That seems to be everywhere. I had inspected my front brakes and measured the pads one day. 4mm. I know it's low but it's still got meat. The next week I had taken the car in to an independent shop for a radiator replacement. I would have done it myself but the ac had to be recovered so I was stuck. They recommended brakes which they probably should have but they specifically said they were at 2mm. They weren't.
oil change at dealership
- Thread starter starrynight
- Start date
You just use a single 2x6 ? I seen ramps made with like 3 2x6 screwed together and staggered upward. Theres a few YouTube videos on folks doing this. I have a set of steel ramps . But they are actually too steep for most cars due to height. Trucks no issues. Wardawg
Yes. I had a set of homemade ramps, as you describe, at my old place. I made them because my steel ramps were too steep, also as you describe. Mine were only 2 stage but unfortunately, they didn't make the move west. I can do the HRV on only a single 2x6 because the drain plug and filter are pretty far forward and I'm pretty skinny. The most difficult part was removing the two rearward screws for the splash shield. Once I got rid of the splash shield, it's pretty easy.
My independent shop is the opposite. I have to twist their arm to get things done. I've taken my car in for brakes and they'll call me up later in the day and say it's good for another 8k miles and to come pick it up. No charge.
If it's under warranty there'll be no issues with a free oil change, minus the risk of negligence. Once you're 5 miles over that warranty a plethora of problems will surface. I had a clunk on a CV shaft that was noted several times yet I got the "normal operation' run around. Once out of warranty they suddenly wanted to replace the CV shaft. This was back in 08/09 and I threw a big enough fit that the manufacture covered it.
Interesting choice.
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Nothing wrong with the transmission service, imo. Most owners don't do it enough.
OP, I agree with the others about them likely recommending wiper blades and air/cabin filter. You can decide if you think the car needs any of those things, Also the folks here saying 'don't do stuff you can do yourself' fail to realize some people can't do it themselves or simply don't want to. Nothing wrong with having a shop do it if you choose not to. I used to change my own oil but now always have it done, because I live in a situation where it would be problematic to do it myself. One day I hope to be able to do it again myself, but not right now. 'Different strokes..' and all that.
Patman
Staff member
I discarded the shield on my Civic as well. For the first couple of years with the car I was getting oil changes done at fast lubes right after I moved into my condo. But the shield kept coming loose and I had to go back a couple of times to get the place to secure it again. When I started doing my own changes again I just tossed it in the garbage. It really isn’t necessary anyway, it’s just an extra step at oil change time
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Same with mine.
I don't mind having the transmission service done but it was about 30k and it was a flush not a spill and fill. I argued with them about it and they told me that 30k was when a flush was supposed to be done. I asked about doing it when the MM said to and just a spill and fill; they gave me a blank look. I then asked if the transmission blew up from me not doing it when they wanted me to, but I did do it when the MM said to, who would be responsible for the repair? Their response was "we would" meaning the dealer. 180k later and only doing spill and fills the transmission is still running. And that is after using AMSOIL Signature Series for the last to changes.
I would imagine they wouldn’t try to upsell a person who, in addition to bringing their own oil and filter, is also requesting empties.
I’m willing to cut a little slack re: 2 mils difference.
100%…Ain’t nothing free in this world.
It seems like a lot of dealers use tires as a loss leader. I get them exclusively there. They are priced like independents and seem to have a good grasp of the RoadForce balancer. I’ve never had issues.
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Same with oil changes around my place ( but I bring my own oil )
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I drive far more than most and have always ( except with a Toyota I used to service at an independent shop ) serviced all my Honda's at various Honda dealership's and I have never seen them try to upsell a service to me ( except when I buy the car from the sales people ).
The only complaint I have had with getting my cars serviced at Honda dealers ( they are more expensive with labour ) is lately. I had numerous electrical gremlins in my car ( all kinds of lights on the dash, cruise control rpm fluctuating a lot on the highway ) and two dealerships could not find the problem even after several visits ( to two dealerships )and very expensive parts replaced.
They had their most experienced techs working on the car and said they had not seen this problem before. Every time they thought the car was fixed, a few days later, all the lights would come back on flashing.
I told them, surely you can contact Honda Canada tech for help ( Honda must have seen this problem, somewhere in Canada, or the world ) because it's unacceptable to expect a customer to pay for a dealership , who charge more, brag about knowing Honda better than independent shops, to keep replacing very expensive parts but the problem keeps coming back and the cost of the repairs are worth more than the car.
Eventually ,they worked with Honda Canada tech and said ( waiting for part to arrive ) the wiring harness ( major job ) is the problem.
So, none of those other expensive parts had to be replaced ( alternator $2000.00 plus lots of other stuff ) and they said I will get reimbursed.
Why did the customer have to ask why a dealership wasn't contacting Honda Canada tech for help versus doing the parts cannon thing ( Care care nut talks about that ) was very annoying and surprising.
I am pretty sure when my airline has a mysterious maintenance problem they can't fix, they call Airbuis tech for advice.
Condo dweller here as well. Even though it's frowned upon, I do my oil changes at home, hit and run, guerrilla style, on weekends when the management is away. Without the shield, it's easy to slide under the front bumper and get it done before anyone even notices what I'm doing. Fiddling with the shield takes longer than the rest of the job so into the dumpster it went.
well yes and I didn't really get too bothered by it but it was still a difference of 50%. I have continued to use this shop since then but I am more cautious of what they say now.
sidenote: While everyone was watching the superbowl I was changing oil and checking brakes. I measured the pads again. Still at 4mm 10 months later. I am defintely monitoring it because I dont want to go metal to metal. I am super curious to see how the original brake rotor has fared after two OEM pad changes.
My 1st place was a condo, with rules about car repair. I did oil changes and the HOA guy came by and told me I wasn't supposed to do oil changes. I told him tough, and then offered to help him with his car. He was very happy, and yes I changed the oil in his whatever car.
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