Oil Change - dealership vs local?
 

Is it better to get your car's oil change done at a dealership versus at a local mechanics? Is there a way to check what type of oil is recommended for the car you drive? (2014 RDX)

You must be trolling

regardless, I'll bite

recommended oil type will be listed on the oil filler cap or in your owner's manual. Newer car, you should probably run synthetic (if it doens't already).

you can get anyone to change your oil, as long as they're not complete morons.

RS sponsor rise auto has a pretty good deal, $70 synthetic oil change with OEM filters for upto 5L of synthetic.
That's about on par with jiffy lube prices except you don't have some kid that just graduated highschool changing your oil

If you go to Mr lube type shops, besure to use "Genuine" parts if they ask.. if something goes wrong and you take it back to dealer, they check it not genuine.. they wont cover it..
Says a few of my friends.. I dont know as I have always taken it back to the dealer.. may cost more but at least I know if they screw it up, I worry free...

Its easy work but you have no idea how many rounded/loose/overtightened drain plugs i find when i see jiffy/mr lube oil stickers. it does happen at dealers too though, we are all human..

More commonly (not always), you will find local places put in the wrong oil as it's difficult to stock so many different grades of oil in bulk where as dealer usually only needs to have so many grades in stock.

You have a new car, the big thing is using OEM for warranty purposes as stated above. Find a trustworthy indy or bring it to the dealer (I am strongly against quick lube oil filter shops)!

While I've heard about "experiences" people have had from a quick lube shop, I've never had a problem. Personally I go very infrequently as I'm more than capable of doing an oil change in my garage, but I've never had an issue. I'd just go in, hand them the oil filter and specific oil I want in my car, and let 'em do it.

Honestly, I think people make these horror stories bigger than they are. Sure, it's possible that one of the shops may have forgotten to torque down a drain plug or that someone put the wrong oil weight in, but it's more the thought that something might happen that makes people tell others to stay away from them. I've seen botch jobs come from some highly respected independent shops and custom car garages. Anyone is capable of making a mistake, regardless of where you work.

i dont even know why jiffy lube/lubeworld/etc are still in business...

Because they're convenient, they'll take you in right away (unlike a dealership), they don't charge an arm and a leg (unlike a dealership, again), and not everyone is mechanically inclined enough to do an oil change, or even has a spot to do it.

Like I said, I've gone to them before out of sheer convenience or because I was too lazy to crawl under my car in 35*+ heat. Never had a problem.

^^^ Jiffy lube didn't tighten my oil filler plug, and I lost a car because of it. I was naive back then and they sold me on the tranny flush as well and the bill was over 200 after everything. When I talked to them about it they said they knew nothing about it and won't do anything to help me.. FUCK THEM.

Strong username though.

Dealerships will charge you the most since they can. I've always took my car to a smaller auto shop of my friends. Honda Civic, $35 tax in for oil change. I figured, the time to do it, costs/material, take it to recycle, etc will almost be the same if I did it myself, so I just bring it in to a shop.

Things mainly go wrong when a lube shop is training new techs or is in a rush.

-find out exactly what type of oil your car needs (case in point, most new gm's and some new chev's require Dexos blended 5w30. a high quality oil may cover this spec but it is wise to use Dexos and what ever you do don't use basic).

-go first thing in the morning so it will be slow.

-ask to make sure no one is training on your car.

If you haven't changed the oil in your car yourself, take this time to learn.
Depending on the car it's not that difficult of a process - but it can get messy if you're not too careful

How about wal mart or canadian tire?
Okay or stay away?

for anyone who changes their own oil, I would recommend one of these.....

Fumoto Canada - Oil Changes Made Easy

makes it so much easier for me. I just throw a container under my car and turn the valve. I still get a bit of a mess when I take off my filter, but it's so much easier than before.

^i use this too! I love it, so convenient!

Really depends where you bring your vehicle to. I used to pay up to $68 for a regular oil change. An oil change maybe simple, but I pay the extra dollars so my mechanic checks out the car and look after me. I went there enough as a regular he don't even charge me for some small things. other than that, the northshore canadian tire holds a good reputation with their work. the mechanics there really put pride and effort into their work

strangely enough, most dealership basic oil changes aren't actually crazy expensive... often times, they're cheaper than lube shops...

If you can afford a 2014 RDX, you can afford the dealership oil change. Which more than likely is on par with the quick lube places as others have mentioned.

Acura usually charge $109 + tax on oil change for service A and they use 5W20 regular dino oil.

Having a dealer do all your service work throughout your car history looks better when you try to sell it privately. Especially for buyers who perceive dealers to have 'error-free mechanics'. But I would say this is more towards the Euro/high end cars.

whereever you get it done, make sure you have documentation, service book stamped, and invoices for warranty sake.

2006 Civic EX sedan - 5MT - 122000km. Walmart oil changes since 60000km. NO issues. (current rate I believe is about $39)

2008 Acura TL-S - 6MT - 90000km. Strictly dealership. $59.99 at most ACURA dealers.


EDIT: the RDX with the turbo and all that jazz did cost more at around $100 for the oil change. (at the ACURA dealership)

With all the electronics and shrouding on modern cars these days, doing an oil change yourself may be the only way you get to work on your car.

Even if it costs me more money in time, I'd still want to do oil changes myself. Gotta make use of those Snap-On wrenches sitting in the garage, right?
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