hey guys, Winter seems like it's far from being here in Winnipeg (it was +16C today). Any ways, I still am preparing for winter. I have winter tires and I've got a lb-ft torque wrench on the way ($40 on ebay!!). This leads me to question #1: 1) What should the torque be on the lug nuts holding in the wheel? Is it 80 lb-ft? Also, the last couple winters I've had my 99EL, I've had a few cold starts that sounded far from being smooth. I heard that a full synthetic oil may be the answer to my problems. Question #2: 2) Is synthetic oil a better choice over a conventional oil? If so, any reccomendations on synthetic oil brands and how much should the dealer charge me for labour, filter, and drain washer on an oil change if i brought my own oil? I would appreciate any input. Thanks guys, Dave.

To answer you question: 1) Ya, I believe the proper torque is 80 ft-lb. My packaging for my Acura wheel locks reads, "Tighten each lock to 80 ft-lb of torque as you would the standard lug nuts. For best result use a torque wrench and socket for final tightening" 2) Yes-Synthetics are hands down better than petroleum based oils. Problem is that you can't mix the two. So if you ever run low at a bad time, finding a bottle of synthetic is hard. So you need to carry with you a bottle to be safe. Plus it costs more. I don't know anything about particular brands. 3) Pricing- if you bring your own oil -who knows. Try to do it your self. http://www.edmunds.com/video/howtos.html# you will find lots of useful video clips here that will show you step-by-step how to change your oil to rotate tire etc.

Thanks alot djwill@... Your advice is appreciated...i think will start to do my own oil changes. Why should i pay the dealer to do something that i can do on my own right? One more question though: Is it enough to just get the front end of the car up when you change your oil or do you need the whole car up? If the front is good enough, I'm thinking that I will just buy a pair of good ramps rather then a trolley jack and stands. Thanks

Synthetic oil absolutely will help but also put in one gas line antifreeze from crapy tire. Make sure you buy the one with Iso- prophyl alcohol not just prophyl alcohol. Big difference there. One bottle or two will help keep you gas line from freezing which makes starting up the car easy in extreme conditions. About the torque, follow what's recommended from manual. Good luck and drive safe Regards, Karson