MyAcuraTL04

I have done about 4 oil changes on my '04 TL (automatic), and usually after about 50 - 100 miles, the oil life indicator will start to decrease from 100%. When it gets to about 40-50 %, I do another oil change, and the process repeats itself. All of a sudden, since the last oil change, I've gone 1,000 miles and it still reads 100%. The car has 28K miles on it. The manual says that this indicator works according to driving conditions, etc. I live in the Northeast, where its been REALLY HOT lately, and I drive 80/20 HWY/CITY, some of it on hilly terrain. It just seems to me that the indicator is not working correctly by showing 100% life after 1,000 miles. I think it should show somewhere in the low 90's by now.

Could this be a bad sensor / indicator, or could this be Acura's way of making sure you bring the car in for the 30K check (which I will do anyway even at $400 !!!).

Thanks.

JohnDoe2

It's probably set to do oil changes earlier as the engine is broken in. Once broken in, it doesn't need to be changed as often.

Do you also fill up your gas tank when it's only half empty (or half full)?

caball88

damn dude $400 for 30K check? the manual doesn't say anything about 30K check. i think it's just your dealer trying to rip you off. there are items that have to be replaced and if you refer to your manual it indicates what items at what mileage. as far as you oil indicator problem it does seem a little strange that it has not gone down yet. i am in the northeast as well and it usually goes 10% every 400-500 miles for me. i might take it in to have it checked out.

MyAcuraTL04

Yes, I know......I am doing the oil changes sooner than called for......

MyAcuraTL04

Yeah, I don't think I'll be going to the dealer for the 30K job. I also read the manual, and it calls for very little stuff, while the dealer wants to do a bunch of stuff. I may just do the transmission flush to be safe, and check the other stuff myself. I think I will take it in to get that indicator checked out. Thanks.

ChuckDu

I know you said you've done about 4 oil changes. If that is accurate, then you've changes the oil once every 7000 miles. SInce you changed the oil when the MID reaches 40%, then the MID would have reached 0% somewhere around 11,500 miles. That seems excessive.

Maybe something IS wrong with your MID.

MyAcuraTL04

That would have been true if I had never reset the indicator, but I did each time, and it rolled back ok until now. I assume this is some type of engine sensor that is somewhat easily replaced.......we'll see....in the meantime I'll rely on the odometer.

MyAcuraTL04

Never mind my previous reply....I just realized what you meant....duh.