First time getting Oil Change...what to expect ?? (best, engine, leaking)

[bobman]

Paying for an oil change is fair enough, but putting air in the tyres is something you really need to learn to do.

You should not wait until you go to a garage. Under or overinflated tyres are dangerous. Period.

Read your manual, find out the correct prressure for your car, then find somewhere with an airline. If you can't figure it out, ask someone to show you.

[jambo101]

Pick one = Google
If you go to one of the kwik lube places instead of a regular garage insist on just an oil change as they'll try to get you to change tranny oil, and just about every filter on the car.

Use synthetic oil and run it 10,000 miles between changes, agreed on avoiding Fram filters.
Should run $30-$50

[TheViking85]

Go look in the owners manual that came with the car, how often does it state that it needs an oil change? Is be seriously surprised if Honda recommends every 3k miles.

EDIT: From what I could fine online, without downloading the owners manual, your car has a recommended interval of 7,5k miles (5k severe).

Oh and use whatever oil and filter Honda recommends our better.

[car54]

Opinions on oil change intervals aside...I would have changed the oil immediately after purchasing the car. (unless I knew AND trusted the seller)

[TheViking85]

Originally Posted by car54

Opinions on oil change intervals aside...I would have changed the oil immediately after purchasing the car. (unless I knew AND trusted the seller)

True, never a bad idea to go over some of the fluids, I threw an extra change into mine as it had been changed by the dealership selling the car (not same brand dealership), after 2500 miles that oil felt like water and was completely black, the Amsoil i put into it now looks and feels better after 7,5k miles.

[Drew303]

Originally Posted by rottenchester

hmmm, let's see. Well drive down to your local auto repair shop in your nicest jeans. You'll see a guy named hank. Don't look hank in the eyes. Mention your name is "tim" or "lila" if your female, and that you're there for the "number one." hand hank your car keys to let him know you're serious. He'll lead you into a secret room behind the stock room. Knock three times in rapid succession and whisper, "taco sauce." a little sliding door will open and hand you a stick of gum. Head back to the waiting room in the front, or as most people call it, the room that smells like grease n' stuff. Wait. Wait some more. Hank should return and let you know "it's done." he'll hand you back your keys and you pay him in kind. Then get the hell out of there.

lol

[stonny9]

I would do 5k on regular and 7-10k on synthetic or 1 year change interval whatever comes first. How many miles on car? Without a complete oil change history and greater then 100k u might want to just use regular or semi-synthetic cause the synthetic has better cleaning and may remove the sludge if any that was preventing leaks. If it did start to leak it would only be a few drops a day. You might want to consider a high mileage oil for at least a few oil changes cause they have higher additives to help the dried seals swell back up some.

check out bitog bobistheoilguy.com

[jtur88]

You should expect that the service boy will show your transmission dipstick and explain to you that you need to pour in a $10 additive.

Look for ads in the sports section of your local paper, where automotive services are advertised. Find a shop that is offering a discount coupon, you can easily get 5-bucks off. Some shops offer a discount during certain hours when business is slow, like weekday morning. Or page through those annoying weekly flyers in your mailbox. Or maybe your Yellow Pages has a section of discount coupons. You might never have to pay full price for an oil change.

Some places, like Precision Tune, offer "change only" about ten bucks cheaper, and they don't check any other fluids or anything. But in your case, inexperienced, it's better to have the full-service change, unless you know how to do it or have a friend who can do that for you.

If you have a regular mechanic or know a shop that will do it, you may be able to just pay a flat labor rate, and then buy whatever oil is the advertised special at an auto-parts store that week. Then take in your oil and a new filter and have your mechanic change it. You'll get the benefit of the discounted oil, and know that it's not being done by an unsupervised trainee. (My mechanic does it for $12.)

Read your owner's manual and see how often your car's oil needs to be changed. The oil change shop will always, automatically, tell you it needs it every 3,000 miles (guess why), but no car requires a change that often. Most are 4500 to 6000, maybe even more depending on your climate and type of driving.

If you never need to add oil between changes, consider fully synthetic, and change it only half as often.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Many of the tire places offer free air checks on the tires. Sure they may tell you that you need to replace them as well but the air is free and they will fill it for you.

As for me I like to check our cars out once a week. doesn't hurt to learn how to read the dipstick and get a tire presure guage to make sure that you have the correct amount of air pressure. many newer cars list the correct air pressure on a label inside the door jamb of the driver door. Keep in mind that is for stock tires though, or what would be considered original equipment for the car. In addition many cars, two of ours offer this, let you know what kind of oil to put in the engine. Our 2005 Chevy Astro van has 5W30 weight listed on the oil filler cap. Other cars may have a label within the engine compartment that lets you know what oil weight to use. Like me if you do this on a regular basis I don't think it matters on brand of oil, unless your specific car calls for a specific brand of oil. Some may disagree and it could also depend on what part of the nation that you live in. Over time all oil breaks down and looses its ability to lubricate your engine. Other factors that will influence when you change the oil are if you don't drive the car as often. If you put only 6,000 miles a year on the car you may still want to change the oil more often. Many times it is the mileage or time. In the past everyone recomended 3,000 miles or 3 months. Many brands state that you can get away with much longer intervals between changes. Still I would look at the time and mileage as a rule of thumb.

[frado]

I would look for a reputable Honda dealer in your area, check their website for coupons and go from there.
That is what we do and we pay for oil changes between $15 and $20. Our dealer also checks for varies other stuff.