I have a 2018 RDX (last year with the V6) which I purchased new. When the display showed my oil life at 10%, the odometer showed approximately 9K miles, most of which were highway miles. When I brought it in for service, they told me they recommended I ignore the minder and change the oil every 5K miles and the reminder sticker they put on my windshield had a 5K interval. So who do I trust, Honda engineering or my dealer?

 

the honda engineer

 

What kind of oil? Mineral or synthetic? We change our oil far too soon here. In Europe oil changes are done at 20K to 25K kms (15K miles) and that with a vehicle driven at 120 MPH on the autobahn.

Dealers and shops just love to up-sell.

 

Definitely trust the engineer. The dealer is just trying to prey on you for more revenue.

 

With the push from the dealer to get into your back pocket, I'd be suspect of any and all service/maintenance work done. Red Flag.....

 

fuck that...

 

We also have a 2018 RDX, purchased new this past February. Just took it in yesterday for its first service after seeing a notice on the dash saying service was needed- reason was the oil life was at 15%. We have 5,200 miles, a mixture of 50% highway and 50% around town.

They gave me a choice of oil to use: a synthetic / regular blend or, for an additional $40, full synthetic. I chose the full synthetic.

The dash display said an A1 service was needed, more than an oil change- tire rotation, suspension lubrication, something about the fluids, and something to do with the brakes. I'm not sure how much if any of this was necessary versus how much was extra stuff to increase the amount of the bill. Using the 25% off coupon they had previously mailed to me the total cost was $145.00. I don't think this was bad for peace of mind / maintaining warranty coverage. By comparison, just having the oil changed by a reputable local shop in our previous, out of warranty BMW X3 cost $190.

Bruce

 

It's synthetic

 

Honda engineering! The dealer will sell you whatever makes them more money.

On my 2002 Accord, I had to specifically ask them to do the cabin filter and brake flush when they were due, but I don't recall what it was they were trying to sell me way more frequently than recommended. When I told them I wanted them to just do the services listed in the manual (which I specified for them) they tried to tell me to "ignore the manual" because "it's not actually written by Honda."

 

It sounds to me like the dealer just wants to make more $$$ by doing a high-profit margin service like an oil change more often.

I change mine sooner than the maintenance minder indicates, but that's at a much lower cost than having the dealer do it.

 

I use the dealer while the car is under warranty

 

I will also use the dealer for the duration of the CPO warranty, but I'm not in for the upsells that I'm sure will be coming.

 

I also have a 2018 bought almost a year ago. I do not put on many miles and my 15% oil life indicator didn't come on until early September. Prior to that I had asked my dealer if I needed to change the oil earlier and was advised not to do it until the indicator came up.

 

The dealer is correct on not doing the first oil change till it tells you. During engine assembly they use a lot of moly assembly lube and this gets mixed in with the break-in oil. If the dealer has to chance the oil within the first oil change, they have a special service oil that they use.

I'm sure most people know this. If you decide to change oil before the 15% oil life, then you need to reset the oil life with a scanner and select oil life only. If you reset the oil life on your dash board before 15%, then you will never see any of the other maintenance intervals like timing belt, Transmission etc.

.

 

I didn't know.that. Interesting.

 

Follow your oil life indicator if you go to Acura dealer for oil change. I think that Acura dealer uses synthetic blend in general. I did my free oil change at 5000 miles for my 2017. I will start DIY oil change from now on. Mobil one full synthetic oil and filter every 8000-10,000 miles.