[WAMDXER]

Hello fellow MDXERS,

I’ve got a 2015 mdx, and I was wondering if anyone can provide more details on how often the oil changes really need to be done on this vehicle.
I spoke to a rep at the dealer who said it all depends on how you drive, just follow the dashboard oil percentage and change it when it reaches 15%.
I am a bit skeptical with this answer because I only put on about 12,000 miles per year and the oil percentage tends to reach 10-15% after 5,000-6,000 miles. From my research, the synthetic oil that is used at the dealership should be good for about 10,000 miles. I do most of my driving in the city, average speed is about 30. I don’t deal with much traffic as I mostly drive during non-rush hour times.
Can I trust the sensors in my Acura? or should I follow the logic of changing my oil based on the estimated life of the oil being used?

Also, I am looking for a new srs computer for this vehicle, any suggestions on where I can find one for a reasonable price compared to the dealer?

Thank You for your help! Sorry if I sound like a noob, this is my first Acura and I am still learning a lot about this car.

 

[Donn0128]

In town driving is a killer of any oil. Especially if you drive a short distance, stop and park for several hours, start and drive again. The engine does not get thoroughly warmed up enough to cook the moisture out. That moisture is actually a form of acid and contaminates your oil far sooner than if you were driving a hundred miles or more before parking.

 

[Bluepill]

The computer uses your average speed, length of trip, and throttle position as inputs to the calculation of when you change oil. Your low speed, low throttle driving will shorten the calculated change interval. Based on your driving style, 5K to 6K intervals sounds just right. Remember also that the filter only has to be changed every other oil change if you do 2 or more changes in a year.

 

[Donn0128]

Not changing the oil filter is penny wise and pound foolish. The oil filter also has a finite life. And leaving a qt of dirty oil in the engine is just plane crazy.

 

[elvisfan]

Your type of driving is very hard on the car. Follow the sensor.

 

[elvisfan]

This debate has been going for years.

 

[Cardude2000]

Sensor. I drive 15 min to work in the morning and 30 minutes back. About 6 miles each way. In that trip I never go above 35 and there are about a dozen red lights and stop signs. I follow the MID

 

[Bluepill]

Not changing the oil filter is penny wise and pound foolish. The oil filter also has a finite life. And leaving a qt of dirty oil in the engine is just plane crazy.

It's an Acura factory recommendation. FYI, a number of manufacturers recommend the same, including my Cummins diesel that states up to 15K on the oil and a filter change every year.

 

[carli123]

It's an Acura factory recommendation. FYI, a number of manufacturers recommend the same, including my Cummins diesel that states up to 15K on the oil and a filter change every year.

And oddly Cummins says every 6 months regardless of miles. I have one that sits more than it moves, so I'm often draining 3 gallons of low (relatively) mileage oil.

Oil debates have raged for decades, from which brand, which type, how often to change, and 17 other related categories. Stick with what the engineers say and don't get caught up in the pervasive opinion of a given board, follow the MID.

 

[Bluepill]

And oddly Cummins says every 6 months regardless of miles. I have one that sits more than it moves, so I'm often draining 3 gallons of low (relatively) mileage oil.

Oil debates have raged for decades, from which brand, which type, how often to change, and 17 other related categories. Stick with what the engineers say and don't get caught up in the pervasive opinion of a given board, follow the MID.

I guess it depends on application. My 6.7L ISB is in a 30,000 pound motorhome. Having a 16 qt. oil capacity and almost always running at a high load may be the difference in recommendations.

 

[neoshi]

The oil change MID goes off consistently around 7500 miles for me. Might be the same for you.

 

[WAMDXER]

Thank you everyone for your input, I will continue to follow the sensors for oil changes.

 

[LostCreekSooner]

Today’s oils are very good - especially fully synthetic. Unfortunately, your oil gets contaminated with byproducts of combustion. Thus, more starts and stop/go results in more crud being deposited in the oil. So even if the oil is still good, it’s the other stuff that is the problem. (Compare that to many new cars and even trucks that have sealed transmissions with lifetime fluid and no change intervals. But still changed the transmission fluid in my Ford F-150 and my Nissan 370Z anyway. ?‍♂)