Oil change

Are all the Honda dealers in US, required to use the same oil and filters ?

TIA

 

They can buy whatever oil they want, and I don't know if they are supposed
to, but I have heard of some dealers using aftermarket filters (among other
parts).

 

For oil I believe they can use whatever brand they want - possibly they're
supposed to "recommend" the Honda stuff. For filters, I've been told that
the terms of their franchise stipulate that they must use Honda parts,
though I know of one Acura dealer which was using cheap knock-offs with the
brand name of Nippon. They look identical to the Honda filters - same blue
color - but are made in Korea.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

NEVER GET A OIL CHANGE AT THE DEALER!

Here in NYC, the "regular" price for a OC is $58 bucks!

My mechanic does mine for twenty five.

Twenty if I bring my own filter,

PARAGON HONDA NYC...THE SCUM OF THE EARTH.

--


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Actually, the lesson here is to check the cost of an oil change before
doing it. My VW and Honda dealers are both competitive on oil changes.
I don't know anything about your dealer, but don't condemn all dealers
just because you have a beef with yours.

 

Are frequent oil changes a good idea? The best research shows that they are
not!

After this study, I followed the Consumer Reports study, and for the last
eight years I have had no problems, none! I will quote extensively from
Consumer Reports of July 1996, "The surprising Truth about motor oils":
"Modern motor oils needn't be changed as often as oils did years ago. .
..even in the severe driving conditions that a NYC taxi endures, we noted no
benefit from changing the oil every 3000 miles rather than every 6000 miles.
.. . we don't recommend leaving any oil, synthetic or regular, in an engine
for 12,000 miles, because an accumulation contaminants-solids, acids, fuels,
and water-could
eventually harm the engine." I think the study is scientifically accurate,
and Consumer Reports went to great lengths to do the tests-after all, their
credibility is at stake! This is what they did:
". . .For consistency, we used only 1992-93 Chevrolet Caprice Cabs. Each
received a precisely rebuilt 4.3 liter V6 at the beginning of its 60000 mile
test. . .a local shop completely machined each engine block and crankshaft,
rebuilt the cylinder heads, and installed new bearings, pistons, rings
seals, gaskets and oil pump. . .Over the next 22 months, our engineers paid
more than 100 calls. . .they dropped off test oils and picked up used-oil
samples for ongoing analysis. They also made sure the oil was being added
to the engines when necessary and changed as scheduled. After the
60,000-mile test, we remeasured the key engine parts. We also examined
combustion-chamber deposits, the color of valves, scoring cylinder walls,
and valve deck deposits for any sign of engine problems." Wake up
consumers, no one else has done an extensive study like this! Oil companies
, garages and auto manufacturers couldn't care less! I know many mechanics
that didn't even know of the study or even cared to read it. They're still
caught up in oldwives tales. It's time to rethink this! As a consumer you
have a right to protect your pocketbook against unscrupulous oil
manufactures, oil retailers, garages, etc. The truth is out there! Go seek
it!

 

I think auto dealers are "catching on" to the idea of decent prices for
common services. Both my Ford dealer and Honda delaer mail out cleverly
timed oil change offers, tied to about the time I might be expected to need
them. The Honda offer is $29.95 in 30 minutes or less. That's cheaper
that Jiffy Lube.

Where the dealer sticks you is for their 3,000 miles "service" which is an
oil change and looking at a bunch of stuff, and charging a lot more for it.
My Shell station charges $19.95 for an oil change that includes topping off
the other fluids. They also pointed out a seal leak on my Chrysler while
it was still under warranty.

My 2003 Civic Hybrid has an oil change interval specified at 10,000 miles,
with a filter every other change. The oil was still clean enough so
that it was hard to see on the dipstick at 6,000 miles, and started to
discolor at about 8,000 miles.

 

Frequent oil changes ARE a good idea.
Just dont take it to the extreme. In my mind, following Severe Conditions
is frequent enough, even though I dont bit my car at all.