pvsurfer

I went to Pep Boys to buy windshield wipers for our Honda and while there I noticed an RDX on the 'lube-rack'. There was one guy close-by watching intently, so I approached him to ask if it was his RDX. He said it was so I told him that I'm also an RDX owner and proceeded to ask him what he though of PB's services. He said he was tired of paying the dealer's prices was trying PB for the first time as they do it for half the price (using either Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum).

I drove off wondering if I want to trust PB with my RDX for scheduled services. Anyone here use them?

crazycated

Yeah I have like 15 years ago and they . do a crappy job if your going to take it there might as well take it to Jiffy lube .

pvsurfer

That bad (really)? - What was it that makes you say they "do a crappy job"?

crazycated

When a car has to going several times in for the same job because they forgot something or didn't put it back right together that is a bunch of crap as a matter of fact my company use to have a national account set up with them and nothing was ever fixed right from tranny service or tune ups to small things but my company felt it was something they could deal with since we had locations everywhere they would just waist there time taking it back to them to me that is not something I have the time for especially when it comes to my car .

crazycated

If you want to try something besides a dealer try a Honda/Acura shop there everywhere I just moved from So CAL up to Reno Nv and I know a few out there that are good .

russianDude

an independently owned small business is the way to go. People who work at chains don't care. however, oil change might be ok even for pep-boys, but I found that its so easy to screw up oil change, especially when they over-tighten the drain plug. But dealer over tightens it also, so go figure...

k23a1

I wouldn't, simply because I just don't. I can do a better and safer job at doing my own oil changes, without having to forget to put oil, or forgetting to tighten the drain bolt enough, etc. If you feel that you prefer to pay somone else to do it, i would go to an Acura/Honda specialists.

I have a friend that worked at MIDAS, and he even says don't go to them. I use the shop (off hours) for the tools and hoist, but never will pay a chain shop to perform any job.

Plus, these chain retails do not carry OEM Honda parts, which I prefer.

Overall, you car, your choice.

GOTTSPD

When I had my CTS-V, I would bring the oil and filter to a local quick lube chain and they do a nice job. They are very, very methodical. They make it nearly impossible for one of them to forget their job because of the process they use to do the oil change. Overall, doing it this way was expensive, but cheaper than the $100 that the dealer wanted for a syn. oil change. Rosenthal Ac. charges $70 I think for a syn. oil change for the RDX, so by the time I bought the oil for $25 and the filter for $10, I'm in for $35 and these guys would charge 25 or so. Thus, for the modest difference, I'm better off having the dealer do the oil change. Or I can just do it myself. Does anyuone use an oil extractor? I use one for my NSX and it makes changing the oil pretty easy. The oil filter removal is still a pain though .

mau108

oil filter removal on the rdx is a pain????

mang the rdx is one of the easiest cars HONDA has brought out to have its oil changed. My prelude you have 90% chance of burning your self it the motor is hot enough.

Not as easy as some German vehicles still..

GOTTSPD

No, the oil filter on the NSX is a pain. I haven't tried the RDX yet.

appzter

I had Pep Boys change the oil + filter on my '07 and they did as good a job as the dealer - and for less than half the dealer's price.

As a matter of fact, this week you can get an oil + filter change at PB for about $40. This is using Penzoil Platinum, which is HTO-06 rated and every bit as good as Mobil 1 with a Purolator PureOne (a very good oil filter)!

russianDude

How do you know your drain plug was tightened to 29 lb-ft, did you see them use a torque wrench?

Carbon2008RDX

I trust my dealer only. Period! I would never take my RDX (or whatever new vehicle I may own) to anywhere other than than original dealer where I bought it from. But, even with the dealer, I must keep an eye on the service to make sure the service is done properly and to my satisfaction.

PS. My dealer provides free oil and filter changes for life of the car.

russianDude

My certified Acura dealer over-tightened my drain plug well beyond 29lb-ft. Thats why I do oil change myself.

appzter

Yes, as s a matter of fact I was standing just 10' from PB's lube-rack. However, when the dealer did my first A1 (charging me about $125) I was not allowed anywhere near the service area, so who knows what they did for that exhorbitant amount.

pvsurfer

Thanks for the feedback guys. - I'll try PB for my next oil & filter change!

wrestrepo

I used Jiffy until they screw my tail lights (yes, tail lights). I started changing the oil myself, and although the first two-three times you do it it can be messy, just because you are not used to, after that you will be cruising...I don't change my RDX yet, I only do my Saabs, and they are a pain to get underneath because they are so low to the ground. In any event, I would recommend that you do it yourself or keep an really close eye on the techs....don't let them do anything else besides changing the oil!!!

rpkrdx

pep boys is a step up from walmart i will use the dealer .

creativeguy

Which makes it frustrating that the Acura dealerships charge 3x what it should cost and tell you you are getting a bargain. I tried the dealership for convenience but never again. Back to my independent guy.