operate. Not commercials mind you. Yes they flow al -50 degrees but it doesnt get that cold anywhere in this earth. Yes they will not burn or loose viscosity at 500 degrees but, no engine runs that hot unless its in a jet!
The gauntlet is thrown Synthetic oil lovers!
Show us the FACTS, not the BS.

rets

If the SERVICE DUE or other SERVICE messages pop up, you will see the little envelop in the bottom of MID. You can easily choose SERVICE screen and select the reset button to make it 100% again.


If there is no SERVICE messages, for example "70% oil life", you can select OIL LIFE screen and PRESS/HOLD reset button for 10 seconds. You may thus reset A (or B) mileage, but you will see SERVICE popping out, there will be the choice for you to reset it.


By the same technic, you can adjust OUTSIDE TEMP from -3 to +3. As well as you can reset your oil life anytime, even though SERVICE never pops out.

TL-Rocket

In the event of an engine failure (that was proven to have been caused by oil flow restriction) does anyone know if Acura would still honour the warranty if it could be proven that a non-Acura oil filter was used?

I'm asking that question because I'm wondering why you would want to use a filter other than Honda/Acura when their engines have a phenomenal life span with the stock filter?

I presently have a 1990 Honda Accord with 230,000 miles on it (I'll purchase an '04 TL 6MT HPT as soon as I can make up my mind on the NAVI question) which has seen only Honda OEM oil filters.

And BTW, from A & H Motorsport you can purchase a case of 10 Acura OEM oil filters for an '04 TL for $48.00 and oil drain plug gaskets for .30 each.

TL-Rocket

nxtr

VTECHBRAIN, Slide away from the glass pipe.

Ya hey der, your from Wi. I too was born and raised in Green Bay, and I know it gets cold in Wausau as well, now either you have not spent enough winters up there, or you have spent too many and the cold is slowing down your thinking process'.

-50 is real check the temps north and west of you Canada, AK, MN, ND, MT.

Syn better than Dino, you sound like every Harley Davidson service dept. 5 years ago, but low and behold what are they selling know.

Before you bad mouth Syn oils do some research of your own as to where, why, and how they came to use.

If you want to run $.89 cent dino lube, then due so. Its is not the fact that it is dino or syn it is the amount of additives and the ability to protect your engine the oil dino or syn is nothing more than a carrier.

Not trying to make you mad, just trying to get you to dig for more facts. besides your a fellow Cheesehead.

P.S. I do plan on running Syn in the TL after the second oil change.

V/R,
Nick

vtechbrain

Sorry Nick no dice. the lowest absolute temperature ever recorded was in antartica was -92 C , thats icluding the wind chill factor of 50mph. The lowest absolute temp has been -40. I've lived in MN and here for 8yrs now the lowest absolute temp in all that time has been -18 with a windchill of -70. Unfortunately, for our discussion wind chill does not count! Go packers!!!!!

vtechbrain

Nobody can negate your warranty for using an aftermarket filter. Thats why manufacturers can only rocommend you use their stuff, which is usaully a midgrade product from one or the guys that is selling you after market products to begin with. Its like gas Do you really think all hte gas stations have different refinerios? DUH all gas comes from the same local refinery. By federal mandate the all meet minimum detergent specification already specified. The particular gas companies then can add a cocktail of their choosing which has to meet certain standards to make sure it doesn't make the gas worse. So if you buy into the gas companies special gas your buying into another fools paradise. Another crap is octane, If your car is built to run on regular higher octane achieves nothing since octane is a measure of antiknock properties of a gas. If your car does not knock on regular raising the octane does not achieve anything. On the other hand if your car says premium only youre out of luck because your engine is set to work with that fuel. If you use regular the computer will retard the ignition to prevent knocking thus robbing you of performance.
Time to read other things beside automagazine commercials!!!
Still waiting for those technical papers showing us the value of synthetics.:wow: :wow: :wow:

nxtr

vtechbrain a little info, it may be usefull or then again maybe not.

However the info below states a few weather and syn facts, but if you want to run .89 cent coastal motor oil, then brother by all means do so. On the flip side I to would run it or maybe a good castor bean oil if i was driving an old East German Trabaunt.

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF16/1630.html

http://www.coldtestingifalls.com/


http://www.bimmerzone.com/motoroil.htm

V/R,
Nick

elroy

Once you had it jacked up, was the oil filter easy enough to get to?

mrtech

I have a 92 Honda Accord with 190 K miles on it. The only time it had a Honda filter on it was when I bought it. I used FRAM oil filters when I change it myself. IMO, the key is changing the oil & filter at the recommended intervals.

vtechbrain

Nick, Agreed anybody can use what they wish just trying to push scientific evidence over marketing. Trust me, I buy some silly expensive stuff too but I dont serve as an advocate for commercial bias. In the car industry as in many others marketing gurus bombard you with BS (thats their job) so you'll purchase their product. Unfortunately there are very few voices out there talking sense. Ever hear about the 3K oil change or the new natural weight loss product and even more sinister the new and improved antidepressant medication? People with sufficient education know how to wade through the BS, unfortunately, most people take as facts. A very special and powerful place for such deceptions is the net itself. My advice always is consumer beware!!!!

nxtr

Vtechbrain, Hooah, sorry it's an Army thing. I agree with you as well, peoples gullibility will always play in favor of a free market society that is what makes America great.

You sir are absolutely correct, if you can wade through the BS things will be okay.

Snowing here today in the Nations Capitol, this should make for an interesting drive (not in the TL, but in a POS, 04 Chevy Trailblazer, Rental).

Go Pack Go

V/R,
Nick

0210322

I had to chip in to this......My 91 Integra GS has 220K on it and all I ever used is FRAM filters and regular Castrol oil, 10/40 winters and 20/50 summers, changed at 3-5K over the lifetime. Mind you I am in TX where it's hot during summers. I still get 29 MPG in mostly city driving (not congested though)!!! Will use Castrol 0/20 when I get my TL ....(hopefully Castrol makes 0/20 by then) By the way 04 Accords also run 0/20. My in law just got one.....

vtechbrain

Small typo its 5w20. If you live in an area where it hardly ever goes below freezing theres no reason not to use 10W30.

TheNip73

I'm a chemical engineer. I say synthetic all the way. HOWEVER, remember, it is contaminants in the oil that will lead to damage. Even if synthetic oil is more resistant to breakdown and flows more easily it gets just as contaminated as the cheap stuff... so don't go too long without a change.

I personally do Mobil1 5W30 changes every 5000-7500 miles in my 98 Maxima. Hopefully soon it will be in a 2004 TL. I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to take a look.

TheNip