Hi FitFreaks, I bet you know the answer...

All in all I was very happy with the purchase process of my 2013 FIT. The dealership was real nice, not pushy, and helpful in every way.

One thing kinda struck me as odd though. When we picked up the car the salesman introduced us to the service manager, very nice, and as we were leaving he said "be sure to have your oil changed here, Honda uses a special synthetic/natural oil blend".

I've seen lots of discussion here in the FF Forums about natural v. synthetic, change intervals and so on but nothing about Honda brand oil...

So the question, was he hosing me to get me to come in for routine oil changes?

 

No, not really, but kind of.

You don't need to use Honda's 0W20, you can use any API certified 0W20 oil. There is no 0W20 dino oil... all oils in that weight are somewhat synthetically manufactured, so it's only available in synthetic blend or synthetic. So he's kind of lying and kind of not.

You can get your oil changed anywhere, even at home, not just at the dealership with no effect to your warranty.

 

Thanks Wanderer! Gota admit I dont think I've ever seen 0-20 oil.

I'm thinking I will have the first service or two done at the dealer anyway. Like I mentioned they seem like good folks.

 

+1
I don't get paid to say "why don't you get it cheaper at Wally World?" I get paid to sell it off my own shelf.

We dealer people like to play up the sure, any fluid that says it meets the standard should be good enough, but we carry the actual fluid we get from the factory- wouldn't you rather have that? Many service customers are there because they're either cultists or they feel insecure because cars are complicated and just go to the dealership because they know that brand best.

It's just low level selling, like asking if you want to supersize your lunch combo.

 

Nothing wrong with going to the dealership either. Dealership bulk oil in the tank is not always "Honda" oil (which is actually just rebranded oil from another company anyway, Honda does not make oil). Because of this, unless you just like the piece of mind of going to the dealership and the service electronically recorded for the vehicle, or you just have a good relationship with them and their service price is competitive, there's no real advantage of going there.

Not trying to dissuade you, just educate.

WHATEVER YOU DO, do not let them sell you a cabin air filter service for $100. I am not sure if you're familiar with that little trick of theirs or not lol By your second visit i'm sure they will attempt it.

 

I'm with ya there Wanderer, already checked out the prices on Amazon, looks like >20.00 though I have to double check the stock number.

And, hey, I get a free wash/vac at the dealer, and I can check out what they have in '15 Fits!

 

The Honda syn-blend and full synthetic are said to be provided by Kendall . We use Pennzoil Platinum 0w-20 with the A02 oil filter . Could buy the 4 quarts of oil of your preference and take that to Honda dealer . Then buy the A02 oil filter at parts department and pay for the labor . Probably cost around $45 total ( before tax ) . Not all that bad considering can run the oil / filter up to 10,000 miles or a year . Whatever comes first .