2010...burns oil?

[pilot~lyte]

Hi, I'm back! First off, my OP was not bogus or BS. Second, I am not a "he". Does anyone actually know a male who would be so involved in caring for a sick child that an oil change would be pushed to the back burner? LOL Didn't think so!

My bad, an oil change at the dealer where I bought the car (the only local dealer) is $70, not $80.

Anyway, I'll try to cover all the questions.

Same tech for both oil changes.

I was told that there was one quart of oil in the engine when I had the oil changed. Not one quart low, just one quart left in the engine.

No oil pressure issues, no warning lights. No smoke coming from the tailpipe (my sister drove right behind me in her car the whole way from NY to FL and would have said something).

No leakage in my garage at home, and none on the trip. We were renting a house and so the car was in the same driveway every night for a week. I would have seen it.

I don't mind admitting my ignorance on certain subjects. This is my first new car EVER. Every other car I've had has been old and crappy. They've all needed constant attention just to start up every morning. When I took delivery of the car they spent an hour going over all the bells and whistles for me. I specifically recall being told that everything on the car was worry-free and that the MM would cue me to change the oil. I guess maybe I got it in my head that since it was a new car I wouldn't have to worry about it like I always did with all my other cars.

Maybe the guy thought I didn't need to hear about mechanical stuff, being female and all. Well, I've always done my own basic maintenance, so I'll put more effort into being proactive with the Pilot.

When they were done with this oil change, the tech showed me the dipstick and the oil was black, as black as if it hadn't been changed in years. She told me I should consider an engine cleaner treatment and I declined. Is this a scam to tack on an up-sale?

And what is a crush washer? I gather from context that it is some sort of rubber seal that compresses to form a tight seal and needs to be replaced regularly, every oil change even? Is that close?

Thanks for the well wishes for my boy. He is back to 100%. I have hardly driven the Pilot this last week, but I will head out in a bit to take a look at the oil just for a baseline and then be sure to check it frequently from now on.

[whizmo]

Originally Posted by pilot~lyte

When they were done with this oil change, the tech showed me the dipstick and the oil was black, as black as if it hadn't been changed in years. She told me I should consider an engine cleaner treatment and I declined. Is this a scam to tack on an up-sale?

Oil color isn't a very good indicator of when the oil needs to be changed. I wouldn't worry about the color if you're changing it more or less when the MM says. Avoid "engine cleaner treatments" like the plague.

And what is a crush washer? I gather from context that it is some sort of rubber seal that compresses to form a tight seal and needs to be replaced regularly, every oil change even? Is that close?

It's a malleable metal washer (typically alum or copper) that helps seal the oil drain plug. The mfgs recommend it be replaced with every oil change, but it is uncommon to have a drain plug leak on a newish car, even if you don't replace them. Most of the quick-lube places don't bother replacing them. But they're cheap peace-of-mind at a buck or two.

You're doing fine - just check your oil more often and if it goes below the add mark put it a qt and make a note of the mileage so you can get get a handle on consumption and how often you need to check it to be sure it never goes low. If it uses a qt or even two between changes, I'd be slightly annoyed with a new car, but it is unlikely to be anything but an annoyance that you have to add oil now and then and not, by itself, an indicator that there is anything wrong with the engine. And it might decrease over time - on mine, it would use about 1qt per 5K miles when new, but consumption is now about half this with 45K miles. I would complain to the dealer next time you see them just to have it on a service record that you complained in case it gets worse.

If the consumption starts approaching 1 qt/1500 miles or so, I'd probably push Honda to fix it under warranty.

- Mark

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally Posted by pilot~lyte

Hi, I'm back! First off, my OP was not bogus or BS. Second, I am not a "he". Does anyone actually know a male who would be so involved in caring for a sick child that an oil change would be pushed to the back burner? LOL Didn't think so!.

So sorry you feel that way...but you have some misconceptions....and I'm sure others will agree. Lots of males know what are real priorites ...and LOL... it is not an oil change.

I helped raise 2 kids while working full time and I used a lot of my sick time to care for them when they were sick ...but the ex- and I both know how to check the oil level.

Originally Posted by pilot~lyte

Thanks for the well wishes for my boy. He is back to 100%. I have hardly driven the Pilot this last week, but I will head out in a bit to take a look at the oil just for a baseline and then be sure to check it frequently from now on.

Great !

[krygny]

Originally Posted by pilot~lyte

..
My bad, an oil change at the dealer where I bought the car (the only local dealer) is $70, not $80.
...

An oil change?! $70?!! Nothing else? Maybe that includes a whole litany of ostensible inspections, lubes, checks and adjustments that they don't even do anyway?

You are being royally scammed up the yin yang. Find another dealer or shop.
DO NOT GO TO JIFFY LUBE!!
(or any place like it)

Apologies if I was presumptuous about your gender. But then, you presume males don't care about sick childern.