Does anyone do oil changes on their own even under warranty?

[SGP NPC]

The nice part about having a dealer service your car is that they'll report their work on CarFax, which helps maintain the value of the car. However, you (and any other reputable shop) can do that, too.
[/QUOTE]

How would report maintenance to carfax myself?

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[zumbooruk]

The nice part about having a dealer service your car is that they'll report their work on CarFax, which helps maintain the value of the car. However, you (and any other reputable shop) can do that, too.

How would report maintenance to carfax myself?
[/QUOTE]
I use the Carfax Car Care app on my iPhone

I have used it for years to track maintenance for five vehicles.


Not just oil/filter change, but also tire rotations, air filter, brake fluid, any anything else I've done to the car.

I also use it to record every fuel fill up.

Only recently my shop joined and started reporting.

 

[Montrix]

I don't think I've ever had a dealership change the oil on any of my cars. When I was about 150 pounds heavier and didn't move as well, I brought my own oil and filters to a local shop I trusted. Now I do mine, my wife's and my parents in the driveway or garage using ramps. It's not so much that I think I can do it better, it's that I know how it was done and what was used. If I mess it up, that's on me.

The nice part about having a dealer service your car is that they'll report their work on CarFax, which helps maintain the value of the car. However, you (and any other reputable shop) can do that, too.

How would report maintenance to carfax myself?
[/QUOTE]
I think only shops can report it to CarFax, the app doesn't seem to actually record it and not all shops report it either. I personally keep a log book and *try* to keep receipts as well.

 

[AZCWTypeR]

I change my own oil, etc. and record it on Carfax. My dealer appears aligned with Carfax and sends reminders for service. Carfax has a couple check boxes for performing service yourself. I just changed the oil & filter last week and recorded it.

I removed the TCU and have been using the CTR less, so Carfax's mileage estimate was way overstated.

I haven't found the TCU in my wife's CRV Sport Hybrid and it looks as though Carfax knew the exact mileage a couple weeks ago. BTW I'm not fond of spy devices, so this TCU will get removed at some point.

 

[optronix]

Enthusiasts = know-it-alls

I won't disagree that there's probably higher risk in having the dealer do the oil change, so if you're risk averse you're better off doing it yourself.

But you people act like you're handing over your firstborn child to be circumcised. Look up "pearl clutching" or "cringe"- it's this thread.

 

[Websitesdown]

Enthusiasts = know-it-alls

I won't disagree that there's probably higher risk in having the dealer do the oil change, so if you're risk averse you're better off doing it yourself.

But you people act like you're handing over your firstborn child to be circumcised. Look up "pearl clutching" or "cringe"- it's this thread.

Ruh roh.

 

[AspecR]

If you're gonna go to a dealership for service, do your best to go to one that has actual Honda enthusiasts working the service department. Not easy to find at all but it will be worth the effort in the long run.

 

[SonicRSC]

I will NEVER let anyone else change my oil again. I have had the drain plug left loose and pop off, overtight filter, and you will not know if they put a new crush washer on until you check it later. Over/under fill the oil level...etc. I also do my break in oil & filter change on any new vehicle at 1000 miles. The very first time you remove the drain bolt they usually have a torque mark from the factory that you can use to realign and make sure you don't over tighten yourself. I enjoy my oil changes, and know that every step is done correctly. If I plan to keep a car I always change every 3-5K regardless of the oil type. I am an Amsoil fan and it has never failed me.

 

[jtlctr]

Enthusiasts = know-it-alls

I won't disagree that there's probably higher risk in having the dealer do the oil change, so if you're risk averse you're better off doing it yourself.

But you people act like you're handing over your firstborn child to be circumcised. Look up "pearl clutching" or "cringe"- it's this thread.

As someone who has looked at a lot of work done by other mechanics, I have to disagree with your “pearl clutching” comment. There is some seriously bad talent out there, especially in the case of dealerships. I don’t think there is a high probability of catastrophic damage, but considering all the incompetence or just plain old laziness, there’s a strong case to be made for avoiding dealerships. I also think the method of using labor manuals to pay technicians is highly flawed. If someone gets paid for 1 hour of labor, regardless of the actual time they spend on a job, more often than not, that person will rush through the job to fatten their paycheck.
Unless you’re uncomfortable with changing your oil, I say it’s well worth the $50 or so to do it yourself.

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