I purchased a certified 2009 TSX back in early may of this year. It had approximately 28,000 miles on it at point of purchase and now has 39,000 miles (I drive quite a bit).
It's a great car. However, my biggest concern bar none is that it's been burning oil from the get go. If I had to make an estimate of rate of consumption I'd say it's a little less than one quart per 1,000 miles.
I've been driving Hondas for 20 years, but this is my first Acura. So, my question is, “Is this rate of oil consumption normal for a second generation TSX?”.
Have only had a few oil changes - dealer and local guy. I'm using 5W-20 regular oil (non-synthetic). Not sure of brand being used.
Since we're on the topic of oil type, I've been thinking of trying Mobil One 5W-20 synthetic Extended Protection (15,000 miles). NOT that I would wait that long between changes, just wondering if this oil would hold up better.
Bad advise. The Honda engines are designed for 20w oil. 30w would not provide the correct lubrication.
Most likely source of the oil loss is leaking past the valve guides in an otherwise well maintained engine.
Edit: And no, its not normal to lose 1qt/1000mi. My experience with Honda engines is 1/2 - 3/4qt over the entire oil change life per the maintenance minder (approx 5500-6500mi)
Thanks, but I'll stick with 5W-20 as it's what's recommended for the engine. Besides, I've read that changing oil weights can void warranties and potentially damage engines. (True or not I do not know).
An interesting comment. My car actually runs great -smooth, good power, good economy for it's engine type. Yet, it does burn up a fair amount of oil.
I've done research, looking at other threads on this site and other forums. I've noted that most TSX oil consumption issues seem to have been related to first generation models, most notably the 2004 model. There's very little that I've found related to the second generation TSX.
I've also noticed that Honda (and Acura) maintain that anything under one quart burn off per 1000 miles is acceptable. If this is truly the case, I have few options available since by this standard I have no problem.
It's not that I mind keeping an eye on the oil level of the engine or that I feel the cost of additional oil to be a burden. My major concern is whether or not this is a small problem that could later turn into a much bigger one (and of course after the warranty expires).
Well, you can always "help" the oil loss to exceed 1qt/1000mi and get them to actually do something about it, that is assuming it is still under warranty.
I to have had problems with my oil consumption. I brought it into the dealer( they had my car for 2 days) and all they said was that it was ok to burn 1 quart per 1000 miles and they added another quart. I never had this problem until I changed my air filter over to a K & m life filter. Not sure if this has anything to do with it. Just curious, what kind of filter do you use?
I to have had problems with my oil consumption. I brought it into the dealer( they had my car for 2 days) and all they said was that it was ok to burn 1 quart per 1000 miles and they added another quart. I never had this problem until I changed my air filter over to a K & m life filter. Not sure if this has anything to do with it. Just curious, what kind of filter do you use?
Hey I'm having the same issue with my car 2010 tsx manual I have to add an extra two quarts of oil per oil change, according to the mechanic at Acura there's been a lot of issues with oil consumption in tsx's specially manual ones. I'm using full synthetic oil but they told me to stop using it because it burns faster than regular one. They did an oil consumption test with regular oil and it burned 1/2 quart on 1k miles ... To me that's insane but the manager there said is with in Acura regs they won't do anything about unless I'm burning more than one 1 quart per 1k ... So I'm debating if is worth keeping my car it's sad an annoying that I have to carry 2 quarts in the trunk.
Lol I wish they make me take it and measure it them self I just called acura they said all they can do is document my concerns but nothing else this is my 4th Honda car I never used soo much oil as now adding a quart every 2k miles I'm not doing I think my car has to go
have you been noticing any drips under the car? could be possible that the oil filter wasn't properly put on or that the drain bolt washer isn't doing it's job.
i had a slow oil leak on my daily and it went away on my next oil change.
I have a ct ice box cold air intake is been doing for a while that'd why I went to full synthetic no leaks either , according to the mechanic from acura I was talking to him on the side acura knows there's a problem with the manual ones n he recommended to get on record
when you say 09 tsx do you mean the second gen CU2 chassis?
there has been an issue brought up lately over on k20a.org where the pistons in the civic si / tsx have had oil ring problems, causing an extra use of oil.
Yeah, to me allowing 1 qt/ 1000 miles is absurd. This is very new technology!! My 98 ford contour would burn up a half qt in 4k mile oil changes. And who knows if it was burning, I had some small leaks at 160k.
My 04 tsx is at 116k. Just changed the oil and had also less than a half qt missing. Ran 10w-30 Mobil 1 and never checked oil level between changes (4k mi) silly me... Just switched to 0w-40 for winter so we'll see.
Guys- what about faulty air/oil separators and or PCV systems? What if oil is not disappearing from the pan via the cylinders and instead the intake system?
The only reason the recommend 5w-20 is for gas mileage - you have to realize that is a very thin oil and it does the job but the temp range it's rated for is different than a thicker oil.
Guaranteed if u put 5 30 in ur car u will lose a mpg or 2 compared to 5 20
+1.
The 06-08 tsx calls for 5w30 but the stealership tried to put 5w20 in for my first two oil changes. Im not going to risk oil burn and blow by for a few extra MPG.
I found a TSB dated February 2013 for excessive oil consumption. Numbered 13-006
Apparently the cause is sticking oil control rings due to "oil deposits" and the fix is new pistons and rings.
If it's oil deposits caking up the rings, I'd bet it's partially due to long oil change intervals.
Second, the fact that pistons need to be replaced as well hints that tolerances with the ring lands and rings were too tight and just the right amount of carbon or burned oil seized them resulting in premature blow-by and oil consumption.
Try using a additive like lucas with your oil change, I did and it drastically reduced the oil burning along with a synthetic oil change. Synthetic oil usually has better burn off characteristics.
I have a 2010 and the same problem. I love my car it runs great but this oil thing is freaky! I always have to add at least a quart before a scheduled oil change. I also am required to use 5/20 per owners manual. It is like water! I owned 1 other Acura, I never had this problem. I am glad I am not the only one! I am not leaking oil I just had an oil change today, they would have said something.
This is a common issue with 08-12 Accord 4 cylinders which have the same engine as the 09+ TSX 4 cylinder. There was a TSB released as mentioned above that suggests the pistons and piston rings be replaced. I have this issue with my Accord but I have 124k miles on my car now, so the chances are pretty much non-existent that Honda will help with the cost.
I have not owned the TSX long enough but I did have a 08 Civic Si and it had the same problem with oil consumption. I would add at least a qt between oil changes. Pretty much the same motor but the civic is a 2.0 and my TSX is the 2.4.
I started having the same issue as you guys. I have a 2010 TSX MT. One of the service techs gave me a copy of the actual Service Bulletin 13-006.
It states ...
====
2009-10 TSX: Sticking Rings Resulting in Unusually High Engine Oil Consumption
APPLIES TO: 2009-10 TSX L4 with M/T
SYMPTOM: The engine oil level is low on the dipstick, and the oil warning light may come on in rare high oil consumption situations.
POSSIBLE CAUSE: Under certain specific circumstances, the engine may create deposits on the oil control rings, which may lead to increased oil consumption when all of the following conditions occur simultaneously on a regular and prolonged basis:
- The engine is cold (not warmed up to operating temperature)
- Hard acceleration while the engine is cold
- The fuel used has an unusually high concentration of particles, Acura recommends using Top Tier gas that contains detergents to prevent deposits, the client may subsequently complain about excessive oil consumption.
CORRECTIVE ACTION: Replace all the engine pistons and the piston rings.
====
My powertrain is still under warranty for just under a year or so, but management at Acura wants me to perform an Oil Consumption Test every 1000 Miles to verify if what i'm experiencing is in fact what their technicians had already confirmed during their diagnostics.
- I live in California, the coldest it gets is 65 degrees.
- I just broke 36,000 miles on a 2010 TSX, and I don't accelerate hard.
- I use 91 octane Chevron
Have them document EVERYTHING and if anything happens after your warranty expires, raise hell!!! Good Luck to ALL with this same issue!
I just went through this on my '09 and after 3 trips every 2K kms , acura canada approved the changing of rings and Pistons ....I had 130k kms and was out of warrantee.
I just had it done as well. After 1200 miles the oil is staying in the car!!!!
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