New DIYer and had some questions.

[norml]

Hello all. I have a few questions I'm hoping you can help me with.

I have a 2005 Acura TL (supercharged) with about 75k miles. I'm planning on taking it to 2 or 3 track days this summer. Prior oil changes have been by the dealership and/or Firestone. I am looking forward to changing my own oil and have already bought some Redline (5w30) oil and a RP oil filter. The Acura's MID monitors my driving habits and let me know when I need to change my oil...usually between 5k and 6k miles. Now that I'm going full synthetic, should I go longer in between changes even though the car will tell me to change it? My driving is about 70% hwy/30% city. How long can I go without pushing it?

Also, my wife has a 2004 Acura MDX with about 80k miles. She uses it for work which is mostly stop and go (no highway). We do use her car for all our errands as well. Like my TL, it's been previously serviced by dealership/Firestone. I'm going to be changing the oil on hers but am undecided on what to get. I was thinking of Mobil 1 synthetic oil and Mobil 1 filter. I was hoping to get some recommendation from you all.

I intend to keep the TL for a while...5+ years. We will probably keep the MDX for at least another 2-3 years.

Hope I'm not asking too much for my 1st post!

 

[Jim 5]

Hopefully BuickGN sees this thread.

His experience with TL's like yours, forced induction, track days with TLs and Redline oil would be an ideal resource for you.

 

[RedByrd]

I believe there are just as good filters as the M1 for a relatively much lower price. Not saying it's bad by any means, but the extra +/- $7 is a big difference in an oil filter.

 

[norml]

Originally Posted By: RedByrd
I believe there are just as good filters as the M1 for a relatively much lower price. Not saying it's bad by any means, but the extra +/- $7 is a big difference in an oil filter.


Can you or anyone recommend a couple of other filters? Do you feel the same about the oil? My impression of Mobil 1 is that it's a pretty good oil and filter. I didn't know if I needed to go that "good" or could I get away with something just as good or almost as good for a lot less.

 

[norml]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Hopefully BuickGN sees this thread.

His experience with TL's like yours, forced induction, track days with TLs and Redline oil would be an ideal resource for you.



Thanks. Any thoughts about the Royal Purple filter for the TL? I already bought a couple but just wanted to know if I should look at others in the future.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Hopefully BuickGN sees this thread.


I don't think he's a member anymore, I haven't seen him post in quite a while.

 

[calvinnnnnnnnn]

For your wife's msx, i would go with pennzoil platinum, castrol edge or valvoline synpower over mobil 1.

 

[Zaedock]

Greetings and Welcome.

Firestone huh? That's either Warwick or E.Providence. I think there might be one in Woonsocket too. Used to live in RI.

I think the RP would be a great choice for your TL. Mobil 1 would be fine as well (and more easily available). I also think any of the OTC synthetics like Quaker State Q-Horsepower or Valvoline Synpower would perform well. I personally like Quaker State products.

As far as oil filters go, I use Supertech, Motorcraft, Advance Auto house brand, NAPA/Wix, and Purolator's. I think you would be fine running a Wix or Purolator on either vehicle.

 

[heypete]

Originally Posted By: norml
Also, my wife has a 2004 Acura MDX with about 80k miles. She uses it for work which is mostly stop and go (no highway). We do use her car for all our errands as well. Like my TL, it's been previously serviced by dealership/Firestone. I'm going to be changing the oil on hers but am undecided on what to get. I was thinking of Mobil 1 synthetic oil and Mobil 1 filter. I was hoping to get some recommendation from you all.

Hope I'm not asking too much for my 1st post!


I'm not sure about the Acura TL, as I'm not familiar with track conditions, so I'll withhold an opinion.

As for your wife's car, you certainly can't go wrong with what the manual recommends. Assuming it doesn't call for synthetic oil and you won't be going for longer oil change intervals, it'd probably do excellent with a quality conventional (e.g. Pennzoil Yellow Bottle, Mobil Clean 5000, etc.) or a synthetic blend (e.g. Motorcraft). OEM filters are probably available at modest price from your local dealer or online (eBay is a great place to find remarkably discounted prices on OEM filters). Spending the money on a Mobil 1 filter is probably not worthwhile, unless you're going for extended oil changes or get a good deal as some promotional package. I'm a big fan of OEM filters, at least for Toyotas.

If this is your first time changing the oil, be sure to read up on what you're doing to ensure that you don't screw up. Safety first: don't get under a car supported only by a jack. Use ramps or jackstands. Be sure you have all the right tools. Rubber gloves are extremely useful for not getting oil all over yourself.

 

[RedByrd]

Originally Posted By: norml
Can you or anyone recommend a couple of other filters? Do you feel the same about the oil? My impression of Mobil 1 is that it's a pretty good oil and filter. I didn't know if I needed to go that "good" or could I get away with something just as good or almost as good for a lot less.
I like Purolators, because they are affordable and happen to be made down the road from me. I can also vouch for Wix filters and Bosches, as well. The PureOne for my car runs around $5, while the Mobil 1 is $13. I'd rather put the $8 in some better oil myself.

And yes, Mobil 1 is a fine oil, as well as any other "name-brand" synthetic for your application.

 

[Johnny]

The oil choices for both cars is fine and personally if you want to save a little (no big deal) you could run the Mobil 1 5W30 in both without harm. Mobil 1 5w30 does meet the Acura high temp turbo spec HT-06 as few do, although I'm sure the Red Line does also, just has not made the Acura list. I am a BIG believer in OEM filters.

Nice cars.

to BITOG

 

[calvinnnnnnnnn]

If the Honda oem filter ends in A02, its made by fram. Don't know or care if its good or not, but there are better filters out there for cheaper such as PureOne.

 

[norml]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Greetings and Welcome.

Firestone huh? That's either Warwick or E.Providence.
You got it. Warwick...by the Warwick Mall!

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Nice cars.

Thanks! Hoping to keep them (especially the TL) for a long time.

Originally Posted By: heypete
If this is your first time changing the oil, be sure to read up on what you're doing to ensure that you don't screw up. Safety first: don't get under a car supported only by a jack. Use ramps or jackstands. Be sure you have all the right tools. Rubber gloves are extremely useful for not getting oil all over yourself.


Yes, this is the first time and I've been reading up on everything. I've picked up some rhino ramps but need to pick up some rubber gloves. Thanks for the advice.

 

[tig1]

M1 will serve you well in both cars.

 

[norml]

Thanks for all the advice.

Advanced Auto Parts has a sale and I just picked up some Penzoil Platinum and a P1 filter for $25.

 

[AndyH]

Originally Posted By: norml
I have a 2005 Acura TL (supercharged) with about 75k miles. I'm planning on taking it to 2 or 3 track days this summer. Prior oil changes have been by the dealership and/or Firestone. I am looking forward to changing my own oil and have already bought some Redline (5w30) oil and a RP oil filter. The Acura's MID monitors my driving habits and let me know when I need to change my oil...usually between 5k and 6k miles. Now that I'm going full synthetic, should I go longer in between changes even though the car will tell me to change it? My driving is about 70% hwy/30% city. How long can I go without pushing it?

Aftermarket supercharger I'm guessing? My question/concern is with the MID system. Is it calibrated for a stock (non-supercharged) engine? If so, I'm not sure that I'd trust it since you've up'ed the power (& stress) via the supercharger. Also, depending on your tune, you may be running richer than stock which could certainly be tougher on the oil.

 

[norml]

^^^good point. Yes, it is an aftermarket supercharger. I believe the MID is calibrated for a stock engine, not to mention dino oil.

I was plannig on ignoring the MID and changing out at 5k or 7.5k...still undecided. I was leaning towards changing it out at 5k and sending a sample out to be analyzed to see if I can go 7.5k.

Any thoughts/advice?

Just out of curiosity...is the Castrol Syntec you're running on the STI the same price as Mobil 1? Any reason you're running different brands? Is it whatever is on sale or do you believe one is better than the other? I'm pretty new at this and just wanted to get as much info as possible. Thanks!

 

[AndyH]

Originally Posted By: norml
^^^good point. Yes, it is an aftermarket supercharger. I believe the MID is calibrated for a stock engine, not to mention dino oil.

I was plannig on ignoring the MID and changing out at 5k or 7.5k...still undecided. I was leaning towards changing it out at 5k and sending a sample out to be analyzed to see if I can go 7.5k.

Any thoughts/advice?

That sounds like a solid plan to me. I've had a number of UOA's performed on the oil from my STi, and even though I can safely run the Syntec 0w30 longer than 5,000 miles (I've gone as long as 6,800 miles), I prefer to stick to the 5,000 mile interval out of convenience. And I know that I have a built-in cushion if I run over the 5k before having the time to change the oil.

Originally Posted By: norml
Just out of curiosity...is the Castrol Syntec you're running on the STI the same price as Mobil 1? Any reason you're running different brands? Is it whatever is on sale or do you believe one is better than the other? I'm pretty new at this and just wanted to get as much info as possible. Thanks!

The Syntec 0w30 and the M1 0W-40 are approximately the same price today, although I've built-up a decent sized 'stash' of the 0w30 that I'm still working through. I bought most of it from a local guy who wanted to get rid of it, I think I paid less than $4/qt for it. The M1 0W-40 was somewhere between $6.00-$7.00/qt if memory serves. Personally I like the GC better than the M1, but the S4 is the wife's car and she likes the M1. With that said, I may try M1 5W-40 or perhaps Shell Rotella-T 5W-40 in the S4 at the next oil change, as we're experiencing a bit of consumption with the M1 0W-40.

 

[Jim 5]

I think an equal worry is the transmission - both vehicles. Acura/Honda 5 speed auto was a very weak link in those years and I'd get aggressive when it comes to extra transmission cooling and fluid changes.

On my wife's TL, I did double the recommended transmission fluid changes at the dealership, just to ensure there was no wriggle room for Acura on the 7 year extended warranty they offered on the transmission.

 

[norml]

Originally Posted By: AndyH
The Syntec 0w30 and the M1 0W-40 are approximately the same price today, although I've built-up a decent sized 'stash' of the 0w30 that I'm still working through. I bought most of it from a local guy who wanted to get rid of it, I think I paid less than $4/qt for it. The M1 0W-40 was somewhere between $6.00-$7.00/qt if memory serves. Personally I like the GC better than the M1, but the S4 is the wife's car and she likes the M1. With that said, I may try M1 5W-40 or perhaps Shell Rotella-T 5W-40 in the S4 at the next oil change, as we're experiencing a bit of consumption with the M1 0W-40.


BTW - Nice cars!