patela06

Hi everyone. I guess I'm new here but I recently bought a 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD with the Tech package. Just wanted to ask a quick question.

I don't have an Acura dealer close by to where I live, unfortunately. I was wondering on what peoples opinions on are oil changes? Should I get them done through Acura or does it matter? I was about to go to the Honda dealer and wanted to know peoples opinion on that. I know these are fairly basic questions, I just wanted to make sure and take care of my car!

Also, I'm at around 6,800 miles and my oil life says 30% now. It just went down from 40% less than 100 miles ago. I was actually leaving to Canada tomorrow for a trip, so the total road trip is around 1500-1600 miles. I was wondering if it was necessary for me to get an oil change before I go, or if it would be OK to wait until I get back. It's all highway miles if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the help everyone! I really appreciate any information people can provide.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

yes, you can get the oil changed at either honda or acura.

the oil life counter is based off of start ups, engine revs, and other factors found in your owners manual.
what this means is; if you do mostly highway miles, the oil life will decrease more slowly than if you were doing all city miles with stop and go traffic.

you would be fine if you changed it before or after the trip.
its your choice.

LawnPro

Hey patela - Congrats on your 2012 TL, and welcome to AZ!

If you have time to change it before the trip - it couldn't hurt. After the trip is ok.

Have you thought about doing the oil changes yourself? Good way to bond with your TL.

big10purdue

As for going to an Acura dealer, I intentionally bought my '12TL from a dealership close to work. I want all routine maintenance done by their service department so there is no BS when I bring the car in for an issue. It's easy for the service department to blame you for not changing you oil in a timely manner or trying to make you feel like you did something wrong when it's a DIY. I go to CostCo, pick up Mobil 1 when it's on sale and take it to the dealership. This way everything is on file and they can't say I did something wrong. I know it's a bit paranoid, but my wife has a total POS '09 GMC Acadia that has been in the shop 17 times. Each time they try to blame lack of timely oil changes on the 4th cylinder that has failed 6 times now. Granted, it's covered under the warranty, but it's a hassle hearing "this may not be covered".

My dealership also has courtesy car washes, so it's like saving $15 bucks anyway.

Just my paranoid 2 cents at work here...

patela06

I really don't know how to do an oil change myself. I probably should learn though, as I would save so much money compared to the taking it to get serviced!

As far as going to the Acura Dealer for all service, I was definitely planning to do that. But if it was really necessary for me to get my oil change before I go on this trip, I was wondering if going to the Honda dealer would be the same? Would they update my service records just like Acura would? Otherwise, if it's not pressing and I can wait for the oil change, I would just go to the Acura dealership when I get back.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^basically your choice.

when the oil life reaches >15% it will warn you, but it is only a warning and not a threat!
ive gone up to 7500miles on an oil change.

HeartTLs

iTrader: (5)

Those "courtesy" washs are about the worse thing you can do to your cars paint if you care about it. They wash your car with a broom, soap water they change once everyone who knows how long and the soap water bucket has no grit grabber, then to top it off they dry your car with the same dirty hard fiber towels they already dried 30x other cars with. I rarely take my car for regular maintanace to the dealer because I don't have time to make an appointment for an oil change and wait 30min to an hr for my car, I might as well do it myself. What I do is also buy the filter/oil before hand and take it to my local wheel guy, mechanic or even pepboys/Firestone and watch them closely as they change it/rotate tires.


As far as them claiming you don't perform regular maintanace that's easy for a pro to tell, filter/oil/belt wears with use. GMC is just busting your chops. If you're that paranoid save the service receipts for wherever you get the service done.

patela06

I mean, my car will be at a little over 8,000 miles by the time I get back. Out of those 8000 miles, I can honestly say that over 7,000 are highway miles. Don't know if that makes a difference on your judgement. You think I'd be OK doing the oil change after I get back or would it be safe for me to just try to get it done now?

012TL-GLM

My Acura dealer is 45 minutes away

Honda dealer 5 minutes away

The Honda dealer is also Volvo and Mercedes - they treat me very well and have thus far performed 2 oil changes, tire rotation (no charge) and rear differential change (B16)

They love the car and treat it well (not many Acura's around here) and they've told me they can perform any Acura service, but warranty work will have to go to the dealer.

They also give a complimentary car wash, happy to say they do a decent job washing, although the drying could use some work.

SLUNIT

honda and acura use same filters and fluids