Along with the purchase of my 04 TL is 'free lifetime oil changes. Now this is great provided the dealership changes the oil properly.
Monday I had the oil changed at my Acura dealer. I always chack my oil after the service and they over filled the oil. The oil was readiing above the 'RCA letters' printed on the dipstick. I called over the service guy and explained that they put to much oil in, and he called the tech that did the work. The tech explained they use pre-measured amounts for the oil service, which is 4.8 quarts. So I pulled out the owners manual to check the proper amount and it said 4.5 quarts. I showed this to the tech and he adjusted my oil level to '4.5 quarts. They actually drained the new oil and put new oil back in at a measured 4.5 quarts. I thought that was a waste of oil but hey, it was free. I checked the oil level after the adjustment and it read exactly at the top fill line of the dipstick. I can live with that.
Reasonably you would think Acura could or would be able to do a oil change without me checking behind them, but they use people and people make mistakes.
This mistake could have cost me big money in repairs way after my warranty expires. Overfilling oil puts extra pressure on engine seals. Food for thought

 

Yes, people make mistakes. But, why would they have wrong pre-measured amounts? That is why I like to do everything myself around my car to my capabilities. At least I know it is done right or if it is not, I know who to blame.

 

I just took my 5 week old TL back to check tire vibration and cold engine starts. Seems they inflated my tires to 45 lbs each in the front. Only 13 lbs more than bridgestone recommends. It's a wonder I didn't blow out any tires in some potholes. One reason I NEVER bring my car back to the dealer for any maintenance other than warantee work or recall.

 

Dealers are not god when it comes to working on your car. Yes the techs usually pass a special training class specificially for the dealership but that does not allow them to be labeled as the authority for work done to the Acuras, or any other dealer and make for that matter.

 

.3 quarts is such a trivial matter that it is not worth discussing - dealers use pre-measured amounts to avoid waste and speed up turnaround.

 

This is horrifying. They dumped almost 5 quarts of good oil because you complained about a measily 5 ounces of overfill? I can't decide which is more absurd.

 

This is true, but having your so called dealer with "trained/certified" Acura technicians working on the vehicle, one would think they could at least get an oil change done right....
I performed numerous oil changes in my dealership days, all using an automatic oil fill "measuring device". Knowing/ filling either 4.5, 4.8, or 5 qts is a pretty easy thing to remember and perform on each vehicle. If I have techs that can't even get that right,,,, lord help the customer on other jobs..

As with everything now days... It's just a lack of caring (who gives a $h!t attitude)and very little attention to detail.

Thats why when I read and/or hear someone making the comment: "I follow the dealership service plan-schedules/pay their prices etc. for peace of mind"...... I cringe.... Not only does your vehicle not require 90% of the stuff they claim to check/perform, but they don't really do anything yet charge you a premium.
--The other 10% being the oil change and tire rotation.........

Find a knowledgeable, trustworthy, independent shop/mechanic folks.... You will be much better off.

Caviot..... If your dealer service dept has been doing a fine job and prices are reasonable,,, their is no reason not to use them. And the obvious - you have no choice when it comes to warranty work....

Sorry for my rant,,,, I just despise most service depts.... The entire auto/Dealer arena is a complete racket if you ask me. Corrupt and of very little integrity..
But I digress..

 

That's why it is good to change oil yourself. I let the old oil drain a lot longer then a shop would, and I take the time to pre-fill the new oil filter before putting it on so it won't be dry at startup. Sure these are small things but they are things a profit-hungry shop won't do in order to save time and make more money.

 

Wow, it really slows down turnaround to make sure you give a car the proper amount of oil. Give me a break.

 

I can't figure out why they would waste .3 quarts of oil everytime they do a change.

You think the oil is bad, wait until you get a flat tire and have to break free the lug nuts the "technician" drove in with an airgun. I have never seen a dealership technician use a torque wrench.

No thanks, I'll do my own service.

Don

 

^^ i've changed the flats of my car and those motherf'n lugs are TTIGGHHT!

 

They should use a wheel torque extension. Most tire shops have them. They come in various torque settings and elimate over torqing of lug nuts.

 

Obviously you missed the point. I dont care how much oil the car takes, what I care about is if its OVERFILLED with oil. And it was. the .3 your pointing out made the oil fill way over the top fill line on the dipstick.

 

I recently had an oil change too. The following morn. I checked oil level and it was way over..
So I called dealer back, brought the car over and they "fixed" it.

their story was is that for A1 service they don't replace oil filter (could be this true?) and didn't account for oil left in the filter. hard to believe they could be so incompetent when they deal with this stuff on daily basis.

anyhow.. gotta keep an eye on those guys.. 'cause they'll screw up on the simpliest of things.

 

Make them change the filter!

The A service calls for oil change only, but no one in his right mind who respects the mechanical parts of his car would allow the filter to not be changed.

 

I swear... those #@$% Don't anybody EVER go to Mike Harvey Acura in SF Bay..

yeah I'm gonna have to get a hold of their service manager and figure this crap out.

thanx for advice Ron

 

Yeah the torque sticks. Ask to see them and you will see the only tools in the whole shop that do not have a single nick on them. The are pristine because they have never been used.

Don

 

My Acura Service Manager assures me they change the oil filter on every oil change. If my Acura dealership does this, every Acura dealership should.

 

in the day of 90 bucks an hour labor rate for all jobs which I think is stupid. They better put the correct amount of oil in the car. I do not care if it takes someone an extra minute to figure it out. A simple chart on the wall should do... High tech car low tech service...