30K with or without tran fluid exchange?

[fredct]

So I need my 30K checkup on my 2007 Civic next week. Last time the dealership gave me their sheet with the little description of their 30K service options. The only big cost difference is whether to do "automatic transmission service" or "automatic transmission service with transmission fluid exchange", which adds $115.

I assume this means a tran fluid drain & refill? Not a flush?

Is this something that's worth doing at 30K? Or is it a ripoff? What would you do?

[tanvanTRAN]

$115 for a tranny drain and refill? for around 30-50$ you can do your own drain and refill.

[Grey2.0SI]

i saw the 30k mile checkup... you can do it yourself for a fraction of the cost. my stealership wanted like 300 bucks

[Angelsi06]

Buy alll the stuff and do a Drain and Fill, I do a drain and fill on mine every other oil change. its worth it to keep the tranny in good shape

[fredct]

I knew that'd be the first responses I'd get... I meant to mention, I'm not a do-it-yourself guy, primarily because I have no one to show me how. I'm not doing to risk messing up my car when I have little idea what I'm doing. It ain't worth it.

Even if I was, it's like been freezing here and even if I knew how, I don't think I'd have much interest in doing it in the freezing cold - I live in an apartment so I have no garage to do it in.

So my real question is, is it a good mechanical idea to do a fluid exchange at this stage? Or is it a waste? What would you do (if do-it-yourself wasn't an option)?

[08EX-Lblack]

I was told at my local dealership that at 30 thousand miles you need to change out your brake fluid. You don't need to change out the transmission fluid until 50 thousand miles. Yes I also agree, I would rather have someone do it for me as well since I am not mechanically inclined. But for what the service entails 300 dollars is an outrageous price.

[av911]

Brake Fluid - Every 3 years
ATF - Should not cost more than 1 hr of labor

[deltatechx]

no reason to have a full flush every 30k miles, just have them drain and refill it. If you have it drained and refilled every 30k you should never need a flush.

[fredct]

Okay, so it seems like the general consensus is that a drain/refill in a good thing to do at 30K, but questioning the price.

The total price is definitely higher than I'd like, so I think I'll ask them if there are any discounts currently available or otherwise shop it around with other nearby dealers. But unless there's someone in northern/central NJ who wants to give me a hands on tutorial , I do need a pro to do it, but I'll just get the best deal I can.

Update: a brief web search seems to show another nearby dealer that has the 30K package with basically the same items (I believe - I'll need to check vs. the sheet I have at home), except they do it all for less than the lower package (the one with no trans drain & refill) at the other dealer. By the way, this other dealer I actually started going to because it was cheaper than the one I first started at, which was crazy expensive.

[ryker]

Read the owners manual!

Check with Honda.com ownerslink section

both will show that a 30k service does not exist. Nor do you need a full trans service at the mileage.

[8thgenInAL]

There is a step by step guide on this forum

But if you still don't think you can manage go to an independant mechanic with good reviews and have it done, should be 70-80 bucks

[Cr8tive_leo]

Originally Posted by ryker

Read the owners manual!

Check with Honda.com ownerslink section

both will show that a 30k service does not exist. Nor do you need a full trans service at the mileage.

I'm at 110,000 km and my tranny fluid is still 'okay' I'll do it my next oil change (in about 9,000 km)

The service minder should show you a B3 service which is a tranny fluid exchange service. (it's funny that my Honda dealership has no idea when that service is suppose to come up)

And.. $115 extra for what? it's only $65cdn here for tranny fluid drain and flush.. mind you it was the same dealership, they may be smoking crack.

[av911]

If you can change your own oil, you can definitely change the ATF yourself.