Dealer changing oil in new vehicles prior to delivery

I noticed that the 04 civic I test drove at one dealer was much quicker to
accelerate than 04 civics at several other dealers where I had taken the test
drive.

When I got out of the car, I noticed an oil change sticker on the windshield
from the dealer stating to change the oil in 3000 miles. This was a brand new
vehicle with about 100 miles on it. I looked at the other new cars on the lot
and they had the same stickers - all of them.

Doesn't Honda put in oil at the factory which is left in for the first 7500
miles?

Will dealer oil change void the warranty?

Should I report this to Honda? Would it do any good?

 

I noticed that the 04 civic I test drove at one dealer was much quicker to

I doubt they are changing the oil, what purpose would that serve? It's
probably just a reminder to get people to bring the cars back for service.

Norm

 

Tell the dealer's service department about your concern. I think it's highly
likely they will say that this 3000 mile oil change frequency begins *after
break-in* of the engine. From everything I've read this break-in period is, as
you say, something more than 3000 miles.

One can put in 2004 Civic at the American Honda motors site (no charge) at
http://www.hondacars.com/, click on "Owner Link," put in 2004 Civic, etc. and
the maintenance schedule says the first oil change is at 10,000 miles/one year
for "normal driving" and 5000 miles/6 months for "severe" conditions driving.
Googling supports this, but there is also a lot of commentary about the 7500
miles being the recommended interval for the first oil change for at least
post-2000 or so Hondas.

The American Honda Motors site is notorious for errors/incompleteness, so I'd
double check the specific break-in period for new Hondas. Maybe ask to borrow
the owner's manual and other info that comes with a new Honda overnight, and
look for what it says on this subject. Or have one of the salesmen locate the
page of the owner's new car information and show it to you.

 

It sounds to me like the dealer is just being aggressive about getting
your oil-change dollar later on. It ticked me off that the dealer put
an inspection sticker on my Accord while it was sitting in the lot,
weeks before I bought it. Now I'll have to get it inspected a month
earlier. But it was more convenient for them to do things on THEIR
schedule. Probably someone just went around and slapped on the 3,000
mile stickers, too.

All engines are not created equal. If you found a particularly good
one, go back and buy it.

JM

 

Just a reminder. Severe service conditions allow earlier changes.

Ken

 

I would think twice about taking the car to the dealer for service. My
inlaws were charged $3 for the nearly free crush washer, $3.50/qt for the
Pennzoil, and $10 for the (Fram) Honda filter. They also got hit with
labor.... it was included in a "package" for Xk miles. I could have bought
the "genuine Honda" filter and washer for $3.25 total and gotten the
Pennzoil at an auto parts store for $1.50/qt or less.

 

$3! Did it come with a double decaf latte or something?

My local dealer charged me $.75 when they changed my oil at 10,000
miles. I bought 10 from H and A for $.20/each and am changing my own oil
now.