So my A1 service message just popped up for the first time at 6,000 miles with 15% Oil life. Do you guys usually get it at soon as the message pops up or do you push it a little further?

 

I try to do as soon as I can.

 

I go ahead and buy my supplies and do it the first weekend that I'm able to. Fortunately the one I've had to do so far was the next weekend so it was still at 15%. You can definitely go further, but I wouldn't let it go below 5%. That's not to say that you can't though.

 

you can push it a bit if you want. you have maybe another 1000 miles or so until it reaches service past due (0%). the annoying thing i hate is the car chiming you about it every time you get in as the indicator drops to <10%. that is probably the one thing that gets me to take it in more than anything. the MID is fairly conservative on the oil life. so don't stress if you end up at <5% or 0% before you get the oil changed.

 

^ Yep, what TLtrigirl said. The maintenance minder is conservative, so you can wait till it hits 5% or do it earlier to rid yourself of the constant reminder.

Also, if you're getting it done at the dealer ask them what it costs for an oil change (Service A) and a tire rotation (Service 1). Do NOT ask for the A1 service as you'll be setting yourself up for the package service which is more expensive.

 

I try to get the oil changed at 5% (service due now) but a few times it has gone to past due.

 

I am pretty sure that my first A1 service is on them. I will find out pricing while I am there, thanks for this heads up.

 

^ Would appreciate it if you would hit the "Thanks" button on my post

 

You've been "Thanks"-ed.. not sure what that does.

 

Mine came out at 6500, so your 6000 sounds about right. Supposedly Honda/Acura use a "break-in" additive in their engines, which you are supposed to keep till the 0%. After the first oil change, you can change whenever you want. In my previous TL, I used to change the oil between 5 an 10%. But I only use synthetic with either K&N or Mobil oil filter.

Also, you should have got free oil change for 4 years from Acura. They were offering that back when I bought mine in October last year.

 

IDK that I'll ever trust that minder. I just did an oil change on my 09 TL SH-AWD, at 30% per the minder, and it was the better part of 2 quarts low (measuring what I drained by pouring it back into an empty 5qt jug). Normal for it to use about a quart with the J motors, but this is the second time I've seen the oil change yield this.

Same note, I did the oil change because my 07 was @ >10% and doing A1 service, and pulled the normal 3.75ish off of it (same 4.5qt pan).

I would say keep an eye on oil level and color every 2k and form your own conclusion. 5 qts of Mobil 1 and a "premium" filter will set you back about $30 at Wal-Mart. Not worth messing an engine up over an extra $30 a year to do that extra oil change.

 

Have followed the MM since the car was new. I check the oil level on a regular basis-never had to add oil.

 

The Maintenance Minder only shows the percentage of useful life left in the oil regardless of the quantity of oil remaining in the engine. It is prudent to check the oil level frequently and top off as needed as some are having issues with the J series motors burning oil.... See thread link below:

https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-problems-fixes-297/oil-consumption-784028/

I personally don't mind following the Maintenance Minder as this was something that was built in by Honda/Acura and it's up to the owners to check the oil level in their cars. I check the oil level after an oil change and monitor it periodically to see if mine burns any oil and thankfully so far it has not. Others have not been so lucky.

 

always followed my MID for my TL....no issues.

 

Additional-following the MM and letting the oil life get to 5% I Had the oil/filter changed 3 times so far this year. The Last was on 5/23 and the oil life was 134 miles past due.

 

So I just had my oil changed at my local shop less than 1,000 miles ago and now the A1 message is up. Could it be that my mechanic doesn't know how to reset the system? Is there an easy way to reset it?

 

This might be off on a tangent a bit but I just did the second service on our TL. The nag service message drove my wife crazy and the oil life was down to 15% so I brought it in for the B1 service. Nothing much is really done (oil change, fluid topping, quick visual checks, etc.) HOWEVER one of the things that is listed to be done is tire rotation. I have always gotten in the habit of checking my cars over when coming back from service (ESPECIALLY if it is at the dealer) for tell tale signs that they really did something.

Sure enough I had minor wheel scuff on the right front wheel before bringing the car in and the scuff was still there when picking the car up, hence obviously NO tire rotation. Since I was presumably paying for this I called the service guy and he said if I thought the tires were not rotated than I should feel free to bring it in again. That is not really the point and I told him he really needs to have a talking to with the service tech and call him out on this.

 

Bump. Anybody have an idea on this?

 

^^check your owner's manual.

to reset you need to be on the oil life monitor screen, hold and press reset for 20 seconds, the system will ask to reset or cancel. choose accordingly and it should reset to 100% oil life. there is some variability in this procedure based on the vehicle MID.

 

I don't have an owners manual. didn't come with the car when I bought it. I assume oil life is a screen on the nav? I will check it out.

Thanks.

 

Not on the nav but on the screen with the trip and notices. Found it and reset. Thanks!

 

Free A1 service at stealership? What?

Noobs search next time, this has been covered a gazillion times already.