Hello everyone! I am new to this site and this is my first post. I just bought a 2008 Acura TL. It is my dream car, as a lot of you are also. I have a couple of question I hope you can help me with. 1. what to use to clean the interior leather. 2. Is the dash leather?, and finally, I can't find a maintenance schedule and don't want to trust the computer (i'm old school). Wanted to know what the schedule oil change is. My old Honda was 7500 and I always did 5k.

Thanks for your help

integ927 (yes, I used to also have an 1992 Acura Integra)

 

I heard the dash is Vinyl.

 

Trust the computer. it is very accurate.
calculate your gas mileage....then compare it to the MID.

oil life is dependent on start ups, miles, revs.
if you hit vtec often, you'll see the oil life % go down faster.

then again, the car is still a machine. still check your oil level.

 

Fix-It Tips for a Faded or Blotchy Dashboard Currently Applies To: ’04–08 TL
Got a vehicle in your shop with a faded or blotchy dashboard? The likely cause is the compatibilizer material in the dashboard migrating through the cover. After the material ages, proper cleaning and an application of a non-silicone-based protectant should bring it back to showroom condition. Keep in mind, though, if you clean the dashboard before all that material has migrated, you may need to do it again and reapply the non-silicone-based
protectant.
To clean the dashboard, first moisten a clean shop towel with Acura Leather & Vinyl Cleaner (P/N 08700-9214A), then vigorously rub the surface until the discoloration goes away. For best results, clean the dashboard twice, wiping in different directions.
To protect the dashboard, moisten another clean shop towel with a non-silicone-based protectant and generously apply it to the surface. Do this twice, wiping in different directions to make sure you’ve covered all areas. After some extensive testing of current protectants available in the market, we recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant from 303 Products, Inc. When it comes to Acura dashboards, we’ve found this product offers even better protection than what we’ve offered before with Acura Leather & Vinyl Protectant (P/N 08700-9209A) so we’re asking you to use it
instead. You’ll find 303 Aerospace Protectant at many retail
auto supply stores, as well as hardware stores, and marine, RV, pool & spa, and camping supply stores. For more info, check out the 303 Products website at
www.303products.com.

Leather never dirty, so I just use Mother's leather conditioner on the interior leather/vinyl, but not the dash.

Concerning the oil/filter changes, I was old school too, but decided to rely on the MID, no sense in wasting money. Depending on driving conditions, I would say the change would appear in the 6.000 to 8,000 mile range. I only put about 7,000 miles on the TL a year and it has never dropped to 15%, but as the factory recommends a change every 12 monts max, it gets changed early then reset.

 

The dash is absolutely NOT leather. I use Aerospace 303 to clean and care for the dash. Works great.

 

Welcome to the forums. I use Zaino to clean/condition the leather surfaces. Generally- follow your MID except for Tranny fluid changes. If you search on AcuraZine for transmission fluid- you will see many great discussions on this hot topic. I would also suggest looking through the 3G Service Department extensively. There is a wealth of knowledge in there.

 

I'm with you ... I do mine every spring .. but I only drive it till Oct then its stored. Mine just hit 15% last Oct.

 

I use Meguiars products for both leather and vinyl protection. Clean with Woolite and water (say, 1:5 to 1:10) and a microfiber cloth. Let the vinyl protectant absorb a little before buffing it to a satiny finish.

Use the MID. Mine has been running at close to 4,500 miles per oil change over the past (almost) 4-years; mostly light/moderate traffic city miles. At 49,000 miles today and the 15% Maint Due Soon light came on a week or so ago. I'll be "due" between 49,500 and 50,0000.

 

1. 303 Aerospace Protectant (yes, it works for leather), available from marine supply stores as well as some auto parts stores.

2. No.
Use vinyl cleaner (Meguiars, Honda, etc.) to clean, then put on 303 Aerospace Protectant using a cloth and buff until the dash is matte rather than shiny.

3. The Maintenance Minder is pretty good; it and the codes are at page 205+ of the owner's manual. You can get on-line access to the manuals by registering the car at http://owners.acura.com.

Welcome to AZ.