I bought my TL in September. Oil Life as of today is 30%. Not sure that I trust the computer. When should I say forget it and change it anyway. Mileage is about 5,600.

It's driving me crazy not to change every 3k regardless of driving habits or whatever.

 

Life is too short to be driven crazy over an oil change. . . Change the oil monthly, if it makes you feel better-- or weekly even

 

Hi,

I have on hand, currently, three UOAs of the Factory Fill on a TL (one more to come). All of them showed high insolubles, and the typical high copper on a Honda V6. You are already passed the break-in period.

My suggestion is to change it now. The only remarkable thing about the factory fill is the high molybdenum content. If you were to drain the factory fill at 1000 miles, I'd refill with an oil that has a super-high moly content such as the SM Havoline 5W-30 Conventional. Since you are past the break-in, that is less important, though Honda engines tend to wear well with oils containing molybdenum.

Right now, I'd change the oil/filter immediately and refill with Mobil 1 SM 5W-20 and a PureOne Filter. Go to Pep Boys and buy the $1 2005 Calendar. Inside you'll find $1 off coupons for the PureOne Filter (Bringing it down to $5) and Buy Three, Get Three Free specials for the Mobil 1. Excellent deal. The Chevron/Havoline 5W-20 are good choices for conventional oils.

Judging from your MID reading, most of your driving is composed of extremely easy highway miles. Your MID is set to indicate for your first oil change at 8,000 miles, which is WAY too long. No damage will be done if you wait that long, but I really suggest that you not.

After changing the oil with Mobil 1 5W-20 or Chevron/Havoline 5W-20, do (2) 5K Intervals before going by the MID's recommendations. Wear-in usually takes 10-15,000 miles, and the wear metals in the oil drop to more reasonable levels by the third fill.

Michael

 

I was not under the impression that Mobil 1 is high in moly. Please clarify. Thanks.

 

Based on my Dealer service manager and mechanic's suggestion, I will be changing my oil every 3750 miles (half of the Acura recommended 7500). I use Mobil 1 Synthetic by the way.

 

Every 3,000 miles. Always have, always will.

 

Mobil 1 did a real number on my Suburban's head gaskets around 65k.

lol @ 7500 mile oil changes...

 

How many times can we beat the same dead horse?

 

[QUOTE=That03TLguy]Mobil 1 did a real number on my Suburban's head gaskets around 65k.
QUOTE]

Probably nothing wrong with the Mobil 1, but for a GM product, you should be thankful you made it to 65k.

 

Your Suburban made it to 65k miles, see Mobil 1 does add to the life of an engine.

My Tahoe only made it to 58k, looking back I should have used Mobil 1

 

Uh um, Oil damaging headgaskets. I'm truly interested in the theory to prove causation.

 

Yeeeep, took out his muffler bearings as well.

 

A super-high moly oil such as Havoline is not necessary once the break-in period is over. My intent of recommending a high-moly oil is to find the closest replacement to the factory fill during break-in. After break-in, any oil would work fine, though its preferred that you choose a "moly-equipped" oil.

Michael