Owner of a new 2007 EX-L 4WD - few questions

[jimcjoy]

Hello,

Just bought a 07 EX-L 4WD on 09/30/06. I was really thrilled to find this web site and the helpful comments from such a lot of Pilot Gurus.

Being a new pilot owner, I have the following questions.

1. When do I do the first oil change? Do I blindly follow the maintenance minder system or should I do as per the severe maintenance schedule (I do a lot of stop and go in the northern VA / DC suburbs). I have heard about the factory oil being special, thats why I ask.

2. I got a maintenance plan from the dealer - it covers all services upto 60K miles (every 3750 miles, including the 15K, 30K, 45K and 60K services) for $900. Is this worth it? (I can cancel the plan within the first 60 days and get a full refund). Please advice.

Thanks again for maintaining such a great web site.

[ctobio]

On your points:

1. I say yes, follow the maintenance minder. It probably won't go off earlier than 5000 miles anyway. It's a subject that's been beaten to death- factory fill on oil is a special break-in oil possibly high in moly.
2. Don't know. Someone who knows the going rate on services could probably help figure out if you come out ahead. Either way, dealer's gonna make money on this deal.

[ictvuser]

Originally posted by jimcjoy

2. I got a maintenance plan from the dealer - it covers all services upto 60K miles (every 3750 miles, including the 15K, 30K, 45K and 60K services) for $900. Is this worth it? (I can cancel the plan within the first 60 days and get a full refund). Please advice.

It all depends on what the average labor rate is in your area and if the dealer is covering the service intervals for both normal and severe conditions.

The 07 uses a Maintenance Minder, so to give you a rough idea of what is done at each service interval, I attached the normal and severe maintenance schedules for an 05 Pilot to use as a guide. One thing that is not on the 05 schedule but is needed for your 07 is changing the Transfer Case fluid. This should be done the same time as the Tranny.

NOTE: The 05 schedule is just to give you an idea of what Honda recommended in the past at each service interval for the Pilot. Follow the recommendation of your Maintenance Minder and/or owner's guide to keep your warranty in effect.

Take from http://hondapilot.bkwon.net/manual/2005/

[tim.s]

Originally posted by jimcjoy
...2. I got a maintenance plan from the dealer - it covers all services upto 60K miles (every 3750 miles, including the 15K, 30K, 45K and 60K services) for $900. Is this worth it? (I can cancel the plan within the first 60 days and get a full refund). Please advice...

Make sure your service plan covers all of the parts too (oil filters, fluids, washers, etc...) For example, you don't want to be getting just free oil, free overpriced labor and a re-used filter. In other words, look for the "items not covered" list in the serivce contract.

If you decide to keep the service plan be sure you use it. I think they sell those plans expecting the buyer not to show up for every service or to move away, sell the vehicle, etc...

I'd wait until the first factory recommended oil change and then go as often as you want (say every 4000 miles or every 3 months). There's no harm in changing the oil more often.