first oil change

Grim281 · 11-20-2008, 08:32 AM

Hey all, I was just wondering if it matters if I take my car to one of those express oil change places or should I go to honda for my first change? I am not getting the first free one from honda because I have moved since buying the car. The local place is just more convenient.

ryker · 11-20-2008, 08:46 AM

I don't trust either one of them.

If you do use either of them. Ask for the empty oil bottles to be placed in a bag in your trunk. SO you can verfiy they did the oil change and the correct type and amount was used.

If I had to pick one I'd pick which ever one would let me watch the work get done.

Clutchcargo · 11-20-2008, 09:16 AM

If you don't want to do it yourself take it to Honda. They'll create a record of oil change and mileage so always have proof that the car was maintained properly.

gregp · 11-20-2008, 11:24 AM

I would go to a Honda dealership and pay for the first oil change to have them at least establish an initial record. I would also pick up several spare OEM oil filters to use for the next changes. If you do go to one of these "Quick" shops, you can ask them to use the filter that you supply them. My intent, with our new Civic, is to do several oil changes myself and then return to the dealership on occasion (every 3rd or 4th oil change) to have them verfy my maintenance records and then have them make an entry indicating that I have been keeping up with the oil changes. In todays litigous society, even the lack of a written comment by them (saying something like "it appears that the owner has not been maintaining his vehicle") will have some impact as to the validity of my records.
I do not know how this will go, but then, I do not anticipate any severe engine problems that would be related to oil change neglect.
If you chose to have a different shop change your oil, make sure that they fill out the Maintenance Record Booklet supplied with your car when it was purchased.

walrusneck · 11-20-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryker

I don't trust either one of them.

If you do use either of them. Ask for the empty oil bottles to be placed in a bag in your trunk. SO you can verfiy they did the oil change and the correct type and amount was used.

If I had to pick one I'd pick which ever one would let me watch the work get done.

CivicMike · 11-21-2008, 11:07 AM

Wherever you go, keep the receipts. My wife's Camry's engine went bad and in order for them to cover it under the warranty, they wanted to see a record of oil changes. It didn't have to be "to the letter" of the manual, but there had to be a history of regular oil changes.

If you do the oil changes yourself, keep the receipts for the oil and filters you buy.

Luckily, the express oil place she took it to keeps records, so they were able to print her history.

***Chubs*** · 11-21-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CivicMike

Wherever you go, keep the receipts. My wife's Camry's engine went bad and in order for them to cover it under the warranty, they wanted to see a record of oil changes. It didn't have to be "to the letter" of the manual, but there had to be a history of regular oil changes.

If you do the oil changes yourself, keep the receipts for the oil and filters you buy.

Luckily, the express oil place she took it to keeps records, so they were able to print her history.

And make sure on the reciepts (if changing yourself), write the mileage at the top of them so the dealer cant fuss

**GeezerSi** · 11-21-2008, 11:20 AM

Drive Through Oil Change Gone Wrong*Video

***Chubs*** · 11-21-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeezerSi

Drive Through Oil Change Gone Wrong*Video

^^^^^^^^^That's classic.

I wish i was there to point and laugh.

sdav834 · 11-21-2008, 01:16 PM

I'm almost due for my first oil change and i plan to go to Honda to have it done. But my odometer is at 4300 miles and the oil usage is only at 40%. Called Honda and they told me that I will not void my warranty if it goes over a couple thousand miles above the recommended 5K. So at what mileage did you guys had your first oil change ??

Grim281 · 11-21-2008, 01:30 PM

mine was at 5400 when it hit %15

VTEC_flux · 11-21-2008, 03:08 PM

6000 for the first one at the dealer (10%)
7000 when I changed it myself after finding out they put the wrong weight in
12,000 last saturday (30% but at 6mo)

CivicMike · 11-21-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeezerSi

Drive Through Oil Change Gone Wrong*Video

Oil filter must be on the left side of that car... Easier access with it lower on that side now.

5500 miles or so and I'm at 30% left. Dealer told me it's all about the gauge on the car, not the miles, as to when to change your oil.

CivicMike · 11-21-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTEC_flux

6000 for the first one at the dealer (10%)
7000 when I changed it myself after finding out they put the wrong weight in
12,000 last saturday (30% but at 6mo)

Got to hear the story about how that went....

gregp · 11-21-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTEC_flux

6000 for the first one at the dealer (10%)
7000 when I changed it myself after finding out they put the wrong weight in
12,000 last saturday (30% but at 6mo)

How did you find out that they put the wrong oil in your car? Did they tell you?

Arlene · 11-21-2008, 09:13 PM

If you have to choose, I would go with Honda.

packers04 · 11-21-2008, 09:33 PM

they tried that mess with me. i had the guy who changed my oil show me the bottles he put in. i will be doing it myself from now on though.

gilbo · 11-22-2008, 12:56 AM

as far as oil goes in honda's, synthetic or dino ???

Civic2006 · 11-22-2008, 10:58 AM

The last time I took my car to one of those quick oil changing place, they screw back a different NUT from some other car but that was on my previous old car.

Civic's engine is made of Aluminum alloy... if they replace it with a steel NUT, it could damage the thread. Also, our civic uses a washer too which Honda recommend replacing on every oil change. I now do my own oil change.

$ushi · 11-22-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryker

I don't trust either one of them.

If you do use either of them. Ask for the empty oil bottles to be placed in a bag in your trunk. SO you can verfiy they did the oil change and the correct type and amount was used.

i would diy and some $ it takes 20-30 mins and no 1 is going to take more care of your car then u.....
just sayin

11-20-2008, 08:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Grim281 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 iTrader: 0 / 0%	first oil change Hey all, I was just wondering if it matters if I take my car to one of those express oil change places or should I go to honda for my first change? I am not getting the first free one from honda because I have moved since buying the car. The local place is just more convenient.

11-20-2008, 09:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Clutchcargo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 118 iTrader: 0 / 0%	If you don't want to do it yourself take it to Honda. They'll create a record of oil change and mileage so always have proof that the car was maintained properly. Last edited by Clutchcargo; 11-20-2008 at 09:22 AM.

11-21-2008, 11:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
GeezerSi Hidy Ho Neighbor Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 18,994 -> Ken iTrader: 6 / 100%	Drive Through Oil Change Gone Wrong*Video __________________

11-22-2008, 12:56 AM	#18 (permalink)
gilbo Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 84 iTrader: 0 / 0%	sorry to hijack as far as oil goes in honda's, synthetic or dino ???

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11-20-2008, 08:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
ryker Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,904 iTrader: 1 / 100%	I don't trust either one of them. If you do use either of them. Ask for the empty oil bottles to be placed in a bag in your trunk. SO you can verfiy they did the oil change and the correct type and amount was used. If I had to pick one I'd pick which ever one would let me watch the work get done.

11-20-2008, 11:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
gregp Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 50 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I would go to a Honda dealership and pay for the first oil change to have them at least establish an initial record. I would also pick up several spare OEM oil filters to use for the next changes. If you do go to one of these "Quick" shops, you can ask them to use the filter that you supply them. My intent, with our new Civic, is to do several oil changes myself and then return to the dealership on occasion (every 3rd or 4th oil change) to have them verfy my maintenance records and then have them make an entry indicating that I have been keeping up with the oil changes. In todays litigous society, even the lack of a written comment by them (saying something like "it appears that the owner has not been maintaining his vehicle") will have some impact as to the validity of my records. I do not know how this will go, but then, I do not anticipate any severe engine problems that would be related to oil change neglect. If you chose to have a different shop change your oil, make sure that they fill out the Maintenance Record Booklet supplied with your car when it was purchased.

11-21-2008, 11:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
CivicMike Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Age: 41 Posts: 203 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Wherever you go, keep the receipts. My wife's Camry's engine went bad and in order for them to cover it under the warranty, they wanted to see a record of oil changes. It didn't have to be "to the letter" of the manual, but there had to be a history of regular oil changes. If you do the oil changes yourself, keep the receipts for the oil and filters you buy. Luckily, the express oil place she took it to keeps records, so they were able to print her history.

11-21-2008, 01:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
sdav834 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 8 Dave iTrader: 0 / 0%	I'm almost due for my first oil change and i plan to go to Honda to have it done. But my odometer is at 4300 miles and the oil usage is only at 40%. Called Honda and they told me that I will not void my warranty if it goes over a couple thousand miles above the recommended 5K. So at what mileage did you guys had your first oil change ??

11-21-2008, 01:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Grim281 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 iTrader: 0 / 0%	mine was at 5400 when it hit %15

11-21-2008, 03:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
VTEC_flux Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cube-Land, TX Age: 26 Posts: 1,137 Jeff-fa-fa iTrader: 0 / 0%	6000 for the first one at the dealer (10%) 7000 when I changed it myself after finding out they put the wrong weight in 12,000 last saturday (30% but at 6mo)

11-21-2008, 09:13 PM	#16 (permalink)
Arlene Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 57 iTrader: 0 / 0%	If you have to choose, I would go with Honda.

11-21-2008, 09:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
packers04 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Williamsburg, va Age: 25 Posts: 1,105 Chris iTrader: 0 / 0%	they tried that mess with me. i had the guy who changed my oil show me the bottles he put in. i will be doing it myself from now on though.

11-22-2008, 10:58 AM	#19 (permalink)
Civic2006 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 112 iTrader: 0 / 0%	The last time I took my car to one of those quick oil changing place, they screw back a different NUT from some other car but that was on my previous old car. Civic's engine is made of Aluminum alloy... if they replace it with a steel NUT, it could damage the thread. Also, our civic uses a washer too which Honda recommend replacing on every oil change. I now do my own oil change.

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