stopped using dealer menu's -- Advice needed

[kevm]

Hello,

We have a 2006 Pilot. I have always called the dealer when the maitenance minder comes on and the dealer says, well ok, your close to XX mile service. So I go get the service done.

I know that the vtm4 has been changed at least teice, the rear diff has been changes at least twice and the ATF has been changed at least once.

The cabin filter and air filter element have each been changed at least once during these intervals.

So last week, A1 pops up on the MM. I call the dealer and they say..oh, your due for 60k service. I say how much and they say 400.00

I looked at their list this morning and it is a bunch of checks and a few adjustments along with changing the ATF and a break fluid flush along with the standard oil change.

So I say..well the MM says A1 (tire rotation and oil change)

They say.. well our list is what our management recommends.

I say ok, well just do the A1 and let me look into this a bit more.

My question for the group is. Do any of you just follow the MM as a rule and thats it.? It seems fairly comprehensive on what it recommends.

I did call Honda and they said for warranty purposes following the MM recomendations is all that is required.

I appriciate any thoughts on this.

Thank you

[RSQ Pilot]

I follow both the MM and the owner's manual recommendations.

MM service intervals are consistent with your vehicle's operational patterns.

The OM is different. One examle, OM recommends brake fluid flush intervals by service years not miles or the MM codes. There are other exceptions: if you have operated under the "severe " conditions caveat; tow a trailer; drive in a highly air-poluted area; or fall under the "once a year "guideline" due to lack adequate operational mileage for the oil change. These are all variables for service timing.

Keeping good records of when service items were performed helps in your discussions with the service manager who trys to sell you a service that is not due or necessary based upon Honda service recomendations and your vehicle's age/mileage/usage. Knowing what is required by Honda as opposed to what a dealer's service manager recommends gives you the choice.

By the way did they "recommend" refreshing the air in your tires with a new nitrogen fill-up?

Out with the old, in with the new

All for slight extra fee .

[kevm]

Originally posted by RSQ Pilot
I follow both the MM and the owner's manual recommendations.

MM service intervals are consistent with your vehicle's operational patterns.

The OM is different. One examle, OM recommends brake fluid flush intervals by service years not miles or the MM codes. There are other exceptions: if you have operated under the "severe " conditions caveat; tow a trailer; drive in a highly air-poluted area; or fall under the "once a year "guideline" due to lack adequate operational mileage for the oil change. These are all variables for service timing.

Keeping good records of when service items were performed helps in your discussions with the service manager who trys to sell you a service that is not due or necessary based upon Honda service recomendations and your vehicle's age/mileage/usage. Knowing what is required by Honda as opposed to what a dealer's service manager recommends gives you the choice.

By the way did they "recommend" refreshing the air in your tires with a new nitrogen fill-up?

Out with the old, in with the new

All for slight extra fee .

Thank you for the response. That is where my confusion comes in. In my 2006 manual, I saw nothing like a maintenace chart..it was more like MM charts that told you if this is on, do this.

Is there any other reference for a 2006 pilot that I'm missing?

Thanks again

[whizmo]

Originally posted by kevm
Is there any other reference for a 2006 pilot that I'm missing?

No.

The MM IS the reference. The idea of the MM is that you throw away all the mileage-based schedules and just do exactly the service that the MM says. (There are a few calendar-based services like brake fluid changes and coolant changes that you track separately.)

Dealers don't like this system because they make their big money on comprehensive 15K, 30K, and 60K "checkups" which are often glorified oil changes and pencil-whipped inspections that they can charge $750 for. The MM costs them money, so they try and push customers back to fixed mileage-based service.

If you're going to use the dealer, you may have to push them to do just want the MM says. Some dealers either will outright refuse to do this, or they'll use draconian pricing to push you back to their system. That's when you find a new place to service your car.

- Mark

[RSQ Pilot]

Honda has a "honda service history" booklet that has the same checklists of what is covered during an A or B service and Honda dealers have a "recommended" service checklist based upon mileage intervals ... 15000, 30000, 45000, 60000. Ask the dealer for a copy.
Its kind of an alacarte menu...dine at your choice.

I also agree with what Mark posted above.

[TomStromie]

Instead of having the dealer perform the scheduled maintenance packages , I think you would be better off to listen to Marty (Vegas Vacation):

"You don't know when to quit, do ya Griswold?... Here's an idea: Why don't you give me half the money your were gonna to bet, then we'll go out back, I'll kick you in the nuts, and we'll call it a day! "

You are correct in thinking that you would receive little benefit for the $400 charge. I have the local Goodyear Service Center change my oil ($17 with discount) and I rotate the tires myself. I think they charge $20-$25 to rotate the tires. We're still talking only $40 vs $400 at the dealer.

I will buy the next set of tires at Goodyear (original tires are nearly worn out at 44,000 miles) and they will provide free tire rotations after that.

BTW, changing the transmission fluid takes less than 15 minutes if you have the basic tools (which the dealer obviously has). Flushing the brake fluid might take another 15 minutes when the wheels are off. That's a lot of money for a little effort.

[kevm]

Thank you all for weighing in with your thoughts. We just got the Pilot back with them just taking care of the reqired service for the A1 MM and replacing the wiper blades. It was about $70. total.

Regards

[akulla]

Originally posted by kevm
Hello,

We have a 2006 Pilot. I have always called the dealer when the maitenance minder comes on and the dealer says, well ok, your close to XX mile service. So I go get the service done.

I know that the vtm4 has been changed at least teice, the rear diff has been changes at least twice and the ATF has been changed at least once.





Thank you

Just wanted to clarify something.
You wrote the VTM-4 and rear diff fluids were changed at least twice.
Is it you typo or did they actually charged you separately for these two.
I thought that rear diff and vtm-4 is the same thing.

[kevm]

you are correct. the rear diff is the name of the service and the VTM4 fluid is the part.

Thanks