[kari]

y'all may recall my problems back at my 7500 oil change maintenance ("fondly" documented here http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=4484):
the dealer was hardselling the severe driving conditions over normal, gave me a hard time about the frequency of oil changes, etc.

Well, it all came to a head today when I called to make my 15K appt. I asked to speak to someone so I could estimate how long I'd be out of work (I have to stay with the car) and I had the following exchange:

dealer: what kind of car again?
me: it's the hybrid insight.
dealer: oh, wait, you say it's a hybrid?
me: yes, the insight *hybrid.*
dealer: you mean the civic hybrid?
me: [eyes rolling, veins popping] um, no, there's another hybrid: the INSIGHT HYBRID.

so I'm moving my warranty from (boo hiss!) metro honda in jersey city to (yay, I hope!) garden state honda in clifton nj. Even though when I called they said they follow the severe driving conditions schedule for all maintenance, they were aware that the insight is a hybrid, and also, when I asked how many hybrids they deal with the guy said "oh, 10 or 20" instead of the vague "yeah, we got some" that I heard from the metro honda service department. anyway, they open earlier in the morning than the other guys (very impt if you have to stay with your car for repairs/maintenance before work).

 

[dloop]

Very frustrating talking to a dealer/svc dept that doesn't know their own products.

 

[Insightful Trekker]

<snip>

Even though when I called they said they follow the severe driving conditions schedule for all maintenance,...

Do I see another collision in your near future :?: Reads like it.

Its YOUR car. No dealership has the "right" to require you to do _any_ maintenance on it. In most states the warranty is still valid even without _any_ maintenance unless the lack of maintenance caused the failure. (don't try not changing your oil when due)

Your warranty is honorable at _any_ Honda dealership in the USA. No transfer is required.

Find a local mom & pop shop that specializes in Honda and have the maintenance done by the "book" (the schedule in the owner's manual , you choose severe or not, or something in between). And "build" a business relationship with them. Any such shop worth their salt won't balk at maintenance of a hybrid. There's nothing "special" about it. Although they'll need a bit of "education" in regard the the quantity and weight (0W-20) of oil and your choice of tire pressures. And some additional lead time for obtaining some parts.

You and your bank account will be glad you did :!:

HTH!

 

[kari]

I'm at the dealer now, and they're already 10,000x better than the first (internet! using actual computers to keep records!). I talked them down to normal maintenance - I am implacable, sometimes. I have high hopes! I have to admit, I am forever an optimist...

 

[Guest]

I talked them down to normal maintenance

Every Honda or Subaru dealer I have ever been to has their own maintenance scheme (often printed up) which is generally along the lines of the mfr's severe conditions schedule. If northern NJ or southern CT is severe, then WHERE is a place that is NOT severe? Also, they plead total ignorance of the maintenance schedule that is right in the owner's handbook of the cars that they sell!

Oddly, they generally omit the periodic brake & clutch system flushes that Honda recommends. Guess they don't like to do that.

I finally resorted to making enlarged photocopies of the mfr's maintenance schedule, using a highlighter to mark what I want done, and giving that to them. I insist on no additives (if they're using quality fluids, additives are unnecessary and might even cause problems). Sometimes they forget so I insist on refunds.

This has gotten to be such a hassle that I'm looking for a local independent garage. I've been looking at the listings on CarTalk.com

I have oil changes at 5000 mile intervals because it's easy to remember, and I use synthetic oils. Used to do it myself but no garage anymore.

 

[Fred]

As Mr. Bullock said ... "IT'S YOUR CAR." and I add, it's also your money!

If I may suggest, if you can't find a decent Honda dealer/shop that is satisfactory, take your time and cultivate a "local" repair shop. You have plenty of time between oil changes and the like to do this; check your owners manual - 5,000 miles is if I recall, way too often.

You may have to go through three or four repair shops until you find the right one (and there's no guarantee that they'll be in business until you get rid of the car).

And strangely enough the best ones will probably be the small, often dirty, little shops where the owner(s) are not the brightest business people you'll ever come across but they're really good mechanics ... and when you find one such repair shop "cultivate" them. It won't take much (a six pack or the like with each visit) - it'll be funds well spent!.

Hope this helps!

Fred

 

[Resist]

This is why I change my own oil. Drive the car up on Rhino ramps and take out 10 10mm bolts and 2 plastic pop studs, to remove the 3 under panels. Remove the oil drain bolt to drain the oil then the old filter with a new one. Fill it with new oil and I'm done in 15 minutes.

 

[minako]

Same here.

I have a distrust of oil changes done by anyone other than myself or my boyfriend. I'm paranoid that all the old oil won't drain out... or they won't put the oil filter on correctly... etc.