Only 5K mi. on Mobil 1? & High oil change cost!

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RDXman

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Having shelled out some of my hard-earned retirement on an Acura RDX, I'm kind of shocked to discover...

1) Only 5K miles and I'm seeing the alert 'Service Due' with the reason being there's only 5% oil life left (the RDX has Mobil 1)! Speaking with other RDX owners, 5K seems to be the typical number of miles most are getting before the 'Service Due' alert. On their web-site, Mobil suggests that one should expect 10K - 15K miles between oil changes, so what gives?

2. I called a few Acura dealers in So Cal. to find that they charge $110 - $130 for a Mobil 1 oil & filter change! Is this not a huge gouge?
 
Not sure how to tell you this, but rather than complain about the cost, change the oil yourself and save a bundle. Or at least you could find someone qualified who isn't a dealer.
 
The RDX is a turbo-application and from what I understand, not exactly easy on oil and has its own tough oil specification, Honda HTO-06. That does seem very high for an oil change. For 5 quarts of Mobil 1 and an oil filter, you'd probably spend about $30 at Wal-Mart. So the rest of that is labor... Are you in any position to be able to do it yourself? Also, you could use Pennzoil Platinum in your new rig, as it also meets the Honda HTO-06 specification. Don't feel like you have to use Mobil just because it's the factory fill, Pennzoil Platinum will work just as good for a little bit less cost. My 2 cents...
 
Please...

Your car is not special. Ignore the oil life monitor if it bothers you so much. Also, did you actually think that 10,000 to 15,000 miles is typical for Mobil 1?

Thirdly, If you actually have had prior oil changes with the dealer at $110 to $130 then I want to start an oil change business for you RDX owners. Just change it your self, or if you can't figure that out, then buy the synthetic at Walmart, buy the filter, and then take it to your local mechanic or oil change place and have them do it. Total outlay less than $30.

Do you really think the dealer can change oil better than you or an independant???

My buddy has a Boxter, cost to change oil with 9 quarts? $165.

He pulls into my garage, we get the filter and oil and the total cost ? <$45.
 
5-6k seems to be what most owners are going between oil services on most of the newer Honda 4-cylinders, especially the RDX.

That turbo engine is pretty hard on oil, so I would definitely change it. Mobil's 10-15k recommendation excludes turbocharged vehicles I believe.

$110-$130 sounds about right for a "B1" service, it involves an oil change, tire rotation and a complete inspection. An "A1" service should be around $30 less as it doesn't require the in-depth inspections.
 
The computer uses mileage and rpm's and other indicators to compute oil life.
It doesn't know your using oil with an extended change interval.
Reset the light,check your dipstick for color,and change at the correct interval.
 
Originally Posted By: XCELERATIONRULES
The computer uses mileage and rpm's and other indicators to compute oil life.
It doesn't know your using oil with an extended change interval.
Reset the light,check your dipstick for color,and change at the correct interval.


I respectfully disagree, I wouldn't want to risk voiding the warranty on a brand new $33k+ SUV.. It does know what oil he's using because Mobil 1 is the factory fill in the RDX and the only oils that meet the HTO-06 specification that I know of, are synthetics.
 
Buy the M1 5 qt. jug at Wm for $23. Buy an M1 filter and an additional quart of M1 at AZ for $11 and $7. Take it to the dealer and get them to change the oil for $25 or so. The Honda dealer charges me $15 labor on my Accord for labor only changes.
 
Originally Posted By: RDXman
Having shelled out some of my hard-earned retirement on an Acura RDX, I'm kind of shocked to discover...

1) Only 5K miles and I'm seeing the alert 'Service Due' with the reason being there's only 5% oil life left (the RDX has Mobil 1)! Speaking with other RDX owners, 5K seems to be the typical number of miles most are getting before the 'Service Due' alert. On their web-site, Mobil suggests that one should expect 10K - 15K miles between oil changes, so what gives?

2. I called a few Acura dealers in So Cal. to find that they charge $110 - $130 for a Mobil 1 oil & filter change! Is this not a huge gouge?


Lordy that`s alot of bread for an oil change! How much oil does it hold? When I was using Mobil 1,it was $19 for a jug of 15W50 silver cap and $9.99 for a Mobil 1 filter (my car holds 4 1/2 quarts w/filter change). Who do stealerships mark up oil changes so much?
 
If you are in Cali, shoot for Mobil 1 10w30 over 5w30. I'd actually consider German Syntec or M1 0w-40.
 
If you are in Cali, shoot for Mobil 1 10w30 over 5w30. I'd actually consider German Syntec or M1 0w-40.
 
Originally Posted By: XCELERATIONRULES
The computer uses mileage and rpm's and other indicators to compute oil life.
It doesn't know your using oil with an extended change interval.
Reset the light,check your dipstick for color,and change at the correct interval.

The oil life monitor IS calibrated for the HTO-06 approved Mobil 1 engine oil. So, the service interval is correct.
 
You want a reliable answer?

Get a UOA and find out just how accurate the OLM is. In lieu of that, you'll have to just go along with the herd ...

But, you can at least change it yourself and save a ton money.
 
I would definitely look into buying a Fumoto drain valve and start changing the oil yourself. This engine is tough on oil as The Critic said. Few oils are meeting HTO-06. A UOA would be beneficial but would also be limited in showing deposit protection which in a turbo can be a problem.
 
Originally Posted By: RDXman
Having shelled out some of my hard-earned retirement on an Acura RDX, I'm kind of shocked to discover...


1) Only 5K miles and I'm seeing the alert 'Service Due' with the reason being there's only 5% oil life left (the RDX has Mobil 1)! Speaking with other RDX owners, 5K seems to be the typical number of miles most are getting before the 'Service Due' alert. On their web-site, Mobil suggests that one should expect 10K - 15K miles between oil changes, so what gives?

The oil life monitor is programmed by Acura based on the design of the engine and how it relates to the oil they choose. In the case of the RDX, the oil you use is certified HTO-06 spec especially for your car because as someone stated, it's a high heat application and the oil takes care of that. I wouldn't go with what Mobil states as much as what Acura has programmed in based on their studies and design of the engine. The Mobil 15k miles between oil changes is for normal applications and not special cases like your car which requires an HTO-06 specd oil

2. I called a few Acura dealers in So Cal. to find that they charge $110 - $130 for a Mobil 1 oil & filter change! Is this not a huge gouge?

Everything Acura does is based on gouging or maximizing service department profits at the expense of the customer. I think it stems from the fact that it's an Acura which is the luxury brand of Honda and thus since all the parts are more expensive, might as well make all the mundane blah blah routine maintenance exorbitantly expensive as well...after all, the customer is just a dumb plankton who will go with the flow if they bought an Acura in the first place so we can get away with it. I owned an Integra and never got a single oil change from them.
 
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[/quote]

Everything Acura does is based on gouging or maximizing service department profits at the expense of the customer. I think it stems from the fact that it's an Acura which is the luxury brand of Honda and thus since all the parts are more expensive, might as well make all the mundane blah blah routine maintenance exorbitantly expensive as well...after all, the customer is just a dumb plankton who will go with the flow if they bought an Acura in the first place so we can get away with it. I owned an Integra and never got a single oil change from them.
[/quote] You are good!!
thumbsup2.gif
 
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