What oil does the dealership really use?

[BigJimCalhoun]

The dealer had an open house last night where they take all new car buyers and separate by vehicle and have a mechanic jack it up and explain where the tires are, muffler is, etc.

In the shop I saw about 20 valvoline 30 gallon oil drums - spreadout by service bay, but no Honda ones. Methinks that even they do not use Honda Oil.

Anyway, I found that, and the unsold 2006 Pilot (leaking oil from the front diff) interesting.

[humanoid]

I think $tealers use whatever they can get their grubby little hands on.

[nolan65]

Originally posted by BigJimCalhoun


In the shop I saw about 20 valvoline 30 gallon oil drums - spreadout by service bay, but no Honda ones. Methinks that even they do not use Honda Oil.

A

Honda does not make oil. Many believe "Honda Branded" oil to be Exxon/Mobil.

[sjlee]

Originally posted by humanoid
I think $tealers use whatever they can get their grubby little hands on.

I agree. The local Acura dealership uses Castrol Syntec.

[rocky]

Penzoil at mine

[wp3gi]

Valvoline here in Puerto Rico.

[mmmmark]

Hopefully Honda is smarter than our local VW dealer. My Passat is supposed to take either 0w40 or 5w40 or supposedly warranty is void.

What does the local dealer use? Well, 10w30 Castrol, thankyouverymuch.

Nimrods

[sjlee]

Originally posted by mmmmark
Hopefully Honda is smarter than our local VW dealer. My Passat is supposed to take either 0w40 or 5w40 or supposedly warranty is void.

What does the local dealer use? Well, 10w30 Castrol, thankyouverymuch.

Nimrods

Did you ever bring that to their attention? What was their response?

[CMasten]

Originally posted by mmmmark
Hopefully Honda is smarter than our local VW dealer. My Passat is supposed to take either 0w40 or 5w40 or supposedly warranty is void.

What does the local dealer use? Well, 10w30 Castrol, thankyouverymuch.

Nimrods

I just noticed this.... Right on! I could not agree more...

"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it vas not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great." Alexis de Tocqueville, 1831

[mmmmark]

Thanks. Most people never notice, but it means something to those who share those ideals.

[mmmmark]

Originally posted by sjlee


Did you ever bring that to their attention? What was their response?

They cite a portion in the owner's manual that says something like other oils are ok to use, but then it goes on to say "ONLY when topping off or when not available."

VW is different than any other brand in that very little is top-down directives on how to do their business. Everything flows from the bottom up, so you hope to God you have a good dealer. They are like a loose collection of independent dealers that each do their own thing. This inconsistency is hurting their national image and they are reportedly trying to provide more controls and standards for their dealers.

[Guiltyr1]

Anybody using synthetic? If so, are you changing every 5K?

[sjlee]

Originally posted by Guiltyr1
Anybody using synthetic? If so, are you changing every 5K?

Mobil still recommends following the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for Mobil 1...

"This is a limited warranty covering the Mobil 1 motor lubricant you purchased. ExxonMobil warrants its lubricants to be free from defects and will replace any Mobil lubricant that is defective. For all vehicles follow the recommended oil change interval in your owner's manual. ExxonMobil warrants that the Mobil 1 lubricant you purchased will protect your vehicle’s critical engine parts from oil related failure. If not, provided the engine was serviceable at the time the oil was installed, Exxon Mobil will have your vehicle repaired and replace the oil at no cost to you."

For Mobil 1 Extended Performance, their warranty is a little different. They still recommend following the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, but only until the vehicle warranty runs out. At that point, they will warranty it for 15k mile oil changes or 1 year, whichever comes first.

"This is a limited warranty covering the Mobil 1 Extended Performance lubricant you purchased. ExxonMobil warrants its lubricants to be free from defects and will replace any Mobil lubricant that is defective. For vehicles covered by a warranty, follow the vehicle's oil life sensor or the oil change interval recommended in your owner's manual. Follow your owner's manual if the vehicle is operated in any of the following severe services: racing or commercial applications including taxis, limousines, etc.; frequent towing or hauling; extremely dusty or dirty conditions; or under excessive idling conditions. If your vehicle has exceeded the duration of the manufacturer’s warranty, ExxonMobil warrants that the Mobil 1 Extended Performance lubricant you purchased will protect your vehicle’s critical engine parts from oil related failure for 15,000 miles or 1 year, which ever comes first. If not, provided the engine was serviceable at the time the oil was installed, Exxon Mobil will have your vehicle repaired and replace the oil at no cost to you."

[hondacuraplanet]

Originally posted by nolan65


Honda does not make oil. Many believe "Honda Branded" oil to be Exxon/Mobil.

That's exactly what it is. We have Honda/Mobil dino oil in our tanks here, although we used Pennzoil for years.

[ctobio]

Originally posted by Guiltyr1
Anybody using synthetic? If so, are you changing every 5K?

For the '06, I would follow the maintenance minder, dino or synthetic. The first oil change on mine was 6100 miles, but this is quite variable based on operating conditions.