30,000 mi. "Inspections"

[Tuck & Jack]

I've done all the maintainence on our '05, but thought I would take it in to the dealer for the tire rotation and 'courtesy checks'. They want $108 to do that. I've already changed all the required fluids and filters and have checked the belts & hoses, all looks fine, but I'm obviously not a Honda mech. I then called my local Firestone shop to inquire about the same thing and was told they would rotate the tires + check the brakes ,belts, hoses...etc. for $20. Is the dealer that big of a crook or are the guys at Firestone not doing the job completely?

[tallgood]

Take it to Firestone. They are all very simple visual inspections.

[Rapid Rob]

I insist on trans. oil change every 15k. I'll do the air filter,too. You're doing the VTM also? The pollen filter shouldn't go past 30k, depending on where you live. Around here, 30k is about it.
Going to the dealer means whoever is looking at your Pilot has seen several, & should know what to look for. That being said, I wouldn't think it will need anything.

Don't go to Firestone, it's another "Jiffylube". If you have the, "Dealers are stealers" thought, then find a good independent.

[deparson]

I would say a bit of both. For the inspection items at 30K it should take the dealer all of 15 min or so if done right. For that you should expect to pay the going rate; say $20 + $20 for tire rotation for a total of $40.

Firestone, IMO, will only look for things they can sell you; belts, fluid changes, filters, etc.

If you are on Honda's mailing list they just sent out a coupon book that included a 'free 21 point inspection'. If you can get a copy of that it could be your best bet. Either way, there is no way I would pay $108 for a tire rotation and inspection.

-D

Originally posted by Tuck & Jack
I've done all the maintainence on our '05, but thought I would take it in to the dealer for the tire rotation and 'courtesy checks'. They want $108 to do that. I've already changed all the required fluids and filters and have checked the belts & hoses, all looks fine, but I'm obviously not a Honda mech. I then called my local Firestone shop to inquire about the same thing and was told they would rotate the tires + check the brakes ,belts, hoses...etc. for $20. Is the dealer that big of a crook or are the guys at Firestone not doing the job completely?

[mookie]

FWIW, I always change my tranny fluid every 50-60k......and knock on wood have been fine with all my cars. 2 hondas and 1 pontiac. If it still looks cherry red then given your 30K miles, I wouldn't worry about it. Not sure what the manual says, however, but that's also related to warranty liabilities.

In any event, just my two cents.

[hondaman2]

to get the most for your buck and still have some left, go to the dealer and ask for an express oil change(19.95) and a tire rotation(10.00) with a courtesy general check over.

or just the tire rotation and check over.

You should also browse other dealer web sites and look for coupons and print them off. most dealerships will honor or beat any dealer coupon.

[rocky]

Originally posted by mookie
FWIW, I always change my tranny fluid every 50-60k......and knock on wood have been fine with all my cars. 2 hondas and 1 pontiac. If it still looks cherry red then given your 30K miles, I wouldn't worry about it. Not sure what the manual says, however, but that's also related to warranty liabilities.

In any event, just my two cents.

50-60?????? Holy smokes.

Bet it looks like black coffee at that stage. Even Honda says 45k which I think is too long.

[mookie]

Nope.

I check my tranny fluid every 4-6 weeks or so, and it always looks cherry red. If it looked like black coffee I'd change it more often, but it never has so it's not an issue. That said, it it looks black and only has 20 or 30K on it, then IMO there's a tranny problem itself....so you've got an issue.

Unless you notice some abnormal gearshift hesitation and/or the fluid doesn't look cherry red and it's not that old, and/or it's about 50-60k old, IMO you don't need to change it.

I've got a Pontiac with 132k and have only changed the tranny fluid 2 times. Knock on wood the car shifts as smoothly today as when I first bought it.

My Accord has 80K and the fluid has only been changed once.

And my Pilot is only a year old, so.......