Honda Dealer Oil Changes

Just had my 7500 mile service and oil change in my 2003 Accord LX V6. They
put Mobil 1 oil in as well as the wynn's supreme plus oil additive. All
this cost $119.00. Pretty darn expensive. I think I will skip the wynn's
additive in the future and save $30.00. My understanding is that Mobil 1 is
synthetic oil. This is no doubt more expensive than conventional oil. Is
synthetic really any better or should I just go to a jiffy lube and get
whatever oil they happen to use and only pay $30.00 or less?

 

you got screwed

 

MOst dealers have this package deal inspection : first time around is 119.00
they (claim) they check a whole list of items, plus they throw in the oil
and filter change. For 119.00 this is a ripoff. I stay away from the
dealer`s scheduled maintenance offer, and strictly do the owner`s manual
maintenance schedule. A corner garage mech can do the basic check under your
car while the oil is dripping in the pan , for as few as 25$

 

You paid $120 for an oil change? Yowsers. My Honda dealer (suburban
Minneapolis) charges $23 for an oil change -- and they give me a
discount on top of that because I'm their favorite customer. Please
tell me yours did something besides the typical LOF. Holy crow!

 

1) The Wynn's additive is just dealer garbage add-on; their cost is $2.
Plus, READ YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL. Carefully. It says "Your Honda does
not require any oil additives. Additives may adversely affect your
engine's or transmission's performance and durability". Take that back
to the dealer and ask him why he's going against Honda advice, and
politely but firmly request that he refund your $30. Tell him that you
trust him to perform service to factory specs. You might also ask for
an appointment with the dealer's zone rep; that would GUARANTEE your $30
back, plus guarantee that they'll ignore your request at first.

2) Does your owner's manual--you know, that thing they gave you when you
forked over $26,000--say specifically to use synthetic oil? Synthetic
oil is (a) more expensive, and (b) riper for mark-up by the dealer. My
manual says this: "You may use a synthetic motor oil is it meets the
same requirements given for a conventional motor oil; it displays the
API Certification Seal, and it is the proper weight as shown on the
char.t When using synthetic oil, you must follow the oil and filter
change intervals given in the maintenance schedule."

So. You may use synthetic oil, but Honda doesn't specify it. Also,
Honda says that the use of synthetic oil does not change Honda's
recommendations for oil change intervals.

Your dealer shoved synthetic oil down your throat for no reason other
than HE MAKES MORE MONEY FROM IT.

Now, the kicker: my dealership, which kicks butt and has done a damn
fine job for 20 years now, charges (drum roll, please) $25.99 for an oil
change.

And you got hosed for $120.

You should go back there and ask to see the service manager. Ask to
schedule a meeting with him and the zone rep within the next week to
discuss this, and to discuss the possible damage that the dealership has
caused your car by using oil additives specifically disallowed by Honda.

No, no, better yet: put your request in writing, and send it certified
mail with return receipt requested. Mention the possible damage to your
engine, enclose a copy of your owner's manual, ask for the meeting, and
ask for your money back. Follow up in person with the service manager
or general manager, whomever you addressed the letter to.

Watch your bill go away, you'll get an apology, and you'll never go back
to that scum sucker again.

Some dealerships are good. Others are horrible. Yours is horrible, and
is looking for every angle to reclaim money lost over the years as cars
got better, maintenance items got fewer, and maintenance intervals for
the remaining items got longer.

READ YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL. Jesus, what makes people spend that kind of
money and then never open the manual?

 

My last oil change and filter cost eight dollars. (U.S) I did it
myself. bob

:
Lots of really good advice.

 

You shouldn't be using Mobil1 until at least your third oil change
anyway. Also, don't use any oil additives, especially when you're
using Mobil 1's stuff.

I would never go back to that dealer again. They sound like they'll
get you to do anything so long as they can make a few quick bucks off
of you.

Find a dealer who'll let you bring your own oil and filter and will
perform the oil change for you. I bring my own Mobil 1 oil from
Walmart and K&N Gold oil filter and the dealer charges me 10 bucks for
the oil change. If the oil change is part of a scheduled service,
then the fees are adjusted accordingly. Your dealer is a joke.

 

Oils are already blended with additives. Adding extra additives can actually
degrade the quality of the oil.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm

By the way, I would stay away from jiffy lube.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/jiffy_lube.htm
Try to find a good independent shop in your area that specializes on Hondas.

Eric

 

3rd oil change???? Give me a break. It killed me to hold out for
5,000mi and in went the Mobil-1 0-20! I swear I heard the car thank me
when I drove away from the garage!!!!!!

'03 Accord V6 w/L-NAV

 

Mobil 1 will give you excellent winter starting and low wear because
it "flows" at low temperatures and won't lose viscosity at high temps.
Additives aren't needed. Just change your oil according to warranty. Mobil
1 costs about $3-4/qt, to which you'd add $2-5 for the oil filter. What was
the "labor" charge on your oil change? Find a local garage or change the
oil yourself. My Acura Integra is in its 13th year, 77,000 miles .. . all
on synthetic (Mobil 1) 5w-30. Out of warranty oil change is every 6,000
miles, irrespective of time. NEVER a problem.