Honda Car Forum

Hello:

My son has a 6 cyl 2005 Accord.
Has 28,000 miles on it.

He brought it in to the Honda Dealership for an oil change, and they told
him that the
Brake Fluid, and also the Transmission Fluid, was "dark and dirty", and both
should be replaced next time he comes in for an oil change (probably after
another 7,500 miles)

I have always felt that this Dealership has a tendency to "milk" maintenance
items.

Do the two fluid problems they mentioned sound reasonable after only 28K ?

If so, what might be the causes of ?

BTW: just a thought here, but how could they even see the brake fluid
without bleeding the lines ?
Can one tell from the fluid in the reservoir ?

Thanks,
Bob

"Robert11" <rgsros@notme.com> wrote in message
news:JuOdnYeOpb_M6lLYnZ2dnUVZ_oOonZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Hello:
>
> My son has a 6 cyl 2005 Accord.
> Has 28,000 miles on it.
>
> He brought it in to the Honda Dealership for an oil change, and they told
> him that the
> Brake Fluid, and also the Transmission Fluid, was "dark and dirty", and
> both should be replaced next time he comes in for an oil change (probably
> after another 7,500 miles)
>
> I have always felt that this Dealership has a tendency to "milk"
> maintenance items.
>
> Do the two fluid problems they mentioned sound reasonable after only 28K ?
>
> If so, what might be the causes of ?
>
> BTW: just a thought here, but how could they even see the brake fluid
> without bleeding the lines ?
> Can one tell from the fluid in the reservoir ?
>
> Thanks,
> Bob
>
>

It's a good time to change the transmission fluid, but the brake fluid
should still be in fine shape. Looking in the reservoir, the fluid should be
light colored and clear.

Regular fluid changes are important to Honda automatic transmissions, and
genuine Honda ATF should always be used.

Mike

Robert11 wrote:
> Hello:
>
> My son has a 6 cyl 2005 Accord.
> Has 28,000 miles on it.
>
> He brought it in to the Honda Dealership for an oil change, and they told
> him that the
> Brake Fluid, and also the Transmission Fluid, was "dark and dirty", and both
> should be replaced next time he comes in for an oil change (probably after
> another 7,500 miles)
>
> I have always felt that this Dealership has a tendency to "milk" maintenance
> items.
>
> Do the two fluid problems they mentioned sound reasonable after only 28K ?
>
> If so, what might be the causes of ?
>
> BTW: just a thought here, but how could they even see the brake fluid
> without bleeding the lines ?
> Can one tell from the fluid in the reservoir ?
>
> Thanks,
> Bob
>
>
i say milk.

unless the transmission is in hard service, i wouldn't change it at that
mileage. read the owner manual and follow that schedule, not the dealer
schedule. or if you're experiencing harsh shifting.

regarding brake fluid, it needs to be changed either annually if you're
in a wet weather location, or every two years if not. absorbs moisture
from the air, regardless of usage.

>>
>i say milk.
>unless the transmission is in hard service, i wouldn't change it at that
>mileage. read the owner manual and follow that schedule, not the dealer
>schedule. or if you're experiencing harsh shifting.
>regarding brake fluid, it needs to be changed either annually if you're
>in a wet weather location, or every two years if not. absorbs moisture
>from the air, regardless of usage.
>.

Brake fluid should be flushed at least every 2 years. Brake fluid absorbs moisture
out of the air and eventually corrodes the lines, calipers and master cylinders.

I do the same interval on my automatics too. If you want to make them last forever that is.

> i say milk.
>
> unless the transmission is in hard service, i wouldn't change it at that
> mileage. read the owner manual and follow that schedule, not the dealer
> schedule. or if you're experiencing harsh shifting.

If you wait to feel hard shifting before changing the Trans fluid you
waited to long and probably did some damage. Your transmission fluid
should be changed every 30,000 miles. As for the brake fluid I would
hold off for one more year. When you get your brake fluid changed
make sure that your technician flushes or bleeds the entire brake
system not just changing the fluid in the reservoir. Changing your
power steering fluid next year would probably be a good idea also. If
you have any doubts look at your manual it has an entire section
devoted to the proper maintainence of your car.

Just for reference; Severe Conditions as descibed in your manual is
stop and go driving, a short commute, high polution areas(like parts
of California), severe temps(AZ, NV, AK), dusty/dirty
areas(construction sites, desert areas). I don't know your sons
driving habits but if he is like me a lead foot counts as well.

Tek wrote:
>> i say milk.
>>
>> unless the transmission is in hard service, i wouldn't change it at that
>> mileage. read the owner manual and follow that schedule, not the dealer
>> schedule. or if you're experiencing harsh shifting.
>
> If you wait to feel hard shifting before changing the Trans fluid you
> waited to long and probably did some damage. Your transmission fluid
> should be changed every 30,000 miles.

i like to take good care of my cars, but at the same time, premature
changes are just a waste. an 88 accord belonging to friends had over
350k on the clock, original transmission fluid from new. my crx has
101k on the clock, original fluid from new. buy a bmw, you can't even
/change/ the fluid, it's sealed for life. there's way too much
unfounded "tradition" in lube psychology - this is not the 50's and
we're not driving detroit hunk-o-junks.

> As for the brake fluid I would
> hold off for one more year.

that's another example. fluid absorption is hygroscopic. look at
absorption charts in tech publications like the bosch automotive
handbook [available at your local library]. it needs to be changed
annually in wet climates.

> When you get your brake fluid changed
> make sure that your technician flushes or bleeds the entire brake
> system not just changing the fluid in the reservoir. Changing your
> power steering fluid next year would probably be a good idea also.

there's no service interval specified by honda. there's no source of
contamination like with motor oil and there's no significant load or
potential for thermal degradation like transmission fluid.

> If
> you have any doubts look at your manual it has an entire section
> devoted to the proper maintainence of your car.

indeed - the section on service intervals in particular.

>
> Just for reference; Severe Conditions as descibed in your manual is
> stop and go driving, a short commute, high polution areas(like parts
> of California), severe temps(AZ, NV, AK), dusty/dirty
> areas(construction sites, desert areas). I don't know your sons
> driving habits but if he is like me a lead foot counts as well.

> >> i say milk.
>
> >> unless the transmission is in hard service, i wouldn't change it at that
> >> mileage. read the owner manual and follow that schedule, not the dealer
> >> schedule. or if you're experiencing harsh shifting.
>
> > If you wait to feel hard shifting before changing the Trans fluid you
> > waited to long and probably did some damage. Your transmission fluid
> > should be changed every 30,000 miles.
>
> i like to take good care of my cars, but at the same time, premature
> changes are just a waste. an 88 accord belonging to friends had over
> 350k on the clock, original transmission fluid from new. my crx has
> 101k on the clock, original fluid from new. buy a bmw, you can't even
> /change/ the fluid, it's sealed for life. there's way too much
> unfounded "tradition" in lube psychology - this is not the 50's and
> we're not driving detroit hunk-o-junks.

I don't know how you treat your vehicles or how Robert11's son treats
his but I use to work for a Honda dealer and now work for Acura and I
have to say I have never seen a vehicle come into the shop with a
transmission problem and be filled with clean fluid. Im not telling
this to try to take your money. Im telling you this is the schedule I
use on my own vehicle. Look in your manual the interval use to be 30k
they might have changed it in 2005 if Honda moved to the Maintaince
Minder system (I moved to Acura in early 2004). Preventative
maintance is exactly that, preventative.
As for the Brake Fluid, you are correct. In wet climates it should be
flushed more often. The area I live in I flush mine every 2-3 years.
You shouldn't let the dealer push you into something unnessary, but
don't think they are just trying to rip you off either.

Robert11 wrote:
> Hello:
>
> My son has a 6 cyl 2005 Accord.
> Has 28,000 miles on it.
>
> He brought it in to the Honda Dealership for an oil change, and they told
> him that the
> Brake Fluid, and also the Transmission Fluid, was "dark and dirty", and both
> should be replaced next time he comes in for an oil change (probably after
> another 7,500 miles)


I'm with the dealer on this one. Brake fluid changes once every two
years and transmission fluid changes once every 30k miles are an
excellent idea.

John

Tek wrote:
>>>> i say milk.
>>>> unless the transmission is in hard service, i wouldn't change it at that
>>>> mileage. read the owner manual and follow that schedule, not the dealer
>>>> schedule. or if you're experiencing harsh shifting.
>>> If you wait to feel hard shifting before changing the Trans fluid you
>>> waited to long and probably did some damage. Your transmission fluid
>>> should be changed every 30,000 miles.
>> i like to take good care of my cars, but at the same time, premature
>> changes are just a waste. an 88 accord belonging to friends had over
>> 350k on the clock, original transmission fluid from new. my crx has
>> 101k on the clock, original fluid from new. buy a bmw, you can't even
>> /change/ the fluid, it's sealed for life. there's way too much
>> unfounded "tradition" in lube psychology - this is not the 50's and
>> we're not driving detroit hunk-o-junks.
>
> I don't know how you treat your vehicles or how Robert11's son treats
> his but I use to work for a Honda dealer and now work for Acura and I
> have to say I have never seen a vehicle come into the shop with a
> transmission problem and be filled with clean fluid. Im not telling
> this to try to take your money. Im telling you this is the schedule I
> use on my own vehicle. Look in your manual the interval use to be 30k
> they might have changed it in 2005 if Honda moved to the Maintaince
> Minder system (I moved to Acura in early 2004). Preventative
> maintance is exactly that, preventative.

prevent what? the longevity of my friend's accord? the longevity of my
crx?

my point is, there's no science behind the obsession we have with
changing oil. when i get a postcard form a tire shop telling me that
"according to their records, it's time i came in for my 3,000 mile oil
change", it's pure hocus pocus. they don't know my actual mileage.
they don't know what my use history is. they don't even analyze oil
when they service vehicles to find out what the schedule /should/ be!
no, it's all about lightening the wallet. if tires weren't subject to
visible wear, they'd be subject to completely unnecessary change
schedules too.

on the subject of repairs with zero visibility, when one of my friends
gets "urgent" calls from sf honda when his car's in for routine service
saying that the braking system [master cylinder, disks, calipers] needs
to be urgently replaced, is that ok? how about if i tell you the car
has only 45k miles? how about i tell you this vehicle had exactly the
same "urgent" repairs done only 15k miles ago?

another data point: don't know about the accord, but the 2000 civic has
a 90k mile transmission fluid change schedule. much more likely that
factory schedule is closer to that than 30k.

> As for the Brake Fluid, you are correct. In wet climates it should be
> flushed more often. The area I live in I flush mine every 2-3 years.
> You shouldn't let the dealer push you into something unnessary, but
> don't think they are just trying to rip you off either.
>