Honda Car Forum

"Steve" <nospam@nospam> wrote in message
news:zs-dnQHTiJDZnvrfRVn-hQ@comcast.com...
> When car shopping last month, I was told by the Acura saleman, that you
> had to change the oil for the TSX, every 10,000 miles. (!)
>
> I own a 94 Honda Accord I-4 (4 cyl) , and if I recall, Honda said I only
> have to change the oil (on my VTEC engine) every 6,000 miles (but I
> usually do it more frequently).
>
> (I'm simplifying of course, leaving out the # of months)
>
> I agree it seems every 3,000 miles is the general rule for cars in
> general.

(Trying to avoid the undying "oil change frequency" thread) Go for it - to
each their own. This has become a very controversial issue, with
recommendations from reputable sources running the gamut of 3K to 15K miles.
I follow the owner's manual for each vehicle, myself, figuring they know
better than I do.

Mike

In article <0a2dna9WNL0vgvrfRVn-vg@sedona.net>,
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote:

> (Trying to avoid the undying "oil change frequency" thread) Go for it - to
> each their own. This has become a very controversial issue, with
> recommendations from reputable sources running the gamut of 3K to 15K miles.
> I follow the owner's manual for each vehicle, myself, figuring they know
> better than I do.

Ah, but changing the oil is simply cheap insurance.

If the manual says 6000 miles, and you do it at 3000 miles, you're not
harming the car.

What's more worrisome is when they specify an oil change interval based
on the marketing department's desire to show a car that's cheaper to
maintain, rather than an engineering recommendation.

"Cowboy Joe" <CowboysStarShines@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:23564-42642EED-640@storefull-3237.bay.webtv.net...
>
> Hello, I am currently mulling over purchasing one of the 2
> aforementioned vehicles - both 2005's: the Accord EX 4 cylinder or the
> Acura TSX.
>
> I realize the price is about $ 4-5000 difference in these 2 cars. The
> Acura dealer told me they could sell me a new TSX (no navigation sys)
> for $25,400 and that included a moonroof visor. I am pretty sure that is
> a very good price for those TSX's.

5k difference? I priced an 05 Accord EX with Leather at our local dealer --
26k firm. Made my 01 Prelude look good for a long time.


>
> My question to all who could help would be what are the major
> differences between the 2 vehicles? Does the TSX have a smoother ride
> than the Accord? I know it has more luxury type features. I also have
> read some reviews of people who own the TSX & they all seem to
> absolutely love the car. From the reviews I've read they seem to label
> it the "almost perfect" car.
>
> But the Accord 4 cyl is pretty good too. Unlike the 6 cyl Accords, it
> has had little reliability issues, i.e. Transmission, etc.
>
> How about comparing stuff like the sound systems between the 2 vehicles?
> Is there a big difference?
>
> Any help/ info would be appreciated. The more opinions/ voices heard the
> better! Thanks!
>

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-4A3594.05182121042005@text.usenetserver.com...
> In article <0a2dna9WNL0vgvrfRVn-vg@sedona.net>,
> "Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote:
>
>> (Trying to avoid the undying "oil change frequency" thread) Go for it -
>> to
>> each their own. This has become a very controversial issue, with
>> recommendations from reputable sources running the gamut of 3K to 15K
>> miles.
>> I follow the owner's manual for each vehicle, myself, figuring they know
>> better than I do.
>
> Ah, but changing the oil is simply cheap insurance.
>
> If the manual says 6000 miles, and you do it at 3000 miles, you're not
> harming the car.
>
Actually, Hondas are the only make I know of where oil changes take their
toll on the engine... or more specifically, the oil drain pan threads. The
ones I've worked on seem to gradually consume the threads with each change,
eventually requiring a new pan or oversized drain bolt.

Mike

On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 22:18:14 GMT, "Sabby" <sabby69@hotmail.com> wrote:
>If you responded with precise Handling- Go for the TSX. It is a firmer ride
>than you will get with the Accord. Handling is much better also.

A little better, maybe, due to lower profile tires and suspension
tuning, but the Accord is pretty good too y'know, and they are still
pretty much clones of each other.

> Built in Japan too- unlike the American built Accord.

My four-banger Accord has a J* VIN, which means made in Japan.

J.

That's only true if you don't change the oil drain plug washer. My Acura has
close to 200,000 kms and not a leak from drain plug.

or if you really really overtighten the bolt, which some places like Jiffy
Lube might do because of liablity issues with having the bolt come off and
seize the engine when all the oil runs out.


"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
news:HsGdnTBTovo2p_XfRVn-hA@sedona.net...
> "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
> news:elmop-4A3594.05182121042005@text.usenetserver.com...
>> In article <0a2dna9WNL0vgvrfRVn-vg@sedona.net>,
>> "Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote:
>>
>>> (Trying to avoid the undying "oil change frequency" thread) Go for it -
>>> to
>>> each their own. This has become a very controversial issue, with
>>> recommendations from reputable sources running the gamut of 3K to 15K
>>> miles.
>>> I follow the owner's manual for each vehicle, myself, figuring they know
>>> better than I do.
>>
>> Ah, but changing the oil is simply cheap insurance.
>>
>> If the manual says 6000 miles, and you do it at 3000 miles, you're not
>> harming the car.
>>
> Actually, Hondas are the only make I know of where oil changes take their
> toll on the engine... or more specifically, the oil drain pan threads. The
> ones I've worked on seem to gradually consume the threads with each
> change, eventually requiring a new pan or oversized drain bolt.
>
> Mike
>

"Nightdude" <nightdude@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:MaYae.651$BW6.187997@news20.bellglobal.com...
> That's only true if you don't change the oil drain plug washer. My Acura
> has close to 200,000 kms and not a leak from drain plug.
>
> or if you really really overtighten the bolt, which some places like Jiffy
> Lube might do because of liablity issues with having the bolt come off and
> seize the engine when all the oil runs out.
>
>

I have had the displeasure of having a drain bolt strip out on my daughter's
'93 Accord at about the 180K mile mark. I had done the last several oil
changes, and before that the previous owners took it to Midas. But each time
I removed the bolt I noticed a few shavings in the threads (I used a new
genuine Honda washer and filter every time - this is not the place to be
cheap). Eventually the wear was too great and the threads just didn't hold.

I've done my own oil changes for 30 years, and Hondas are the only ones I've
seen do that (two out of about a dozen cars). Our 20 year old Volvo has 234K
miles now and is on the original drain plug. Our local NAPA has single and
double oversize drain plugs for Hondas, so the problem must be fairly
common. But Googling "stripped oil drain plug" with various makes turns up
no big spike in hits for Honda over other brands, so my experience may be a
fluke.

BTW, I haven't found an official torque for the Accord drain plug. Haynes is
no help ("tight enough but not too tight" or something like that) so I do it
by feel - when the plateau in the resistance changes to a sharp increase, I
figure the crush is done.

Mike

> "Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
> news:HsGdnTBTovo2p_XfRVn-hA@sedona.net...

>> Actually, Hondas are the only make I know of where oil changes take their
>> toll on the engine... or more specifically, the oil drain pan threads.
>> The ones I've worked on seem to gradually consume the threads with each
>> change, eventually requiring a new pan or oversized drain bolt.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>
>

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
news:FJGdnW-1d6Mf7fHfRVn-jg@sedona.net...
> BTW, I haven't found an official torque for the Accord drain plug. Haynes
> is no help ("tight enough but not too tight" or something like that) so I
> do it by feel - when the plateau in the resistance changes to a sharp
> increase, I figure the crush is done.

http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/AccordManual/400/5-4.pdf

33 lb-ft.

"Steve Bigelow" <stevebigelowXXX@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:-oOdnSoCgN6dXvHfRVn-gw@rogers.com...
>
> "Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in message
> news:FJGdnW-1d6Mf7fHfRVn-jg@sedona.net...
>> BTW, I haven't found an official torque for the Accord drain plug. Haynes
>> is no help ("tight enough but not too tight" or something like that) so I
>> do it by feel - when the plateau in the resistance changes to a sharp
>> increase, I figure the crush is done.
>
> http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/AccordManual/400/5-4.pdf
>
> 33 lb-ft.
>
Thanks!

Mike

I have an '04 TL that I traded up from an '04 Accord V6 LX. For the price
and performance, I would go for the Accord V6 EX. It has a bigger engine,
V6-240 hp vs. I4-200hp. I prefer the outside looks of the Accord better
than the TSX. The back end of the TSX looks too boxy like a Civic. Around
Chicago, you can find new '05 Accord EX V6's w/ NAVI for around or under
invoice. That would put the price around the same as a TSX w/o NAVI. I
would never buy a car again w/o NAVI. The TL's NAVI, which the Accord's is
very similar too, is one of the best I have seen.

"Cowboy Joe" <CowboysStarShines@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:23564-42642EED-640@storefull-3237.bay.webtv.net...
>
> Hello, I am currently mulling over purchasing one of the 2
> aforementioned vehicles - both 2005's: the Accord EX 4 cylinder or the
> Acura TSX.
>
> I realize the price is about $ 4-5000 difference in these 2 cars. The
> Acura dealer told me they could sell me a new TSX (no navigation sys)
> for $25,400 and that included a moonroof visor. I am pretty sure that is
> a very good price for those TSX's.
>
> My question to all who could help would be what are the major
> differences between the 2 vehicles? Does the TSX have a smoother ride
> than the Accord? I know it has more luxury type features. I also have
> read some reviews of people who own the TSX & they all seem to
> absolutely love the car. From the reviews I've read they seem to label
> it the "almost perfect" car.
>
> But the Accord 4 cyl is pretty good too. Unlike the 6 cyl Accords, it
> has had little reliability issues, i.e. Transmission, etc.
>
> How about comparing stuff like the sound systems between the 2 vehicles?
> Is there a big difference?
>
> Any help/ info would be appreciated. The more opinions/ voices heard the
> better! Thanks!
>