rms2008

Hi guys
My TL ran bit more than 3K since last time I changed the oil and there is about 50% left, is this normal for TL?

Thanks in advance

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Very.

I average about 6k in between oil changes.

Hi speed

iTrader: (3)

6k is about right

Souljah

I concur.
6K

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Do you concur?

Souljah

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Pharonocon

So, you guys are saying that we shouldn't do oil changes every 3,000 miles like recommended by most mechanics.

Does the car somehow know how the oil is breaking down or something?

I kinda assumed that gauge was just inaccurate.

gotkilled

iTrader: (1)

The MID calculates based on some factors such as how many engine starts, temperature, how hard you drive it, etc. the mid also does not know whether you're running dino or synthetic oil.

i think 04tl or ihatecars posted something about this

cherplex

iTrader: (3)

I change every 6K, my mechanic even told me 7.5K is fine. He said the 3K thing is pushed a lot by other mechanics to keep customers coming in.

Oswald Vater

The MID is your friend. Like others posted, I usually go 5500-6k between changes. You can do so also with no worries.

gatoferoz25

iTrader: (13)

Depends when u reset the oil life time and what type of oil u r using too...

sixsixfour

3K miles is overkill, unless you put a lot of heat and stress on it like a turbo/supercharged engine. oil degrades much faster in those engines than in an NA engine like the TL under the same load conditions.

6K is fine. I also average around 5K-6K between oil changes, and change my oil at about 20% oil life remaining.

nfnsquared

Nope, the MID doesn't know what type of oil you're using. The MID interval will not change with regard to oil type used.

The owner's manual also says that you can use synthetic oil, but MUST still follow the MID. Take it for what it's worth. There are tons of opinions and analyses of extended oil change intervals when using synthetic oil. I run M1 but still follow the MID, which has been consistently 7500 miles for me (mostly highway driving).

"You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given for a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certification Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
follow the oil and filter change
intervals shown on the Multi-
Information Display."

JJRamirez

I have another question. You are recommending to follow MID. I just bought an used Acura TL 2006 with 40,384 miles on it. When I took it from the dealer it showed 15% oil life left and I went straight and changed the oil with Mobil 1 Synthetic, it was the wrong viscosity (5W-30 instead of 5W-20) and after 150 miles on it the MID read 90% oil life so I changed it within 1000 miles. I changed it with Honda 5W-20 oil and filter and after 1200 miles the MID reads 10% oil life. I think something is wrong with the MID and I will like to know any ideas.

nfnsquared

Unless you're running at redline 90% of the time, I'd say there's something wrong with the MID calculations. You're still under warranty, take it in.

JJRamirez

Well the only problem seems to be that I exported the car to the Caribbean and I don't think they will count it as under warranty. I think I might forget about the MID oil life assumptions and continue changing oil every 3000 miles.

myron

iTrader: (4)

^ that's the best way. I change my oil every 5000km (3125miles) and just reset the MID every time.

Shades26

Does anyone use any type of oil additive? and do you see any positive results, like increased MPG, etc...

Also, same question for fuel, I've been running 93 since I bought it used. Does anyone use a fuel additive and see any benefits?

This is my first Acura and wanted to hear what others are doing. thanks!

erdoc48

My recommendations:

I use Mobil 1 5W-20 Extended performance (although 5W-30 is fine)

I get mine changed every 7500 miles (according to the MID, usually at <10% or less)

Changing oil at 3K miles is a waste of effort, cash, and resources.

Lastly, no oil additives are necessary or beneficial

No fuel additives (except on occasion Regane from Gumout)_to keep everything clean (I personally don't Seafoam as many here do- nothing against it, I just don't do it).

JJRamirez

Just in case the same happen to any of you. I found out what the problem was. The fuel pump happens to send the signal to your gas marker and it is also linked to the MID. In my case as the car had to be shipped with almost no gas due to shipping regulations, it looks like it clogged the electrical connection there and it was messing with the MID indicator, I fixed that which was taking accessing gas pump and cleaning the electrical plug and voila! Everything is fixed the MID is at 40% for the last 300 miles (before it went down 10% per 150 miles), so it looks like it is working the way it is supposed to.

Bayam0n

Hey- my bad if this sounds like I'm hijacking the thread, but I have a question about oil life, I just think it would be better to post in here rather then create another thread.

is it ok to ride on 5% oil for a while until I bring it for an oil change? I ask becuz I've been so busy and I just now noticed my oil at less then 5%, I'm going to bring it in for an oil change today, but I was wondering if there are any risks at certain percentages?

erdoc48

I just got mine changed after being under 0%- ~ 350 miles after no MID oil life left- no harm, no foul, and your engine will be fine.