Maintenance Schedule: Dealer vs. Honda

[dblevitan]

I generally let a dealer do all the maintenance on my 06 manual CR-V (for various reasons). I recently moved across the country and am currently looking to get a 20k mile service done. Every dealer in my new area (SoCal) insists that they need to change the transmission fluid. The owner's manual recommends transmission fluid changes every 120k or 60k depending on the schedule. I'd understand doing it at 30k maybe, but every 20k sounds ridiculous. I've spoken with Honda about it, and they've basically told me the dealerships are just trying to make money off of me. Does anyone here think that changes every 20k are worth it?

Thanks,
David

[nortsr]

Follow what is stated in your manual.;) No way that soon. As you stated...the dealer is out to make $$$$$.:eek:

[luvmyhonda]

The dealer wanted me to change my timing belt at 90k miles on my '00 CR-V LX for $950. My budy mechanic looked in his HONDA service book and he told me that Honda says 110k. That's like 2 years. Dealers make the big $$ when you're car is in a service bay.

Don't listen to your dealer. Honda manufactured your car, their suggested maintence trumps all. Go 60k and change it if your concerned.

[2RedV's]

I generally let a dealer do all the maintenance on my 06 manual CR-V (for various reasons). I recently moved across the country and am currently looking to get a 20k mile service done. Every dealer in my new area (SoCal) insists that they need to change the transmission fluid. The owner's manual recommends transmission fluid changes every 120k or 60k depending on the schedule. I'd understand doing it at 30k maybe, but every 20k sounds ridiculous. I've spoken with Honda about it, and they've basically told me the dealerships are just trying to make money off of me. Does anyone here think that changes every 20k are worth it?

Thanks,
DavidMost people change the Honda tranny fluid every 30k miles or so. The dealers are trying anything they can to get you into the dealership and spend money. The more reliable a vehicle is, the less they see you.

[Carbuff2]

I'm not a fan of dealer service, you should ALWAYS question any variance from the owner's manual schedule of services. Often they are looking to add $$$ to their pockets.



But I DID change my manual trans fluid (myself) at 15K miles. My theory is the factory fill will hold metal bits in suspension that could cause more rapid wear. So I changed it. (Yeah, I know about the magnetic trap in the trans...but...)

A bonus was that Honda now has a new mixture of MTF. I could really tell the difference in smoothness after changing it.



Like many of the other fluids, Honda has specially blended its MTF for its transmissions. So use what it was designed for. It only takes two quarts. :cool:


Be sure to change (or have changed) the rear diff fluid on RT4WD models at the first hint of "moan" during sharp turns. '05 - '06 models can get noisy at 15 K miles. Older models will go 30K miles. (The factory interval is 90K miles)

[Katie_CRV_07]

Hey,

I'm new to forums, but thought I'd tag on to this thread. Along the same lines of Honda vs. Dealer...

I just took my '07 CRV in for its first oil change because the "wrench" appeared and told me to do so. I made it 9,500 miles before it appeared. I pulled into the service bay to get my oil change and got a sturdy "tsk, tsk" for going so far passed 5K. Huh? Upon purchase my salesperson told me to follow the Maintenance Minder, yet the service guys today told me that for "this car" I had to change oil every 5K and get a service done every 10K (which includes an oil change.) HUH? Isn't the whole point of Maintenance Minder to tell you when to have this stuff done instead of following some predetermined schedule?

Help, I feel like the dealership is trying to suck extra bucks out of me. Thoughts?

Thanks for the help,
Katie

[Sin City V]

The maintenance minder is just a light that comes on when you surpass x amount of miles, it does not account for driving conditions, time, etc that factor into when a service should be performed. It's just an idiot light to remind people that there's more to do to keep your car running than put gas in it. Just like the TPMS system for those who do not check their tire pressure until someone tells them look at your tires.

Oil changes are recommended every 3000 miles, but most newer cars can go as far as 5000. A car can technically go farther than 5K but is not recommended.

As for transmission, it is a good insurance policy against costly repairs in the future. It's a very simple procedure of draining and refilling, not like the old days of dropping the pan and changing the filter.

I actually do my own routine maintenance myself because it's super easy. In fact, the tranny oil change is quicker than the oil change.

The main things to do are oil changes (3 to 5K), tire rotation every 5 to 7K, air filter once a year and I do the tranny once a year but every 2 is okay.

Brake fluid should be done every 3 years and coolant every three.

I know honda states coolant can go 100K miles, but it's a simple procedure also and cheap insurance.

This is my 5th new Honda since '93 and never had a problem following these steps.

[Black Pearl]

The maintenance minder is just a light that comes on when you surpass x amount of miles, it does not account for driving conditions, time, etc that factor into when a service should be performed. It's just an idiot light to remind people that there's more to do to keep your car running than put gas in it. Just like the TPMS system for those who do not check their tire pressure until someone tells them look at your tires.


I can't speak for anything other than the 07, but according to the manual (page 257):

"Based on the engine operating conditions and accumulated engine revolutions, the onboard computer in your vehicle calculates the remaining engine oil life and displays it as a percentage."

The other scheduled functions appear as subcode symbols and are explained on page 263.

There is no published maintenance schedule for the 07 models, the maintenance minder does it all with a few exceptions.

Dealers will tsk tsk because they want in your wallet. If there is any doubt check with American Honda, not the dealers. I have over 6000 miles on the car and I am reading 40%. I would recommend changing the filter and crush gasket every time and my own intent is to use Mobile 1 synthetic, although in other threads that was regarded as a waste of money due to the quality of modern oils. So be it, 9000 miles seems like a long way to go on the same oil, so I'll waste a little money. Great thing about money, when I waste mine, it doesn't cost you a thing.

One thing to note, when changing your own fluids, use only the mandated Honda fluids (except oil).

[sparky]

Just bought a used 98' CRV LX w/110k miles for my daughter and I recently bought it to the Honda dealer for service. Timimg belt, water pump, belts, replaced as well as the values adjusted, brake and diff. fluid flushed and replaced. (Plugs checked as well as general vechicle inspection.) I thought they were a little high at $850 but I'm new to Honda ownership. IMO, I wouldn't go past 5k miles for an oil change assumimg full synthec or a synthec blend oil was used.

[Sin City V]

I can't speak for anything other than the 07, but according to the manual (page 257):

"Based on the engine operating conditions and accumulated engine revolutions, the onboard computer in your vehicle calculates the remaining engine oil life and displays it as a percentage."

The other scheduled functions appear as subcode symbols and are explained on page 263.

There is no published maintenance schedule for the 07 models, the maintenance minder does it all with a few exceptions.

Dealers will tsk tsk because they want in your wallet. If there is any doubt check with American Honda, not the dealers. I have over 6000 miles on the car and I am reading 40%. I would recommend changing the filter and crush gasket every time and my own intent is to use Mobile 1 synthetic, although in other threads that was regarded as a waste of money due to the quality of modern oils. So be it, 9000 miles seems like a long way to go on the same oil, so I'll waste a little money. Great thing about money, when I waste mine, it doesn't cost you a thing.

One thing to note, when changing your own fluids, use only the mandated Honda fluids (except oil).


There are exceptions to every rule and the maintenance minder does not take that into account.

I live in the very dusty and very hot desert SW. Air filters here should be changed more often than in non dustry areas. The very hot temps mandate you keep your coolant regularly serviced along with the tranny which heats up very quickly in 115 degrees in stop and go traffic. The oil breaks down quicker. Batteries and tires get eaten very quickly here also.

The onboard computer does not know this just like it does not know if you use your car for pizza delivery with many short drives; towing a trailer; operating in a harsh climate.

I know dealership service departments make extra money doing services that are not needed sometimes and are way overpriced, but take into consideration your climate and driving style also.

If you do the services yourself, good, you can save money. But you will pay at the dealer regardless.

[mydogscrv]

Another reason for sticking to 5k miles for oil changes is it's easier to remember. No stickers to look for or notes to keep. Just take a quick peek at the odometer and look for a multiple of 5k.

[Davecr-v]

I always thought it was 3000 miles or 3 months whatever comes first.

[2RedV's]

I always thought it was 3000 miles or 3 months whatever comes first.That was cars and oil from 20+ years ago. Anything more than that is overkill and a waste of your money, not to mention the environmental concerns.

[07exlowner]

The maintenance minder is just a light that comes on when you surpass x amount of miles, it does not account for driving conditions, time, etc that factor into when a service should be performed. It's just an idiot light to remind people that there's more to do to keep your car running than put gas in it. Just like the TPMS system for those who do not check their tire pressure until someone tells them look at your tires.

If this were true, it would mean that we'd all get the 15% oil life wrench indicator at the same mileage. This isn't the case because the range between intervals seems to run between 7 and 10k miles (my first oil change was at 7,500).

This does hold some truth for the maintenance sub-items, however the mileage for these items also change depending on the oil life.

Here's Honda Tech's great explanation:

http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1766&page=2&highlight=filter