I purchased my RDX on Friday and I was given the option of several services packages none of which seemed like a good deal except for one that I am debating.

For $299 I can get the oil changed every 3000 miles for 36,000 miles. (This includes Mobile 1)

That's 12 oil changes for $24.91 each. That seems like a deal.

Should I sign up?

 

Depends on whether or not the dealer is convenient and reliable. Obviously, the main purpose of programs like this is to get you in the door as often as possible, then they can pressure you into buying more stuff each time.

 

not only that but i doubt you'll be changing it 12x, your first is not supposed to be done until the maint minder tells you to do it, about 5k miles, after that its about 5-6k per change, so thats $300 for 7 changes which is about $50 each, probably more than ur local jiffy lube, or doing it yourself. (I know there is something to be said about oil changes at jiffy lube, etc, just makin a point :wink: )

 

How much does Jiffy Lube charge for Mobile 1 oil changes? That stuff ain't cheap.

 

idk lol i was guessing...another question, does this mean they will do a B1 service compeletely free with that, just do the oil change and charge for anything extra? that makes a difference as well.

 

Also, does the price include the oil filter?

 

You don't need to change your oil every 3000 miles.

I wouldn't take a lawnmower to Jiffy Lube, let alone my car.

 

would it be convinent for you to make it to the dealer all the time for a oil change? (near your work. or down the street from your house?) cause you're paying a little bit less for a mobile 1. usual cost of mobile 1 is around $55-60 every 5000 miles. but like what johnny99 said... they will try to sell/fix/replace something everytime you go in.

I usually buy my own oil at costco, buy my filter at autozone or somewhere, and then take it to my mechanic that will do the change for bout' $15.

 

The RDX in particular is quite easy to do an oil change, given the higher ride height. I plan to change the oil myself every 5000 miles.

Mobil1 is strongly recommended, but the new Pennzoil Synthetic is also HONDA approved for use in the RDX.Apparently, the approval will be included some time this year in the marketed Pennzoil bottles or jug.

 

That's not entirely true....each dealer is different. I've never had a problem with my dealer saying I need to fix something that I know I don't need to when I go in for service. There's a chance, yes, but not every dealer is like that. And unfortunately, he won't know that until he goes for service a couple of times.

The other thing I just realized is if you follow your maintenance minder, you'll be doing a combination of oil changes and "services." So if you are paying for an oil change package, but you need to do services on top of that, then you won't need many oil changes in the specified 36,000 mile interval they gave you. Even if you change your oil once every 10k (that's the interval for the TSX), you'll only go through 3 oil changes in 36,000 miles!

 

That is a very strange offer as it leaves so many questions unanswered:

Why would an Acura dealer not abide by the Maint Minder? (Changing at 3k is disposing of perfectly good oil.)

Are they going to reset the Maint Minder every 3k miles, thus throwing off the timing for the other services?

How do they adjust the price when other services are due?

How frequently are they going to change the filter?

If my dealer made this offer I would counter with one of two choices:

Twelve oil changes at 5 qts per equals 60 qts of Mobil One. Throw in 12 Honda oil filters and buy the batch for $299. Then change the oil yourself on the Maint Minder schedule. (Or take it to a local Mech.) The dealer gets the sale, and he will not have to tie up a tech and a service bay for six hours (1/2 hour each). Six hours of service bay time is worth $360+ to him so he has no good argument against the 12 oil filters.

You get 12 filters worth $120 and 60 qts of Mobil One for the remaining $179, or $2.98 each (vs $6.50 avg). Changing on the Maint Minder would take you out to 60k to 72k miles on average.

Or (choice two) have him agree to provide 12 oil changes on the Maint Minder for $299 using Mobil One and a new filter. Deduct the cost of an A1 service from any other services due.

 

I don't think countering with the Finance Manager who sells the stuff is really going to get you anywhere. They list their programs and if you aren't interested in exactly the options they have created they will just tell you to decline.