30000 mile maintenance

[PilotGerharts]

Has anyone had the 30K maintenance done yet? Our dealer wants $665 for it. Seems high.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by PilotGerharts
Has anyone had the 30K maintenance done yet? Our dealer wants $665 for it. Seems high.

You need to ask what is in the service package and what each item costs.

These packages are a way to keep us consumers confused.

[guitarman]

Based on my experience with my last Honda, dealerships like to add services to the 30K, 60K, 90K, etc. maintenence schedules. I tell them to only do what the owner's manual says to do. If the owner's manual doesn't say to check or replace something, then I don't want it "checked" or "replaced" by the dealer's mechanic.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[bkwon]

I got mine done at 48,000 km (30,000 miles) at a cost of CAD$514 including courtesy car for the day and replace VTM-4 fluid. Based on current exchange rate, that's about USD$390. This is the Type 4 maintenance for Canadian schedule, which is equivalent to maintenance services A+B+C+D in the Owner's Manual. The list is extensive: oil change, rotate tires, reset idle timing, replace transmission fluid, replace dust and pollen filter, replace air cleaner element, adjust valves, replace spark plugs, 14 point inspection, etc.

Note that I don't do any maintenance myself, as I'm hopeless in auto mechanics. Tried to do stuff before and I only ended up cursing myself in frustration. I just check oil level and tire pressure.

[bubbafett]

Just had it done for $270, the dealer wanted $440 for "their" 30K maintenance. I had to forcefully request that I only wanted what was required in the service manual.

[pilot4me]

I had my done at 32,000 for $67.53 US. Just had the VTM replaced. Everything else was done by yours truly.

Services to be performed at 30,000 per Owners link:
· Replace engine oil.
· Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 311 in your Owner's Manual).
· Replace engine oil filter.
· Check parking brake adjustment.
· Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
· Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check for leaks.
· Inspect exhaust system.*
· Inspect fuel lines and connections.*
· Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
· Inspect front and rear brakes.
· Inspect tie-rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
· Inspect suspension components.
· Inspect driveshaft boots.
· = See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 273 in your owner's manual.
· Inspect and adjust drive belts.
· Replace dust and pollen filter.
· Replace air cleaner element.
· Replace rear differential fluid. (Necessary for proper break-in of the VTM-4 rear differential.)

That sure is a lot of inspection that can be done by yourself.

[4603pba]

I just had my 30000 check done. they did everything on the list in the owner's manual for normal service. Cost including tax was $270.00

[Birdman]

The 30,000 mile service is coming on my Pilot. I was in the dealer the other day picking up parts for another Honda and asked the service dept. about it. The service writer said: "We don't follow the recommended maintenance schedules, we have our own". He then showed me a very fancy brochure from that service dept. that listed an incredible number of "extras" for the 30,000 mile that totaled almost $700. In their defense, they are putting up a new building and need to pay for it (plus the cost of their brochures). When it comes time, I'll do all the work myself and keep careful records......

[Sage_EX]

The last 3 new cars we owned I did nearly all the maintenance. Most Dealers, inspect, inspect, inspect,.........

The 49 point inspection includes:

Tires: yes the car has 4 tires (4 pts)
Air: yes all 4 tires hold air (8 pts)
Pressure: yes, all 4 tires have correct psi(12pts)
Shocks: yes, the car has 4 shocks (16pts)
Brakes: yes, the car has 4 brakes (20 pts)
Wear: yes the brakes are worn )24 pts)

You get my point.........

My work friend with a Nissan found no difference between a $250 and $450 60,000 mile maintenance expect the inspect, inspect, inspect part. His theory is they will check it anyway to see if they can sell you something else. Both packages contained all the required items in the FACTORY maintenance schedule.

So, it depends on how comfortable you feel with the dealer. I suggest shopping around.

JW

[RagerXS]

At our dealer it was only $195, but failed to include the VTM-4 fluid change. I complained to the service manager that the 30K maintenance doesn't include all the required items at 30K. After an unsatisfactory answer, I complained to Honda (careful to praise them for the things they do well). It would be a major problem if the rear diff failed due to insufficient maintenance -- would they own up to not doing it, or blame me for not specifically requesting it?

FYI, they wanted $89.95 to change the VTM-4 fluid. I told the service writer that I thought the charge was unfair considering it's about the same work as changing the oil. I bought a gallon there for less than $20 for DIY...

~ Fred

[landscaperjb]

Does anyone know how to reset the maintenance light?

[cdsmith]

Just follow the instructions in the owner's manual to reset the maintenance light.

[jay]

Originally posted by landscaperjb
Does anyone know how to reset the maintenance light?

Page 69 in the '03 Manual explains it. (Thanks kemosabe and bkwon for scanning/posting and hosting the manual.)

[lxblack]

Has anyone done air filter replacement? Do we need it at 30K?
How much is the part, and how much for labor? Where did you get the part?

DIY, is it fairly easy?

Dan

[jay]

Originally posted by lxblack
Has anyone done air filter replacement? Do we need it at 30K?
How much is the part, and how much for labor? Where did you get the part?

DIY, is it fairly easy?

Dan

The engine air filter is pretty easy, and you can probably find aftermarket filters.

Check out this thread for details and pictures on changing the passenger cabin filter. The passenger cabin filters are probably Honda-only filters, and two of them are behind the glovebox. Doing it the first time is tricky, but should be easier after that. If experience with my '98 Accord is any indication, they need to be changed. The filters were white when new, black when replaced. The filters, IIRC, will run you $18-25 each.