So I have owned my 2012 Acura TL 3.7 MT since new and been a maintenance fanatic, doing my own oil changes, always within the limits of the MM. Car never used much oil, minimal top up required between changes. Now it has 84k miles on it and I have noticed that I do have to top up more between oil changes. I estimate about a third of a quart every 500 miles, which I can live with. However, I have read all sorts of horror stories about these 3.7 engines having excessive oil consumption. A few days ago, I received a letter from Acura that they are aware of the oil control rings becoming clogged up with carbon deposits during normal engine operation, and they are extending the warranty to 8 years 125,000 miles from 6 years/70,000. I had always planned on keeping this car until the 200k mark.
Here's my question, what is the definition of excessive oil consumption?
the letter from Acura says bring it in to an Acura dealer, and the dealer will do an engine oil consumption test. What the [censored] is that? Will they top it off and ask you to come back in 500 miles? Unless you measure it cold first thing in the morning, how accurate could it be?
I think the average person here would agree that a quart every 1000 miles is not excessive, even though it is for this particular individual car. At what point do you think Acura will honor their extended warranty? Should I talk to a dealer?
I think from here on in, I will go with 5W30 instead of the factory recommended 5W20.
Any other suggestions? I was going to have the spark plugs changed ahead of schedule. Should I have the valve guides changed? Anything else other than using slightly higher viscosity oil?
I don't see any blue smoke. The car runs great. Again my objective is to keep this car on the road for another 115,000 miles if that is feasible. On the other hand, if I am going to need a major engine replacement, and that point doesn't arrive until after the newly extended 125,000 mile mark occurs, should I put money into this car, such as new struts, top of the line tires, etc? There is something to be said for a one owner car, there's an inherent advantage to knowing the complete history. I love driving a manual transmission car. If I bought a replacement used car, such as a Cadillac CTS with a stick, it would be full of unknowns to me.
Thoughts, comments, opinions requested.
Here's my question, what is the definition of excessive oil consumption?
the letter from Acura says bring it in to an Acura dealer, and the dealer will do an engine oil consumption test. What the [censored] is that? Will they top it off and ask you to come back in 500 miles? Unless you measure it cold first thing in the morning, how accurate could it be?
I think the average person here would agree that a quart every 1000 miles is not excessive, even though it is for this particular individual car. At what point do you think Acura will honor their extended warranty? Should I talk to a dealer?
I think from here on in, I will go with 5W30 instead of the factory recommended 5W20.
Any other suggestions? I was going to have the spark plugs changed ahead of schedule. Should I have the valve guides changed? Anything else other than using slightly higher viscosity oil?
I don't see any blue smoke. The car runs great. Again my objective is to keep this car on the road for another 115,000 miles if that is feasible. On the other hand, if I am going to need a major engine replacement, and that point doesn't arrive until after the newly extended 125,000 mile mark occurs, should I put money into this car, such as new struts, top of the line tires, etc? There is something to be said for a one owner car, there's an inherent advantage to knowing the complete history. I love driving a manual transmission car. If I bought a replacement used car, such as a Cadillac CTS with a stick, it would be full of unknowns to me.
Thoughts, comments, opinions requested.
