I have used Mobil-1 in all my cars for the last 10 years without any problems.

I haven't had my first oil change in the TL yet, but I am thinking about using synthetic. However, the service Rep at Acura said that I shouldn't start synthetic oil until after the car has 10,000 miles. He said the engine is still breaking in and I should wait for the second oil change.

What do you guys think??

 

I think my service manager told me the same thing. Or rather, he told me that the first oil change should be with regular oil, and after that I can put in whatever

 

I put Mobile 1 in on my first oil change which was at 3750 miles. I first asked my dealer if they go my the MID settings and they said no that they change them every 3750. Everyone has a different opinion about it. Of course I don't drive a lot and average 7800 miles a year.

 

I wouldn't go longer than 6 months, so that puts you at 3900 miles every oil change. Sounds like your good...

And to the OP, you can switch to synthetic on your first oil-change. The "break-in" is done well before you get that far...

 

I know that this discussion has been beaten to death, but I just wanted to weigh in. The maintaince FAQ section of Acura Ownerlink states that there is "ABSOLUTELY NO BENEFIT" to changing the oil more frequently than the MID indicates. All you're doing is running up your costs and causing environmental damage by increasing the amount of used oil.

But then again, Honda's hundreds of Ph.D. engineers, millions of research dollars, and decades of car-building experience that led them to make that statement is clearly no match for your oil opinion.

If you don't trust Honda's engineering of the MID, then why did you trust them to engineer anything else in the car?

Stealerships who say to change the oil every xxxx miles regardless of what the MID says are just trying to get more money and they're ripping you off big time.

 

I agree.

 

A $20 analysis of your oil at 5000 miles is a good way to know when to change- thats for those already on synthetic
Dino cars check it at 3500 and know for sure.
New filter at halfway point- when you get your sample just drop the filter and replace-
is the real key to keeping the oil contaminent free

 

All that maitenance length stuff is just to satisfy the government

Use real world common sense to maintain your car well past the
time ~they~ would like to see you in a new car!

 

I changed mine after the first oil change at 4000 miles. My car currently has 44,500 miles and it's been on Mobil 1 syn. since then.

 

I have been using Synthetic on all my cars for the last 10+ years. Sure I don;t keep a car long enough to see the wear benefit, but I liek the fact that it keeps the engine lubed better, 0W20 is awesome as it gets throughout the engine asap on startup. That being said I swap out to Synthetic usually around the 2K mark then on my TL's I have followed the MID down to around 30% then i start thinking abotu changing it, that is usually aroun 5K miles for me. Next one I am waiting until 20%. I won;t go below 20% because I think the MID starts nagging you at that point.

 

I searched the internet trying to find out where the government mandates that cars have certain maintenance intervals or requires that car companies tell you not to change your oil more often. I couldn't find anything; therefore, I will regard that statement as a baseless, unsubstantiated rumor until proven otherwise.

Ahh yes, because THAT's how you sell cars! Engineer them to break down every 5 years! That will get customers just flooding through the door! My Acura just prematurely died even though I followed the recommended maintenance schedule, sell me another one!

There is a reason Acura is listed as the number 3 most reliable brand overall by Consumer Reports, and it's not because they purposely want your car to break down.

Pwn3d.

 

Thanks to all for your input.

I think I will switch to Mobil-1 on my first oil change. Only down to 50% now so probably next month.

 

You run through 50% of your oil-life in a single month...

 

Note: Mobil 1 no longer old formula- its made cheaper now!
Use Mobil High Mileage synthetic if you want the real stuff
Or Penzoil Platinum Full Synthetic is being used in many race cars these days

Just because you cant find the govt info on maitenance online does not make it a rumor
If you had been in the auto business over the last 25 years you would be privvy to many FACTS- like why Acura and others went to 0-20 oil- it makes for better numbers on the EPA mileage test!! And if you read the owner book carefully- most of us on EARTH fall under Severe Service requirements which cuts the miles between service way down

As for buying another same brand or other brand- you still are buying another new car!
Look at most new cars-(see German cars especially) they are now designed to be taken apart and recycled-complete with the triangle/number codes on all the parts, while older cars were built for ease of assembly.

Just because Mythbusters says...doesnt hold water either- they are special effects guys not scientist!!!!

 

Lol! Finally someone with sense...They are wrong so many times and bust myths based of half-assed attempts of creating real situtations....Fun show, but dont believe everything they say...

 

Actually I have had the Car 2 months and 6 days today. I just hit 40% remaining (with about 4,200 miles). I commute 30 mi each way every day. Add a couple of trips out of state and I put about 2,000/mo on the car.

 

Agree as well..

 

Could you please run this by me again? I am not getting it

 

I will be going the route of Penzoil Platinum when I change mine next (2nd change). I will also be changing it by still using the midi. Hell it's there why not use it, plus my oil changes are free, albeit I will be supplying the Penzoil.

 

I have 6500 miles on my 07 TL-S.
I read going synthetic oil is the best thing you can do.
Whats the best? Money no option.
Should I just take my own oil to the dealer and have them put it in? For warranty purposes? Any suggestions>? Thanks Much

 

This is correct and is the only way you are really going to know for sure; 1) how long your oil is lasting under the conditions you use your car, and 2) when you probably should be changing it.

Several members on this site have had their factory fill oil analyzed and have reported that by 3000 miles, it has undergone significant breakdown with a loss of "breakin" addatives as well. One would expect this to be the case since it is during the early phases of a new engine's life that we would see the most wear in the fewest miles (except for extradinary situations such as heavy towing or racing or abuse). Based upon this information, they recommended getting the factory fill out of your crankcase by 3000 miles.

Acutally, the MID does a pretty decent job of estimating when you should change your oil based upon your particular conditions and habits.. within reason and under certain situations.

For example. I am very easy on my '04 manual TL. Yes, I have my moments when I get on it for fun, but for the most part, it has a good life with me and my driving style. When taking my TL to work, I avoid the super highways (don't like the idea of stones getting thrown up on my paint and windshield). I drive from western Prince County through Manassas (mostly residential) on into Centreville, winding up in Fair Lakes. This is between 4:45 and 5:30AM, but even then I hit some traffic. One the way home, I simply reverse the trip. So while not stuck in traffic like one would see coming from Washington DC to Manassas, I do hit some stop and go traffic coming home (though usually not heavy). My MID would hit the <15% mark at around 5000 miles and I used to change it at 5000 mile intervals. But last year, I switched to 4000 mile change intervals so I don't have to worry whether or not I'll go over.

My wife, on the other hand, drives her '05 automatic TL on country roads almost always - or at least, around the area where we live. I just changed her oil last week at 5000 miles and if I had gone by what her MID suggested, I would have had to do it at 16,666 miles!! Not going to happen.

So yes, sometimes the MID is pretty close (as in my case). But sometimes, it is way out there - as in my wife's case.

 

AGREED 100%......this vehicle's oil change interval is ever y 7500K period!

 

to answer the given question....the service manager at ACURA said changing to synthetic oil after your first oil change would be just fine!