vhdoshi

Last year, when I went in for my first service (A1 service) for my 2016 RLX hybrid,
The service advisor said I had to pay extra because the RLX hybrid requires synthetic blend oil instead of conventional oil.
Is that true ? Have others in the forum had the same issue ?
As a side note, my Acura RL always used conventional oil. So, is this something new for hybrids only or for all acura 2016 model year and newer vehicles ?

neuronbob

So sayeth page 465 of my SH's manual:

In other words, yur dealer's service department is BSing you. Synthetic is an option.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

one could argue that 0w-20 is a synthetic

George Knighton

It is absolutely not true, and you should complain that you were told that.

Don't let people lie to you...you have to know the truth about something and you have to be able to rely that you are being told the truth about any number of important things, so a service advisor who blatantly lies needs to be counseled.

If this is that advisor's proclivity, then it is possible in other circumstances he might cause someone great harm because he has lied about something instead of going to find the truth.

I suppose that this is the direction that society is moving. After all, our own President lies almost every day, in public and regardless of facts before our faces that contradict what he is saying.

So we're telling young people that this is normal.

It's not normal, and it is important. Don't sit still for a service advisor who makes up crap.

Now, having said all of that, I confess that I allow them to use synthetic in my own KC2, for the simple reason that I believe I am going to hold onto this car a little longer than I normally hold onto cars. I don't think the next Legend will be out until 2020, and I'll hang on until then, probably.

:-)

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Yup, by definition, 0W-20 is a fully synthetic grade.

George Knighton

I wonder whether this is the meaning the service advisor intended to convey.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

in what other industries do people lie in? i understand lying is a way to get people to buy things or accept services that we arent well versed in(why the customer should always be on the up and up)...but for some reason, I cant think of any other industry that is so prevalent in lying..

well, I guess it happens in Plumbing and electrical work too!
and probably construction...
okay, dont mind me...just thinking out loud

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

A friend of mine was commiserating with me just yesterday regarding her Lexus with 95,000 miles on it; she took it to her Lexus dealership for a simple oil change and was told all four tires, brakes at all four corners, and all struts and shocks were bad. She politely declined to have any of the recommended work done and promptly took the car to her local tire shop; the owner of the shop told her everything was good to go; she *might* need tires in a year or so.

moose66

Dealerships are in the commission/bonus business where the employees are rewarded for fleecing customers. I can see how easy it would be to take a non-car person to the cleaners. Happens all the time. The best we can do as a consumer, is know your stuff. You should always know the basics of your car. Meaning you should be well aware of how long tires last, what type of oil it needs and when, what it sounds like when you need brakes, etc. If you don't, you will be taken advantage of. And lastly, always know you have options. Just because you drive an Acura, Lexus, etc. does not mean they are the know all be all for your car, and the only ones who can give you reputable, legit advice. There are plenty of very good non-manufacturer/dealer affiliated shops out there if you just ask around. They will be more than happy to provide second opinions.

George Knighton

Page 463 of the KC2 manual says that you "may" use synthetic oil but it is not required.

It also says to be sure not to use any oil additives because it may adversely impact [sic] engine performance.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

but what if 0w-20 IS a synthetic?

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

I suppose there is a possibility some manufacturer will figure out how to produce a non or partially synthetic 0W-20 some time in the future, but as far as I know, 100% of the 0W-20 grade oils on the market are fully synthetic.

I suppose another explanation for the language in the manual is it is a legacy from older vehicle manuals which didn't specify a synthetic oil grade such as 5W-20 or 5W-30.

George Knighton

You know, now that I've thought of it, my dealer asks if it's okay to use synthetic every time I go in.

0_o

Maybe it's an automatic question and they really haven't thought it through.

George Knighton

Hmmm.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Well I'll be damned; learn something new every day. Thanks for the education!

neuronbob

I suppose you could, but I don't think the service advisor's intent had the OP's best interest at heart.

quartzinterior

At Findlay acura in Henderson Nevada, they said my tires are bad, my brakes are bad etc. my tires and brakes are still going strong 15000 miles later. I would always go to acura of las vegas even though it was further, but they always gave excellent honest service. Watch out for the lies at Findlay Acura in Henderson, NV. Luckily, I am all too familiar with the dishonest stereotype of car shops and car dealerships. Even more fortunately I am no longer in the extreme heat of the desert.

pcloadletter

Honda specs a 0w-20 synthetic blend to achieve 10,000 mile oil change intervals.

Scott in AZ

Use synthetic oil in a high performance car like an RLX. It's worth 50 bucks, even if it''s actual cost is only about 5 bucks more.

Dealers will fleece you if they think you're a ONE-AND-DONE. You need to build a long term relationship with a trusted service advisor, and do the work they recommend once they've earned your trust.

That is all.

George Knighton

I didn't know it, either. The discussion got me curious and I poked around. :-)

George Knighton

I'm sure people will jump all over me, but I don't change my oil early and do what the maintenance minder says to do.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Certainly not me; Honda uses special assembly lubes and pastes which then mix with the oil to aid in the break-in of the engine. Honda actively discourages changing the oil early.

Scott in AZ

I changed mine at 1000 miles (Probablt not needed but I always have on the five new cars I've owned in my life.) After that I plan change at 30% on the maintenance minder.

quartzinterior

Am I wrong?

neuronbob

No. I figure the engineers at Hondacura know what they are doing. Most of the time, anyway.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

No, you are quite correct; changing early is actually a negative and can prevent the engine from breaking in properly.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Or you could use synthetic oil and go 30% beyond the maintenance minder and still be very conservative.

hondamore

I must agree with those recommending the oil change intervals suggested by the maintenance minder.

I used to be an early oil changer and a VERY frequent oil changer, but the advances in the technology of automotive manufacturing and assembly means tolerances are MUCH tighter than in the past and therefore there ISN'T a gooey sludge of metal filings in the oil pan of a new car after a thousand miles or less meaning that early oil changes are no longer necessary. Conversely, I have been told that special additives are added to the "factory fill" of oil in order to help the engine break in and that it is recommended to leave these additives in for the prescribed period to maximize the longevity of the engine.

Just my two cents.

thoiboi

Dang. What a waste of that break in oil they put in at the factory

Scott in AZ

Break in oil? Does Honda use "special" break-in oil?

Special additives? Is that a thing?

Im no expert ... just sticking with what has worked for me. I looked through the records on my 2010 MDX and 30% on the maintenance minder is about every 7000 miles. My total cumulative repair costs on our MDX (not including maintenance) at 67,000 miles is .... zero dollars.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Yes and no. Honda uses standard oil for the first factory fill, however, the engine is assembled with special pastes and assembly lubes which are designed to be held in suspension by the oil and when the engine starts running, to aid in the break in of the engine.

From an engineering perspective, you cannot prove a positive with a negative, which is what you're trying to do. The thing is, changing your oil early is a waste of resources, a source of pollution, and of exactly zero benefit for your engine.

Scott in AZ

...as long as you're certain about it.

Scott in AZ

.....no trying... or even implying ... to prove anything. As I said .... I'm no expert*. Just sharing what I do. YMMV.

(*Well, come to think of it...maybe I am. I'm a mechanical engineer with 20 years of aerospace manufacturing experience, including engines.)

Scott in AZ

....OK professor.

George Knighton

Nevertheless, the previous poster is correct in his belief that Honda prefers that you not cut short on the first oil change, and properly breaking in the motor is the reason that they give.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Nobody is saying you have to believe Honda, or even the folks who've provided information in support of staying with the factory oil change recommendation, but just because you've been a mechanical engineer for 20 years doesn't in any way mean you understand all of the variables in play here.

Fabvsix

does anyone read their manual from front to back???????? Your answers are there....