The 2010 Acura TSX stands out for its engine options—the base four-cylinder for being a little weak and the optional six-cylinder for being so powerful. Depending on the powertrain, the engine oil capacity is 4.2 or 4.5 quarts.

If you’re mechanically minded and know your way around the underside of a car, you can save money by performing your car’s

oil and filter changes

at home. All you need are the right materials and oil. Before you rush off to the auto parts store, find out how much engine oil you need to buy.

Refer to your Acura’s owner’s manual or check out this handy guide to the 2010 Acura TSX engine oil capacity. We’ll also show you what type of oil is best for your luxury car, plus a brief oil change refresher to get you started. Without further ado, let’s jump into it.

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2010 Acura TSX engine oil capacity

Your

Acura TSX oil capacity

depends on its engine. For the 2010 model year, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine has a 4.2-quart or 4.0-liter oil capacity, while the 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine has a 4.5-quart or 4.3-liter oil capacity.

Don’t confuse the

engine displacement

with the oil capacity. Engine displacement is the volume the engine’s cylinders take up, not the amount of oil the engine can hold. These numbers aren’t interchangeable.

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What kind of oil does a 2010 Acura TSX need?

Before you buy oil for your TSX, you must learn what kind your car needs!

Acura

recommends getting Acura premium-grade 5W-20 engine oil for the 2010 TSX.

Those numbers can be tricky if you don’t know what they mean. These numbers represent the oil grade, which tells you the viscosity or thickness of the oil. The “W” stands for “winter,” and the 5 shows that the oil stays thin even at a freezing 0°F. Since the oil also has to remain thin even at high temperatures, the 20 assures you that the oil will function even when the engine temperature reaches 212°F.

If you can’t get your hands on Acura premium-grade oil, it’s okay to use synthetic or conventional oil as long as it meets the recommended oil grade. There’s no need to splurge on engine oil additives! As long as you get the right oil, you’ll have no trouble starting your TSX in cold temperatures, and the oil will protect your car’s engine from wear and tear.

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How often to change oil on a 2010 Acura TSX

Your TSX needs an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles as part of your basic

car maintenance schedule

, but if you use synthetic oil, you can go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between changes.

It helps to be in the habit of checking your oil regularly—about once a month or every other time you refuel. Here are a few signs that your car is due for an oil change:

The oil looks dark brown or black instead of pale or light brown.

The oil feels coarse, sandy, or gritty when you rub it between your fingers.

You notice strange sounds coming from the engine.

You smell oil, smoke, or burning.

Your Acura handles differently or doesn’t seem to drive as well.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

The next time the service light comes on, gather your oil change materials. You need a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench—this makes it easy to remove the old oil filter. Don’t forget to pick up a replacement filter while you’re shopping for the five-quart bottle of premium 5W-20 engine oil.

Switch on your Acura’s engine and run it for about five minutes or a little longer if it’s cold out. Running the engine a bit warms up the oil, so it’s easier to drain. Turn off the engine,

open the hood of your car

, and do the following:

Unscrew the oil fill cap and set it aside.

Slide under the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer.

Drain the old oil into a drain pan and take out the old filter, too.

Put in the new filter.

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft.

Replace the engine oil with the new oil and screw on the oil fill cap.

Note that if you have a four-cylinder engine, you’ll have to unscrew bolts that secure an undercover before you can change the oil. Don’t forget to screw this undercover back into place when you’re done.

Turn on the engine and let it run for about 30 seconds so the new filter can soak up a bit of the new oil. You should see the

oil pressure indicator light

switch off within five seconds. If not, turn off the engine and check your work. This is also an excellent time to check for oil leaks.

Make sure you’ve added enough oil, too. Remove the dipstick to see if the oil is at the recommended level, and top it off if it looks too low.

One quick thing before you’re done—clean up! Don’t pour the old oil onto the ground or into your trash. Put it in a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center, where they’ll dispose of it safely.

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