Honda Car Forum

Need to do an oil change on my new Accord and both the owner's manual and
the oil cap say to use 5W20. From what I know... 5W20 is a synthetic blend.

I'm not into synthetic oils, as I prefer to change my oil often (less then
5000 km). Anyone using 5W30 (reg. oil) in their new Honda's that recommend
5W20 ??

Thanks
_________________________________
www.silversting.com

"-- SilverSting--" <reply@goup.thx> wrote in message
news:bmmc92$7c$1@dns3.cae.ca...
> Need to do an oil change on my new Accord and both the owner's manual and
> the oil cap say to use 5W20. From what I know... 5W20 is a synthetic
blend.

Last time I checked, Motorcraft 5w-20 was less than $2/qt at Wal-Mart.
Isn't that about what a good dino oil costs as well?

For the sake of warranty and not giving your dealer any reason to deny it, I
would stick with what the owner's manual requires, although I'm pretty sure
5w-30 will not do any harm either.

Cheers,

Pete

I am always curious as to why someone would change their own oil and
filter on a brand new car under warrantee. I pay $21 to my Honda
dealer to change both. I know the oil and filter are the correct
ones, a new gasket is used on the pan plug, and the correct torque is
applied to the plug. Then there is the problem of legally disposing
of the old oil and filter. For the few dollars it costs for the
labor, I won't even crawl under the car and deal with the mess. Plus
I know I will never have a question with the warrantee if something
goes wrong with the engine.

Dick

On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 11:08:18 -0400, "-- SilverSting--"
<reply@goup.thx> wrote:

>Need to do an oil change on my new Accord and both the owner's manual and
>the oil cap say to use 5W20. From what I know... 5W20 is a synthetic blend.
>
>I'm not into synthetic oils, as I prefer to change my oil often (less then
>5000 km). Anyone using 5W30 (reg. oil) in their new Honda's that recommend
>5W20 ??
>
>Thanks
>_________________________________
> www.silversting.com
>

I really enjoy doing my own oil changes, with the proper oil (usually Honda)
and a Honda filter (yes, including washer). I know it is done right, keep my
records. I do not spend $21, it cots me less than $12 every 2 months (3K
miles).


"Dick" <rhughes33@cableone.net> wrote in message
news:8oftov8h8re4id3ic7no1qtb72scvk744g@4ax.com...
> I am always curious as to why someone would change their own oil and
> filter on a brand new car under warrantee. I pay $21 to my Honda
> dealer to change both. I know the oil and filter are the correct
> ones, a new gasket is used on the pan plug, and the correct torque is
> applied to the plug. Then there is the problem of legally disposing
> of the old oil and filter. For the few dollars it costs for the
> labor, I won't even crawl under the car and deal with the mess. Plus
> I know I will never have a question with the warrantee if something
> goes wrong with the engine.
>
> Dick
>
> On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 11:08:18 -0400, "-- SilverSting--"
> <reply@goup.thx> wrote:
>
> >Need to do an oil change on my new Accord and both the owner's manual and
> >the oil cap say to use 5W20. From what I know... 5W20 is a synthetic
blend.
> >
> >I'm not into synthetic oils, as I prefer to change my oil often (less
then
> >5000 km). Anyone using 5W30 (reg. oil) in their new Honda's that
recommend
> >5W20 ??
> >
> >Thanks
> >_________________________________
> > www.silversting.com
> >
>

Dick wrote:
> I am always curious as to why someone would change their own oil and
> filter on a brand new car under warrantee. I pay $21 to my Honda
> dealer to change both. I know the oil and filter are the correct
> ones, a new gasket is used on the pan plug, and the correct torque is
> applied to the plug. Then there is the problem of legally disposing
> of the old oil and filter. For the few dollars it costs for the
> labor, I won't even crawl under the car and deal with the mess. Plus
> I know I will never have a question with the warrantee if something
> goes wrong with the engine.

1. some people, e.g., me, enjoy doing these kinds of things;

2. whatever you do yourself, you know how well it was done;

3. I just had the first oil change on my '03 Accord sedan and I had the
dealer do it - gratis (the service adviser said "this one's on us".

My mind isn't fully made up, but I'll probably do my own oil changes
(assuming disposal of the used oil isn't a major PITA).

YMMV

"Robert" <rsvn@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:CNAjb.44096$X66.35120@twister.austin.rr.com.. .
> I really enjoy doing my own oil changes, with the proper oil (usually
Honda)
> and a Honda filter (yes, including washer). I know it is done right, keep
my
> records. I do not spend $21, it cots me less than $12 every 2 months (3K
> miles).

How about any other preventive maintenance, for example:
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches with multipurpose grease
Service front and rear brakes
and inspecting various parts

I wouldn't do the oil changes myself, not worth the trouble for the bucks
plus I like the a mechanic to get under my car every couple of moths to see
if everything seems ok. I don't pay for doing all the things on their list
since my service advisor knows me and wouldn't make me pay for things which
are on their list only for peple who don't know anything about the cars.

Yes, I do most of the maintenance on my cars. My civic has 102K miles, the
only time I send it to the shop was to replace the timing belt; besides that
I've done it all myself. I buy the parts online to save more and use all OEM
parts (most of the times).

"Paul Bielec" <me@no.spam> wrote in message news:bmmnf6$4q0$1@dns3.cae.ca...
> "Robert" <rsvn@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:CNAjb.44096$X66.35120@twister.austin.rr.com.. .
> > I really enjoy doing my own oil changes, with the proper oil (usually
> Honda)
> > and a Honda filter (yes, including washer). I know it is done right,
keep
> my
> > records. I do not spend $21, it cots me less than $12 every 2 months (3K
> > miles).
>
> How about any other preventive maintenance, for example:
> Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches with multipurpose grease
> Service front and rear brakes
> and inspecting various parts
>
> I wouldn't do the oil changes myself, not worth the trouble for the bucks
> plus I like the a mechanic to get under my car every couple of moths to
see
> if everything seems ok. I don't pay for doing all the things on their list
> since my service advisor knows me and wouldn't make me pay for things
which
> are on their list only for peple who don't know anything about the cars.
>
>

Do you think a qualified mechanic at the dealer is doing your change. It is
probably some low paid kid that doesn't know the difference between a filter
and a tire. I have seen reports of dealers putting in additives when
changing oil, something prohibited by the owner manual. The dealer is going
to use the cheapest oil and supplies available. Why do you think Honda went
to the smaller filter. Cost to expense. Many of the service operations the
dealer wants to do are to boost their income. The service manager gets a
bonus for each item he can talk the customer into having done. A car never
goes in without needing $2000 worth of service. If I inspect and do it
myself I know it is done right.....


"Dick" <rhughes33@cableone.net> wrote in message
news:8oftov8h8re4id3ic7no1qtb72scvk744g@4ax.com...
> I am always curious as to why someone would change their own oil and
> filter on a brand new car under warrantee. I pay $21 to my Honda
> dealer to change both. I know the oil and filter are the correct
> ones, a new gasket is used on the pan plug, and the correct torque is
> applied to the plug. Then there is the problem of legally disposing
> of the old oil and filter. For the few dollars it costs for the
> labor, I won't even crawl under the car and deal with the mess. Plus
> I know I will never have a question with the warrantee if something
> goes wrong with the engine.
>
> Dick
>
> On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 11:08:18 -0400, "-- SilverSting--"
> <reply@goup.thx> wrote:
>
> >Need to do an oil change on my new Accord and both the owner's manual and
> >the oil cap say to use 5W20. From what I know... 5W20 is a synthetic
blend.
> >
> >I'm not into synthetic oils, as I prefer to change my oil often (less
then
> >5000 km). Anyone using 5W30 (reg. oil) in their new Honda's that
recommend
> >5W20 ??
> >
> >Thanks
> >_________________________________
> > www.silversting.com
> >
>

I suppose there are dealers, then there are dealers. In the four
years I have lived here, they have never tried to sell me something
beyond what I brought it in for. I have watched them perform the
service standing at the door, and they seem perfectly competent and
are definitely not some low paid kids that don't know what they are
doing. All of their employees have been to the appropriate Honda
service school. Further, this dealer also owns the Chrysler /Jeep
dealer in another part of town. A close friend is the service
manager. You can bet my Jeep is taken care of. And if I were ever to
have a problem with the Honda dealer, they would hear about it from
him. Maybe I am just lucky to have a good dealer (and a good friend.)

Dick


On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 20:50:47 GMT, "BillW" <TheDuck@pond.net> wrote:

>Do you think a qualified mechanic at the dealer is doing your change. It is
>probably some low paid kid that doesn't know the difference between a filter
>and a tire. I have seen reports of dealers putting in additives when
>changing oil, something prohibited by the owner manual. The dealer is going
>to use the cheapest oil and supplies available. Why do you think Honda went
>to the smaller filter. Cost to expense. Many of the service operations the
>dealer wants to do are to boost their income. The service manager gets a
>bonus for each item he can talk the customer into having done. A car never
>goes in without needing $2000 worth of service. If I inspect and do it
>myself I know it is done right.....

On 10/16/03 10:59 AM, in article 8oftov8h8re4id3ic7no1qtb72scvk744g@4ax.com,
"Dick" <rhughes33@cableone.net> wrote:

> I am always curious as to why someone would change their own oil and
> filter on a brand new car under warrantee. I pay $21 to my Honda
> dealer to change both. I know the oil and filter are the correct
> ones, a new gasket is used on the pan plug, and the correct torque is
> applied to the plug. Then there is the problem of legally disposing
> of the old oil and filter. For the few dollars it costs for the
> labor, I won't even crawl under the car and deal with the mess. Plus
> I know I will never have a question with the warrantee if something
> goes wrong with the engine.
>
> Dick
>

I talked myself into thinking that way with a free oil change from the Ford
dealer back when my '85 Aerostar was new. They stripped the drain bolt.

I've been changing my own oil for 38 years and I've never stripped a drain
bolt. Even when they repair their incompetence under warranty, your car is
left slightly diminished, usually with a few more parts missing after each
visit, and you are still stuck with the remains.

I don't know how it is where you live, but every auto parts store around
here (Dallas) takes the old oil and filters. Its not any more of a hassle
than driving to the dealer and waiting for it would be.