2006 pilot 30k service sticker shock

[kevm]

Hi all,

My 06 has a wrench light with B 1 and oil life 15 percent. I made an appointment and asked for an estimate. Was told that the vehicle was due for full 30k service. The cost estimate is $360.

I have the honda care 100k 5 year warranty and do not want to jeoprodize coverage later, but the cost of the service sounds way high, especially if you look at the B 1 maintenance minder requirements which are change oil, rotate tires, check this and check that.

I had the transfer fluid changed at 15k

Can anyone tell me what the real story is?

Thanks

[TheEaglePilot]

I would use the CarTalk Web site to find a great independent mechanic in your area.

As much as I would like to have service done by a dealer, their ridiculous pricing will probably drive me elsewhere, too.

Chris

[BCinTX]

Using another mechanic won't cause you any problems with the warranty coverage. Keep your records--a good idea anyway.

[A6Pilot]

Don't tell the service manager anything about a 30k service. Merely list what has to be done, ie oil change, etc. And list only what falls under the 'normal' service schedule. Almost all vehicle operate under those conditions, no matter what the dealer says.

For whatever the reason, by listing only the service required, your bill will be less.

[kevm]

Originally posted by A6Pilot
Don't tell the service manager anything about a 30k service. Merely list what has to be done, ie oil change, etc. And list only what falls under the 'normal' service schedule. Almost all vehicle operate under those conditions, no matter what the dealer says.

For whatever the reason, by listing only the service required, your bill will be less.

I have gotten quotes today from several independent garages in the area. One of them closely matched the dealers quote, another was $520.00. Maybe that guy thinks I wanted him to do the service and make a monthy payment on the vehicle as a thank you. I almost laughed at him on the phone. At least I figured out where I'm not having it done.!!!

Another estimate was 170.00 and it sounded as if they were actually looking at the recommended service from the manual under normal conditions. Problem is, I know nothing about the reputation of the garage.
I have one other estimate coming later today.
Thanks to everyone for their help and suggestions

[GreenMachine]

Like others have said, go by what the manual says to do based off the maint. minder sys. Don't go by the dealer's service schedule because they would love to do a 60K mile service every 3K miles if they could get away with it.

[breakfastchef]

Your dealer's service department is a profit center. They will try to get you to perform service that is not specifically listed in your warranty. Follow the warranty maintenance schedule and you will be fine. I took my Pilot in last month for routine maintenance. The owner's manual just stated I should have the oio change and tire roatationl The service department seemed to indicate this service interval also included a radiator flush and a check of damn near every system in the car. Bottom line; it cost me around $300+. That will not happen again since I know they are trying to upcharge me.

[kevm]

Originally posted by breakfastchef
Your dealer's service department is a profit center. They will try to get you to perform service that is not specifically listed in your warranty. Follow the warranty maintenance schedule and you will be fine. I took my Pilot in last month for routine maintenance. The owner's manual just stated I should have the oio change and tire roatationl The service department seemed to indicate this service interval also included a radiator flush and a check of damn near every system in the car. Bottom line; it cost me around $300+. That will not happen again since I know they are trying to upcharge me.

Thank you all for your responses. I have been using the same dealer since 1991 and we get a car from them every 3 to 4 years. Generally I have been very happy.

I always buy the extended warranty through Honda care and I always do my maintenance as required. My only issue is that vehicles are getting more and more technologically advanced and advertise things like 100k tune up and fluids that last longer.

There have been threads in here which I have read on the pro's and cons of getting the dealer service interval service vs using the maintenance minder.

Many have said in this very froum that they change their trans fluid every 30k and their vtm4 fluid every 15k.

I guess that I am the kind of person that always goes from the proactive standpoint. If you change it at these frequent intervals, it cant hurt.

The only thing that isnt taken into consideration is the human error factor. Quality service is diminishing overall in my opinion, and if you don't let someone touch something, at least they cant break it.!!! I think therein lies everyone's dilemma that isn't a DIY'er.

So after all of the pondering and advice, I have decided to keep my appointment with my Honda dealer to have the 30k service done for 360.00

This decision was cemented after getting 2 lower and 2 higher estimates from local garages. The lowest being a bit under $200. and the highest being a bit over $900. Yes, I said $900. !!!

thank you all for your answers and advice.

[GreenMachine]

Originally posted by kevm



Thank you all for your responses. I have been using the same dealer since 1991 and we get a car from them every 3 to 4 years. Generally I have been very happy.

I always buy the extended warranty through Honda care and I always do my maintenance as required. My only issue is that vehicles are getting more and more technologically advanced and advertise things like 100k tune up and fluids that last longer.

There have been threads in here which I have read on the pro's and cons of getting the dealer service interval service vs using the maintenance minder.

Many have said in this very froum that they change their trans fluid every 30k and their vtm4 fluid every 15k.

I guess that I am the kind of person that always goes from the proactive standpoint. If you change it at these frequent intervals, it cant hurt.

The only thing that isnt taken into consideration is the human error factor. Quality service is diminishing overall in my opinion, and if you don't let someone touch something, at least they cant break it.!!! I think therein lies everyone's dilemma that isn't a DIY'er.

So after all of the pondering and advice, I have decided to keep my appointment with my Honda dealer to have the 30k service done for 360.00

This decision was cemented after getting 2 lower and 2 higher estimates from local garages. The lowest being a bit under $200. and the highest being a bit over $900. Yes, I said $900. !!!

thank you all for your answers and advice.

You buy a car from every 3 to 4 years and you still get the extended warranties? How long do you keep your cars?

The new Hondas, 2006+, have 5 yr/60K mile powertrain warranties. If you are not keeping them past the warranty, or extended warranty in your case, then IMO, doing the extra maintenance is a waste. If you were doing the fluid changes yourself, then I could see spending the extra money, but the dealer prices are usually such a ripoff. I guess one, I don't like supporting the dealer more than I have to and two, I'd rather save the money for something else.

Just remember, the service schedule in your manual was created by the people who designed and built your car. The dealer's schedule was created by the . Well, you get my point.

[kevm]

Originally posted by GreenMachine



You buy a car from every 3 to 4 years and you still get the extended warranties? How long do you keep your cars?

The new Hondas, 2006+, have 5 yr/60K mile powertrain warranties. If you are not keeping them past the warranty, or extended warranty in your case, then IMO, doing the extra maintenance is a waste. If you were doing the fluid changes yourself, then I could see spending the extra money, but the dealer prices are usually such a ripoff. I guess one, I don't like supporting the dealer more than I have to and two, I'd rather save the money for something else.

Just remember, the service schedule in your manual was created by the people who designed and built your car. The dealer's schedule was created by the . Well, you get my point.

Hi,

Your point is well taken, but we drive about 20k a year, so the 5/60 does not do me a lot of good overall. I would be driving the vehicle (while still paying for it) for over a year with no warranty coverage if I did not purchase the extended. My dealer has been fair on the 5/100 bumper to bumper coverage, charging about $850 for it. Also, Honda Care does refund a portion of the warranty cost if you do get rid of the car early. We did so with our 03 accord and got a lot of the cost back.

thanks

[GreenMachine]

Originally posted by kevm


Hi,

Your point is well taken, but we drive about 20k a year, so the 5/60 does not do me a lot of good overall. I would be driving the vehicle (while still paying for it) for over a year with no warranty coverage if I did not purchase the extended. My dealer has been fair on the 5/100 bumper to bumper coverage, charging about $850 for it. Also, Honda Care does refund a portion of the warranty cost if you do get rid of the car early. We did so with our 03 accord and got a lot of the cost back.

thanks

So if I understand you correctly, you are buying an extended warranty but trading before it expires. If that's the case, you are under warranty if you have any problems, so why spend the extra money on unnecessary maintenance? If the car was old, meaning well over 100K for a Honda, then I could understand a little extra TLC, but doing so much so early is not needed. Just my 2 cents worth.

[kevm]

Originally posted by GreenMachine


So if I understand you correctly, you are buying an extended warranty but trading before it expires. If that's the case, you are under warranty if you have any problems, so why spend the extra money on unnecessary maintenance? If the car was old, meaning well over 100K for a Honda, then I could understand a little extra TLC, but doing so much so early is not needed. Just my 2 cents worth.

Hi Greenmachine. Thanks for your perspective. Yes, I generally trade the cars in before the warranty expires, however many times after 60,000 miles. Four years for us is closer to 75,000 to 80,000 miles in which case the 3/36 b to b and the 5/60 power train would both be over. Also, many repairs can cost major money, even though they are not part of the power train.
I see your point about pouring money into the vehicle with less than 100k, since that is what the extended warranty covers, but I do wonder and worry about getting pushback from Honda if the maintenance were not done and also if a major repair had to be done, would it be covered, and done correctly.
I did have the 30k service done today. I have plenty of time to think about what I will do next time, since the 60k will not be due for about 18 months or more. In any case, I want to maintain the vehicle properly, I just need to decide what properly defines. I assume if I do what is listed in the manual under normal conditions, and as identified by the maintenance minder, it would be considered proper
Thanks again

[larryziegler]

Originally posted by kevm


Hi Greenmachine. Thanks for your perspective. Yes, I generally trade the cars in before the warranty expires, however many times after 60,000 miles. Four years for us is closer to 75,000 to 80,000 miles in which case the 3/36 b to b and the 5/60 power train would both be over. Also, many repairs can cost major money, even though they are not part of the power train.
I see your point about pouring money into the vehicle with less than 100k, since that is what the extended warranty covers, but I do wonder and worry about getting pushback from Honda if the maintenance were not done and also if a major repair had to be done, would it be covered, and done correctly.
I did have the 30k service done today. I have plenty of time to think about what I will do next time, since the 60k will not be due for about 18 months or more. In any case, I want to maintain the vehicle properly, I just need to decide what properly defines. I assume if I do what is listed in the manual under normal conditions, and as identified by the maintenance minder, it would be considered proper
Thanks again

Here's my perspective on this....its not right or wrong. If you are putting 20,000 miles a year on primarily city driving, then I think you are making a more wise decision than if you were commuting 80 miles r/t to work every day on the freeway. Freeway miles are the easiest miles a car can ever see, which makes that 20,000 miles more like 10,000 miles mechanically. Under lots of freeway type driving, an extended warranty is not the best buy, other than piece of mind. Even your tire wear would be exceptional under those conditions. How you use your vehicles has alot to do with the wear and tear and potential problems it might incur. Finally, though opinions are offered free of charge here, its your money, and its your piece of mind you have to satisfy in the end.

[kevm]

Originally posted by larryziegler


Here's my perspective on this....its not right or wrong. If you are putting 20,000 miles a year on primarily city driving, then I think you are making a more wise decision than if you were commuting 80 miles r/t to work every day on the freeway. Freeway miles are the easiest miles a car can ever see, which makes that 20,000 miles more like 10,000 miles mechanically. Under lots of freeway type driving, an extended warranty is not the best buy, other than piece of mind. Even your tire wear would be exceptional under those conditions. How you use your vehicles has alot to do with the wear and tear and potential problems it might incur. Finally, though opinions are offered free of charge here, its your money, and its your piece of mind you have to satisfy in the end.

Good points Larry. Thanks. I would guess that our mileage is probably split 50 percent highway and 50 percent city like.

I guess spending $350 every 30k isnt terrible for as you said, peace of mind.

Take care

[GreenMachine]

I agree with larryziegler. It's neither right nor wrong, and it's your money too, obviously. If you have problems and you have proof you followed Honda's maintenance schedule, which you will since you do your service at the dealer, they can't deny you coverage under warranty.

BUT, you bought a Honda after all, piece of mind comes standard.