30K maintenance ?

[DRIZ8]

So, I called an independant mechanic I have bee going to with my Honda products over the past 25 years and asked how much he charges for a 30K service on my 07 Si. He says "$410, same as all cars we do".

I thought it was a bit high so I called the dealer to see what they charge and he told me that they don't do a 30K service because the car has a "Maintenance Minder system" and I should just follow what that tells me.

So....... What do you do? Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

[si_autobot]

i called my dealer and asked about recommendations and they said should be done at 30k. i don't wait until my maintanance minder tells me to go in to change my oil for example. it isn't exact science either. i usually wait until 30% on oil life. some wait til 15%. i know honda says 50% you need to change it but i don't believe them. generally can run longer than 3k miles before changing oil.

that is how much those major services cost btw. so i think i've seen them range from 350-450. depends on engine type, etc. but don't ignore it. preventative maintanance is better than reactive maintanance. you'll be sorry if you don't.

[jokka]

oil change/tire rotate/top fluids = dealership just made $400 in profit.

[habitat]

Originally Posted by jokka

oil change/tire rotate/top fluids = dealership just made $400 in profit.

Hey now... don't forget about the visual inspection of cv boot, brakes, and a car wash! All worth the $400 dollars [/sarcasm]

[lovecheese]

And the cabin air filter!!!

[si_autobot]

not to justify the stealership rates but they change out the major fluids in the vehicle.

i don't know how far the business goes but there is a greg's japanese auto around my area and their pricing is identical to dealership and they were telling me that the dealership isn't worth the money...um no.

btw, is it just as good to go to firestone to get things done? or still dealership better?

edit: type-o above.

[The Power of Dreams]

Originally Posted by jokka

oil change/tire rotate/top fluids = dealership just made $400 in profit.

If you read his story, it wasn't the dealer that told him it was $410 for the 30k service. It was his independent mechanic. According to the original poster, the Honda dealer said they didn't do 30k services because his vehicle has the maintenance minder system.

[spocheld]

My "maintenance minder" has never once gone off other than to change my oil in over 60,000 miles. I also have never done any of the recommended services at the dealer. I've had my tranny fluid changed and replaced the polen filter, but for the most part those services just involve topping off your fluids and checking a bunch of stuff to make sure nothing is wrong, which the 10 computers in the car would tell you if something was wrong. Ask for a list of what services are performed and see if you think it's worth it.

[Metalhead852]

I have a good dealership up at Fort Drum. Twice they've fixed paint rust issues with my car. Once under warranty and once as a freebie just because I'm a return customer. The only maint. I did on the car myself was the tranny oil change to amsoil. I take it in for oil filter change and tire rotations every 3k-4k miles. They charge me about 70 bucks but that includes their inspections and all my fluids being topped off or even changed out for free when they start to appear old or dirty in color compared to their "new" fluid.

In my experiences with that dealer they've been well worth the money. And they don't recommend a 30k service because of the maint. minder system. The only non scheduled inspection I will have done is a full tune up when I return from Iraq because the car has sat for so long.

[DRIZ8]

Ugh, I am confused.. So basically I should NOT pay the mechanic and just go by the computer??

[habitat]

Originally Posted by DRIZ8

Ugh, I am confused.. So basically I should NOT pay the mechanic and just go by the computer??

No, you should do all the visual inspections yourself, top off the fluids yourself, replace cabin/engine air filter yourself, and pay someone 25-50 dollars for an oil change (since it is a pita).

[The Power of Dreams]

That's what the computer is there for.

[DRIZ8]

Ok, I got it!

Thanks for the advice.

(had the oil changed yesterday.......)

[iDrive]

Originally Posted by si_autobot

i called my dealer and asked about recommendations and they said should be done at 30k. i don't wait until my maintanance minder tells me to go in to change my oil for example. it isn't exact science either. i usually wait until 30% on oil life. some wait til 15%. i know honda says 50% you need to change it but i don't believe them. generally can run longer than 3k miles before changing oil.

that is how much those major services cost btw. so i think i've seen them range from 350-450. depends on engine type, etc. but don't ignore it. preventative maintanance is better than reactive maintanance. you'll be sorry if you don't.

where and what dealership told you to change your oil at 50%?

[enojy]

Originally Posted by DRIZ8

Ugh, I am confused.. So basically I should NOT pay the mechanic and just go by the computer??

Skip the 30k service. Others have told you what this includes: oil change, air filter change, cabin a/c filter changed, fluids topped off, tire rotation. That's it.

[The Power of Dreams]

That's not what a 30k consists of.

-Oil change w/ oil additive
-Tire rotation
-Wheel balancing
-Cabin air filter replacement
-Engine air filter replacement
-Coolant flush
-Brake fluid flush
-ATF flush (or MTF change)

30k's are generally good deals as long as you need all those services performed on your vehicle at that very time. Honda recommends using your maintenance minder.

[si_autobot]

Originally Posted by iDrive

where and what dealership told you to change your oil at 50%?

renton honda in washington. when i picked up my car there they just said once it hits 50 come back in...lol.

[ronin]

Originally Posted by habitat

Hey now... don't forget about the visual inspection of cv boot, brakes, and a car wash! All worth the $400 dollars [/sarcasm]

They will probably end up leaving scratches and more damage that you will probably have to pay $400 to correct.

[cderalow]

Originally Posted by si_autobot

i called my dealer and asked about recommendations and they said should be done at 30k. i don't wait until my maintanance minder tells me to go in to change my oil for example. it isn't exact science either. i usually wait until 30% on oil life. some wait til 15%. i know honda says 50% you need to change it but i don't believe them. generally can run longer than 3k miles before changing oil.

that is how much those major services cost btw. so i think i've seen them range from 350-450. depends on engine type, etc. but don't ignore it. preventative maintanance is better than reactive maintanance. you'll be sorry if you don't.

Originally Posted by si_autobot

renton honda in washington. when i picked up my car there they just said once it hits 50 come back in...lol.

well they're clearly screwing you.

There is no 30k service on any new Honda. There is only the maintenance minder. Any dealership telling you otherwise on any 06+ Honda is taking your money.

Change your oil when the light comes on, and do the services the computer tells you to.

Everything else on the car (outside of wear items like brakes, tires, filters, cv joints), should be good until 100K. There's no timing belt, there's no other things to do.

Honda recommends all fluid changes (NO FLUSHES! anyone that tells you that they're going to flush your Honda is going to wreck your warranty) with the MM, except brake fluid, which should be replaced every 3 years.

As always, it's drain & fill, no flush.

So, if you're approaching 30k (like both of my cars are), I'd simply recommend doing a basic inspection of things like your suspension, fluid levels, axles, and brake pads & rotors at your next oil change. Honestly, if you take it to somewhere like Midas for your next oil change, they'll do it all for you for free anyway. The only exception to that is checking your valves, but they're only supposed to be checked/adjusted if they're making excessive noise anyway.

[si_autobot]

im' confused though, they say to do oil changes every 3k or 3 month mark. the computer really is the best to gauge on for oil changes etc?