jo.jacques

Hey everybody,


I know the frequent oil changes on the RDX is a subject that has been discussed many times, but I was wondering if people here rush to change the oil when the computer says so?


I do my own maintenance and usually do the oil change within 300-500km(200-300mi) of the computer's alert for it with Mobil1 5w30 and a Fram Ultra Synthetic Filter..


The thing is I changed the oil about 3months/3500km (~2200mi) and the computer now tells me an oil change is required...... again!


I drive around 10-15km (6-10mi) to get to work and I do not drive the car like a madman (some pleasant accelerations once in a while but nothing unreasonable..)


My question is..... would you rush to change the oil (within 300-500km(200-300mi) again) or it could wait a little longer? Say another 1000km (600mi)? Is the dealer gonna point it out if I have a drivetrain problem that needs to be addressed by the vehicle's warranty?

mrgold35

Is there a chance the M.I.D. wasn't reset during the last oil change? I average around 4500-5500 miles between oil changes. 2200 miles seems way too short for the RDX with syn oil. You could get away with just doing a manual reset right now and waiting another 2200 miles if it is just an "A1" and you know you are good to go.

jo.jacques

I do reset my M.I.D after each oil change.... but I think the maintenance shown in the M.I.D is not A1... something like A12?


Other items are included in A12, but oil change also is...


Tire rotation, oil change, drive belt check, pollen filter replacement, and cleaner element replacement

jo.jacques

Deleted.

mrgold35

I usually rotate/cross rotate and balance my tires myself before every oil change because it is easier to keep it straight in my head. I have a K/N drop-in filter I clean every spring and I replace my cabin filter every spring also. I've never had an issue with serpentine belt or parts for +10 years. I just replace everything with a kit around the 100,000 mile mark. I tell my Acura tech what I did and they put it in the computer and use their scanner to reset individual codes that didn't show up on the M.I.D. service (like if I change my 5AT fluid early).

I think you can only reset what shows up on the M.I.D. If you rest everything now you might be stuck either doing all the A12 maint OR trying to remember what needs to be done on your own down the road because the M.I.D. will be a little off. Because I got more years behind me compared to in-front of me, I might just do the A12 and rest to have the M.I.D. correct to remind me later.

DRR98

Yes change it now.

Yes the dealer will want to see documentation of maintenance if you have an engine related warranty issue.

The computer tracks how many miles you went past due on maint items.

WRXtranceformed

I am pretty sure it was on my TL-S (I'd have to go back and search) but at one point I definitely sent my oil off for an oil analysis after following the maintenance MID. It came back saying it was pretty much right on point and 5500 was a good interval to change the oil on that car. The Acura maintenance MID from what I remember uses pretty complex algorithms to calculate when your oil needs to be changed, including how much stop and go, redline etc. you see. So yeah you can trust the Acura engineers

WRXtranceformed

And here's my old thread from 6 years ago!

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...alysis-722474/

jo.jacques

Amazing, thanks guys. I will do the maintenance this weekend.


Picked up Honda filters since I haven't been able to find a K&n filter for a decent price (they are expensive in Canada) and I haven't found any manufacturer other than K&n that makes reusable air filters for our cars.. Too bad

Midnight Mystery

Ok, so I just bought a 2007 tech in late February... It had 175,018 then, now I have just over 176,150?, so what, a little over 1100 miles... My oil life said 80%, now it says 40%... Seems ok, but a little quick... Now the dealer claimed they did the oil change, but when we took delivery, it was at 80%... No one test drive it in the weeks before we got it, the salesman didn't even know it was parked way, way in the back, I even had a hard time finding it on the lot... Anyway, either they didn't change it, or they put the wrong oil in it making the oil life go by really fast... I'm assuming it will be about 2,500 miles on the oil in total... So, 2,500 miles on Moible One Fully Synthedic... I don't want to be spending $90 on oil changes 5-6 times a year... I only drive 15,000 a year, and I don't stop and park a lot so it shouldn't sludge either, not that synthedic really does anyway... But my engine is usually running for 20 minutes, at the least.... Now that changes occasionally, but for the most part, it's way beyond warm when I shut it off... Anyway, is this right? By the way, how much is the duff/tranny fluid drain and fill run?

DRR98

Which is right? That's easy.
It's just a computer. I don't trust computers. They took our jobs!

Anyway, let's do the math...

Oil at Walmart- $25 for a 5 qt jug.
Oil filter- $5-$13 (M1110)

So about $40 savings every time you don't change the oil!

You could go out for a Zagget rated dinner for two once every year on the savings by not changing that oil so dang often!

What could possibly go wrong at >175,000 miles?

mrgold35

What other service is due with the oil change? My theory is the 1,2,3,4,5,6 services can only be displayed with the A/B oil change interval. There is a chance you might be due/overdue for a 1-6 service and the computer shorten the oil change mileage to get you in the shop sooner for the 1-6 service.

You might be out of sync with the 1-6 services and that might be changing your A/B oil change intervals? Do you know if all the 1-6 services been done since you had the RDX and been reset at a dealership?

ulrblitzer

I always swap in new fluids when anyone in the family purchases a used vehicle for piece of mind since I'm usually the one who's stuck maintaining them moving forward. Don't always trust dealerships, specially the ones that focus on used cars only. They make their money pushing cars off their lot, not servicing them.


Learn how to DIY some of the more basic maintenance stuff and be able to hold your chest and head a little bit higher.

Midnight Mystery

Ok, I can't do them myself... I have no tools, I don't have access to a lift, I don't really want to mess with a turbo engine... I never intended on doing a manual oil change after the bloody mess last year, no real blood, but you know what I mean... It's just finding someone who I can trust that can do it at low cost... I knew it would need more maintenance, I just didn't expect oil that goes 8k miles in the Kia to only go 2.5k in the Acura...

As for Mr.gold35, I'm sorry, I never get I right... 1-6 maintainece indicators, it specifically says "Oil Life 40%"... I'm scared to start hitting reset as I lost all mpg records on my first tank last month... Tonight, the computer said 15.0, so I'm up 1.5 to average, probably because it's wet outside...

Midnight Mystery

Ok...

Midnight Mystery

This sums it up...

No, I got this from the used department of a Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, and Subaru dealer... I found it by accident, I was looking at the price of a Sorento, and saw they had a few Acuras, one was an RDX well within my price range... This is the third total replacement we've gotten from them in just over four years... I never though good or bad things of them as a pre-owned lot, they just always have the exact right thing at the right time, and they're thee blocks away so fallowing each other home was easy... It just worked out that way...

mrgold35

The 1-6 service reminders will not show until the oil life indicator gets to 15%. If you reset the oil life at any time between 40%-20%, it will also reset any 1-6 service reminders you can't see at the same time. Like the other poster said, plan on replacing all fluids (brake, anti freeze, 5AT, transfer case, rear diff, power steering), serpentine belt (kit), spark plugs, cabin and engine air filter just to make sure you are up on your maint. Acura will last you a long time if you do the routine maint. I have +335,000 miles combined between my 3 Acuras and zero issues with them.

I purchase my Mobil 1 oil from Walmart and take it to the Acura dealership for A1 service. Acura charges me $26 (labor, oil filter, crush washer, car wash) for the A1 service. The Acura tech can also use a scan tool to reset the 1-6 codes if you had the work done by another shop or yourself.

DRR98

^That's the perfect setup for people who need to have it done.

Around $50, that is a great option!

Midnight Mystery

Great, I just hope Walker Acura does it too... People down here aren't good about that, if you don't buy it from us, we won't install it crap... Oh well, they don't have many other restaurants here, and no double couponing either, stupid Louisiana.... As of today, we have a 10% sales tax, highest in the country, can't wait to get to MS...

DRR98

You can use Honda dealers for service too.

russianDude

Depends how you drive, 6-10 miles per trip considered to be "severe". I drive mostly highway to work (30 miles per trip), and average 6K miles between oil changes. Keep in mind RDX is turbo, and turbo engine needs more frequent oil changes. What computer suggests is reasoable for a turbo engine.

I do oil change myself, just got M1 EP on sale $25+$10 M1 filter, thats $35 for top line oil and filter.

Fekey123

Hi..if i do the reset without changing the oil, will the MIL still give the correct information when to change the oil? After the reset, I assume it will show 100% oil life then monitor it again down to 15%?

mrgold35

If you reset the M.I.D. anytime before the 15% warning, the vehicle will think the oil and any 1-6 service was completed. Since the RDX take syn oil, 5000 miles between changes is a piece a cake for the oil in the turbo engine. I'm not really worried about other services like rotations/balance, filters, antifreeze, spark plugs, or suspension/powertrain checks being done early or late. The 5AT, transfer case, and sh-awd diff fluids are the ones I will stick to the M.I.D. schedule or do early if concerned.

Jdrum1

Just want to throw in that Honda has two filters that fit the RDX (same two filters fit almost every Honda/Acura).

They look the same externally, but are very different inside. PLM-AO1 (made by Filtech) is the good one. PLM-AO2 (made by Honeywell) is the one to avoid (which is what most dealers use since it's cheaper).

Here's a good comparison; https://www.handa-accessories.com/a01-a02-fram.html

Fekey123

No fit for rdx2012

Jdrum1

Why not?

Fekey123

thats accdg to website of manufacturer

DRR98

Once you see the pics of them cut open, you'll see the M1-110 is the best filter.

russianDude

Honda filters are junk, use Mobil1 M-110. You can get them on Amazon for $9.
Much harder canister construction. Honda is so thin, any small rock on the road will puncture it. I once discovered that my Honda filter had a 1/2" puncture hole from the rock, I was lucky enough it did go through to let oil own. I then looked closer at the case, and discovered its very soft, mobil 1 is hard metal.

DRR98

^Thanks for the info Dude. I've been getting mine at autozone for $13

Looks like the price went up to $11

One more thing...

Prime the filter before you install it. Fill it with oil, let it soak in and fill it again until the filter stays full. Easy and wise.

Gives full oil pressure instantly instead of filling the filter and causing slight starve of the oil to brgs.

thoiboi

I've had zero issues with any of the Honda OEM filters I've used.. that's just bad luck

russianDude

if you compare them, Honda filter has much softer case that will offer less protection if road debris such as rock hits it.