Honda Car Forum

We currently have about 35,000 on our 2002.

I would say about 70% of our driving in highway (non stop-and-go)
travel.
When calling two different dealerships in the Northern Virginia area,
they went through a long list of "to-dos" (lubes, inspections,
filters...) for a 30K checkup, running about $350-$375.

One thing that both wanted to do was to change the brake and
transmission fluids.
In looking at the owner's manual, they claim to change the brake fluid
every 3 years, regardless of miles, for both severe and normal
conditions.
When we asked the dealerships about this, they both said that the
manual is a very generic manual and does not take into account the
type of area and driving common to the Norther Virginia area. Thus,
they recommend the fluid change.

They also said that we could have them not do it, but that would be
our decision.

So, is this an area when we rely on Honda manuals, Honda dealers, or
our good judgement?

Just do the full 30K mile service, u cheapskate!

Follow your manual, not the dealer. Honda knows a thing or two about cars,
they even design them. Dealer just want you back ASAP.
I don't take my car to the dealer very often, I do as much as I can when is
easy. My civic with 100K miles will visit the dealer for service when it
reaches 120K miles for the first time since I bought it new. I had a Honda
shop do my timing belt.

"Jim" <Round_Hill_69@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:77e93f67.0308130938.36893c75@posting.google.c om...
> We currently have about 35,000 on our 2002.
>
> I would say about 70% of our driving in highway (non stop-and-go)
> travel.
> When calling two different dealerships in the Northern Virginia area,
> they went through a long list of "to-dos" (lubes, inspections,
> filters...) for a 30K checkup, running about $350-$375.
>
> One thing that both wanted to do was to change the brake and
> transmission fluids.
> In looking at the owner's manual, they claim to change the brake fluid
> every 3 years, regardless of miles, for both severe and normal
> conditions.
> When we asked the dealerships about this, they both said that the
> manual is a very generic manual and does not take into account the
> type of area and driving common to the Norther Virginia area. Thus,
> they recommend the fluid change.
>
> They also said that we could have them not do it, but that would be
> our decision.
>
> So, is this an area when we rely on Honda manuals, Honda dealers, or
> our good judgement?

Follow the manual.
Normally, it has 2 schedules. One for normal conditions and the other for
severe conditions.
It also explain when to use the severe conditions. Here in Montreal, the
severe conditions apply.
They always try to make you pay for stuff you shouldn't. Mostly things which
are on warranty anyway.
My service advisor at my dealer knows me so she doesn't even bother offering
me the full expensive package.
But I always do what we judge necessary.

"Jim" <Round_Hill_69@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:77e93f67.0308130938.36893c75@posting.google.c om...
> We currently have about 35,000 on our 2002.
>
> I would say about 70% of our driving in highway (non stop-and-go)
> travel.
> When calling two different dealerships in the Northern Virginia area,
> they went through a long list of "to-dos" (lubes, inspections,
> filters...) for a 30K checkup, running about $350-$375.
>
> One thing that both wanted to do was to change the brake and
> transmission fluids.
> In looking at the owner's manual, they claim to change the brake fluid
> every 3 years, regardless of miles, for both severe and normal
> conditions.
> When we asked the dealerships about this, they both said that the
> manual is a very generic manual and does not take into account the
> type of area and driving common to the Norther Virginia area. Thus,
> they recommend the fluid change.
>
> They also said that we could have them not do it, but that would be
> our decision.
>
> So, is this an area when we rely on Honda manuals, Honda dealers, or
> our good judgement?

The last time I was at the Honda Dealership, I asked the service manager
to give the car a brake serviced and a transmission flush (which used cost
about $130). He quoted me over $300 (wtf?). I just told him to, "forget
it" and to only give it an oil change (which I get for free as an
incentive when I bought the car). The service manger mentioned that I've
only been capitalizing on the free oil changes and haven't been doing any
of the recommended maintenance. He then quoted me the usual $130 for the
brake service and the transmission flush. When I got my car back, the door
were left open, the windows were down and the hand brake wasn't tighten
(which was strange since the last 5 brake service job included tightening
the hand brakes). Consider that I've brokered the purchase of 5 new Honda
at that particular dealership, they definitely will not get any more
purchases or recommendation from myself.

Regarding the 30k service, which is suppose to be one of the most
important, I would get it done and might slack-off on some of the other
maintenance schedules. Especially If all the Honda dealerships in the area
are quoting the same price.

Pars
98 Hatch



Jim wrote:

> We currently have about 35,000 on our 2002.
>
> I would say about 70% of our driving in highway (non stop-and-go)
> travel.
> When calling two different dealerships in the Northern Virginia area,
> they went through a long list of "to-dos" (lubes, inspections,
> filters...) for a 30K checkup, running about $350-$375.
>
> One thing that both wanted to do was to change the brake and
> transmission fluids.
> In looking at the owner's manual, they claim to change the brake fluid
> every 3 years, regardless of miles, for both severe and normal
> conditions.
> When we asked the dealerships about this, they both said that the
> manual is a very generic manual and does not take into account the
> type of area and driving common to the Norther Virginia area. Thus,
> they recommend the fluid change.
>
> They also said that we could have them not do it, but that would be
> our decision.
>
> So, is this an area when we rely on Honda manuals, Honda dealers, or
> our good judgement?

In article <77e93f67.0308130938.36893c75@posting.google.com >,
Round_Hill_69@hotmail.com (Jim) wrote:

> So, is this an area when we rely on Honda manuals, Honda dealers, or
> our good judgement?

Rely on the Honda manual.

I just had mine done at the dealer for $300 Canadian, This dealer has been
great for me and this is the first major visit. So you should definately get
the service for cheaper than $300US and YES follow the manual. That is all I
got from the Dealer under the severe use schedule.

PT
02 Ody EXL

>I just had mine done at the dealer for $300 Canadian, This dealer has been
>great for me and this is the first major visit. So you should definately get
>the service for cheaper than $300US and YES follow the manual. That is all I
>got from the Dealer under the severe use schedule.
>
>PT
>02 Ody EXL
>


$300 for 30K mile service is cheap. Considering what they do: oil/filter, brake
fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, air filter, new spark plugs, tire rotation,
etc. Plus some dealers here provide free rental cars and free gas fillup.




U.S.A. "Go West Young Men..."

Mexico "El Norte Hombre..."

"Jim" <Round_Hill_69@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:77e93f67.0308130938.36893c75@posting.google.c om...
> We currently have about 35,000 on our 2002.
>
> I would say about 70% of our driving in highway (non stop-and-go)
> travel.
> When calling two different dealerships in the Northern Virginia area,
> they went through a long list of "to-dos" (lubes, inspections,
> filters...) for a 30K checkup, running about $350-$375.
>
> One thing that both wanted to do was to change the brake and
> transmission fluids.
> In looking at the owner's manual, they claim to change the brake fluid
> every 3 years, regardless of miles, for both severe and normal
> conditions.

The rate at which brake fluid absorbs moisture is a function of time only,
not mileage, so there is no point to changing it ahead of schedule,
regardless of your "driving conditions" -- unless you drive underwater.

The additives in the ATF which control its friction characteristics become
depleted with mileage. This shows up as harsher shifts, especially during
the warm-up phase and during cold weather. If maintaining smooth shifting is
important to you, then change the ATF at 30K miles. But there's really no
need for the more expensive flush service, though. Just drain and refill.
Otherwise, leaving your fluid in for the recommended change interval
probably won't shorten transmissions life.