Depending on how much you drive - I think an average would be an oil change every 8 months; i.e. 3 oil changes every two years, particularly because the CR-V requires synthetic oil. Otherwise I think your estimate is fair. I know some dealerships offer oil-change coupons that are tied to the A1 and B1 maintenance services. In the latter case, the oil change is only free if it is done with the rest of the B1 service (~ $300). Are there any strings attached with yours? If not, your estimate seems fair.

 

I will probably drive between 10- 15k Km per year so using synthetic would mean every 8000 kms or so... so it's probably closer to around $1000 then...

thanks,
John

 

I also got free oil changes. My dealer says they won't do the free change until the MM hits 15%. Unless you drive a LOT, or under really horrible conditions, that's nowhere near 3 per year (2 is more reasonable if you have a long commute or go on a lot of road trips.)

I know some dealers with these plans require you to perform all scheduled maintenance due at the time as a condition of your "free" oil change, and that could eat up the savings in a hurry if they charge you $25 to rotate the tires and decide some "inspect X for Y" counts as a full hour of labor.

 

my dealer gave me 3/36 total free maintenance with 5000 mile oil changes

 

How long do you plan on keeping the car? 100,000 miles?

If so you can get mobile 1 oil and mobile 1 filter for a $35 oil change using good stuff(dealer probably uses cheapest oil and filter possible). 10,000 mile average oil change puts oil changes for 100,000 miles at a $350 value to me.

I'd rather do it myself knowing it's done right and knowing exactly what's going into my engine. Just my choice.

 

My dealership offered them for free but charge $26 for tire rotation.

 

My son (Civic EX) and I (CRV EX) bought our Hondas at Leith in Raleigh and they give 7 free oil changes whenever you want them. The next day is ok with them. But my wife bought her Civic at AutoPark Honda (owned by Leith) and when I took her car in at 20% they told me they couldn't do it until 15%. They changed the figure as they knew I had drive a ways to get there. They said what they do for people that want to change earlier is to not reset the mileage minder and then then it will show eligible when you come in the next time so you wind up paying for every other oil change. (Keep wanting to say Oil Filter Lube but there is no lube anymore.) Couldn't help but wonder about how that would affect warranty, especially out on the road.

 

I also got mine at Leith, although they've upgraded the offer since January to lifetime oil changes if you wait until 15% (which is when the car starts bugging you about it anyways.) I'm not sure if there's a catch (like a mandatory $25 tire rotation), because I haven't needed a change yet.

It would not surprise me in the least if the car recorded when, and by how much, you ever flew past the MM "deadline".

 

I would push for more money off the car over the free oil changes. They would be almost worthless to me. By the time I drive to the dealer (30min), wait for them to get around to it (1-2 hours), and drive home, I've wasted half a day. I do it myself on my car, but my wife likes to have the paperwork so she does a 10 Min oil change. I can do an oil change on my truck in less than 30 min.

The deal with my daughter was that before she could get her drivers license, she had to be able to change a tire, do an oil change, and brake job. Even if she does not do that later in life, at least she knows what is involved, and hopefully it will keep her from being taken advantage of.

 

I change my own oil and it only cost me 32 bucks for synthetic oil with oem filter / crush washer plus my time. It's not worth it to me. Last time I took my car into the dealer I need the visor because the tech touched it with his grease hands. replaced and my rims were all scratched up, I rather go to a well trusted independent repair shop.


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I got lifetime oil changes and state inspections. My previous experiences with my dealer's service department have been positive -- and they don't withhold the free oil changes if you decline other recommended service. They also extended a free lifetime power train warranty, but that one requires all service to be performed at the issuing dealer -- including tire rotations. Wonder if they'll also require that I purchase batteries and new tires there as well?

 

Anything more than a nominal fee (like $5) for a tire rotation really sticks in my craw. It'd be one thing if they normally used a grease pit like Jiffy Lube and actually had to do some effort to get the car on a lift. But it's already on the lift, and it's silly to $20 and up to zap the wheels with an impact gun, swap them, and then put the nuts back on (virtually always by zapping those with an impact gun too, instead of torquing them properly.)

Even if you don't change your own oil, it can still be financially worth it to buy a jack and stands just for this one use.

 

My car is almost 2.5 years old. I have changed oil every 6 months (that is when my reminder comes up).

 

Your free oil changes probably won't be when you or the average owner would want them to be done. I'm sure they would only be when your 'computer' said it was time to change. Most people think that is too long of a time between oil changes. The other thing to consider is how long do you plan to keep the car.

 

Apparently I am not an "average owner" or "most people" then.

I follow the 'computer' recommendations for maintenance on my Hondas.

I keep my cars for 200,000+ miles.

The cars have been rock solid reliable, with no mechanical problems. No oil consumption. No burning oil.

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Sounds like a scam to me. Besides, what if you decide to move or get rid of the car early? Also if it's already included there's no incentive for them to provide decent service since you can't take your business elsewhere.

 

For many years, I have sequenced my service to 5000 mi intervals, using Mobil1 products that I supply. CVT fluid and coolant is Honda brand and dealer supplied. When I go in for service, it's scheduled with a Honda Certified Master Mechanic who I know & trust. I like to use 5000 mi intervals because that synchronizes with the other maintenance reccomended, plus I get a Honda multipoint inspection and a tire rotation as well.
IMHO, the MM schedule is an algorithm, based on time, mileage, average speeds, number of start cycles, temperatures etc, tells you NOTHING about actual oil condition, including fuel dilution or additive package depletion. The Blackstone UOA's that I have had done bear this out. My wife's car, (now a CRV as well) generally is only driven about 3000 miles a year, so it gets changed annually when it gets inspected. Things like intake and cabin filters I change every 10k or, annually. It's absolutely amazing how dirty cabin filters get, I check and replace more often if needed because of my rampant allergies. Using the MM, any scheduled item/fluid is usually at or close to end-of-life and is marginal in performance. Coming from a career in Biomedical Engineering, repairing & maintaining medical equipment I'm a believer in PREVENTATIVE maintenance as when a maintenance item is marginal, it's likelihood of failure with perifial damage increases. According to my mechanic, people who push service intervals, (especially brake fluid!) have more problems and expensive repairs if they keep their cars. I know full well, the tales of cars lasting hundreds of thousands of miles with almost no maintenance, but that's the exception, not what usually happens. When I set out on a trip, sometimes hundreds of miles, I prefer the confidence of knowing my vehicle is far less likely to fail because I've done due diligence. YMMV, but that's what has worked for me.

 

I get free lifetime oil and filter changes and free lifetime tire repair (if flat is repairable). They even removed one flat and patched from the inside and rebalanced. All no charge for as long as I own my CRV. I take my car in for free safety inspection, if oil is at 20% they go ahead and change it. 2.5 years now and they have never tried to sale me something extra. I do pay $26 to rotate my tires. Checkered Flag, Norfolk.

 

I don't know if there is a Discount Tire store near you, but they will rotate tires for free for anyone, no need to have bought tires there, May be called America's Tire store in some parts. Flat repairs are free also.

 

These free programs are meant to bring you into the door and to sell you additional services. If your car is new, then there is less of a chance that the cross selling happens, but as your car ages, they will find more "recommendations" to extract more "businesses" from you. I had a friend with an older Lexus and his alternator went out. He had it towed to a dealership for diagnostic. He got back a stack of papers listing out the "urgent" items he should have the dealership taken care of. Some of the urgent items include "windshield wipers". His estimated total to take care of the laundry list was about $3000.

 

Short comment on this resurrected old topic.....

NOTHING is free in American capitalism. There is always a price.... so make sure you know it up front.

Sometimes it is to get you under their thumb with other service recommendations. Though in fairness.. Honda Corporate keeps dealers on a pretty short leash in this regard..... only allowing them to recommend actual required/recommended service per Honda service requirements. So if you do feel you got taken by an unscrupulous play by a Honda dealer.... politely and accurately report the issue to Honda corporate... particularly in any post service survey Honda may send you.

Sometimes the only price is the service provider building good will and loyalty from you for good service rendered. That certainly is how Americas Tire became my only source of service for tire related needs.... because of their free, fast, and painless service for walk in customers needing a tire puncture repaired... even it if is an OEM tire on a new vehicle. They want good customer repeat business and they are willing to invest in free services to anyone who comes into their shop for tire repairs, air check and adjust, etc. These cost them almost nothing the way they handle them in their normal work stream.. and it builds valuable good will with drivers... making many of them repeat customers for tire purchases.

 

Free oil changes seems like a winner for the dealer not the customer. Life happens, who knows how long you'll have the car. It could get wrecked, you might need to get shot of it, etc. Dealer gets all his money up front. Pass.