Another A-1 Service Question
 

I think this might have been beaten to death somewhere already, but I can't seem to find it on the forum:

I'm wondering if someone can tell me why I should (or shouldn't) use Mobile 0W-20 for my first service? Everyone here seems to think it's the best stuff around. I called my Honda dealer, he said they use 0W-30 Honda oil which is made by Mobil. Is that alright? Is it synthetic or not? Should I go with synthetic? I live in central IL, where the summers are HOT and the winters are COLD, if that helps.

Also, I asked him about the firmware update that some people have recently talked about getting, and he said that they just need to plug in my VIN number when I bring my car in to see if it has the latest version of the software. Does that sound right?

Incidentally, $59.98 for A-1 service. And please forgive my questions...I'm oil ignorant and an overly-cautious consumer.

Re: Another A-1 Service Question
 

UPDATE - I just called another dealer who said they use 5W-20 and then quoted me $24.95 for the same service!

He said that Honda uses some sort of scale to determine service prices, but he can't justify the $60 price for a simple oil change and inspection. So, I can drive an additional 60 miles round trip ($3 in gas?) to save $45. I think I'll do that.

I guess the point is, check around!

Re: Another A-1 Service Question
 

Is the HCH II oil requirements different than the HCH I? HCH I requires 0w20. I use Mobil1 0w20 and change the oil myself.

Re: Another A-1 Service Question
 

People like the Mobil1 0W-20 because it's a true synthetic that matches the engine spec. The jury is still out on whether or not Honda's 0W-20 is a true synth, as well as where they get it. For all we know, it could be rebadged M1. The dealer who's using 5W-20 is taking advantage of the engine allowing that as an alternate, but since it's heavier, your efficiency won't be quite as good, all else being equal.

Re: Another A-1 Service Question
 

Also, the Honda dealer service includes the tire rotation. I did my first oil change at a non-dealer location, but paid for the oil at Honda. I saved $1.20 and didn't get the tire rotation. I'll do the rest at the dealer.

Re: Another A-1 Service Question
 

My dealer wantd $45 for oil change and another $40 for Tire rotation. I had them do oil change and I did the tire rotation (15 min, tops).

Re: Another A-1 Service Question
 

$40 for a tire rotation is like $25 for a can of Bumblebee tuna at Walmart.

Just my opinion.

Re: Another A-1 Service Question
 

Interesting...my dealer quoted $55 for both. I thought it was high and ended up paying that much anyway. Oh well...

Re: Another A-1 Service Question
 

Had my A1 service back on Monday just shy of 8,000 miles at my local shop. Oil change was $21.20 (I supplied the oil which saved 4 quarts @ $5.50 or $22.00), tire rotation was no charge, state inspection was $18.00, state emissions were $35.00 for a total of $115.00 but that includes $55.00 in inspection fees or $60.00 for the A1 service. If they used their oil then they would have charged 3.5 quarts but since they gave me the half-used bottle back then I quoted the 4-quart price. Fuel economy is up 4-8 mpg so spending $60 saved me 1.5 gallons of gas today at $2.29 so the oil change will pay for itself in less than a month. Boy do I love this car more and more every day.

Re: Another A-1 Service Question
 

I paid $49.52 for my A-1 service at the dealer and they used the 0W-20.