The powerful, sporty, performance-tuned engine in an Acura is engineered for low-maintenance longevity. As long as you change the oil on time, your luxury car will keep running like a dream. If you ever notice the following issues, head straight to your local Acura dealership for an oil change.
Oil Service Light
The clever Acura Maintenance Minder feature monitors your car’s upkeep schedule for the oil, tires, and other essentials. You’ll see a first warning light when the oil life is estimated at 15 percent.
More urgent warnings appear at 5 percent and zero percent, by which stage your engine is insufficiently protected and might already be suffering wear and tear. You should ideally change your oil when you see the 15 percent warning light, if not earlier.
Metal Scraping Sounds
When motor oil degrades or diminishes to a point where it can’t lubricate properly, moving parts will begin to scrape and knock against each other. You’ll start hearing awkward metallic sounds coming from the engine, which should ordinarily be smooth and quiet.
Dropping Gas Mileage
With friction rising inside an improperly lubricated engine, energy, power, and efficiency are lost. You may notice sluggish acceleration, and your car’s fuel efficiency will also diminish.
Dark & Dirty Oil
It’s wise to make a monthly habit of checking your oil by removing the dipstick. If it’s low one day, have it topped up and check for leaks. If the oil looks dark, gritty, and thickened with particles, have it flushed and put in new oil. When fresh and healthy, motor oil should be a light, clean, translucent amber.
Blue Exhaust Smoke
When all is good with your engine, you shouldn’t see any kind of smoke in your exhaust fumes. Misfiring spark plugs might produce black smoke, while blue smoke typically means motor oil has entered a cylinder through a worn valve seal or piston ring. The smoke is created as the motor oil burns up with the fuel.
Burning Oil Smell
Leaking motor oil often creates a distinct burning smell as it escapes the engine and drips onto heated components under the hood. However, burning smells might come from other car problems as well; you’ll need a technician to identify and fix the fault.
Change Your Oil Every 6 Months at Your Acura Dealership
Motor oil should ideally be refreshed twice a year, and sometimes more frequently. If you haven’t changed your oil in six months, don’t wait for one of the above warning signs. You’ll keep your Acura’s engine purring along nicely with a regular twice-a-year oil servicing schedule that you stick to like glue.
Visit Open Road Acura of Wayne in Wayne, NJ, for all your routine automotive services. When it comes to maintenance and repairs, nothing beats an experienced, factory-trained Acura technician who knows your car like the back of their hand.

