Do I have to do my oil changes at the dealership?

[satipler]

My maintenance minder is at A1, 15% oil life. I'm strapped for cash right now and would like to take my '06 Pilot to Valvoline or someplace like that instead of going to the dealership and racking up $$$. Any suggestions?

[satipler]

What do you moderators think, since I haven't heard from any users yet?

[Bowzer]

Originally posted by satipler
My maintenance minder is at A1, 15% oil life. I'm strapped for cash right now and would like to take my '06 Pilot to Valvoline or someplace like that instead of going to the dealership and racking up $$$. Any suggestions?

You do not have to go to just a Honda dealership for oil changes...in fact, I prefer not to go to a dealership at all unless there is a warranty issue involved. But you may want to stay away from the quick oil change places, too. They can be notorious for slack management. Both of these kind of places operate on a high volume style of business vs a quality of work perspective.

We just did our first oil change and I used a local shop that has provided good quality work in other situations. In my opinion, a smaller shop where they need to have return business is much more motivated to do good work. I recommend you find the same scenario. Ask around for good shops in your area.

Or, crawl under and enjoy the benefits of doing this yourself. Easy job and you'll save $$ while knowing it's done right.

[larrys]

Originally posted by satipler
My maintenance minder is at A1, 15% oil life. I'm strapped for cash right now and would like to take my '06 Pilot to Valvoline or someplace like that instead of going to the dealership and racking up $$$. Any suggestions?

You can take your Pilot to any mechanic you want. Just make sure they do all of the items listed for an A1 service and save your receipts. Your owners manual should give you the list of service items to perform.

I too would avoid those quick lube joints. I just hear too many horror stories about them screwing something up.

Good luck!
Larry.

[humanoid]

DIY and save those receipts for oil, filters, fluids, etc. for warranty purposes.

[bigpav7]

Originally posted by humanoid
DIY and save those receipts for oil, filters, fluids, etc. for warranty purposes.

Right on. The oil change on the pilot is very straightforward. Just make sure to save all receipts, like everyoine's already mentioned.

[rockman19762001]

I take my Pilot to a quick change oil stop run by the local Ford Dealer for oil changes. Just keep your receipts if ever a question comes up about service. For all the other stuff like automatic transmission service, timing belt and the VTM-4, I go to the local Honda dealer.

[youbetcha]

How much is your dealer charging?

[jaycee]

Originally posted by youbetcha
How much is your dealer charging?

I don't go to a Honda dealer for an oil change.
I go to my local mechanic. He charges me $45 for Mobile 1 synthetic oil & oil filter change.

[KarenCaren]

You don't need to go to your dealer for that. Local shop charge less but if you look like a nerd you will probably get ripped off. Save all the receipt you get so you can go back when something happen to your car.




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[rlapid]

my dealer charges around $50 for an oil/filter change with honda brand conventional oil and filter.

either d-i-y or take the pilot to your trusted mechanic/shop.