AcuraGuy2016

Do the 2020 TLX come with break in oil from the factory? If so, how does that work? How long does it last and how many miles are considered break-in?

Bought a new 2020 TLX in Sep 2020. Due to "work from home" have only put 500 miles on it. However the vehicle manufactured date was Feb 2020 and I think it got to the dealer in April or May of 2020.

I'm in a position where I can probably put more miles on it over the next few months if I wanted to and if it would help the car break in?

When do I change my oil? I'm still showing 100% oil life on the monitor, and I'm assuming this is the break in oil.

At the rate I'm driving the MM won't show 15% until it's way too late. I dont want to hurt the engine, but can drive it more over the next month or two if it will help it break in.

I've heard that you should change the oil every year, but I dont want to prematurely change the break in oil, since it's only been driven 500 miles and I'm not sure the vehicle is broken in (drives fine no issues, but dont know).

This is a 2020 TLX V6 FWD.

KTDJ

I would run it to 1000 miles then change the oil or change it at the 1 year mark in this case.

DouglasM

Agreed

AcuraGuy2016

Thanks. 1 year mark being defined as when? I expect to hit 1000 miles sometime in April or May. What is considered broken in? 1000 miles?

csmeance

Best to get it changed 1 year from the date of manufacture of your car. The date will be on the sticker near the drivers door with the VIN, weight, etc.

Oil becomes acidic over time so 1 year is rule of thumb

AcuraGuy2016

Seriously?? Change the oil with only 500 miles on it?? Doesnt it come with special break in oil that needs to go at least 1000 miles first? I can get in the additional miles to break it in more over the next month or two.

Chargersix

Our 2013 RDX and 2019 TLX, like your 2020 TLX, have programmed maintenance reminders. And that includes your first oil change. Modern cars and oil have come a long way and do not come with “break in” oil. We drive both vehicles regularly so I have followed these reminders for both cars. 125K miles on the RDX and 16K miles on the TLX. I follow a number of auto forums and frequency of oil changes is one topic you will not get a consensus on. Give your dealer a call. Don’t know where you bought it but most around here provide free oil changes for life.

KTDJ

I would say I year from date of purchase and not worry about it too much. The manual states if the maintenance minder doesn't come on within 1 year to change the oil/filter. I would think 1 year from manufacture would be wasteful as many cars can sit in transit/on lots for 6 months or more sometimes before being sold.

csmeance

Yes, it's better to have fresh oil than acidic "break-in-oil". Not sure if it's fact or fiction on "break in oil" being a certain mixture, but the oil is diluted by the assembly greases from when the engine is built. Date of manufacture is recommended as the oil isn't changed after you sign the paperwork to buy the car. Another member pointed out it could be 6 months until the car arrives at the dealer from when it was made.

Waiting isn't a big deal, just don't stretch it out to 2 years from date of manufacture, because that's when the oil was put in!

thoiboi

The problem with the logic is that the oil is still breaking down while in the car and doesn't wait until you buy it to start

KTDJ

True but the oil hasn't been run for more than a few minutes so I don't think there will be too many contaminates to begin breaking down the oil. Oil by itself has a shelf life of several years. Now one thing to think about is the Honda oil filters are not the best quality so I would be more concerned about the cardboard in them being saturated for a long time and how it may start to fall apart.

csmeance

Issue isn't the filter, but the fact that the oil is exposed to oxygen and is oxidizing. Add into that that metal components are attracting moisture and any oil film that was on parts from sitting is long gone. What forms on cool metal? Condensation! That'll start rusting/corroding parts internally that you can't see. Hose down your brakes and let the car sit overnight. Next day your rotors will have a layer of surface rust. Apply the brakes and the layer will be gone. That layer has to go somewhere, and it goes into the oil when you start the car in the case of engine with surface rust. The condensation needs to evaporate off too! Plus TLX is direct injection so fuel dilution is an issue too with the oil. With a car sitting for so long, be sure to use fuel stabilizer also.

lausy

I bought a 2020 RDX on Dec 31 2019. Like OP, haven't driven car much since lockdown and telework in March. The MID seemed to have counted down a lot faster than any of my other cars. It finally went down to 15% around Oct/Nov at 2400 miles. I did bring it in at that time for just the oil/filter change since the maintenance minder only displayed "A". No need for tire rotation according to the SA.