The 2017 Acura RDX was an affordable compact luxury car when it came out and provides a comfortable and handsome ride to this day. To keep its 279-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine running smoothly, you’ll need 4.5 quarts or 4.3 liters of oil.

With a vehicle that’s already a few years old, you’ll need to have a

regular maintenance schedule

to keep it running smoothly. Doing your oil changes at home can save you a bit of money and give you the satisfaction of driving a healthy car. But how much oil and what kind of oil should you use?

If you’ve misplaced your owner’s manual or just want to brush up on your DIY skills, we’ll go over everything you need to know about changing the oil on your 2017 Acura RDX.

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2017 Acura RDX engine oil capacity

Before you change your 2017 RDX’s oil, you’ll need to know how much oil to buy. The RDX’s 3.5-liter V-6 requires 4.5 quarts or 4.3 liters of oil for a complete oil change.

Keep in mind that the engine oil capacity is not the same as the engine displacement—the 2017 RDX’s engine takes up 3.5 liters of volume, which has nothing to do with the amount of oil you need.

What kind of oil does a 2017 Acura RDX need?

To pick out the right motor oil at the shop, you’ll need to know what kind of oil to get. The owner’s manual for the 2017 Acura RDX recommends Genuine Acura Motor Oil Premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil with an API Certification Seal on the container.

The manufacturer also allows for synthetic motor oil of the same viscosity grade if it has the API Certification Seal.

What is a viscosity grade? The series of numbers and letters on the label of your motor oil indicates the oil’s viscosity, or how thick it is in different conditions. Let’s break down the recommended oil grade for the 2017 RDX:

“W” stands for winter

0 indicates a low viscosity in colder temperatures

20 means that the oil is also relatively thin at 212°F

This oil rating tells us that it will perform well under cold weather conditions—if the oil is thin, it will flow easier and will create less wear and tear on the RDX’s engine.

“Detergent oil” means that some additives have been included to prevent rust and oil deterioration.

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How often to change the oil on a 2017 Acura RDX

Even if your levels are good, you should plan to

change your oil

every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If your car isn’t driven often, change your oil every six months instead. However, synthetic oil tends to last a little bit longer—experts recommend changing synthetic oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

The owner’s manual suggests that you check the engine oil level every time you refuel. Here’s how to quickly make sure your car has healthy oil and enough of it:

Wait a few minutes after turning the engine off

Remove the dipstick from the top of the engine using the orange loop

Wipe the dipstick clean

Reinsert the dipstick all the way

Remove the dipstick again and check the level—it should be between the upper and lower marks

Add oil if necessary

Here are some signs that your oil probably needs to be changed:

When you check your oil, it’s dark brown or black. Clean oil is amber or a light-brown color.

The oil is coarse or gritty.

Loud noises

are coming from the engine.

You smell oil, smoke, or burning smells.

There are noticeable changes in your vehicle’s performance.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Changing your oil and the oil filter are two key steps to ensuring your 2017 RDX remains in peak condition. Failing to change your oil regularly can cause damage to the engine and lead to more serious repairs.

Your Acura RDX will let you know when an oil change is necessary by displaying a maintenance message on the display. To prepare for an oil change, you’ll need a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench. Once you have your replacement filter and 4.5 quarts of oil, you’ll be ready to go.

To change your RDX’s oil, follow these steps:

Let the engine warm up and then turn the engine off.

Prop the hood open and remove the engine oil fill cap.

Remove the drain bolt and washer from the bottom of the engine.

Drain the oil into a pan or sealable plastic container.

Remove the oil filter.

Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to the engine contact surface. If it is stuck, you must detach it.

Clean the dirt around the contact surface of the engine block and install a new oil filter.

Apply a light coat of new engine oil to the oil filter rubber seal.

Place a new washer on the drain bolt and reinstall the drain bolt (tightening torque: 29 lb-ft).

Refill the engine with the recommended engine oil.

Securely reapply the fill cap and start the engine.

Let the engine run for a few minutes to make sure there’s no leak from the drain bolt or oil filter.

Turn off the engine and let it cool for three minutes.

Check the oil level.

Once your engine oil level is correct, you’re good to go!

Make sure you take a few minutes to clean up afterward. Do not dump the dirty oil out on the ground or put it in your garbage bin. Instead, place it in a sealed container and bring it to a local recycling center.

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