Timeless

I purchased my 2005 TL in August of this year with less than 24k miles. The previous owner always ran mobil 1 full synthetic 5w20 and had the oil changed every 5000 miles. I've seen the maintenance records. When I picked up the car the oil level was in the upper limit of the hatching on the dipstick. I changed the oil at 26750 (with synthetic mobil 1) for peace of mind and the oil was extremely low (below the hatching). At about 28000 miles I added just under half a quart to get the level back to where it was when I did my oil change.

To me, this seems really bad. I don't see why a maintained TL should be burning any oil at all. I do drive the car rather spiritedly occasionally, but I never hold RPM's above ~4200. I will on occasion accelerate to redline from a stop. I have done this maybe 3 times since I changed the oil.

The car does not smoke. It runs extremely smooth and seems otherwise fine.

Should I be worried about burning oil? Does any one else have a TL with disappearing oil? Any words of wisdoms or criticisms are appreciated.

csmeance

Previous owner may have driven the car hard or badly during break in period. Also he probably switched out the factory fill oil to early and caused damage to the motor as the factory fill has additives in it to help the break in process and make sure that all the seals fit properly and seat properly. I would take it to acura and have them check it out. Also don't change the oil every 5K, do it when the MID tells you to do it. It condsiders alot of driving variables. I have followed what the manual said and have had ZERO oil burning. Also do you use premium fuel?

Timeless

I changed the oil roughly 3000 miles after I picked up the car because I was sure that they put in conventional oil. The MID presently says 60% life left, and it went through just under half a quart already. I only run Premium (93 octane) fuel.

One of my friends who owned a 2nd gen said that the cars burned oil and I shouldn't worry. I don't think any cared for car should burn oil.

Will Y.

Keep an eye on your oil level to see if there are any more changes in oil level. Make sure you are checking the oil with the car engine warm, but turned off and parked on a flat surface (a gas station is always good, while waiting for gas to fill up). Hopefully you won't have any more oil losses. The TL is supposed to take 4.5 quarts of oil, not 4 and not 5, for a change.

If there is a change in oil level, get under the car or put it up on a rack to see if there is any wetness or leakage from anywhere, then run compression tests.

I haven't owned any car in 25 years that burned oil, although I had one that had slight pan gasket leaks where the loss didn't even show as a half-quart between oil changes.

BG74

Where exactly are you located? I traded my '05 with 23,800 miles in late July due partly to it's oil consumption.

I hate cars

Make sure the car is level when you check it.

Remember that the level gets higher when hot so always check it either hot or cold but not both.

After a long freeway trip the level can appear a little lower from water and contaminates vaporizing.

Try a 5-30 oil.

Timeless

I'm on Long Island, NY. Bought the car from PS Honda in Manhasset.

cbronze07

I had this happen with my wifes previous 1995 Toyota Camry. She purchased it with 17,000 miles on the odometer, and it would use oil and smoke like crazy when I changed the oil to Mobil 1 10W30. The consumption rate was about 1qart in about 500 to 700 miles. I switched to conventional Castrol 10W30, and the smoking and consumption went to virtually no oil use between changes.

I do use Mobil 1 5W20 in our new TL-S, and havent noticed any abnormal consumption. You might want to try switching oil brands to see if the problem goes away or improves.

BG74

Nope...probably not it then.

Timeless

a friend recommended that I try 5w30. And the guy that said TL's burn oil said not to b/c it would negatively affect VTEC. I figure I might as well try 5w30 and see what happens. Any one know if this would be a bad move for the motor?

I hate cars

It will be fine. I've run 5-30 for the past 30,000 miles. For the past 2,000 miles I've been using straight 30wt Amsoil synthetic because it contains no VIIs and the UOAs are about the best I've ever seen.

Rumor has it that vtec won't engage due to the higer viscosity and the fact that it uses engine oil pressure to do the engagement. I always warm the car up before I do any heavy throttle but there was one time I had to pull out onto the highway with tons of traffic and had no choice but to get on the gas. Vtec still engaged just fine even with the 30wt not up to temp. So far it looks just like the day I put it in. Rumors get started on the internet and most people are too afraid to test it in their new 40K car. I can assure you it's nothing more than a rumor.

Also, keep in mind the 5-20 recommendation was mostly to improve the CAFE rating. It can add .5mpg but times that by 100,000 cars and it's pretty signifigant for the manufacturer.

Timeless

I ran a compression test on all the cylinders last week. 4 of 6 were right around 260psi (258 to 260). 1 cylinder was 270psi, and another was 245psi.

I've been keeping my eye on the oil level by checking it every other fill up. It has certainly decreased again, burning just over a half quart over 3200 miles.

As the car doesn't smoke and otherwise runs fine I'm really not sure what to do.

I'd like to think its burning oil because I drive it spiritedly occasionally, but I don't know if this is a sign of possibly a larger issue.

Comments and suggestions are appreciated!

bmaczo6

iTrader: (1)

Don't do anything but enjoy the car. From your initial post it looked like you were using a quart every 2500 miles. It now looks like you are using a quart every 6400 miles. This is not something you should spend another minute worrying about. The initial oil consumption might have been a tad on the high side but nothing really to be concerned with. A quart every 5 or 6 thousand miles is perfectly normal. Drive the car as spirited as you like.

I hate cars

Keep in mind several people have had oil usage issues with M1. I was one of them so I switched brands and it uses absolutely no measurable oil.

Brettg

I have been running havoline 5w20 ragular oil and I dont think I used as much as a cup of oil between changes.

I broke it in hard, as I do all my vehicles.

I dont think oil use in the TL, or any honda product is normal.

Brett

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

^^ x2. these cars really shouldnt be burning a noticeable amount of oil. if compression is fine, check other things (filter, oil pan screw)...

anyways, car should be under warranty still, so bring it to the dealership and inquire about diagnostics / repairs

shoulda gone to Rallye lol

Timeless

HAHAHA!!! I'm fairly certain Rallye sells all of their cars at over MSRP. Thats the norm for the dealership. I think last year I saw an ad for Rallye Mercedes and it was a apparently a big deal that they were selling the cars for "only" 1% over msrp.

I Bought my car from PS Honda because the owner is a family friend and I couldn't pass up a good deal. I just changed the oil and I'm going to keep an eye on it. When I was under the car I didn't notice any leaks and theres nothing on the ground where I park my car.

My friend had an X5 that burned a shit load of oil. He drove the piss outta the car though. When we talked to the techs at BMW they said it was normal given his lead foot. I love cars...

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

yea, my friend has a 4.4i X5.. f'ing thing burned more oil than gas..

Rallye is a tough dealer.. i bought an 06 TL w/ Nav for $33 flat ($3k under mrsp) on 2/06
but on my 08 TL-S, i paid $38 flat.. i couldnt get a good deal, because i bought it in July 07, first 08 they sold... still paid like $500 under MSRP

just keep your eye on the oil levels, it really shouldnt be burning any...

csmeance

be careful of rallye's service dept. Esp. of you have a 6MT. They crashed a members car after 3rd gear popped out.