I just had my first A1 service (Oil Change) at 6,600 miles. I am a little confused about the oil change intervals now. When will be my next oil change? Should I followed the MID on my car or the little reminder sticker provided by the service dealer? The reminder sticker tells me the next oil change should be around 10,280 miles. But based on the user's manual, it tells me to change the oil according to the MID. I believe if I follow the MID, then I should change oil around 13,000 miles (if the first one AI indicated around 6,600 miles). Now here's the confusing part:

If I change the oil around 10,280 miles, will the MID get confused and messed up?
Which one should I followed? The service reminder sticker (every 3000 miles)?
Or the MID reminder (every 6000 miles)?

Please advise. Any suggestions and recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

 

What type of oil did they put in? Go by the 3-5k mile rule unless you are using Mobil 1.

 

There has been much debate regarding following the MID for oil changes. Personally I have my oil changed every 5000 miles as I do mostly highway. I would recomend every 3000 miles if you do mostly around town.
The MID will be reset each time you have your oil changed and will not get"confused".

 

Throw the service reminder sticker away. It is a product of a bygone era when we didn't have computers and MID's in the car to help us.

Go by the MID. If you are uncomfortable waiting for the 0 % to come up you can always do it a little early, like around 10-15% remaining oil life.

The MID will not become confused. It is smarter than we are. You just have to reset it when you change the oil, no matter when that is done and what shows on the MID. Then it will start its computations all over again.

To see how to correctly reset the MID, check out this thread.

 

Or better yet, use oil analysis. Beats all suggestions mentioned already.

But I'd go with the MID or 6K, whichever comes first.

Michael

 

The MID, as most car manufacturer's recommendations are based on unrealistic driving conditions. They tell you to follow the MID and the 7K interval if you do not experience any of the following:

stop and go traffic
dusty conditions
excessive engine idling (what ever that means)
short trips of less then 10 miles
more then 50% of your driving is at sustanined hwy speeds in hot weather
trailer towing
day or night temps below 0 degrees

There are slight variations between manufacturers, but basically they have 2 schedules, one for 3K and the other for 7-7.5K The chances of not doing any of the above is slim for most drivers, consequently they recommend a 3K interval for most drivers. Personally I change oil and filter every 3-3.5K but I don't think going to 5K would hurt. Oil does break down in time, so if you drive very little change your oil at least once a year, maybe twice if you experience large temperature changes.

The MID needs to be reset by whomever changes the oil, it can be reset at any time without getting confused. Every time it's reset it starts its cycle all over again.

 

Thanks for all your replies. I really appreciate the feedbacks. If I reset the MID, will that affect others items such as B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, etc.? I don't know how MID works. Since I haven't got to the 2,3,4,5 items on the MID yet and I reset it, then those items will not be calculated correctly. Please eloborate on this. Thanks again.

 

resetting the oil change should not affect any of the other maintenance schedules.

 

ljcoren,
Acura's OLM is an excellent system and is in the best interest of the consumer and the life of the engine. Conventional oils are perfectly capable of 5-7K drains when suggested by the MID.

Michael

 

Well Michael, you can certainly go 7K on your oil changes if that's what you want, but I will stick with my 3-5k interval. It's very hot in Phoenix during the summer months and short trips take their toll on oil. Several manufacturers have run into problems with oil gelling in the engines, all due to excessive heat. Also, dusty conditions, such as we have in the desert will require an air filter change every 15K not 30K. Oil changes are the cheapest way of insuring long engine life and since I change the oil myself, it costs less then $9.00 a change, and I enjoy doing it. Not knocking your opinion, just letting you know why I change when I do.

Lyle

 

Since it's my dd car, I change it every 3K miles or 3 months....

 

ljcoren,
I don't disagree with your practice, in fact I think it is a good regimen considering your driving conditions and climate. I simply disagreed with your statement regarding the MID....it will take short trips into account and will adjust the interval accordingly.

Keep in mind that heat does take its toll, but with a modern cooling system, the effect isn't as much as you may think. Conventional oils are very capable of withstanding heat.

Michael