I bough a 2004 Odyssey from Sloane Honda near Philadelphia. The sale was
smooth. However, I found that this dealer always pushes for first and all
subsequent servicing at 3,750 miles instead of Honda-advised 7,500 miles for
normal driving. I drive between 2K and 3K miles every month and all highway.
I am not sure if the dealer just pushes people too early for a few bucks in
servicing. I called another dealer in NJ and they did not expect me to
service before 7,500 miles for the first one.

In general, I am seeing poor customer service quality with Honda
dealers/servicing. They don't drop off people or provide a loaner car if the
car needs to be in for the day. I guess the reason is that these dealers are
too proud of their brand name

Earlier I have always driven Ford for many years. While some of them are
staffed by rude people, some others are nice. Particularly to the one I used
to go to (Robin Ford). I could not buy a Ford for the minivan this time
because of horrible quality of Ford minivans.

At 2-3k miles a month and highway driving there is nothing wrong with
changing oil at 7500 miles unless those highway miles are abusive, high
speed and you have a lead foot. Don't use the dealer as he will maximize his
income. If you don't service it yourself use a quality service shop. The
dealer cannot refuse you warranty service because you use a 3rd party
service shop unless he provides the service free. Use quality oil and change
at 7500 miles. Have the oil analyzed once in a while for the record...


"Debasis Goswami" <debasisg@nomail.com> wrote in message
news:NY6dnZP1M7ATZt3dRVn-hA@comcast.com...

Debasis Goswami wrote:
--------------------

Deb,

Whatever you do, don't do the first oil change prematurely. There's
special oil in there and it's helping your engine 'break in' properly.
Read your owner's manual religiously and you'll be smarter than the
salesman (perhaps). :-)

'Curly'

--------------------

Spoken like a true dealer employee...


"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-F6DD9C.19571228022004@news.usenetserver.com...

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote in message
news:40413D62.A7813880@interbaun.com...
I learnt the same after doing a little research on the internet about the
servicing schedule. In fact, the user's manual explains this also.
Therefore, I have decided to wait till 7,500 miles before first servicing.
All subsequent servicings may be done at a shorter interval but not the
first one. In fact that may benefit the engine. Thanks.

"'Curly Q. Links'" wrote:

I am still skeptical of the first oil change at 7500 miles as the best
approach. Here is my reasoning.
Special "break in oil" or not, if you let the minute particals float around in
the engine to "establish a wear pattern" those particals can and do cause
un-needed wear. Its in the best interest of the dealer and owners manual to
suggest this long service interval, the damage that could be done in the first
7500 miles may actually decrease the total life of the engine by several 10's of
thousands miles, hence earlier replacement.

Im a bit of old school when it comes to engines, Ive done oil changes after the
first 100 miles after a rebuild, and 1500 miles following that. Then I switch
to 5000 mile intervals. The amount of crap floating around the engine when new
can plug the oil filter causing it to bypass all filtration when the engine is
cold. Changing the oil and filter early in its life reduces a lot of wear.

mabey make a compromise on what the manual and dealer recommends and change the
filter after the first 1500-3000 miles and top the oil back up. This might be
the best solution.

Woody wrote:
First of all, top posting is WRONG. Stop it.

Second, I'm not a dealership employee.

You, on the other hand, sound like you closed your mind a long time ago,
never to open it up again.

Can't believe that a dealership would be straightforward with its
customers, can you? You also probably can't understand what a
dealership *can* offer to its long time customers. It's no different
than any other business relationship.

But, I guess you wouldn't know what a long time business relationship
can get you.