Car Oil

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Krishant007

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# 175104 17-Jun-2015 14:45

I wanted to get some opinions from others - regarding engine oil to be used.

Naturally most car manufacturer's would recommend using their own oil since it was specially made for the car. But forgetting all that, I would like to know if there is any particular things I should be looking out for. I just recently bought a Honda Civic Euro - and surprise - its due for service in a couple of months. I got it from Albany Toyota so I dont know if they have changed the engine oil and done a service on the car before selling. I had assumed that all dealers would do this but the service sticker on the windshield has not been changed - although the WOF is new and is valid for 1 year.

Anyways, what I wanted to know is if its ok for me to go to another car garage to get a standard servicing done (change engine oil filters etc) or should I stick with Honda? If another mechanic is fine, should I be on the look out for types of oil they use?

Thanks

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# 1326545 17-Jun-2015 14:49

If you are still under manufacturer's warranty then there are usually restrictions on where it can go for a service.

If it is older than that then go to any mechanic you trust.

MikeB4

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# 1326546 17-Jun-2015 14:51

I take it the car is not new given it was purchased from a Toyota Dealer, is it still under new car warranty? if so check that the service agent is approved for servicing by Honda, if it is no longer under warranty you are free to take it to any reputable service agent.

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nakedmolerat

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# 1326547 17-Jun-2015 14:52

1. Is the car under warranty? If yes, you would want to go to dealer.

2. I thought the car was usually serviced prior to being sold (they don't have to though). Have you checked the oil - how does it look like?

3. If the car has lots of electronics and not very common on the NZ road, I would go to the dealership as they have specific tools.

4. I just saw that you bought the Honda from albany Toyota? I assume the car belongs to someone who trade the Honda for Toyota? If that is the case, I believe they won't service it prior to sale.

pdath

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# 1326548 17-Jun-2015 14:54

Is your car under warranty? If so, I would stick with the warranty provider. You don't want any finger pointing later on if an issue arises.

If not, go to whomever you trust.

For 99% of road cars, engine oil is not made for a car. If may well be re-branded "Honda" but it will just be that - re-branded. A car engine is designed for a particular grade of oil. This will usually be in the owners manual that came with the car. It will definitely be in the service manual (doesn't usually come with the car) and sometimes is printed on a sticker or printed on a plate attached to the car. As long as you use oil meeting or exceeding that specification you are fine. You should also get the oil filter replaced when you replace the oil.

You should expect any qualified mechanic to use suitable oil without you having to specify or say anything. This is something that is very basic.

If you want to use higher spec oil, such as fully synthetic, then you will need to tell the mechanic, as they are unlikely to use oil that costs considerably more than what is specified for the car.

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heylinb4nz

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# 1326586 17-Jun-2015 15:19

I'm going to assume its used \ trade in so not under manufacturer warranty, as I suspect Albany Toyota don't sell Honda Civic Euro.

Personally I only use the dealer for specialized or highly car specific work (ie very rarely)

Oil changes pick any mechanic you trust (or do it yourself). Most of the time they will use bulk (Shell helix, Fuches etc) mineral or semi synthetic oil in a couple of grades (5W30 or 5W40).

Without knowing your year id use this guide.

http://www.datateck.com.au/Lube/PenriteNzl/

And stick with recommended viscosity. Plus choose something quality that you trust. Cant go wrong with Castrol, Mobil, Penrite, Valvoline Semi-Synthetics or Full Synthetics. Its only $80 every 6 months.

Krishant007

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# 1326610 17-Jun-2015 16:01

Yup the car is second hand (2012). The car is still under warranty until August this year.

Normally I just go to one of the local mechanics and get them to do their thing. I did contact Honda and they said this car has no outstanding services left on it.

Anyone know if Honda normally provide servicing during its 3 year warranty period (like all other car dealers do)?

Can anyone recommend a trusted mechanic that they personally use and would recommend (decent price and nothing extravagant).

Thanks for the note that the servicing agent is approved - would not have looked out for this otherwise.

Inphinity

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# 1326633 17-Jun-2015 16:20

Krishant007:
Anyone know if Honda normally provide servicing during its 3 year warranty period (like all other car dealers do)?

Like many car brands, you have the option to buy a service package (typically 3 or 5 years) at time of 'new' purchase - so it depends if the original purchaser took this offer up.

nakedmolerat

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# 1326674 17-Jun-2015 16:39

Krishant007: Yup the car is second hand (2012). The car is still under warranty until August this year.

Normally I just go to one of the local mechanics and get them to do their thing. I did contact Honda and they said this car has no outstanding services left on it.

Anyone know if Honda normally provide servicing during its 3 year warranty period (like all other car dealers do)?

No - offering free services is not the norm - it is more of an exception, deal struck between the buyer and salesman.

Can anyone recommend a trusted mechanic that they personally use and would recommend (decent price and nothing extravagant).

Thanks for the note that the servicing agent is approved - would not have looked out for this otherwise.

In the past - oil change/filter, I did this by myself. I just took the car to specific shop for radiator etc etc.

I have also used the Pit Stop for service when lazy (not in Auckland though).

Given that your car is less than 5 years old, I probably go to the Honda and get it serviced properly. You will be surprised that the cost is probably similar/close to the other independent workshops, with the advantage of getting it done as per manufacturer guide.

CitizenErased

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# 1326697 17-Jun-2015 16:59

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FYI: Honda dealers use 0W-20 synthetic oil when servicing these vehicles.

nakedmolerat

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# 1326833 17-Jun-2015 21:47

I saw this from Honda NZ.

Every new Honda we sell comes with a 5 Year unlimited kilometre Warranty & Roadside Assistance.

You better confirm that with Honda if yours is NZ NEW.

Krishant007

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# 1326851 17-Jun-2015 22:00

This car was 2012. I dont think that has the 5 year warranty, i think it still has 3 year warranty. I can double check with the dealer still. I got an email from Honda saying they use Honda Semi synthetic ZERO / 20. I am not an expert - the zero means its pretty good right?

Jase2985

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# 1326854 17-Jun-2015 22:06

no its just the grade of oil 0w20 fully synthetic

its 78.69 for 4.5L of the oil from honda (thats the bulk price) can be had for about $15 less with a trade discount. not sure what it is in 4L containers.

Aredwood

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# 1326864 17-Jun-2015 22:33

Just pay for the proper full synthetic oil. As alot of cars 2005+ need full synthetic due to having exhaust particulate filters. And / or exhaust gas recirculation. As cheap oils cause the engine to produce ash ect as small amounts of oil get burned as part of the engine operating. This blocks up the particulate filter, exhaust gas recirc system, and inlet manifold. If these parts need cleaning/ replacing it will be very expensive. A new particulate filter will easily cost over $1000 just for the part only. And lots of labour involved to remove , clean and reinstall the inlet manifold and EGR system. All for the sake of spending an extra $50 every 6 months or so. (Cost difference between full synthetic oil and cheap mineral oil). And you would probably recoup that $50 through better fuel economy anyway.

alasta

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# 1326865 17-Jun-2015 22:35

nakedmolerat: I saw this from Honda NZ.

Every new Honda we sell comes with a 5 Year unlimited kilometre Warranty & Roadside Assistance.

You better confirm that with Honda if yours is NZ NEW.

Honda have only started offering five year warranties just recently. It's gradually becoming the new industry standard.

Jase2985

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# 1326866 17-Jun-2015 22:37

the Honda motors run very tight tolerances and very narrow oil channels so thats why the oil is so thin.

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