TMLInfinity

Hello,

I own an 06 TL with 40,000km (approx 25,000 miles).

I am not experienced in hands on stuff for cars but have some basic questions on oil changes which I hope you can help me answer.

- When is it appropriate (mileage #) to start using Synthetic Oil for oil changes?
- What are the advantages of Synthetic Oil?
- Can I simply go to the dealer and pass them the oil and ask them to use that?
- Do I need anything else like Oil filters etc...?
- Which Synthetic Oil brand is best (needs to be available in Toronto Canada)?
- Will Synthetic Oil change how my MID computer tells me when I need an oil change?


Thanks.

01tl4tl

the mid is based on 7500 miles between changes- its not a measure of actual oil quality or condition at any point in time
Whatever brand you like is fine, see the many threads on this subject
Each person has picked the best brand! in their opine
Yes you need a new filter- get a good one, honda is ok but not greatest
Dealer will do synthetic but at insane price, and not use the very best stuff
Synth lubes better,, especially in very cold areas- its the way to go
Wont make major jump in fuel use, more for peace of mind for those planning many miles of ownership

Read the other recent oil threads in gen3 or gen2, same engine and decisions to be made

esco786

iTrader: (2)

i just got mobil1 synthetic oil from walmart 5w-20 is what they say
got k&n oil filter from parts source (cdn tire and walmart sell fram(stay away from fram))
the mid can be resetted at anytime, just hold the reset button.

CdTriX

I'm using the motormaster 100% synthetic 5w-20 ( i couldn't find any mobile 1 5w-20 anywhere )

if you want the real deal royal purple stuff you'll need to go to one of those import stores at pacific mall.

i bought the acura small blue filter for 8 bucks + they gave me a free washer! w00t saved 89 cents.

Car drives fine.

The MID shows up < 20% at around 10k but i was on regular oil, with synthetic, i'll be up to 15k before a change since synthetic lasts longer than regular.

JoeTL'81

"stay away from fram"? Why you say that? I always thought fram was a good brand. It's what I use "Fram Extra guard"

JoeTL'81

"Which Synthetic Oil brand is best (needs to be available in Toronto Canada)?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jewzO6fkPDg
I don't care what anyone or the "MID computer" tells me, I change the oil and filter every 5000km with regular oil and 7500km with synthetic. I personally use regular, but ONLY Castrol GTX. and I would never take my car to the stealership unless you get free oil changes or something.

01tl4tl

thats crazy! the normal standard- dino or synthetic is 7500 MILES
if you are changing at KMs you are screwing yourself and the environment with all that waste
RP is nothing special - it wears out at 7500 miles like oils are planned to- the additives package wears out right when the car makers say to change oil- how considerate of the oil makers!

LaCostaRacer

Have you had your oil tested? I think if you did you would find that you have plenty of life left in your oil. You are wasting your money- this was the thinking of the 70s before new additives and cleaner running motors. While this isn't hurting your car, you are wasting time, money, and the environment. The MID is trustworthy and probably very conservative as well.

There's lots of information in the Garage here as well as BobIsTheOilGuy.com. I'm a fan of the Purolator filter and either M1 Synthetic, MotorCraft Synthetic blend or Pennzoil Synthetic. These are all great oils as are all the others people talk about. I usually get the case that's on sale and load up then.

Frankie02

Royal Purple will rock ur socks off !!!

ACE32TL

iTrader: (3)

I run Mobil 1 syn w/ mobil 1 oil filter. Oil gets changed at 5k regardless of what MID says. Oil looks very clean during oil changes so I would imagine it could go alot longer, but i'll stick to my 5k intervals.

01tl4tl

if the oil is really clean at change time, it may not be doing its job
It should darken with use as the built in cleaners pick up contaminents,
most of the particulate matter gets captured by the filter but some small bits and liquidy sludge circulate thru the sytem all the time-
good oil holds those parts in suspension so they drain out at oil change

ACE32TL

iTrader: (3)

We'll im sure its doing its job, ive only run Mobil 1 with this car since I had it. The oil has always looked the same at the 5k intervals. Maybe the engine is just clean, lol. Also before this TL i had a 00 GS300, sold it with 236k on it same intervals same oil. Oil looked exactly like my TL's even at 200k plus.

<{Kris}>

Fram does not make good filters, in fact they're one of the worst out there. It's all marketing. The Extra Guard is an average filter overall and a good filter in Fram's standard, definitely a cut above their usual crap.

<{Kris}>

I personally use Amsoil in both my cars. I prefer Purolator filters, they're very good filters for the price. There are better filters out there, but it's based on what you get from what you paid, Purolator filters are hard to beat.

tech_rcd

Kris
If you use Amsoil why wouldn't you use their Eao filters and take advantage of extended oil drain intervals? If you don't trust Amsoil's claims have an oil analysis done. It will save you money and cut back on how much dirty oil we have to dispose of. Win, win situation.

01tl4tl

let me rephrase about oil condition
At 5000 miles it should have some color change as its holding contaminent matter
It doesnt matter if you seafoam or whatever- combustion on E10 leaves behind lots of crud, more than with the old style MTBE gasoline additive
By 7500 miles- average oil not designated for a different mileage- like amz at 15)
by 7500 average miles there should be an amount of color change that tells you its ready for an oil change

1fsthatch

doesn't Fram make the OEM Honda filter?

tech_rcd

There are a lot of misconceptions about motor oil out there. If you really want to know all there is to know this is a must read.

http://www.motoroilbible.com/

<{Kris}>

Main reason is that there isn't a local off-the-shelf source for these things.

Finding Amsoil oil is easy, finding a good filter is a bit harder lol. I'm also lazy when it comes to purchasing these things online, I always put it off until the last minute and then it forces me to rule out the online route.

You're absolutely right though, if someone is going to use the good oil, may as well spend a few extra dollars to get a good filter.

01tl4tl

same logic says to do an engine cleaning in the oil before going to the extra high miles stuff--get the sludge out first!