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Fernandez Honda in San Antonio

08.30.2020 by Jules // Leave a Comment

More Honda Questions

For all those who have been reading my posts about Honda and the VTC actuator problems, Fernandez Honda has been mentioned a lot as they were the local dealer here in San Antonio, Texas where I purchased my 2008 Honda Accord.

Ain’t What They Used to Be

I’ve noticed a difference the past couple of times I’ve been to Fernandez,–however as there were a couple of people I knew and trusted, I continued to take my car there. This past December I was really “on the fence,” but thought maybe it was just me. (Although at this point, there was only one person that was still working there that I knew from the past. That should have been a really big clue!)

Unfortunately, I recently had occasion to take my car back in due to rattling noises and discovered it was over 2.2 quarts low on oil. As I haven’t ever taken my car anywhere else to be serviced, I asked Geoffrey (Service Consultant) what my mileage was at my last oil change. He said I had driven 8,000 miles. I didn’t have the receipt in front of me then, so I believed him. (It was actually 7,500 miles as is evidenced by the screen shot of both receipts below.)

Over 2.2 quarts of oil within 7,500 miles isn’t enough oil consumption to prove there’s a problem…

Does Your Car Use Over 2.2 Quarts of Oil Every 7,500 Miles? (Mine Does)

Regardless, using almost 2 1/2 quarts of oil over that amount of miles is alarming. He said I needed to get my oil changed, (obviously), and then do an “oil consumption test.” The “oil consumption test” is defined by me driving 1,000 miles and then taking my car back in. Now, I realize I’m no auto mechanic, but if consuming 2.2 quarts of oil over 7,500 miles isn’t already proof of oil consumption, I’m not sure what is! While I could go on and on about the initial dishonesty of Honda knowingly selling thousands of vehicles with defective VTC actuators, you can read about that here. I also attempted to mention the link between the defective VTC actuators and high oil consumption (Honda has been sued over this), but Geoffrey didn’t seem educated about it. (Right…..)

A federal class action lawsuit claims that 2008-2010 Honda Accords have ‘a systematic design defect that enables oil to enter into the engine’s combustion chamber.’ The defect causes excessive oil consumption, premature spark plug degradation and engine malfunction, the lawsuit says.The Honda Accord class action lawsuit says the systematic design defect may be the result of numerous things, including a material defect, workmanship of the vehicles’ valve guide seals or piston rings, or a flaw in Honda’s VTECT variable engine-timing system.

Top Class Actions; Helping Right Consumers Wrongs, Honda Accord Oil Defect Class Action Lawsuit

Discovery Group 1 Automotive

Well, I wondered as I left the dealership if the goal was “catastrophic engine failure.” I couldn’t really figure out any other reason why I would need to engage in an “oil consumption test” when clearly my car IS consuming oil. Finally, I discovered a probable reason for this! Fernandez is now owned by Group 1 Automotive. My gut feeling that something was different was spot on. Even more interesting, their number one source of income, (fasten your seatbelts folks because it ISN’T new car sales!), is parts and service.

Fernandez Honda is owned by Group 1 Automotive who's biggest strategy is to "drive business into its service department with new and used vehicle sales."
Last paragraph on the webpage referenced above. “..which affirms Group 1’s strategy to drive business into its service department with new and used vehicle sales.”

I definitely do NOT recommend Fernandez Honda. Do your homework before purchasing a vehicle or obtaining service there. I highly suggest checking out Yelp reviews and also Google. While Google reviews look great, be sure to use the “sort” filter and apply “lowest rating.” You will be shocked at how many bad reviews are recent. The “new” management is counting on the good reviews from the past when Fernandez was an entirely different company! It’s crappy of them to do, but that’s exactly what they’re doing!! You deserve to know the truth! You can read my Yelp review here.

Just Checking In?!?

I received a call last week from someone just checking to see what my mileage was during my infamous “oil consumption test.” It’s one of those moments when I really wanted to say “wut?” Because seriously, they really must think I’m a really stoooopid female to fall for their, “We really want to earn your business…” I want to puke. No, you don’t want to earn my business. You want my money. You don’t care about me, my safety or my car. Your strategy, as you so eloquently put it on your website, is “to drive business into your service department.” The “old” Fernandez Honda is truly gone. All of the awards and accolades on their website are from days gone by when they weren’t under “new management.”

Patronizing and Publicizing vs. Quietly Serving and Doing Good

It’s always sickening to me when a company flaunts their “public service” and “acts of charity” while stabbing their customers (or employees) in the back. It’s just gauche and all kinds of wrong. Instead of patronizing and publicizing, why don’t they try actually serving their customers and giving to those in need without the fanfare?

Categories // Honda Tags // authorized Honda dealers, Fernandez Honda, Honda and high oil consumption

Honda TSB 16-012 Engine Rattles at Cold Startup

01.23.2019 by Jules // Leave a Comment

2015 Honda Crosstour Engine Rattles at Cold Startup
Image of 2015 Honda Crosstour
2012-2015 Honda Crosstour’s Effected by Defective VTC Actuator

2012 – 2015 Honda Crosstour’s VTC Actuator Defect

If you own a 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015 Honda Crosstour, you’re most likely affected by the “engine rattles at cold startup” defective VTC actuator problem.

Crosstour Years Affected:

  • 2012 Honda Crosstour 2WD (ALL as listed on TSB 09-010)
  • 2013 Honda Crosstour 2WD (Check VIN as listed on TSB 09-010 & 06-012)
  • 2014 Honda Crosstour 2WD (ALL as listed on TSB 06-012)
  • 2015 Honda Crosstour 2WD (ALL as listed on TSB 06-012)

Almost identical to Honda TSB 09-010 is TSB 16-012. The difference between the two TSB’s appears to be the addition of the sentence, (in reference to the cold rattle at startup), “This may be intermittent and occurs when the outside temperature is below 40° F”.   However, note TSB 06-012 includes all 2WD 2014-2015 Crosstours, while TSB 09-010 only references 2012-2013.

TSB 06-012

Image from Honda TSB 06-012 listing vehicles affected by "engine rattles at cold startup".  Includes Honda CR-Vs and Crosstours.

TSB 09-010

Image from Honda TSB 09-010 of list of vehicles affected by "engine rattles at cold start-up" problem.

Interestingly enough, the Honda Crosstour wasn’t included in Honda’s initial TSB 09-010; only the Honda Accord and CR-V were listed. However, the 3rd and 4th versions of TSB 09-010 released in March 2016, had the Crosstour listed.

Why 2 different TSB’s for the same problem?

This truly has me stumped. While the exact same part number for the VTC actuator listed as failing on both TSB’s is the same, (14310-R44-A01), and the replacement part number, (143-R5A-305), is also identical on both TSB 09-010 and 16-012, apparently the defective VTC actuator will give you more trouble (?) if you live in a colder climate. At first I thought the part numbers would be different for the VTC actuator in a Crosstour vs. a CR-V. However, as all part numbers are the same, this isn’t the reason for the temperature qualification. Also, as my car has spent the majority of it’s life in San Antonio, I can attest to the fact that my Accord would ALWAYS grind/rattle at startup if the engine was cold, (prior to repair), even on days that were over 100° F.

An article written December 2015 entitled, “Engine Rattles After Cold Soak Startup“, includes Accords, Crosstours and CR-V’s. In the same letter, Honda states:

We’re currently working on a solution, but have no recommended dealer repair at this time.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. December 2015 (source)

As the biggest difference in vehicles listed between the two TSB’s is the addition of all 2WD 2014-2015 Crosstours, if you’re a Crosstour/Honda owner and have any idea as to why this is so, please post your thoughts below. It was noticeable that all Accords were removed from TSB 06-012.

If you’re looking for ways to save money on your VTC actuator replacement, my eReport might help you out! It includes the latest TSB’s in a searchable, easy downloadable, (PDF), 81 page report for only $7.97. (No, it’s not 81 pages of heavy reading, I’ve just included the current TSB’s for your convenience).

TSB’s referenced:

  • TSB 09-010 “Engine Rattles at Cold Start-Up” (v5 dated February 2017)
  • TSB 06-012 “Engine Rattles at Cold Start-Up” (v2 dated February 2017)
  • TSB 12-087 “Sticking Rings Resulting in High Engine Oil Consumption” (v7 dated January 2018)

Read my original post here.

Image of cover to Honda eReport. Click to download.
Download my Honda eReport
Button that links to page where Honda eReport can be purchased.
ONLY $7.97

Please join in on conversations/post comments below as this helps other Honda owners.

Here’s wishing you all the best in your endeavors to get your car repaired for low or no cost!

Categories // Honda Tags // engine rattles at cold startup, Honda TSB 16-012, vtc actuator

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