RavenHwk

Got 550 miles on the car, and the oil life indicator just changed from 100 -> 90 percent ....

I was just curious how many miles folks are getting on their 04 TL's before the car says that it is time for the first oil change?

acuranme

have 1600 mi...down to 70%

elbodude

I have 1032 and I am at 90%. It will depend on how much stop-and-go driving you do vs. highway driving. I will make my oil change appointment whan it says 15-20%.

tallrussian

The "oil life" maintenance minder measures the number of the rotations of the engine, not the number of miles you drive.

erikmoeser

I would hope that it also "knows" about the length of trips which determines if the oil ever gets up to operating temperature...or even sense the temperature, or if it sits idling for long periods. Once broken in you can't change it too often so many people change every 3000 miles or so (for most probably too often) or follow the mfg. rec. (for most probably not often enough).

HacksawHilliard

There are other variables involved besides just revolutions although that is the primary determining factor.

neuronbob

I don't think anyone here is ready for their first oil change yet. I've got 2500 miles on my car and oil life of 70%. At this rate, I won't need an oil change for 5000 miles or more.

fsconsult

3400 miles @ 60%

Rocketsfan

90% - 610 miles
80% - 1330 miles

Currently at 1598 miles.

need4spd

at 500+ changed to 90%
at 980 changed to 80%

Jinen

u know what i've heard...that you should switch the oil at 1500 miles...the reason is that since the engine is new, there will be small aluminum/steel particles in the oil since the engine is just opening up...so even though it says 70% or 80%, other acura owners have said that i should get it replaced at like 1500 miles...just so that the small particles get out of the engine...any opinions?

frebay

if u change the oil, is there anyway u can reset the meter?

RavenHwk

Jinen - I've always changed the oil in new cars around 1000 - 1500 miles as well. However, the 04 TL manual was very specific about not changing the oil the first time until the maintenance minder said it was time ...

Almost like we're going to break the engine / computer if we disobey their recommendation.

spdntckt

I have always changed the oil on a new car around 1000-1500 miles for the exact reason mentioned.. during break in - you will get some wear as the rings seat into the walls of the block. not sure how changing the oil can hurt the car.. thoughts?

One thing i would note as well.. the maintenance intervals are typically only good enough to keep the car going and avoid excessive wear. I would not say they are geared toward 'maximum life'

I have a 1988 honda prelude with <280k miles.. the *only* thing i have done to the car is religiously change the oil every 3k miles (Besides the normal items like tires, brakes, etc). Heck, i even have the orig. clutch in there! and i actually drive the car pretty hard.

i will plan to change the oil in my TL every 3k miles... and 1st change prob. around 1500.. unless someone can give me a good reason not to

cheers!

Sherlock

leave the OIL IN THERE. It's a special break in oil. When it tells you to, then do it.

After that, you can change it at your pleasure and pocketbook, but honestly, there are Honda's with 250k and crap for oil changes if they're driven nicely and kept running.

I will go by the book because even with my knowledge of cars and mechanics, I am humble enough to admit I am not even 1/100th of what a Honda engineer is. If they say to do something, yeah I'm gunna follow their directions. It's going to get 5w20 when it asks for it, and not a minute sooner or later.

Do you change your underwear 3 times a day because it's nicer cuz you feel better ?? or can you go a full day and still get the same mileage out of your body and pair of clothes. Is it any more worn at the end of 24 hours than it would be if you changed it at 8 hours ??

I know it's apples and oranges, but you get my point.

Rocketsfan

It's in the manual. I forget how, but it requires holding down one or two of the buttons for a bit.

SlntSam

Are there magnetic drain plugs out for the 04 TL yet? I'll probably get a set. Oil and tranny.

RJC RSX

i believe the tranny plug is already magnetic

motorcop

I believe that you should wait for about 3000 miles before your first oil change because it is a special break-in oil. After that, I change my oil every 3000 miles anyway. It'll be interesting to see what the maintenance minder says about the oil life.

Sparky

It seems like someone mentioned getting a service manual. Where can I order on (preferably online) and what does it cover?

TIA for your help!

Fern

Sorry to interupt, but does the service reminder work off "number of engine rotations" or fuel consumption?

Number of engine rotations does not account for extreme operating conditions such as below zero and towing or dirty air filter, all of which would increase fuel consumption.

Ie: 1500 litres of fuel consumed would be consistant with lets say... 7500 km (this fuel consumption would be more rapid in stop and go city driving, than hwy driving, therefore the service indicator would come on sooner).

For all the guys which are surprised their service indicator is coming on too soon, you may be pushing your car hard.

Just food for thought,

Cheers,

Fern

rets

I got some thoughts of minders system. Please give me some advice if possible. Thanks.

After driving my 04 TL for consecutive 10 days trip and putting on 3k miles, I start to have some interesting but confused thoughts in every thread I have posted or asked. This is one of them. After reviewing the info of "Maintenance Minder", I would call it as "MM", at Page 193. 'Cause I don't have any minder info yet, the scenario below is just from my queer notion.

My MID has shown 40% OIL LIFE at 4500 miles now. It's approaching...

MM supposes to display the multiple maintenance info/items on it as well as show "service DUE SOON, DUE NOW, or PAST DUE" with items "A/B" plus "1-5". After having dealers/shops to replace or inspect whatever MM has said, the dealers or you will need to reset those items by pressing/holding Select/Reset button for about 10 secs. This is what the owner manual is saying.

Since regularly MID only can present "OIL LIFE" under your odometer & trip meter, the only technique to see other info/items is to wait for MM flaunts when time is ready.

So this is the problem now. Due to the situation I described above, I can change oil anytime I like then reset "OIL LIFE" back to 100% afterwards 'cause it's on MID all the time.

But, if I have my other parts or stuff replaced/modified, I would have no way to reset my MM, such as "rotate tires" or "replace transmission fluid". (For example, if I have my tires rotated or trans fluid replaced at 6k miles, due to no display in MM, I cannot reset it and MM would continue to count itself. When MM finally displays the "DUE NOW B1 3", this would be the only time I can reset it, but it has been days late from the date I have done the changes. In other words, this means I'm never able to set the correct schedule in the future to remind myself of any my-own-scheduled replacements if I start to do my own change without chasing MM directions.)

Does this sound reasonable? If yes, it's the stupid bug and Acura should make MID able to put on view with all Maintenance Main Items in order for self-reset by drivers.

The P.199 says, If the message, "SERVICE DUE NOW" does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year. Also, at the same page, Independent of the maintenance messages in the MID, replace the brake fluid every 3 years. If my theory is correct and true, unfortunately these two situations may just mess up the whole MM system in the future if your TL goes to this point.

Also, does this mean we have to follow MM system to do whatever it says, except the oil/filter change? If ppl buy the used 04 TL from the dealers, will they be able to trust MM system?

Or, Acura dealers are able to access MM by particular connection and do all the necessary reset for us? Is this the way to prevent other shops or owners working on 04 TL ?

Please let me know if you think I'm out of my mind. Thanks a lot.