Ok I just did my first oil change on the TYPE S... guys were shocked that at 3325 my MID stated <15%...

I bought a case of 5w-20 since that is what it stated on the manual... Brand I went with: Amsoil
Now the funny thing is 15 minutes after finishing (took 5 mins) one of my tuner buds stated that I should have gotten a case of 0w-30...

So I went to Amsoil's website and it states that 0w-30 requires oil change once a year or 35k miles whichever comes first

Normal Service(3) - Up to 35,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.
Severe Service(4) - Up to 17,500 miles or one year, whichever comes first.

... so if I have a led foot I will go with 0w-30... but the question is, will the MID just show oil changed required via the specs for the suggested 5w-20 or will it give the <15% in a year or 35k miles whichever comes first... and additionally when is the filter changed?

 

The MID calcultates oil life based on many things. I doesn't actually test the oil to know when it's time to change. The type of oil you put in will have no effect on when the MID reminds you to change.

I couldn't imagine taking the car to 35,000 ever. The oil may not be broken down but look at that tiny filter Honda uses. You're going to be bypassing unfiltered oil once it starts getting plugged. The oil may keep the contaminates mostly in suspension but you still have 35,000 miles worth of crap floating around. I'm on the flip side, Mobil-1 5-30 fully synthetic and a new K&N filter when the MID shows 50% and 0%.

 

My mechanic recommend Amsoil 0w-30 and I have 0w-30 Amsoil on my car since last year, i had that oil there without changing it for about a year and I just change my oil last week..... I got S/C btw...

 

yeah I have a case of 0w-30 and it says Racing Oil on it... I am just wondering did you change the filter within that year, if so how many times and which one did you use... the Amsoil one?

 

the racing oil is different and does not contain the additives a street car needs

The only reason acura went from 5-30 to 5-20 was to fake the gas mileage numbers towards the CAFE govt standard- its a bs thing
Unless you live in freezing temps-the 5 is the right viscosity for cold starts and for normal running engine temps- 30 protects everything nicely as the engine hammers itselfs at high revs- if your car calls for 5-20 you can use 5-30 too
everyone knows those numbers measure oil thickness/viscosity/flowabilty at cold for the low and 200f for the high right?

If you want to go long between changes- 1/2 thru the miles- replace the filter and have a oil sample tested at www.blackstone-labs.com
they will tell you the engines health and how much longer you can run that oil

 

Yeah but more precisely the question is if I go with 0w-30 when will the oil change be required and if for an extent of time when should the oil filter be changed and should it be done seperately from the oil.

 

So i have a case Mobil-1 5-30 fully synthetic that i used in my old car when can you switch over to use this oil and do you guys recommend using the 5-30 b/c its thicker??? Also for your break in period when are you guys starting to drive on the motor hard after 1000k? i am waiting for vtec on my TL-s?

 

I've been thinking the same. Hooked up with a speed shop that sells 0w-20, says that on all the new Honda's and Toyota's, 0 weight is standard from the factory. The guy who owns the shops has a M3, so I was going to let him test it before I put it in my car. I would change mine every 5000 miles. What do you fellow AZ'ers think?

 

just stick with the oil on your oil cap. it makes no difference performance-wise in changing viscosities. whether it be 5w->0w or 20->30, nothing different. As long as its synthetic, you're good to go. Heck, even regular oil will do the job fine. Oil will only stay 5w or 0w when engine is cold.

You have not changed anything to the bottom end. The bearing clearances in these cars require a 20 weight oil to receive sufficient lubrication. (Assuming the type-s also uses 5w-20) So i doubt you'll see any performance gains to using thinner/thicker oil than stock.

i'm an Amsoil dealer and i use 5w-20 in mine. Gona get an oil analysis done soon to really see how far i should go on the extended interval.

 

No bs but from what came from the factory I went with amsoil 5w-20 and gained 2 mpg... just noticed that on the MiD (I've used half a tank since my oil was changed)

 

If an actual mpg gain, it would be due to the synthetic/Amsoil anti-friction package etc..

I for one would not exceed the MID on oil change intervals.. No matter what oil/filter I was using. I don't have my manual handy but most manufacturers state you need to follow their oil change frequency whether you use synthetic or not to ensure they warranty any engine issues etc..

Acura is one of the pickiest "warranty Nazi's" as many of you have found out, the hard way. I for one would not hold my breath trying to convince an engine repair after 15-35K oil change intervals.... Then again, having built and raced more engines than I can remember, I would also not be found using a 0W-30 oil unless I lived in a cold climate facilitating its benefits. I'd love for someone to explain to me the benefits of 0W-30 as a "race" blend/application???? Let alone the benefits over a 5W-20 or even 5W-30 in an everyday driver like the TL - especially in a warm climate (of which means average temps above 30 degrees F).
Yes I'm being somewhat facetious but would like to hear your reasoning for requiring something other than 5W-20/30 weight..

In the TL, I run 5W-20 syn in the colder months and 5W-30 syn in the summer heat here in North TX. Is it the viscosity difference or the AC use that decreases my mileage in the summer by 2-3 mpg....? I say AC... :-)


Cheers

 

My reasoning for using the 5-30 is I live in Vegas and sometimes Phoenix. I'm trying to keep the actual viscosity the same as Acura intended. If I lived in an area that only sees 75 in the summer, I would use the 5-20. If I lived in a very cold climate, probably 0-20.

I do a lot of freeway driving also. I've found from my other car which has an oil temp guage the freeway driving raises the temp much higher than a 1/4 mile blast or two.

I'm used to running 20-50 dino oil in the other car and it was hard to convince myself that 20W was ok but I do it in the winter.

 

I use 0w-40 mobile 1 european standard and it rev faster

 

Perfect example.. 0W-40 may rev faster when completely cold but once above 180 degrees or so, the viscosity is near twice that of 5W-20 and 25% greater than 5W-30..

I'm not exactly stating what you think is not valid, just with understanding oil viscosity ratings/results, it doesn't add up...