Engine oil

24187 Views 30 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Sparkland, Aug 11, 2017

Twogrn

Discussion Starter · Mar 12, 2017

As I'm closing in to pulling the plug (string ) on a new RTL E my thoughts have been about routine maintenance items like engine oil. The dealer is going to push really hard to sell the prepaid maintenance programs etc to boost the bottom line on the total sell of the unit. They say a "normal" oil change will run $50 -70 bucks, this price point that is way out of line. So what have others done with beginning and ongoing oil changes ? I'm really thinking about using a good quality synthetic oil from the get go at a good local well respected garage to not only save $$ but to by pass the hype the dealer will tell you when you bring your ride in for maintenance. Any thoughts on this ?

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silkiechicken

· #2 · Mar 12, 2017

I turned down any plans the dealer had to offer... even their "free lifetime oil changes" and didn't even let them clean the car after the test drive. They still sent me a "free oil change" thing in the mail.

That said, from what I'm reading, the maintenance minder is something like 6-8k between changes, so it's not that frequent... how hard can it be?

Reactions: 1

Mr. Black

· #3 · Mar 12, 2017

Unless they are planning on giving you the maintenance package for free then skip it. Just another way for dealers to make more profit off of you.

That being said, our local dealer only charges 49 bucks plus tax to do an oil change on the new Ridgeline. I can barely get the supplies from Wally World for that.

I did let them do the first change for free. 50 bucks is a fair amount of money to me. I may continue to let them do the oil changes. We shall see.

and from a life long mechanic, I'm not worried about the lube guys stripping out my oil pan. Engineers in the last 25 years have gotten very smart about that.

Midnightsun

· #4 · Mar 12, 2017

The truck runs 0w20 synthetic from the factory and is supposed to be serviced with the same oil type/viscosity. As mentioned, if they charge you $50 then you will be hard pressed to buy just the required oil and filter for that kind of money. They should have a fixed price for your the RL, not and approximate like the 50-70 you mentioned. Personally I will have the oil changes done at the dealer and suggest you skip maintenance packages they may offer you.

I understand your hesitancy to use the dealer as most try to upsell you a bunch of items or services not even required, using the oil change low ball price as a loss leader. Simply refuse anything they suggest to you unless it is obviously required or in your owners manual.

Stealth-01

· #5 · Mar 12, 2017

Twogrn said:
As I'm closing in to pulling the plug (string ) on a new RTL E my thoughts have been about routine maintenance items like engine oil. The dealer is going to push really hard to sell the prepaid maintenance programs etc to boost the bottom line on the total sell of the unit. They say a "normal" oil change will run $50 -70 bucks, this price point that is way out of line. So what have others done with beginning and ongoing oil changes ? I'm really thinking about using a good quality synthetic oil from the get go at a good local well respected garage to not only save $$ but to by pass the hype the dealer will tell you when you bring your ride in for maintenance. Any thoughts on this ?

REALLY!! My dealer gave me 3 years of FREE oil changes! And don't forget to get a "Bumper to Bumper" warranty quote to put on the table when that subject comes up...

Sparkland

· #6 · Mar 12, 2017

Stealth-01 said:
REALLY!! My dealer gave me 3 years of FREE oil changes! And don't forget to get a "Bumper to Bumper" warranty quote to put on the table when that subject comes up...

No free oil changes from Honda in Denver, but they do waive dealer handling fees $399-450.

icecreamarsenal

· #7 · Mar 12, 2017

I'm at 40% engine oil life according to the dash, but at 4.5k. Seems about right, but I'm nervous about not changing the oil after the first 3k. Trying to hold off on going.

davedad

· #8 · Mar 12, 2017

Don't know where you all shop at but here in WNY I can buy 5 qts of Mobil 1 0w20 for $25.00 and a purolator filter for about $4.00, I change the oil myself and check everything else(brakes, fluids, filters etc)in less than an hour. It,s easy to do and I save a ton of money. I also go by the MM, and I have to change the oil 2 a year.

Reactions: 2

14v6

· #9 · Mar 12, 2017

Those contracts marry you to your dealership and check the fine print. Today's cars can go almost 10k between changes so with a RL, you could probably go 7-8. If they can beat the oil change price (with a coupon) of say 35 bucks per change all in then do the math and see what's cheaper for you. I suspect there is built in profit in these contracts so I don't see the point. You could always get a coupons and go to any dealership or an oil change place. Personally, this is one job I can do myself. I buy Mobil 1 or Valvoline synthetic at Walmart for around 18-23 for a 5 quart jug.(Valvoline had a coupons for 6 bucks off 2 5 qt jugs). I buy the 6 pack filters from H and A for like 30 bucks for. My local dump takes the motor oil for free so an oil change comes down to about 25 to 30 for full synthetic with a Honda filter. Cut that in half for non synthetic. If I read it correctly, I thought Jiffy Lube wanted like 99 bucks for a mobil 1 change, crazy. I'd rather use those dollars for a maintenance contract and use them for an extended warranty.

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14v6

· #10 · Mar 12, 2017

icecreamarsenal said:
I'm at 40% engine oil life according to the dash, but at 4.5k. Seems about right, but I'm nervous about not changing the oil after the first 3k. Trying to hold off on going.

Don't stress. If there was ever a time to go long now is the time. There is a special break in oil in your engine right now so it's better to leave it in there. What is most important is to check your oil level. 3k oil changes are from the old days.
Today's oils and cleaner burning engines can go a lot longer. I'm conservative and I usually go 5-6 between changes or 1 once a year.

hawk71959

· #11 · Mar 12, 2017

My Dealer did not even attempt to offer me a Maintenance package after I told him I did want the D70 (84 Month, 100K miles, 0 ded.) Honda Care and I showed them what I could get it for at a few other dealerships (Thanks ROC!!).

But, My dealership normal rate on the 2017 RL is $45 for Oil, Filter, tire Rotation and Balance. Thats hard to argue with. I will let them do the first few. I am 2.5 months and just around 1200 miles... so I got some time!!

Be safe all!!

Hawk

Mr. Black

· #12 · Mar 12, 2017

davedad said:
Don't know where you all shop at but here in WNY I can buy 5 qts of Mobil 1 0w20 for $25.00 and a purolator filter for about $4.00, I change the oil myself and check everything else(brakes, fluids, filters etc)in less than an hour. It,s easy to do and I save a ton of money. I also go by the MM, and I have to change the oil 2 a year.

I'll break it down for you.

26 bucks for a 5 quart jug. 7 bucks for an additional quart as it's supposed to take 5.7ish quarts. The filter i use is 8-10 bucks. Then throw in almost 5 bucks in tax.

That's at Wally World. Filter bought elsewhere. Total right around 45 bucks.

Shineaholic

· #13 · Mar 12, 2017

hawk71959 said:
My Dealer did not even attempt to offer me a Maintenance package after I told him I did want the D70 (84 Month, 100K miles, 0 ded.) Honda Care and I showed them what I could get it for at a few other dealerships (Thanks ROC!!).

Be safe all!!

Hawk

how much is the D70?

Shineaholic

· #14 · Mar 12, 2017

Mr. Black said:
I'll break it down for you.

26 bucks for a 5 quart jug. 7 bucks for an additional quart as it's supposed to take 5.7ish quarts. The filter i use is 8-10 bucks. Then throw in almost 5 bucks in tax.

That's at Wally World. Filter bought elsewhere. Total right around 45 bucks.

and having someone take care of my truck like they OWN it (ME) is priceless.

Reactions: 1

Mr. Black

· #15 · Mar 12, 2017

Shineaholic said:
and having someone take care of my truck like they OWN it (ME) is priceless.

So are you going to self install your leveling kit? I did.

If you pay someone to install that kit your argument is null and void.

Shineaholic

· #16 · Mar 12, 2017 (Edited)

Mr. Black said:
So are you going to self install your leveling kit? I did.

If you pay someone to install that kit your argument is null and void.

not sure I am getting the kit. I know it is not the same situation but some gms with leaks are not being covered due to a 2" lift kit. Some without the kit are leaking also but ...I don't want any problems. But that truck with the front and rear traxda lift looks awesome.
BUT, going to a jiffy lube or quickie lube or kids-r-us oil and lube is not the same skill as a 40 year mechanic that I brought my S-10 to for an alignment. That is where I would go as of now, but I am thinking about checking Mikes Honda in Port Jeff NY.
I am just hoping the train with my RTL-E doesn't derail in the monster blizzard we are getting in 36 hours.

hawk71959

· #17 · Mar 13, 2017

Shineaholic said:
how much is the D70?

I had to look up my invoice... I paid $725 after some haggling. Others may have paid more or less.

Reactions: 1

Shineaholic

· #18 · Mar 13, 2017

hawk71959 said:
I had to look up my invoice... I paid $725 after some haggling. Others may have paid more or less.

I would imagine that the highest level at zero deductible is a lot more money...but it might be worth it. sorry for the derail.

Carl P

· #19 · Mar 13, 2017

Someone mentioned "special break-in oil". Do we have any proof or just a rumor. I'd like to change mine at 1000 to get rid of assembly contaminents and wear-in particles.

thearborbarber

· #20 · Mar 13, 2017

Carl P said:
Someone mentioned "special break-in oil". Do we have any proof or just a rumor. I'd like to change mine at 1000 to get rid of assembly contaminents and wear-in particles.

It used to be in the owner's manual.

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