JimHolloman

What are others paying for an oil change at the dealership. It appears that Appletree Acura is trying to offset lower sales volume with higher service fees. As of 1 Dec., 2009:


$6.67 per quart for Honda Motor Oil
$4.25 per quart for Castrol Oil

4.5 quarts of oil at $4.25 = $19.13 (Castrol)
Filter 7.94
Washer .42
Service materials 1.00
Oil filter disposal fee 1.00
Labor 9.95
Sales Tax 2.38
Total $41.82 <==

4.5 quarts of oil at $6.67 = $30.02 (Honda Oil)
Filter 7.94
Washer .42
Service materials 1.00
Oil filter disposal fee 1.00
Labor 9.95
Sales Tax 3.25
Total $53.58 <==

Other service centers:
Precision Tune $23.95
Retro Lube 29.95
Firestone Auto Care 30.49
Spee Dee 32.99


Cost of filter in 2004 was $5.00, so there has been a 59 percent increase over the five years. And, $6.67 for a quart of Honda Motor Oil! It looks like it is time for me to start doing my own oil changes -- but, getting rid of the used oil is a problem -- don't know where to take it -- or if it will cost to get rid of it.

http://www.handa-accessories.com has a nifty oil deflector for the TSX for $22.00 plus S&H; apparently as used at the dealerships.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Doing your own oil change saves money and gives you peace of mind. It can be a bit of a hassle, including where to dispose of the used oil. However, any of your local auto parts stores should be able to dispose of all of your fluids for you.

Itchytoe

I think Wal Mart will dispose of used motor oil for you. Or you could be a tree-hugger-hater and just throw it away in a dumpster.

PACman

NAPA will take used motor oil and filter, but not all NAPA locations do that. Best to call your local NAPA to verify.

chaiwala

You should just go to walmart and buy a 5qt of Mobil Clean 5000 for $11.50 and a Super Tech 7317 oil filter for $4. Take it to a reputable garage and they should do it for $10. $25 and you are using a better oil than Castrol or Honda combined. $7.XX for Honda is a rip off. You could buy a 5qt of Pennzoil Platinum synthetic for $23 if you wanted to go that way.

You could also look out for sales in the flyers for Advanced Auto, Autozone or Pep Boys. They usually have a sale on 5qts of synthetic oil and a Purolator Filter or Bosch Filter for $25.

nj2pa2nc

I think it is terrific if you do your own oil changes and maintenance on your car. I have no desire to do it. My peace of mind is getting it done (by someone I trust) I like it when I get coupons for discounted or free oil changes from the dealer.

Jimmy The Saint

I change my own oil on my 87 Mercedes cause the filter is right in the engine bay and easy as pie to get to. and i don't have to jack teh car up to drain the oil. The tsx is a pain. I go to the dealer so i have complete maintenance records for when I sell it down the road. AND i get piece of mind at my dealer. they do excellent work. That said I just paid 55 bucks for service A which is pretty much an oil change.

davidspalding

I get my Mobile 1 synthetic (and I've heard that not all synths are the same, e.g. Castrol is a lower grade or something) with coupon deals at Costco once or twice a year ... costs me about 3.75 a quart. Then, let a dealer or shop do the change for me, usually not more than $20 labor (incl. lube, inspections).

I used to DIY on my Jeep when I had access to a shop (USCG morale office benefit).

Don't be a punk, dispose of your oil RESPONSIBLY, people. It's not that hard. Dumping it somewhere is like taking a in your kitchen.

sj993

I buy Mobil1 at wal-mart and get my own filter and go to Honda to get it changed for $7.

extracrunchie

well in canada i got Quaker state synthetic for $26
fram extended guard for $14
and $10 for labor

Acura here charges $96.99

extracrunchie

oh i forgot that is for synthetic and regular is $49.95 in Canada

npolite

Yeah disposing oil is easy. I know that Pep-boys and Advance Auto Parts have it as I have used both before to drop it off. None of my local Autozones have it though.

I'm sure if you go to the Honda parts shop and ask to be added to their list for parts that they'll usually give you a discount. Get like 1/2 dozen filters and crush washer and then include them with your oil change at the dealer. You'll then pay only the labor and disposal fees.

I said Honda because the filters are the same and there is usually a 50 cent markup just because you bought it at Acura.

My last set of filters that I bought from my local Honda (just outside of Philly) last December were listed at 7.96 and with my discount got them for $5.97 each.

The parts guy they had behind the counter was a noob and charged me for 10 crush washers at $2.70 but thought a pack contained only 10....turns out it contains 50!

dannyboy10

$49.95 plus tax at Acura dealer in the expensive NY area.

$35.95 plus tax with coupon

mickey513

It's $35-$40 here in the Acura Dealerships in Northern Cali and that is with the flyers(coupons). You do get a free car wash with the oil change service but who the hell has time to wait 2 hours for a oil change

I stopped going to the dealership years ago, too expensive, and the wait is just. The TSX uses regular 5w-30, so I can get it done from anywhere outside between $20-$30 and be out in 15 minutes.

swift22

Fram tough guard filter + vavoline full synthetic premium=$40ish

But i run A grade and do my own change. You could always go royal purple lol


Most quick lubes use standard low grade convential oil. Hence why you pay $14-29. I am a mechanic

club_euro2

Free at the Acura Dealer.

Simba91102

As you can see in the posts here, what dealers charge for service (and parts) can vary widely. Based on location, local competition, etc. With my 05, I used to have the dealer do all the maintenance at the recommended 10K mile intervals, and just change the oil myself at interim 5K mile marks. This was to maintain a good service record for resale, it gave a Honda technician a chance to look at the car and possibly notice a problem in the making, and to maintain a good relationship with my dealer. Since I hit 100K though (and the expiration of my extended warranty), I've done all the maintenance myself. The TSX is not the easiest oil change around, but it's not horrible. I certainly don't blame anyone for taking it somewhere to have it done.

As far as oil disposal goes, you may want to check with local or state regulations. Here in Massachusetts, if someone sells motor oil, they're required by law to take the old oil back. And..... since one of the buildings where I work has a motor oil (and transmission fluid, brake fluid, PS fluid, etc.) reclamation furnace that burns all of that for fuel to heat the building, I have a built in disposal site. You may be able to find a place like that in your area (assuming you don't live in Hawaii) who will take it (free heat..... what a concept), or just check around to find a place to take it; the stuff has to worth something.

I use (and always have used) synthetic oil (usually the house brand stuff from Walmart, though I do run 0W-30 Mobil 1 during the winter here since I lost my garage) and have found Walmart to be about the cheapest around. Filters are all over the place, you'd find as many opinions here on those as there are letters in the alphabet, so just pick one I guess (I've used K&N, and recently Purolater). It can be a messy job, but I know it's done right, and it can be kind of fun. I take the right front wheel off to get at the filter, but I usually incorporate the oil change with a tire rotation at 5K mile intervals, so the tire is going to be off anyway. My

nbtx

Just looked and no deflector for TSX - do you have a part number?

1Louder

I use synthetic (RP, @9.00 / qt). I used to take it to Jiffy Lube, but they only knock $3 off if you bring your own oil, so a change was $35 (JL) + $45 (oil). Nearest dealership is 20 miles away and way too inconvenient for a change. So, I'd had enough of paying for Jiffy and the oil and did it myself for the first time last weekend. It was a commedy of errors to be sure - wound up with 1/2 qt on the garage floor. But now I know the drill, next time will be easier. You can do it all when you remove the passenger side wheel just fine, probably in less than 45 minutes.

My local Schucks Auto takes used oil (and it's where I buy the RP).

samnguyen

$60 at a local mechanic shop. (amsoil) no more Mobile 1 for me.

kaliraver69

I know Kragen, and Auto Zone near my house take the used motor oil and will dispose of it properly for free.

platinum1

Recently I saw Advance Auto ad, 1 Purolator Pure One filter and 5 quarts of Castrol Edge or Syntec oil for $us 24.99 + tax. You just choose Castrol Edge instead of Syntec because it's better. A no brainer choice + it's simply the cheapest. They also take used oil for free. Autozone, O'Reilly, and NAPA in my area also take used oil for free. Or you can go to Walmart to get 5 quart jug (Castrol Syntec $25, Castrol Edge $32 (I think), Mobil 1 reg syn $23, Valvoline and Penzoil syn $22, Quaker syn $20) if you already have the filter.

Oil change is easy. Do it yourself, save some money, you know it's done right, you learn your own car, and you can choose oil and filter that you think is the best for you.