johntuan2009

I was doing my first oil change today and when it was done draining into my pan, the amount was between 6-7 quarts. I only bought 5 quarts to replace. Does anyone know the capacity? I looked in the owner's manual and was not able to find any information. What are the side effects of not filling to the capacity? Should I go buy an extra quart to add in?

flames9

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-rdx-...an-5qt-976188/

owners manual http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/p...BTJB1919OM.PDF

johntuan2009

Thank you so much!

securityguy

Just curious, how did you get 6-7 quarts of oil out of a car that takes no more than 5.5 at best?

Master47

skarface

johntuan2009

The oil pan I was used is labeled at 7 quarts. While it did not overflow the pan, I was scared that it was going to change it towards the end. I saw the measurement markers on the inside of the pan and gave a long sighhh since I only bought 5 quarts and the dripped oil was around 6 quarts. I am not sure how accurate the measurements on the pan are.

johntuan2009

The measurement on the pan could be off, since I poured the old oil back in the 5 quart container and it did not over fill that if what i drained was labeled 6-7 quarts.

johntuan2009

I did not check the dipstick beforehand, but the 5 quarts did not bring it back to full.

Wander

At risk of starting Yet Another Oil Thread War, if the level on the dipstick is between the "upper" and "lower" marks, AKA "max" and "min", it is OK. It doesn't have to be at the "upper" line to be "full". Old-school dipsticks had a little cross-hatch pattern etched into this zone to reinforce that this was the "good zone".

Of course, old-school engine oils were the consistency of molasses, so it took a while for the stuff to ooze down into the sump after you added a swig, and not everyone wanted to grab a cup of coffee while that happened. Especially since old-school engines burned through about a quart of engine oil along with every tank of Pterodactyl juice.

New-school synthetic 0W-20 is like water, so fine-tune to your heart's content, but try not to overfill it.

jesser916

There's a thread in the DIY section. They're saying it takes more than 5 quarts.

JustMe...

The manual, linked earlier in this thread, clearly states 4.6 qts w/o filter and 5.0 with filter. Are you claiming that's wrong?

Wander

One other thing. Make sure you push the dipstick all the way down into the tube, past the seal on the top of the dipstick, when you take a measurement. Otherwise, it will read low.

And make sure it is fully seated past the seal when you're done, or you will be inviting contamination of the engine oil.

FWIW, there are plenty of inaccuracies in Acura Owner's Manuals. Frequently, it's a feature of "cut and paste" from some other model. Since I haven't yet changed the oil in my 2019 RDX, I have no anecdote to contribute on this subject.

JustMe...

This would be a HUGE "inaccuracy". I really doubt it would slip past the initial proof readers, let still sitting there undetected.

jesser916

Yes.

For I have sinned

Wander

Personal doubt does not define reality. Although one could be excused for getting confused given the constant stream of disinformation to which we are being subjected.

And FWIW a half quart of engine oil one way or the other isn't likely to make your engine explode. Relax.

When in doubt, go by the dipstick. It will get you as close as you need to get.

Wander

As for the markings in the oil pan, they are probably best ignored.

To paraphrase a noted scientist: don't waste clean thoughts on poor measurements.

JustMe...

Your repent is documented!

jesser916

lol

tsxowner1

20 A-Spec 6028 miles and 5 months on the factory fill, 10% on the MM.

I completed the 1st oil change on the RDX and wanted to share my experience

1. I didn’t replace the oil filter, just the oil (Mobil 1 0w-20)
2. More than 5 quarts was drained
3. I poured the entire 5 quarts of new oil and the oil level is just below the max line
4. The dipstick is horrible. It’s really hard to tell where the oil level is. It took a few tries where I can be confident of where he oil level is at
5. I noticed some fluid between the engine and tranny (see attached pic). I ended up just wiping it off and will continue to monitor closely if it gets any worst
6. I couldn’t get those darn clips twisted easily using a flathead screwdriver so I used a putty knife and found it much more effective
7. I’m a skinny dude and could have done it without raising the front but I ended up using a wooden ramp that’s about 2 inch and that gave me enough room to maneuver underneath
8. I will do the tire rotation next week and will also remove those pesky rotor screws to avoid some headache when it’s time for a brake job

Overall, it’s an easy process, I specially like the placement of the oil filter. I own other Acura/Hondas and those are awful.

Leaf 68

Changed my oil about a month ago and took exactly 5.2 Litres to bring level up to full mark mark. I have checked it many times since and is still at the full mark cold.
The time before that I had the oil changed at the dealer and it was was down 3/4 of a litre.. The technician obviously didn’t even check the level after filling.

tsxowner1

Did you happen to remove the shield covering the transmission and notice any leak between the engine and tranny housing?

Leaf 68

I didn’t..will take a closer look next time.

russianDude

The manual says measurement must be taken after engine is shutdown at normal temperature (full warm) and then you wait two minutes. Did not do oil change on this car, but with last Hondas I always needed a bit more oil 1/4qt to take it to full mark. Measure on flat, and make sure you wait few min to take measurement

GW208

EE4Life posted this video last year, most likely this is what you are seeing. I hope so anyway.🤞

http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/ext...etp/embed/auto

woojr

I just changed oil & filter for the first time since buying our 36,000 mile, 2018 used RDX. I noticed when I bought it (the dealer had just serviced it), the dipstick was way above the full line. When I filled it today I put a little over the 4 qt mark. I started & ran it for a couple minutes, shut it off and waited about ten minutes, rechecked it and the oil level was just over the full line. I don't understand all the different capacities I see people seem to report for this engine. I had the same engine in a Honda Accord 2013 and it took the same amount of oil. I also have found Mobil 1 full syn. to run much smoother for longer than the Honda oil I used to use.
My question is "are there different dipsticks?", different capacities for the V6 over the 2013-2018?

Showkey

Your asking the question in the ‘19-‘21 model year thread..........so the answers and discussion here does not apply to your 2018 RDX.

IM542

2019 Aspec

I fill the new oil filter before putting it in, dump in 5 quarts and it's right at the full mark every time.

3 changes so far this way.

woojr

I realized it after I posted it. I figured if someone could post in the wrong year, someone might have the right reply and put it in the wrong place as well, ha. Thanks for reading.

leomio2.0

5.1qts. I put 5qts in, check it and it's a little over halfway. After it sits for a couple hours, it's right at the top mark.