GameOver69

Hey guys, i just recently got the oil information light stating i have about 50% oil life. At what point do i want to change my oil? My mechanic said around 15% but i figured i'd ask the acura experts here. Also my car has around 5000 miles right now.

THanks!

ceb

Around 15%

ed_423

yeah i'd do it around 15%. just make sure you don't wait till its 0%, or else it'll be gameover.

;D

Robert4

I've been in the auto service bizz since the late seventies and generally agree with your mechanic. Honda/Acura engines are easy on oil. There is very little combustion gasses getting into the crankcase. The crankcases are very well ventilated so these engines stay clean inside. Oil that has been in an engine way too long will actually start to thicken, but that takes maybe 20,000 miles or more.

I suggest using a semi synthetic or full synthetic for these longer change intervals. The downside of longer change intervals is that many folks don't check the oil level between changes. Newer engines use low tension piston rings which allow some oil consumption sometimes. Suppose your engine uses a quart of oil every 3,000 miles and you don't ever check it. By a 10,000 mile oil change interval your engine might be toast. I've seen it happen.

MrOtocinclus

Yeah, wait until the car beeps at you. I'm at 40%, less than 4000 miles. I'm going to wait until at least 15%.

Acura_Dude

A little off topic, but to trigger a maintenance code (e.g. A1) don't you have to wait till you see at 15% or less on the MID? Meaning if you always change your oil at 20% you won't ever see a maintenance code? I've been trying to find where it states that in the owners manual (looking online).

ceb

Good question. I think you might be right.Can a tech chime in here?

BTW and back on topic "survey says"... 15%

PyroDave

im at 15% now, im gonna do some research on here and see what exactly i should get(mobil, synthetic, whatever) and what filter. i wanna do this one myself =D it should be done at 15%, but you wont blow up at 0. MID is meant to be stupid freindly, and most people may not prioritize getting the oil changed. the engine wont get damaged unless you really delay it. though i would recommend not pushing it

HokieAcura

Mobil 1 5w-20 is what I use, the 5 quart jugs at Walmart are usually pretty reasonable and Autozone ect. will run oil change specials from time to time. I have about 2,000 miles on my current fill of Mobil 1 and I'm gonna try to push it to 15% oil life.

We have 22,000 on our 2010 and I have yet to see a code as I've changed it at 30%-50% Oil Life Remaining. But now with the synthetic I think I'll go to the recommended 15%, with my wife's commute that will be roughly 9,000 miles. Been keeping an eye on the oil level and after 7,800 miles last change it hadn't used any thing measurable.

ceb

Well, that answers that question.

The manufacturer actually has some suggestions on maintenance and oil changes

nj2pa2nc

There is a way you can pull up the code- dealer did when my oil life was at 20%. Did not want to wait until I drove back to nc . I agree with the others-15%. Have gone to past due when we were on a cross country roadtrip.

rx2010

My light came on at 15%, but my dealer put a sticker on my windshield that says to change it at 10% oil life.

damaged442

I use Mobil 1 synthetic and change it between 9000-10000 miles regardless of how much oil life the car tells me I have. Maybe I could go longer, but can't hurt to change it. I also got into the habit of checking the oil level often...(sorry, former GM owner and habits are hard to break). I had two Impalas that would eat oil...like 2-3 quarts in 3000 miles eat oil.

Acura_Dude

Thanks.

Ahh, just learned something new.

From all my research (a-zine of course) the MID doesn't take into account what type of oil you're using, so depending on your climate, how you drive, the type of traffic you're in using dino or synthetic or even a blend is purely user choice. The MID will adjust to accordingly to how the car is driven.

EDIT: AFAIK doesn't Acura use 0w-20 oil now? Isn't a 0 weight technically synthetic? I believe the 0 weight for the Mobil1 oils are fully synthetic.

GameOver69

Thanks for all the responses! Guess my friend and mechanic knows is stuff!

GameOver69

Haha... nice play on my username! lol