Honda vs. Acura

BK wrote:
> I've got an '03 RSX base that I've been taking back to the dealership for
> oil changes. The dealership is great, but they're about 20 miles from home
> (and they're the closest one). There are two Honda dealerships within 5
> miles. Do any of you use the Honda dealer for service instead of the Acura
> dealer? I assume they have filters that will fit, although I haven't called
> them to see. I usually stay away from ALL dealerships, but I don't want to
> do the oil changes myself (I do them on my other car) and I certainly want
> to stay away from the quick lube places.
>
>

A good Honda dealer is completely capable of routine servicing for your
RSX. I don't think Honda USA allows for Honda dealers to do warranty
service on Acuras or vis-versa, but that is a matter of marketing policy
rather than technical skills or materials.

Your RSX is basically a high trim, high output motor version of the
Civic platform. Make sure the Honda dealer puts the right oil weight
in. Most Hondas take 5W-20 now and most Acuras 5W-30.

Check around with local Honda owners to find out how they have been
treated by these dealers. I agree 1000% with your decision to stay
away from quick lubes!

Finally, don't let them talk you into a bunch of add-on services beyond
what the owners manual calls for. Lots of places like to sell fuel
injection cleaning services, power steering fluid flushes, various
magical additives, etc. Just say no to anything that isn't in the
book. Many dealers play a game where they have their own "we recommend"
list of services which goes way beyond what the factory calls for.

John
 >> Stay informed about: Honda vs. Acura 

"BK" <miatabill.DeleteThis@charter.net> wrote in
news:x8r6h.116$FP2.15@newsfe06.lga:

> I've got an '03 RSX base that I've been taking back to the dealership
> for oil changes. The dealership is great, but they're about 20 miles
> from home (and they're the closest one). There are two Honda
> dealerships within 5 miles. Do any of you use the Honda dealer for
> service instead of the Acura dealer? I assume they have filters that
> will fit, although I haven't called them to see. I usually stay away
> from ALL dealerships, but I don't want to do the oil changes myself (I
> do them on my other car) and I certainly want to stay away from the
> quick lube places.
>
>
>



The Honda dealer will be just fine. The filter is the same. I'll bet
yours is 15400-PLM-A02, right? That one goes on about 95% of Honda/Acura
models.

Under warranty, its very much best to have a Honda/Acura dealer do all
oil changes. Saves a lot of hassles should something go bad later on,
such as a stripped drain bolt...

Make certain you tell the dealer you want your drain bolt tightened
*by hand* using a *torque wrench*, to Honda's specified torque figure
(29 ft lbs). Tell them you want them to be especially careful NOT to
overtorque. You don't have to tell why you're saying this. They will
know.

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
 >> Stay informed about: Honda vs. Acura 

On 2006-11-14 18:00:53 -0600, John Horner <jthorner DeleteThis @yahoo.com> said:

> BK wrote:
>> I've got an '03 RSX base that I've been taking back to the dealership
>> for oil changes. The dealership is great, but they're about 20 miles
>> from home (and they're the closest one). There are two Honda
>> dealerships within 5 miles. Do any of you use the Honda dealer for
>> service instead of the Acura dealer? I assume they have filters that
>> will fit, although I haven't called them to see. I usually stay away
>> from ALL dealerships, but I don't want to do the oil changes myself (I
>> do them on my other car) and I certainly want to stay away from the
>> quick lube places.
>>
>
> A good Honda dealer is completely capable of routine servicing for your
> RSX. I don't think Honda USA allows for Honda dealers to do warranty
> service on Acuras or vis-versa, but that is a matter of marketing
> policy rather than technical skills or materials.
>
> Your RSX is basically a high trim, high output motor version of the
> Civic platform. Make sure the Honda dealer puts the right oil weight
> in. Most Hondas take 5W-20 now and most Acuras 5W-30.
>
> Check around with local Honda owners to find out how they have been
> treated by these dealers. I agree 1000% with your decision to stay
> away from quick lubes!
>
> Finally, don't let them talk you into a bunch of add-on services beyond
> what the owners manual calls for. Lots of places like to sell fuel
> injection cleaning services, power steering fluid flushes, various
> magical additives, etc. Just say no to anything that isn't in the
> book. Many dealers play a game where they have their own "we
> recommend" list of services which goes way beyond what the factory
> calls for.
>
> John

Except the 03 RSX base uses 5W20.
--
-----------------------------
I only talk like that in the movies
 >> Stay informed about: Honda vs. Acura 

Yoda wrote:

>> Make sure the Honda dealer puts the right oil weight
>> in. Most Hondas take 5W-20 now and most Acuras 5W-30.
>>
>
> Except the 03 RSX base uses 5W20.

Which is why I said most, not all.

John
 >> Stay informed about: Honda vs. Acura 

On 2006-11-15 16:13:00 -0600, John Horner <jthorner.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> said:

> Yoda wrote:
>
>>> Make sure the Honda dealer puts the right oil weight in. Most Hondas
>>> take 5W-20 now and most Acuras 5W-30.
>>>
>>
>> Except the 03 RSX base uses 5W20.
>
> Which is why I said most, not all.
>
> John

I was aware you were being general, I wasn't correcting you. I just
wanted to be sure the original poster didn't get the wrong information
stuck in his head.
--
-----------------------------
I only talk like that in the movies
 >> Stay informed about: Honda vs. Acura 

On Feb 3, 12:30 pm, "klabu" <klabu_at_gmail_dot_com> wrote:
> "TeGGeR®"
>
> > Make certain you tell the dealer you want your drain bolt tightened
> > *by hand* using a *torque wrench*, to Honda's specified torque figure
> > (29 ft lbs). Tell them you want them to be especially careful NOT to
> > overtorque. You don't have to tell why you're saying this. They will
> > know.

The torque spec is 33 ft lb on the K20A3 and 29 ft lbs on the K20A2 /
K20Z1. And as for oil weight always use what is call for in your
manual. The base RSX requires 5W-20. While the Type S requires
5W-30. Honestly I've never used a torque wrench on my drain bolt and
I've never had any issue.
 >> Stay informed about: Honda vs. Acura 

>> Make sure the Honda dealer puts the right oil weight
>> in. Most Hondas take 5W-20 now and most Acuras 5W-30.

Actually most Acuras now use 5W-20 with the exception of the RDX which
needs Mobil 1 5W-30 because of the turbo. The new TL, TSX, MDX, RL,
and base RSX (which was actually discontinued this year) all use 5W-20
and acutually all have been since 2002 (except the RL which started in
2005).
 >> Stay informed about: Honda vs. Acura