[Priscillababy]

DISCLAIMER: I do know that both the search button and google are my friends- just hoping to get some real time (2nd generation MDX related) feedback on this heavily beaten topic....

SO i came across the following:
Quick-lube chains say 3,000 miles, auto manufacturers recommend 5,000 to 7,500 miles and synthetic oil companies, 10,000. How often do you really need to change the oil in your car?...

For the majority of my 2009 MDX's life, I've been using Mobil 1 5W20 synthetic engine oil (along with a FRAM brand ultra synthetic oil filter)- having my local stealership change the oil about every 3000 miles- is that too FREQUENT?

how important is the time factor-if I only put on 1000 miles in 3 months- can I wait an additional 3 months or (until I've driven more miles) before having the oil changed out again?...are there any real negative consequences of waiting more than 3 months (i.e 5 months or longer?) before having Mr. Stealership change my MDX's oil again? :nerd:

 

[thegazelle]

I just got my newer 08 MDX but with my other cars, I have always used synthetic oil and changed every 8,000 KM (which I think is something close to 5,000 miles). A lot of these places will give you a mileage or timeframe, with whatever comes first, but I personally just go with the mileage one. My mechanic recommends the same, unless the car sits for months on end. If you are looking to save money, you can have an indie mechanic change your oil using the exact same oil and filter, but save some dollars in the process. Or for some here who are mechanically inclined, change it yourself.

My 04 MDX that I got earlier last month - it had an oil change in late January and by the time I bought it a month and a half later, there was only 175KM put on it since the oil change, since it was sitting in his garage, awaiting a buyer (which ended up being moi). If I went by the time, I would need to change it again later this month. But it's hardly been 1700KM since I got it so no way I am changing the oil again so soon. But when it gets to around 7000-8000KM, I will get the oil changed.

The only caveat here is if it is really hot weather or really cold weather - I will generally then change it every 6,000 KM. And always synthetic oil If it was standard mineral oil, it would be your regular 3,000 KM intervals.

 

[Priscillababy]

I just got my newer 08 MDX but with my other cars, I have always used synthetic oil and changed every 8,000 KM (which I think is something close to 5,000 miles). A lot of these places will give you a mileage or timeframe, with whatever comes first, but I personally just go with the mileage one. My mechanic recommends the same, unless the car sits for months on end. If you are looking to save money, you can have an indie mechanic change your oil using the exact same oil and filter, but save some dollars in the process. Or for some here who are mechanically inclined, change it yourself.

My 04 MDX that I got earlier last month - it had an oil change in late January and by the time I bought it a month and a half later, there was only 175KM put on it since the oil change, since it was sitting in his garage, awaiting a buyer (which ended up being moi). If I went by the time, I would need to change it again later this month. But it's hardly been 1700KM since I got it so no way I am changing the oil again so soon. But when it gets to around 7000-8000KM, I will get the oil changed.

The only caveat here is if it is really hot weather or really cold weather - I will generally then change it every 6,000 KM. And always synthetic oil If it was standard mineral oil, it would be your regular 3,000 KM intervals.

gracias!- i shall wait until 5000 miles has passed before I call upon the stealership to change out the engine oil on my '09 MDX again...:29:

 

[PRGonzalez]

It really all depends on brand/type of oil and filter quality. I have been using AMSOIL signature full synthetic oil with AMSOIL 15K miles filters. AMSOIL is good for 15K miles in severe service and 25K miles in normal services. I sent oil samples for analysis after every change. I have gone 10K miles with AMSOIL and the oil analysis indicate the oil is still protecting the engine. Normally, I change oil one time every year. One time in one year I went 16K miles and the oil was still in good shape.

IMHO, every 3000 miles chabge is really too frequent for using Mobil 1 synthetic oil. You can use the SERVICE MINDER in the MDX to change your oil and you will be fine using Mobil 1 synthetic.

 

[Priscillababy]

It really all depends on brand/type of oil and filter quality. I have been using AMSOIL signature full synthetic oil with AMSOIL 15K miles filters. AMSOIL is good for 15K miles in severe service and 25K miles in normal services. I sent oil samples for analysis after every change. I have gone 10K miles with AMSOIL and the oil analysis indicate the oil is still protecting the engine. Normally, I change oil one time every year. One time in one year I went 16K miles and the oil was still in good shape.

IMHO, every 3000 miles chabge is really too frequent for using Mobil 1 synthetic oil. You can use the SERVICE MINDER in the MDX to change your oil and you will be fine using Mobil 1 synthetic.

thanks- will adhere to the 'every 5000 miles' guideline for any future oil changes being performed on my '09 MDX moving forward! :wink:

 

[mrgold35]

I'm usually around 7500-8500 miles per M.I.D. using Mobil 1 5w-20. I change the oil (and rotate/balance my tires) when the A/B service is due. I end up changing oil 2-3 times a year because I put around 20,000 miles per year.

The only think I'm not 100% sure about is other 1-6 service due that don't show on the M.I.D. until you reach 15% or less for the A/B service. You might have to keep track of those because resetting the oil change % before 15% might also reset the 1-6 service you can't see yet. You don't want to be super vigilant on oil changes and end up neglecting or being overdue on other services.

 

[skirmich]

Mobil 1 EP (Extended Performance) 5W-30 and I go for 10K-15K changes or every December.
As per oil lab analysis I can go further than 15K but I have never reached it so I always spent around 10-12K on my oil change. Mobil 1 EP Guarantees your engine protection for 15K.

Usually the MID is tuned for using OEM Oil Only so even if you use higher quality oil the MID will still tells you that it has to be changed early.. Unless Acura starts to equip some sort of Oil Life Analyzer like BMW or MERC does the MID will always consume the oil life very quickly under the assumption you are using OEM Stuff all the time.

Switch to a higher grade Syn Oil (Standard Mobil 1 stuff is rated for 6 months only, Use Mobil 1 EP instead) and Filter (Yeah not FRAM, Use K&N HP or Mobil 1 EP) and enjoy year round changes.

 

[Apex1]

Just curious what doe the M1 EP do that regular M1 does not? Also how does the EP differ from the high mileage?

Why 5w30? Sorry to the OP id this is off topic...

 

[JRB]

From Day 1 I've just gone by what comes up on the M.I.D., for oil changes and all other service on my 2010 Advance. To date all required service has been performed by the dealer. I use the coupons they send out and what they charge is very reasonable, just $29.95 for oil changes (includes various checks, fluid top-offs and wash). In the 61,000 miles driven since new I've never had to add a drop of oil.

 

[PTC DAWG]

I go by the MID display on my 10, .run syn oil...has worked so far...have a Acura/Honda specialty shop that I trust.

 

[skirmich]

Just curious what doe the M1 EP do that regular M1 does not? Also how does the EP differ from the high mileage?

Why 5w30? Sorry to the OP id this is off topic...

EP has double the additives and protection packages than standard Mobil 1, It is designed to be a long life year round oil (Well if you do less than 15K a Year anyway). "High Mileage" is pure snake oil, its the same as normal oil but with "Anti-Leaks" additives what ever that means.. EP is the best stuff Mobil 1 sells today and I have been using it for many years on my 225K TL-S with no leaks what so ever.

I use 5W-30 because here in SoCali we get 120°F

 

[Apex1]

EP has double the additives and protection packages than standard Mobil 1, It is designed to be a long life year round oil (Well if you do less than 15K a Year anyway). "High Mileage" is pure snake oil, its the same as normal oil but with "Anti-Leaks" additives what ever that means.. EP is the best stuff Mobil 1 sells today and I have been using it for many years on my 225K TL-S with no leaks what so ever.

I use 5W-30 because here in SoCali we get 120°F

:29:

Thanks

 

[Trinergy]

DISCLAIMER: I do know that both the search button and google are my friends- just hoping to get some real time (2nd generation MDX related) feedback on this heavily beaten topic....

SO i came across the following:
Quick-lube chains say 3,000 miles, auto manufacturers recommend 5,000 to 7,500 miles and synthetic oil companies, 10,000. How often do you really need to change the oil in your car?...

For the majority of my 2009 MDX's life, I've been using Mobil 1 5W20 synthetic engine oil (along with a FRAM brand ultra synthetic oil filter)- having my local stealership change the oil about every 3000 miles- is that too FREQUENT?

how important is the time factor-if I only put on 1000 miles in 3 months- can I wait an additional 3 months or (until I've driven more miles) before having the oil changed out again?...are there any real negative consequences of waiting more than 3 months (i.e 5 months or longer?) before having Mr. Stealership change my MDX's oil again? :nerd:

You should have no problems taking a longer time on oil changes because you are using full sythentic. They don't degrade anywhere near dino oil from sitting so just stick to when the MID tells you to and not worry about the mileage if using synthetic.

 

[Priscillababy]

You should have no problems taking a longer time on oil changes because you are using full sythentic. They don't degrade anywhere near dino oil from sitting so just stick to when the MID tells you to and not worry about the mileage if using synthetic.

Thanks homeslice! :29:

 

[skinny2]

What is your MID showing at 3k or 5k miles when you've been changing it? Based on oil sampling I've done, the MID is quite conservative. Per Honda, you should change the oil once a year if the MID hasn't called for a change sooner.

We get 8k-10k miles between changes and oil sampling shows that's VERY conservative, but we drive far more highway and long trips.

 

[Priscillababy]

What is your MID showing at 3k or 5k miles when you've been changing it? Based on oil sampling I've done, the MID is quite conservative. Per Honda, you should change the oil once a year if the MID hasn't called for a change sooner.

We get 8k-10k miles between changes and oil sampling shows that's VERY conservative, but we drive far more highway and long trips.

To be honest- I've been throwing my money away/donating to the save a stealership child fund- I've never really checked/relied upon the MID- I'd always go by either the every 3 months or the mileage on the sticker that the stealership would leave behind on the upper-most left hand corner of the windshield....moving forward, I plan on changing my oil about every 5K miles from now on (even if 3 months has passed....).

 

[skirmich]

HOLY SNAP Badman! 3 months? That is not even right with normal dyno oil....
You should be doing at least 6 months on the OEM Oil.

 

[delirium330]

Looks like you have gotten mostly good advice on this thread. Can't go wrong with Mobil 1, especially since you can find great deals on the 5w20 at Costco. If price is close, spring for Mobil 1 EP (Extended Protection) and run your interval a bit longer. Per skirmich point earlier, its some of the best stuff you can get at your local auto parts store these days.

There is no hard and fast rule that says exactly when you should change your oil. Many conditions play into the equation. The only true way to figure this out is to send your oil into the lab and get specific tests done. Then repeat that process over many oil changes to see just how long you can run your intervals and still have a good level of oil "effectiveness" in place.

But simply put you won't need to spend your time doing oil analysis. 5k intervals on Mobil 1 are VERY conservative. You likely could go 10-15k and be just fine. That being said, everyone likes to do their own thing so do what you prefer, but I'd push to at least 7,500 if I was running Mobil 1. Also easy to just add a time interval on there at 1 year. So change it once a year or 7,500, whichever comes first.

Oh, and DO NOT LISTEN TO YOUR MID. Just pick an interval and stick to it.

 

[phins2rt]

About 180K on my 03 and changed that every 7500 miles with Synthetic. 128K on the 08 and change that per the MID with synthetic. 3-5K is too short an interval especially with synthetic. YMMV.

 

[Priscillababy]

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About 180K on my 03 and changed that every 7500 miles with Synthetic. 128K on the 08 and change that per the MID with synthetic. 3-5K is too short an interval especially with synthetic. YMMV.

I've been throwing my $$ down the toilet- right into the save a stealership child fund- no more....I will not change oil until MID tells me so (not when it gets down to like 50% as I 've been FOOLISHLY doing all these years!!)...:surprise: DOH!

btw~ you made me google 'YMMV' which stands for Your Mileage May Vary