The Acura TSX uses 5W-30, 5W-20, 0W-20, or 10W-30 premium-grade detergent engine oil—but the exact type your Acura needs depends on its age and the climate in your area.

You might have heard engine oil described as your car’s lifeblood. That’s because it’s one of a vehicle’s most important components, lubricating and cooling the crucial engine parts that keep the vehicle running. Use the wrong oil or put off a change too long, and your engine could become a gloopy, dead block—every driver’s worst nightmare!

But finding the right oil (at the right price) can be mystifying. That’s why

Jerry

, the super app that saves drivers money on

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, has created a guide to help you nail down the best oil type for an Acura TSX—no matter the model year, climate, or condition of the vehicle.

As a bonus, we'll show you how to save on your

Acura TSX insurance costs

along the way!

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What type of oil does an Acura TSX need?

No matter what TSX you drive, you should follow Acura’s recommendations for the exact oil type that fits your car. In general, Acura recommends using a premium-grade detergent oil, which will keep your TSX’s engine running clean and smooth.

For first-generation TSX models (2004-2008), it’s best to use 5W-30 conventional oil. That’s a winter-viscosity oil that’s best for older engines like the four-cylinder Honda K-series that powers the original TSX. This oil’s great for cold-weather starts, but if you drive a 2006, 2007, or 2008 Acura TSX in an area that’s warm all year round, you could use 10W-30 instead. It’s a thicker oil, so it performs better at high temperatures.

The second-generation TSX has slightly different oil needs. The 2009 and 2010 models call for thinner 5W-20 oil, while model years 2011 and onward use the much thinner 0W-20 oil.

Oil type by model year

	Manufacturer’s recommendation	Can you use synthetic oil?	Owner’s manual
2004 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 5W-30 detergent oil	Yes	Owner’s manual
2005 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 5W-30 detergent oil	Yes	Owner’s manual
2006 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 5W-30 detergent oil OR 10W-30 in areas where temperature never goes below 20° F	Yes	Owner’s manual
2007 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 5W-30 detergent oil OR 10W-30 in areas where temperature never goes below 20° F	Yes	Owner’s manual
2008 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 5W-30 detergent oil OR 10W-30 in areas where temperature never goes below 0° F	Yes	Owner’s manual
2009 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 5W-20 detergent oil	Yes	Owner’s manual
2010 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 5W-20 detergent oil	Yes	Owner’s manual
2011 acura tsx oil type	0W-20 Genuine Acura Motor Oil	Yes	Owner’s manual
2012 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 0W-20 detergent oil	Yes	Owner’s manual
2013 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 0W-20 detergent oil	Yes	Owner’s manual
2014 acura tsx oil type	Premium grade 0W-20 detergent oil	Yes	Owner’s manual

Can I use a different type of oil for my Acura TSX?

You can use synthetic engine oil for an Acura TSX—just make sure that it’s a premium-grade oil that meets the viscosity requirements listed by the manufacturer. However, with older vehicles, it’s best to stick to what the car knows best. If the previous owner’s been using conventional oil for your new 2004 TSX, switching to synthetic might be more trouble than it’s worth.

MORE: Acura TSX V6

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How often to change Acura TSX oil

Exactly how often you should schedule an oil change for your Acura TSX depends on a few factors. First, what type of oil are you using—conventional or synthetic? Second, how much do you drive it?

For cars that use conventional oil, the rule of thumb is to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. For synthetic oil, that interval stretches to 7,000-10,000 miles. But both of those ranges are pretty big—so how do you know when it’s time?

If you’re driving less than 25 miles a day, another way to time your oil changes is simply to schedule one every six months. If you’re putting more than 5,000 miles on your TSX in six months, however, it’s better to stick to mileage as your key.

MORE:

The most common Acura problems

Acura TSX: how to change the oil

If you’ve never changed the oil on your Acura before, you’ll be glad to know that it’s a fairly straightforward process—as long as you have the right tools. Before you start, make sure you have all of the following:

Carjack and jack stands

A filter wrench

A socket set

Drain pan

Funnel

Start by jacking up the front of the car and removing the splash shield under the motor. From there, take out the drain plug and allow the old oil to drain into the pan you prepared. When that’s done, wipe down the plug and replace it.

Now it’s time to switch out that old filter for a new one. Use the filter wrench to remove the old filter, but screw the new one on by hand. This prevents over-tightening, which could lead to problems down the road.

Finally, fill the engine from the top with the correct oil type. You can use the dipstick to make sure you’ve got the right amount—most Acuras from 2008 and earlier need 4.4 quarts of oil, while older models need 4.2 or 4.5 depending on engine size. You can check your TSX’s oil capacity in the owner’s manual, and the dipstick is your best friend.

And you’re done! The average cost of an Acura oil change ranges from $112 to $124, so by changing the oil at home you’ve saved on labor and kept your maintenance costs low!

How to save money on Acura insurance

Staying on top of oil changes in one way to be a responsible car owner. Another is to shop regularly for the best car insurance coverage. If shopping for insurance every six months isn’t your idea of a good time, you’re in luck—you can do it in just 45 seconds with Jerry, and you could save over $800 a year!

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