Rep Power: 335

Well just got dropped off by the dealership shuttle (nice honda element). I wasn't going to wait 2 hours, because I wanted a little more than the usualy oil change don.


Over all the beginning was pleasant. Took the car in for 30000 mile oil & filter change, transmission fluid, and to finally get that headlight recall fixed. I told them I already had a maintenance special done a few thousand miles ago, so they didn't push the 30kmile maintenance package. They gave me no problems about the recall, it's under warantee. The only thing I felt weird about was the ATF change; it costs $120.



Here's the bad news. I left the windows down because I didn't want the jackass driving the car 12 feet into the service garage to blast the a/c. I step out and see them all having a party; they pulled out a grill and fired it up smoking the air up. And there was my car right next to it, but at least the wind was blowing the smoke away. Then I waited 10 minutes for the shuttle to finally arrive, and wait 5 more minutes for them to unload all the barbecue, hotdogs, buns, hamburgers in it.

I saw one of the kids working there leaning against my quater panel. and then I saw them pull out a basketball poll/hoop for inside the service garage onto the front of one of the service lanes. I asked the guy who helped me inside if he knew what was going on, and he looked and said "oh they're just having lunch." My biggest fear is that my car will have all grease prints, not from the oil change, but from the food. and my seats will be stained, aside from having new scuffs scratches and minidents.

I wish I had my digicam. Hopefully they'll still be partying themselves when I come back. I'm not saying you're not allowed to have fun at your job, but that was ridiculous. I should have stayed and mooched off their food, while watching the car too.

boooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 
Rep Power: 335

I had already decided after my last oil change that it was my last visit there. I got used to driving my sister's rav4 and the family car to Jiffy Lube. My sister was so prideful of her Toyota dealership until she went there for repairs and they messed up sooo bad.
If not for that Headlight safety recall I would not have even gone to Honda today.


to top it off the driver of the shuttle did not speak english, was talking on his cellphone which almost got us into an accident. fun visit!

 
Rep Power: 813

Man that's retarded. And ATF change should not be more than $50. It took me about 30 mins to change it myself, and I've never done it before. Just take out a bolt, drain fluid, put bolt back, and refill. I did it all in my apartment parking lot without jacking up the car. Only thing I do at the dealer is oil change, and even that's a rip at $30.

 
Rep Power: 0

I hate the $tealership.

Went in for the 10K service on my wife's CRV...$140 for an oil change and tire rotation. NEVER AGAIN. I change my own oil and other maintenance stuff. I don't recall anywhere in the paperwork that states if you don't have the maintenance done at the Honda dealership it voids your warranty, so screw em. My Father in Law worked as a service advisor for years and only quit when the dealership wanted him to start convincing people they needed services they didn't need or want. And most of their mechanics didn't even do the work they were supposed to. If they were supposed to change the ATF or Coolant out, they would go get the fluids and then just store them in their work areas. Every once in a while they would either take it back to the store room or just make it disappear other ways.

 
Rep Power: 335

^that's so messed up! The dealership oil&filter changes are $21, but not always under 30 minutes as advertised.

unfortunately for me, I don't have a garage, the tools, and the knowhow of servicing the engine (I took business ed, instead of mech shop in high school). My dad knows but he told me way back since the car is new just bring it to the dealership. After I lower the car, I'm never coming back again cause I know i'll just get a whole load of bs for an oil change.

 
Rep Power: 0

I don't have a garage either. I've got my apartment complex parking lot. I just go park in the corner, jack it up, and do whatever needs done. Jacks and stands aren't awfully expensive. What finally did it for me was the d0uchebags at my dealership saying that they didn't have time to rotate my tires, but they would be more than happy to do the 30K mile service (which according to their sheet, includes a tire rotation). I like the peace of mind I get from doing it myself. Oil changes and the like really aren't hard at all. I believe there's even a good DIY here on the site.

 
Rep Power: 0

Bro...I am an IT professional...network geek...I didn't take auto shop in HS either. It is not that hard to change the oil on a car, change tranny fluid, rotate tires, change spark plugs, etc. I rebuilt the whole suspension on my '88 325i Convertible in my apartment parking spot. It just takes the right tools and a good manual. I haven't done that much short of fluids on my 'Vic, and granted having a garage is much more convenient but it can be done. My brother on the other hand believes in taking his car to a mechanic. "I make enough money that it is not worth my time" is what he usually tells me...and everytime he takes his 318i in for something, I take his bill, figure out how much it would have cost me to get the parts and how much time it would take to do the work...calculate that out by his hourly income...needless to say I have proven time and again that he would save money doing his own maintenance. Besides the fact that he is basically not doing anything else since his car is being worked on...plus drive time...so he is wasting the time anyway. Rich people didn't get that way by wasting money. They can now that they have money...but they didn't when they were younger.

 
Rep Power: 321

If you rotate your own tires, you still need to have them balanced, and when they're being balanced they're off the car anyway, so its almost pointless to do your own roatations unless you have a shop

 
Rep Power: 0

True...but I buy tires at Discount Tire, they will rotate and balance for free as long as you bought the tires from them.

 
Rep Power: 0

you know it's funny this thread has been mentioned. the day after i got an oil change (while back) i noticed some touch-up paint on my side door, and a little scuff on the front bumper. i'm starting to think that the dealership i go to doesn't pay to much attention and was responsible for it. i would watch them but there's no access to wear you can see them and i can only stay in the lobby. i remember on my first oil change (waiting outside to leave), there was someone who bought a brand new accord. they washed it and was getting it ready for the buyer and one of the employees wipes it down with a DIRTY chamois (car was still a little wet) and it pissed me off to no end. that's why when they offer the wash, i pass on it.

 
Rep Power: 312

If you wanted to remove the tire off the wheel then yes you'd need them remounted and balanced.. but none one does this at home unless they have tire mounting and balancing equipment. The most common way is to rotate your tires front to back on the same side or criss cross them if you dont have directional tires. This can be done at home with simple hand tools.

 
Rep Power: 0

Saying I dont know how to change my oil is like saying How do I work this seat belt. Too easy. Honestly, If you had someone show you, you would be laughing at yourself. Hey, I was that guy at one time also. Just get involved. Even just stay and ask the tech what he's doing. It's your car so you are allowed to oversee what they are doing. Thats the best solution....

 
Rep Power: 813

Sigh, if only I had a good lift or jack. I don't trust my life with the stock one. Does the car even need to be up to change the oil? Cause I can do the tranny fluid with the car down.

 
Rep Power: 0

It makes it way easier to change the oil when it is jacked up. As for the trans fluid, $120 is suppose to be for a full flush, what gearbox did was only a partial fluid change. There is a lot more more involved then when doing the full system flush.

 
Rep Power: 584

what honda dealership was this? ive never had a problem at paramus honda. they always do a good job. oil changes are about the same price as jiffy lube, and they use the honda oil that jiffy lube doesnt have. im gonna start changing my oil sooner or later, its just more convenient for me now since its a PITA after work and i dont have time on the weekends.

 
Rep Power: 413

Sorry bro, but you have no idea what a tire rotation is. A tire rotation is moving the wheels from the front to back/back to front so they wear evenly. Tires only need to be balanced when they are put on a rim. You can rotate your tires in 20 min with directional tires maybe a little longer with non directional tires.

 
Rep Power: 0

Actually, some mechanics will recommend balancing when you rotate your tires. Not so much because you HAVE to, just as a preventive maintenance type of thing. You already have the wheel off the car, might as well (if you are in a shop) throw them on a balancer and make sure. Like I said...you don't HAVE to do it, but some people like to. Discount does it cause it is free anyway...other mechanics do it to charge an extra $40, say you need it blah blah blah. If you are doing your own rotation and you have not noticed any need for balancing before...then don't do it.

On the flip side, I have had cars that when you rotate the tires the ride is all jacked up. Pulls weird, makes all kinds of noise...rotate them back and all the problems go away. And no they weren't directionals. Just odd.

 
Rep Power: 0

I've been taking my Hondas to the same dealer since 1988. This is the 6th one they have serviced. Oil changes are less than Jiffy Lube and I'm done in 30 minutes. Tire rotation is done every 10K for $20 more (they balance the front tires also). Prices have always been reasonable. They only do what is necessary. If they don't have warranty parts in stock they will give me a loaner. I waited 2 weeks for the struts on my 01 EX sedan and I had a loaner free of charge for two weeks. All the service supervisors know me by name and what car I drive. Great Service!

Honda West, Indianapolis, IN

 
Rep Power: 335

Yeah not all dealerships are the same. It's the area, and the people from around the area that make up the dealerships. The one I go to get services is Planet Honda in Passaic. That's a pretty urban area, so just take a guess at what kinda workers they got there.

I bought the car from rt3 Planet Honda in Clifton (nice suburban town), but they send you to Passaic for maintenance... go figure


And now when I drive the car in reverse, I hear a popping or clicking sound from under the car. Only in reverse, not when in normal drive. I hope it doesn't turn into a problem, because i don't ever want to go back there again. Should have not bothered with the tranny fluid change. ****in jackasses