gonzo08452

just curious what your take is with regards to following the MID. I went in today to get my 2nd oil change and rotation w/ 11k and MID@30%. I dont know if the SA just didnt want to do the work but he tried to sell me hard on not doing it and I should follow the reminder because it will 'throw everything off'. Finally after about 10 min listening to him about sensors/computer doing all the work I said enough 'DO IT! and I am aware of what the %s says'. It took awhile but man, I dont even think I was ever sold on anything that hard. Not even when I was shopping for a car. I didnt ask for a discount or anything. I just said I need a full synth 0/20 change and rotation and I could wait up to 2 hours.....oh, and no wash please. Easy right? I spent a total of 20min with this guy at the service drive. Why was he trying so hard against the service? So is he correct after all? Maybe he didnt want me to lower his cp labor average with the quick service?

Oh btw, I just looked at the repair order at write-up vs the the final repair order w/ receipt and my address, email, and ph# have been changed one digit off. I dont think Mr Follow The Comp wants me to get a survey. I probably wont return since it wasnt my regular dealer anyway. Dealer in question is in LA County and one of the largests in the nation.

Professor

I've been suspect about the MID. I think it just runs on mileage and maybe rpms. I really don't know. But I don't think there is any "analysis." Heck I still do it the old fashion way and pull the dipstick to look at the color and level. I still put a tire pressure gauge on the tires. And I have yet to figure out how to use the radio HD is this SOB.

nj2pa2nc

Have followed the maintenance minder on my 06 tsx. I get about 650 miles per 10% oil life. I do check the oil and tire pressure. Never had to ad oil. I wait until after the oil life gets to 15% so a code shows up telling what service is needed next. The original michelins lasted 74k miles, the second set (Yokohamas) lasted 70k, now on third (Yokohama's) Now have almost 157k problem free miles. If acura corp wants to send u a survey they will find a way. Funny one of my complaints is one of the dealers goes my the mileage and not the oil life. I keep telling them having oil changes every 3,750 miles is unnecessary.

WheelMcCoy

MID @ 30% is kinda' early, so I agree with the SA. I wait till 10%. I believe the sensors take into consideration mileage and counts the number of ignition starts. There's no analysis. BTW, the oil for tsx is synthetic blend... which can be a mix of 5% to 20% synthetic and the remainder dino oil.

Still, the tech shouldn't have fought so hard. He should just mention it, recommend a course of action, and ask if you want to still do the service.

Acura_Dude

Yeah the MID accounts for how the motor is driven. RPMS, stop and go driving, hwy driving, you know the common sense things. Like WheelMcCoy said it doesn't do an analysis on the oil, just bases the MID off of algorithims or how the car is driven. Driving in stop and go traffic you'll get less miles between oil changes than if you would drive mostly highway.

ceb

Oil color doesn't tell you anything about oil quality.

While the MID obviously doesn't do a chemical analysis, it takes all sorts of things into consideration like others have said and about 7k-8k miles between oil changes for these engines is about right.

Professor

Ceb, you get one choice: blsck or gold?

ceb

Brand new oil turns black within a few hundred miles. If you were changing oil based on color then you'd be changing it every 500 miles.

NBP04TL4ME

Gonzo -

FWIW, we have always followed the MID on all our Hondas and Acura and never had a problem. There is no harm in changing the oil early other than spending extra money and sooner than needed. Not sure why the service writer was trying to talk out of it. That makes no sense seeing Service is where the dealerships make their money today.

scottyrocket53

I change oil at about 7K and my MID is at 40-50 when I do this. I drive mostly highway miles so I can see why it's so long. I just cant stand the thought of waiting over 10K to change it but that's just me. I just look at it as a little extra money to change it more frequently.

gonzo08452

My whole issue was I didnt feel like they wanted my business. I'm guessing the SA advisor was having a rough Saturday morning not selling any wallet flushes and here I am driving up for yet another oil change. I get it. Probably his 10th oil change that morning making him like Jiffy Lube. I understand how they make their money and RO averages are part of their pay plans as well as CSI. That was probably why my contact information was altered from the original Repair Order at 845am versus the final Repair Order at 1015am. Acura wont be able to send me a survey if they dont have my correct contact info. I wasnt going to bash them. In fact, if I dont have anything good to say, I would rather speak to the advisor personally and in a professional manner which I plan on doing. I wont send in a bad survey. Just the fact that they altered my info makes me wonder how ethical that place is. As far as the oil changes, I just perform it every 5-6k miles. Ive done that with all my cars and feel comfortable doing so. I know its probaly premature but its for my own piece of mind.

GrigioTSX10

It seems the OP asked a question, then did what he wanted and tried to justify it but whatever lol

I used the MID in my TSX and will do so in my Accord as well. It makes no sense to change the oil early and waste money.

kball

To expand and hopefully not hijack (also probably a bigger laker fan than op )
Im in the 5k oil change camp. Its cheaper than a tank of gas now,they do a nice wash job , and my SA has never not wanted to help.

But last oil change I get home--100 miles away--and notice that RO says 5w30, and not Ow20. Called about it. was told by serv mgr it was a clerical error.
Said i wasn't comfortable with that explanation. And he was very fair. Changed it out again while i watched no charge, filled my tank no charge, and next oil change is also no charge.

Also...no survey sent but correct info on ro. Pretty sure that was intentional by them somehow internally.

Thing that bothers me most is SA says survey reflects HIM, not full experience so is usually "reminding" me to keep that in mind if i do survey. Not sure if it does ONLY reflect on him or thats their way of making customers feel bad about less than stellar experience not the fault of SA

i_MOB

No it doesn't. Unless the car has build up then yes. My oil will stay clean for at least 800-1000 miles. Although i do use mobil 1

ceb

So according to the "color of oil" theory, you should be changing out your Mobil 1 every 800-1000 miles.

Thanks for proving my point.

Acura_Dude

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

color of oil DOES NOT INDICATE trouble.

some oils are made to turn color as SOON as you pour it.
remember, the chemistry of oil is different across brands.
some brands have detergents in them.

PyroDave

if my oil changes to black i just pee in the engine. i love a gold shine to my oil when i pull out the dipstick 1000's of miles later

waaasobe

i do my oil change every 10000km so i guess around 6000mi. its just what im comfortable with.

2011 TSX

Your SA is actually a good guy, he's trying to be honest and not have you pay for stuff you don't need. This is a good thing is it not?

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

Follow the MID or 1 year for oil changes, whichever comes first. I follow the MID for both cars. Though the TL is now getting annual changes rather than MID changes since the miles aren't accumulating as rapidly.

Bottomline, in your situation, if you want to change it out early you can and the SA should have been more than happy to oblige after letting you know about "it's ideal to follow the MID" speech to you...should have been a 5 minute convo, not 20.

nj2pa2nc

I try to follow the maintenance minder. With all that has been going on it is now past due. I plan to get the oil changed and tires rotated/balanced next week. It will be about 500 miles past due by then. Taking care of 2 houses has put my car down on my priority list.