JEL

Hello,

I'm considering replacing my current rig (07 4runner 4wd) and really liked the 2013 CPO TL AWD I took for a drive. The car drove, handled, rode, and felt great on the highway, and I like the idea of replacing my truck with an AWD car, but after reading around on the forums for a couple of days I"m having second thoughts as I see a slew of oil burning threads. Of course I'd have the 7/100k warranty, but I don't want to be dumping gallons of oil into this thing when I am coming from something that doesn't burn a drop. I have an Accord (2005) V6 that doesn't burn a drop in the 8-10k intervals.

So what do you guys think? Is the oil burning thing a bit exaggerated in my mind, or is it really as bad as it seems?

Thanks

Reorge

Mine only burns 1/4 to 1/2 quart in 5,000 miles. I have 50K miles on her.

GREENW

nothing major to worry about. as long as you are getting the oil changed on schedule then you wont miss much of anything.

TacoBello

Get in on that class action lawsuit against Honda/Acura regarding oil consumption on the 4G. Honda deserves a bitch slap for that one.

hddnav

You absolutely will burn oil, as it's pretty much a product of the design and not of material defect. My TL burnt about 1 quart every 5000 miles or so, which wasnt too bad. However, others have reported that oil burning gets worse with mileage.

If you can accept that as part of the ownership experience, the car otherwise a fine car.

KarKraze

Seem like it's hit or miss with these cars. To date mine have not consumed any oil,granted I only have 29 K Kms on a 2010, not sure if that will change with more mileage.

C8N

25k miles on a 2012 SH-AWD and no oil consumption... knock on wood

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Do you have a source which explains that it is NOT a defect? Either way, doesn't oil consumption cause premature parts/engine wear?

JEL- welcome to AcuraZine. Please realize that the nature of online forums is for people to find out solutions to their problems as opposed to members posting threads about having no problems at all. Just a thought.

hddnav

Considering that oil burning has been widely reported going back to the 3.7L RL and 2G MDX, and continuing with the 4G TL SH-AWD, the defect would be with the design, wouldn't it?

A matter of semantics at this point. What difference does it make whether it's a defect with materials or design, when the results are the same?

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't necessarily conclude it's a design issue....unless there are some court documents where Honda admits it's a design process problem opposed to a manufacturing defect. That's why I was asking for a source. I'm not an engineer so I am just curious.

True the results are the same. In context of the OP's question- if it causes premature wear on the engine/parts- shouldn't that be taken into consideration on whether to buy a car or not?

elgabito

I'm in a similar boat and strongly considering purchasing a 2012 w/ 80k miles. Owner insists it has not burned any oil and has it regularly serviced at Acura/Honda. He has had it since new.

TBH, I figure worst case I keep it a year or two and sell it if I detect any issues (and maybe skip the timing belt cost).

Mr Magoo

I don't think you will regret it, these cars are fantastic, SH-AWD is in a league of its own. Mine has been burning 1qt between oil changes, I just accepted it as nature of the beast

andysinnh

'12 TL SH-AWD Tech - had since new (3 yrs in Oct) just shy of 26k miles and never burned a drop, even during break-in. We're buying it at lease-end in Oct and not concerned about any future issues given the track record so far. Of course, the wife drives like an old lady (so to speak), so she's certainly not pushing the drivetrain to it's "happy zone".

andy

Jerry"O"

I am on the same boat no oil consumption over here about 21k miles on it.

JEL

Thanks for all the insights everyone. A small amount of consumption I can deal with, but I don't want to get to where it's 1qt per 1k, my girlfriend's CLK doesn't burn a drop in 10-12k intervals, nor do my cars, so getting into a smokey burner would suck.

Still, I see TONS of TL SHAWDs around here in the Seattle area, so I doubt it can really be that bad. If one reads the 4th gen 4runner forums you'd believe 100% of V6's from 03-05 blow head gaskets, but the reality is the problem is far less severe.

We are also looking at the 2nd gen RDX, but I really prefer the TL's driving dynamics and such, but I have to admit the RDX sure was nice and rode GREAT on the freeway.

dtrayers

I have 80K miles on my 2012. I follow the MID and change around 15% (8,000 miles or so) and regularly check the level between changes. As far as I can tell, it doesn't burn a drop.

Fingers crossed. YMMV.

Arcelyte

Yes...buy the car.

Here is there history on mine
~122500 miles on my 2009 TL-SH. Average 35k a year 50/50 hwy Chicagoland driving.
~Done all the main fluids, Trans Drain and fill, rear diff, front diff, at 30K miles.
Oil every 5K. Burn maybe 1/4-1/2 a quart. Depending on how often I jump on it.
~Plugs at 80K
~Air filter every 10-15K
~Timing belt, tensioner, water pump, at 105K (it looked perfect. I put it on a machine that measures breaking pressure. It stretched 1/8th of an inch before finally snapping at just under 430psi.)
~Battery at 90K
~New brake pads last week, Rears were changed at 40K. Fronts were replaced for the first time ever. Factory Pads lasted 123K miles!
I only use Honda parts. Buy them online from Bernardi. Fluids too.
~Three sets of tires.

Warranty/TSB's repairs that were already ECO'd (you wont have them) by 2011
~Prop shaft bearing. (whole prop shaft replaced)
~Steering column clicking. (whole column replaced)
~Rear dif software update

Buy the car. do the maintenance. No worries.

Beak14

Let's say the car burns one quart of oil per 1K miles - and I, personally, replace it with synthetic oil, that costs $7.00 per quart - in 100K miles, I'll spend an extra $700.00, to drive a car I totally enjoy driving - it's not an issue for me.

I get in my wife's Kia Optima, and can't even tell you how much more I'd spend to drive my TL.

There are cheaper cars to own. My wife rented a '15 Corolla (for a business trip), and while it got great gas mileage, it was horrible. The Corolla's cheap to own/budget friendly, but it's a miserable driving experience, IMO.

Some oil in the trunk, and I'm GTG!