Need advice on where to get first oil change on new car

[Schfifty Five]

I bought a new 2012 Honda Accord V6 EX-L in Nov 2011. I've got about 8k miles on it now and the dashboard indicator is telling me it's ready for an oil change and tire rotation. I probably should have gone in at 6k miles, but I just followed what the owner's manual said which was to wait till the indicator comes up.

Anyway, I believe I'm supposed to get 0W-20 synthetic oil. Should I go to a Honda dealership and get it done or would it be ok to go to say, Firestone to get the oil change?

I ask because obviously a Honda dealership will cost a decent amount more, but perhaps I would get peace of mind knowing that they know what kind of oil to put in? But then again, shouldn't a place like Firestone know the appropriate oil to put in? I'm just worried that since the prices are cheaper at a place like firestone, they may not do it correctly.

What do you guys recommend?


I should mention that my old car was a 1999 honda accord and I would just go to walmart and get the cheapest oil change they offered, but with this new car, seems like it requires higher grade synthetic oil.

 

[LTC8K6]

The dealers around here are only a little bit more than the others, so I just let the dealer do the oil changes.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

When I had to pay for changes...

80 for VW dealer with service loaner
or...
55 for Jose at EZ lube

I dunno about you guys....but its not worth the savings.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Appreciate the responses. I guess I'll go to the dealership this time and pay a little more.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Unless you live in an apartment I'd recommend doing it yourself.

 

[MovingTarget]

I'd look very closely at your car's warranty agreement and owner's manual. Once its out of warranty, then worry about changing it yourself.

 

[manimal]

Consider going to a big dealer if you want to overpay. You can find a independent reputable service center that will take care of you for less and be just as experienced.

Angies list among others...

 

[RichieZ]

When I had to pay for changes...

80 for VW dealer with service loaner
or...
55 for Jose at EZ lube

I dunno about you guys....but its not worth the savings.

haha i hope you're doing more than the 1yr/15K miles that BMW gives you for free in the "included maintenance"

 

[Meghan54]

I'd look very closely at your car's warranty agreement and owner's manual. Once its out of warranty, then worry about changing it yourself.

Why once it's out of warranty? You do not void your warranty by doing your own oil changes.

 

[NutBucket]

Exactly what I was going to say. Just keep a record of it and there's no possible way your warranty can be denied.

 

[thescreensavers]

^ Yep

Its funny I had a sales guy tell me I am going to ruin my car and that only certified mechanics can change the oil and you will void your warranty.

yawn

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

^ Yep

Its funny I had a sales guy tell me I am going to ruin my car and that only certified mechanics can change the oil and you will void your warranty.

yawn

You were talking to a sales guy.

That is the problem.

 

[The Stigenator]

I prefer going to the dealer, usually there are perks associated with my dealer (well its an Acura), they have donuts, free wifi, usually out in an hour, they check other things that most quick lube places will not check, like brake wear etc. Trust me, the cost difference is worth it.

I pay 80 for an A1 service, for that I get a lot more than just a dealer oil change, it also includes a car wash.

 

[Zivic]

The dealers around here are only a little bit more than the others, so I just let the dealer do the oil changes.

I bought an 09 oddysey, and got free oil changes from the dealer as long as I did the other maintance there... It ended up being more of a hassle than it was worth...

the honda oil is just a syn-blend. for cheaper than the price of the honda oil I buy amsoil oe and do the changes myself. I would take it to the dealer if you aren't able to do the changes yourself. especially if you are going through the hassle of going somewhere.

and 8k seems like a lot of miles. I haven't made it over 6500 between indicators on my van. be sure to watch oil levels between changes. from the hondas I have experience with, they use oil, and even at a very slow rate, you may need to be topping off at 4-5k miles

 

[Schfifty Five]

Unless you live in an apartment I'd recommend doing it yourself.

I do live in an apartment so unfortunately I can't do it myself. Eventually though I'd like to be able to change it myself.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I prefer going to the dealer, usually there are perks associated with my dealer (well its an Acura), they have donuts, free wifi, usually out in an hour, they check other things that most quick lube places will not check, like brake wear etc. Trust me, the cost difference is worth it.

I pay 80 for an A1 service, for that I get a lot more than just a dealer oil change, it also includes a car wash.

I'm looking to get an A1 service myself. Oil change/tire rotation. The dealer near me is asking $60, with a $5 off coupon, so $55. Still pricey I know, but I was hoping they could also check for other problems and maybe give me a free car wash.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I bought an 09 oddysey, and got free oil changes from the dealer as long as I did the other maintance there... It ended up being more of a hassle than it was worth...

the honda oil is just a syn-blend. for cheaper than the price of the honda oil I buy amsoil oe and do the changes myself. I would take it to the dealer if you aren't able to do the changes yourself. especially if you are going through the hassle of going somewhere.

and 8k seems like a lot of miles. I haven't made it over 6500 between indicators on my van. be sure to watch oil levels between changes. from the hondas I have experience with, they use oil, and even at a very slow rate, you may need to be topping off at 4-5k miles

Yeah 8k is a lot. I was just following the dash board indicator which I know isn't entirely accurate. In the future, I'll probably be replacing the oil every 5-6k miles.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I wonder why Honda doesn't offer free oil changes like Toyota warranties do. At least the toyota commercials so there is complimentary toyota care which includes oil changes, road side asst, and other perks.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Yeah 8k is a lot. I was just following the dash board indicator which I know isn't entirely accurate. In the future, I'll probably be replacing the oil every 5-6k miles.

we do the same in my wifes Honda civic. Just stick with the indicator IMO. Unless of course you plan on trying to drive the car 400000 miles.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I wonder why Honda doesn't offer free oil changes like Toyota warranties do. At least the toyota commercials so there is complimentary toyota care which includes oil changes, road side asst, and other perks.

Honda doesn't need to. You still bought it didn't you? Where did you get the car?

 

[Raizinman]

I own a 2012 Honda Crosstour (The Accord Big Brother) and am also a moderator on a Honda forum. Most all Honda dealers give you the first oil change for free. Check with your dealer first.

Anyone can do your oil change. Any shop who does it must use the 0w20 semi synthetic oil, or full synthetic. If you need any warranty work done or if there are any recalls on your Honda, might as well get it all done at the dealer.

Check your local Honda dealers websites for coupons for oil changes. Often $29.95 will be found.

Anyoone can change the oil and filter and it will not void your warranty. Keep in mind that the original filter from the factory is normally over tightened and difficult to remove. You can purchase 5 quarts of Mobil 1 at WalMart for $25 and a Fram filter for $8 and do it yourself.

There are forums for your Accord (which I am also a member of) that can give you great tips for your car, much better than here. Suggest you do a Google search for Honda, Accord, Forum and you will find it.

 

[MustISO]

Honda dealer near me offers $24.95 oil changes which is way cheaper than anyone else in the area. Included in that is checking all fluids, brake wear, tread depth and car wash. Good deal I think.

 

[Zivic]

Yeah 8k is a lot. I was just following the dash board indicator which I know isn't entirely accurate. In the future, I'll probably be replacing the oil every 5-6k miles.

if it is all highway I can see it going 8k. I would just follow the minder and do what it says. On my van, the only thing people recommend is doing the trans service no later than it says, earlier is better.

I wonder why Honda doesn't offer free oil changes like Toyota warranties do. At least the toyota commercials so there is complimentary toyota care which includes oil changes, road side asst, and other perks.

I have a tundra that we leased a couple months back, it has the free maintenance. it has a sticker in the window indicating the first oil change at 10k and tire rotation at 5k. This one is a '12, I had an '08, which is the same truck. That one had the oil change minder come up at 5k..... now magically by changing the model year, the truck can go 10k miles between changes, same motor, same oil, same filter cartridge? I have no doubt the oil can go the distance, but the filters I question.

Like I posted earlier some dealerships do offer free changes, with some hoops to jump through

 

[LTC8K6]

It's no longer worth the hassle to me to change my own oil. I can't throw the used filter away anymore, and the place I have to take the oil to, won't take the filter.

The dealers have gotten wise to the loss of business to the quick lube and independents, so their prices are reasonable.

Plus I've had one too many incidents with the quick lube places. Stripped wheel stud, leaking drain plug, wrong oil, etc.

Just a whole lot less trouble to use the dealer and sit in the nice lounge.

 

[pauldun170]

For new vehicles, I take it to the dealer while its under warranty.
Once its out of warranty, I do it or if I'm short on time an independent shop.