Has anyone been able to get their cars serviced at somewhere other than the dealer? I've got nothing against my dealer except that it's not the most convenient place to go to. There's a garage I take my Chrysler T&C to around the corner; I could also go to Walmart to get the oil changed there if I wanted to while I killed time there (or the Costco next door). I asked the Walmart guy today if they used 0W-20; he seemed kinda puzzled as to what that was.

 

I don't think I'd take it to someone who had never even heard of 0w20. 0w20 is kinda unusual- and not everyone is going to stock it. plus your standard oil change at jiffy lube is not going to use a high quality expensive oil. I usually supply mobil 1 to my regular mechanic when I have him do oil changes- we use it on all our cars.
Any reputable mechanic should be able to do it- you have to be careful though- there's a special aerodynamic plate with plastic fasteners over the drain. one guy here took his to jiffy lube and they never put his plate back on- gone.
my car's still new and I got my first oil change (yesterday) free at the dealer.(gave them 4 qts of mobil 1 0w20) but I'll be doing my own if he's going to charge an arm and a leg for it.
good luck-

 

I've taken mine (03 HCH) to Jiffy Lube for the oil changes in-between the major tune ups (15, 30...). I've never had any problems. They don't carry 0W-20, but they carry 5W-20 which my owners manual says is an acceptable alternative. Funny thing - when I first bought the car I did the first 4-5 oil changes at the dealership - they didn't carry 0W-20 at the time either, and used 5W-20. They've always put my plate back on, but it's something I watch. I make sure they don't overfill either, which they've been prone to do with some other cars. However the Civic Hybrid is in their system and has all the specs. I've used them for the last 10 or so changes - no issues.

My Honda dealer puts in an addative every other oil change - not so sure if that's unique to the dealership or the Hybrid. Makes for a $50 oil change. I did it twice - didn't notice a change in mileage.

 

I have been using Mobil 1 0-20W in my HCH since I bought it new 2 and a half years ago. It's great oil.

I just not contacted Mobil and they emailed me back and said;

"Mobil1 0W20 motor oil was discontinued and replaced by the 5W20 motor oil. There are many more Honda, ford and even some Chrysler and GM vehicles that require the 5W20 viscosity. Mobil does not have a problem using the 5W20 motor oil in a 0W20 vehicle as it meets all performance requirements however, if under warranty this would need to be checked with your dealer."

Has anyone had any problems using 5W20 oil? (i.e. lower mpg's, engine smoothness...)

 

You could always do it yourself. Go to the honda parts dept and ask for 4 qts of 0w20 wt oil and a honda filter for you specific model. The oil change takes less than 15 - 20 mins in a garage with a jack a screwdriver ( for those pesky plastic shield retainers) and a 17mm open end wrench ( i think this is the right size ) Cost ... approx 26 bux not too bad besides it wouldnt hurt to check all those other vital fuilds as well and if you need to know how to reset the mainence light, it tells you how to do that in your Owners manual.

 

The only problem I've had was I brought in 4 qts 5w-20 Mobil One oil. In the manual it states that if you can not find 0w-20 it is fine to use 5w-20. The service writer came out and told me"YOU HAVE THE WRONG OIL" I told him I've brought it in before and had no problems with it. I told them they don't make Mobil One 0w-20 anymore and the manual states it can be used. Well when I went to pay the bill, on the paper the guy filled out he wrote that I "brought the wrong oil in and they told me I did and I told them to put it in anyway" Well I'm waiting for the questionaire that Honda sends me about 2 -3 weeks after I've brought it in to tell them they really need to enlighten the service personal better!Kevin

 

Yea, I've always done my own oil changes. (and your right, that plastic shield thing is a pain) I just can't get myself to buy Honda oil as it is close to $10 a quart at my dealer!!! And, I don't want to go through what Texashchman went through.

Does anyone know if another manufacture makes 0W20? My HCH has 67,000 miles on it and runs like a champ. Don't want to mess it up.

 

So am I the only one who went out and purchased 20 quarts of Mobil 1 0W-20 when they heard it was discontinued? Anyway, add me to the list of people who started doing their own oil changes after a really bad experience at the dealership. So far I've only managed to ruin one old t-shirt in the process, but I'm saving money and I honestly feel I am doing a better, more careful job with my own oil changes than the dealer did. Best of all, this gives me the opportunity to take oil samples during the change and send the oil in to someplace like Blackstone Labs for analysis. I've got one of their sample kits right now actually, waiting for about 1000 miles until I'm due for my next oil change, then I can take a sample and send it in to see how it looks.

 

nah-
I went out and bought as much 0w20 mobil one as I could find- which actually wasn't much, like 17 quarts. enough for a few changes anyway. I just had the first oil change done at the dealer (offered free at 5000 miles) and I gave them 4 quarts with specific instructions that I get the extra 1/2 qt back (I did).
the difference between 5w20 & 0w20 is very small in the cold end. I figure I will probably run 0w20 in the winter at a fall oil change & 5w20 in the summer. not much else I can do to extend my limited supply. maybe they'll make it again in a few years- I can hope....
I have always used mobil one in our cars & trucks. finished my first full tank with the new oil- got my highest tank ever; 55mpg (guage read 56) my last couple tanks have been 51.5-52 so that is a pretty big jump. I wonder if it's just the oil, or perhaps I am approaching jedi knight level.....

 

If you don’t mind me asking, how much did you pay per quart?
I saw that posted on another thread (I think it was you). I checked local stores (Wal-Mart, auto stores, warehouse clubs, etc.) and found only one that carries it. I needed to add some because of insufficient levels on my first oil change (wasn’t about to go back for 1/4 of a quart). It was $8.00 for a quart so I figured on waiting till my next oil change to see if the dealership still used 0w-20 oil and how much they charged. The dealership I use has a discount club (have to buy a vehicle off them to take part) that gives me 10% off parts, accessories, and service. On my last oil change (few weeks ago and posted on a thread somewhere), I noticed that they still use 0w-20 and also charged me $5.99 per quart.

I’m wondering if Honda stocks this oil in their warehouses or has dealerships get it from local distributors. Did Honda know about this when redesigning the 2006 HCH and will they use 5w-20 as well? I’m sure there's not too much difference between the two grades either way.