60K maintenance

[ksarin]

Hi Guys -

I have about 64K on my 2004 Honda Pilot. On the previous vehicles I've owned, I have never followed any maintenance schedules. I just get the basic oil change done and get other things "fixed" as and when they happen. But I am thinking of taking a different approach for my pilot.

DO you guys recommend that I stick with all the major (60K, 90K etc.) and minor (every 7500 miles) and intermediate (every 15000 miles) maintenance schedules that the honda dealer has recommended?

If yes, is taking the vehicle to a dealer a good place or a place like Meinke would do?

Thanks!

[dbvolfan]

I guess the main Q I have is do you plan to keep it until it falls apart or will you try to sell it? I wouldn't touch a used car with a 10' pole if it doesnt have proper maintenance records but that is just my opinion.

I would recommend doing the recommended service intervals but try doing asd much as you can yourself. I dont have the book in front of me but oil, tranny/differential and coolant are all pretty easy to do and fun b/c you know it was done right. Anything you dont feel comfortable doing either go to Honda or if you are lucky like I am, I have a certified mechanic who I trust and he charges almost 50% of what Honda does.

[ksarin]

Yeah, I do plan to keep it for atleast another couple of years.

Honda dealership is asking for $324 for the 60K maintenance. Sounds reasonable?

I guess I will get the service done.

[adostrom]

In general, I think the service schedules in the manual are designed to put money in the dealer's pocket. I've worked for a dealer, and most of their profit comes from service, not selling cars, so it's totally to their benefit to get you in there as often as possible.

My philosophy is to change the oil and filter when it's dirty (seems to be about every 20k miles for me) with a high-quality synthetic like Mobil 1, and the ATF and Diff fluid every year or so. I just recently replaced the spark plugs for the first time, and they were worn, but functional. I use a K&N air filter, so I just clean it every year or so, too. I've done the brakes a couple of times, and fix things that break, but honestly, not much has broken.

I am just going to do the timing belt change; I really should have done it a while ago, the downside of a belt breaking is too high to put it off any longer.

Oh -- yes, I have almost 130,000 miles on my 2005, and I don't regret not spending a dime at the dealer yet...

[krygny]

Originally posted by ksarin
Yeah, I do plan to keep it for atleast another couple of years.

Honda dealership is asking for $324 for the 60K maintenance. Sounds reasonable?

I guess I will get the service done.

The price is reasonable, depending on what they're doing. I'm getting the 60K maint. done tomorrow but my local dealer doesn't do exactly what the manual says. They call it their "D" maintenance.

If you have 64K and all you've done is engine oil changes, or it's used and you don't know what was done, I'd recommend changing ALL the fluids: engine oil, rear VTM, coolant, tranny, power steering, brake ... lets's see ... what did I forget?

[MRM4]

Originally posted by adostrom
In general, I think the service schedules in the manual are designed to put money in the dealer's pocket.

That's right. The last time we had our Pilot in for any kind of work, it was well past time of the scheduled maintenance and they never brought it up.

[rogue176]

My philosophy is to change the oil and filter when it's dirty (seems to be about every 20k miles for me)...

I am a first time Honda owner (06/EXL/Navi) and a DIY'r. I am used to GM and a few other domestic brands. I sat like a nerd on the couch as my wife laughed at me because I was reading all the manuals the car came with. Funny - it is her car but my responsibility.

First read is always maintenance. Maintenance is different for Honda apparently than GM - very different. I have been browsing the site looking for referrals as to how many actually keep to the maintenance code, and it seems to vary. I keep cars until there is nothing more left than a badly worn steering wheel. I have an 2001 GMC Sierra which will be 14-15years old and at least 200K before it goes bye bye and looks strikingly similar to the day I bought it new.

20K before an oil change? Is this safe? It was always my understanding 3-6K intervals. I always stuck to 3K to be on the safe side and hopefully preventative maintenance would make the car last longer. The dealer did this car every 6K before my purchase.

Anyway, I know from what I read that there is no normal predetermined maintenance intervals. Those recommended maintenance intervals are reserved soley for driving under special conditions. Outside of that, the car tells you when it needs something. Further, it seems that depending on where you are located, climate and environment plays a direct role in maintenance.

Bottom line, the car is my wife's and has 50K on it. She drives about 20 miles a day and averages 7K a year (includes other driving). This means that, in theory, in 14-15 years the car will have about 150K. My kids are four. Chalk this up to 200K and she won't see another car for 20 years - after my kids are out of college. I am allergic to car payments.

I live in the St. Louis, MO area. Anyone from this region have any recommendations on preventative and contiuing maintenance for this vehicle?