[logi]

The Pilot has been flawless for the last 8 years, I have had only one issue, that was a collateral from the timing belt replacement. The latest maintenance have been:

• Two and a half years ago, around 29K the dealer did: oil, coolant, brakes and transmission fluids replacement, and air filters (engine and interior)
• 3 oil changes
• Two months ago (around 45K) I did the timing belt, water pump, etc. I also did tire balance, rotation and brake fluid replacement.

Now that I am approaching the 50K, what are the recommended services the dealer should perform to the car? On top of the basic Oil and filter change.

• Spark plugs?
• Drive belt?
• Brakes?

Thank you

 

[briantii]

The Pilot has been flawless for the last 8 years, I have had only one issue, that was a collateral from the timing belt replacement. The latest maintenance have been:

• Two and a half years ago, around 29K the dealer did: oil, coolant, brakes and transmission fluids replacement, and air filters (engine and interior)
• 3 oil changes
• Two months ago (around 45K) I did the timing belt, water pump, etc. I also did tire balance, rotation and brake fluid replacement.

Now that I am approaching the 50K, what are the recommended services the dealer should perform to the car? On top of the basic Oil and filter change.

• Spark plugs?
• Drive belt?
• Brakes?

Thank you

Not much. Oil change when it's due. Sounds like it's well maintained and shouldn't need anything right now. Honestly I'd just put gas in it and drive it based off the below logic:

- Spark Plugs are good for 100k. They don't age based on calendar - they're more usage based and you're only about 50% there.

- Drive belt would have been looked at and inspected when they did the timing belt.

- Brakes - only replace if they're worn. Typically the Pilot brakes don't wear much and if it isn't pulsating or squealing I wouldn't touch them.

- Brake fluid you're already doing every ~3 years so good there.

- Oil changes every 5k miles or so.

- Transmission fluid I'd wait until 60k miles unless you just WANT to do it really early. 30k miles on transmission fluid is very early for replacement anyway though.

 

[logi]

Not much. Oil change when it's due. Sounds like it's well maintained and shouldn't need anything right now. Honestly I'd just put gas in it and drive it based off the below logic:

- Spark Plugs are good for 100k. They don't age based on calendar - they're more usage based and you're only about 50% there.

- Drive belt would have been looked at and inspected when they did the timing belt.

- Brakes - only replace if they're worn. Typically the Pilot brakes don't wear much and if it isn't pulsating or squealing I wouldn't touch them.

- Brake fluid you're already doing every ~3 years so good there.

- Oil changes every 5k miles or so.

- Transmission fluid I'd wait until 60k miles unless you just WANT to do it really early. 30k miles on transmission fluid is very early for replacement anyway though.

Thank you Brian for the detailed response, I will follow your advice

 

[WiiMaster]

Check the front spool valve for a leak. Doesn't typically leak this early but considering that it'll take the alternator with it if unnoticed, worth checking.

- Transmission fluid I'd wait until 60k miles unless you just WANT to do it really early. 30k miles on transmission fluid is very early for replacement anyway though.

I disagree, I would not use ATF for longer than 30k in any of their ATs. Some even less time, more like 15k.

Especially if it's DW-1 ATF, but really any ATF I wouldn't feel comfortable going longer than 30k. Fluid is cheap insurance and it has been shown quite often that the Honda ATs aren't really built to have fluid in them for longer than 30k.

 

[logi]

Check the front spool valve for a leak. Doesn't typically leak this early but considering that it'll take the alternator with it if unnoticed, worth checking.


I disagree, I would not use ATF for longer than 30k in any of their ATs. Some even less time, more like 15k.

Especially if it's DW-1 ATF, but really any ATF I wouldn't feel comfortable going longer than 30k. Fluid is cheap insurance and it has been shown quite often that the Honda ATs aren't really built to have fluid in them for longer than 30k.

Thank you, please could you post a picture of the spool valve installed in the engine, I found these 2 online, but I am not sure where it is?

 

[briantii]

Thank you, please could you post a picture of the spool valve installed in the engine, I found these 2 online, but I am not sure where it is?

View attachment 165553
View attachment 165554

It's right next to the oil dipstick. If it's leaking it'll be right above the alternator. The reason I didn't mention it was because you just had someone working in that area for the timing belt - should have been seen / noted then but it's for sure a good idea to keep an eye on oil leaks near / above the alternator there on the front of the engine.

 

[logi]

Check the front spool valve for a leak. Doesn't typically leak this early but considering that it'll take the alternator with it if unnoticed, worth checking.


I disagree, I would not use ATF for longer than 30k in any of their ATs. Some even less time, more like 15k.

Especially if it's DW-1 ATF, but really any ATF I wouldn't feel comfortable going longer than 30k. Fluid is cheap insurance and it has been shown quite often that the Honda ATs aren't really built to have fluid in them for longer than 30k.

Found it, it looks dry to me:

 

[briantii]

Check the front spool valve for a leak. Doesn't typically leak this early but considering that it'll take the alternator with it if unnoticed, worth checking.


I disagree, I would not use ATF for longer than 30k in any of their ATs. Some even less time, more like 15k.

Especially if it's DW-1 ATF, but really any ATF I wouldn't feel comfortable going longer than 30k. Fluid is cheap insurance and it has been shown quite often that the Honda ATs aren't really built to have fluid in them for longer than 30k.

So Honda recommends 60k mile changes on the ATF. While I agree 60k might be a little "long" - these transmissions also aren't really known for destroying themselves either - no matter how often you change (or don't change) the fluid. I can personally attest that 30k miles on DW1 can still look and smell brand new. There is a temporary shift improvement when swapping DW1, but it's short lived no matter what - weeks at best. I think at 15k miles you're well at the point of diminishing returns and a 30k interval is likely not only "acceptable" but still "over the top" good no matter what fluid you chose.

You're of course free to disagree - but changing fluid at 50% of the rated service life is still very conservative, especially on a transmission that's not known to have many problems and zero common problems associated with wear / lubrication.

 

[WiiMaster]

So Honda recommends 60k mile changes on the ATF. While I agree 60k might be a little "long" - these transmissions also aren't really known for destroying themselves either - no matter how often you change (or don't change) the fluid. I can personally attest that 30k miles on DW1 can still look and smell brand new. There is a temporary shift improvement when swapping DW1, but it's short lived no matter what - weeks at best. I think at 15k miles you're well at the point of diminishing returns and a 30k interval is likely not only "acceptable" but still "over the top" good no matter what fluid you chose.

You're of course free to disagree - but changing fluid at 50% of the rated service life is still very conservative, especially on a transmission that's not known to have many problems and zero common problems associated with wear / lubrication.

Where do they recommend 60k? Honda doesn't have mileage intervals for pretty much all services.

 

[briantii]

Where do they recommend 60k? Honda doesn't have mileage intervals for pretty much all services.

Heh, guess you are correct. I must have got that from the dealer or something. Stupid POS maintenance minder garbage… with that said a lot of dealers recommend doing it at 60k. For example:


https://www.normreeveshondairvine.com/honda-pilot-maintenance-schedule-irvine-ca/


The transmission fluid is on service #3. Not sure how often or what logic that pops under with the maintenance minder. Legit, why couldn’t Honda just make it simple? That thing is far more confusing than old school paper records / schedule.

 

[BikeRidingPilotFan]

Two and a half years ago, around 29K the dealer did: oil, coolant, brakes and transmission fluids replacement, and air filters (engine and interior)

I would never pay a dealership or independent shop to replace either of those. Buy a couple of each, keep them handy and replace them as necessary. The Honda dealership in my area sends me "coupons" for discount work on our cars and their "deal" for a cabin and engine air filter is $119. You can buy both filters for about $30 at most and replace both of them within 10 minutes.

 

[WiiMaster]

Heh, guess you are correct. I must have got that from the dealer or something. Stupid POS maintenance minder garbage… with that said a lot of dealers recommend doing it at 60k. For example:


https://www.normreeveshondairvine.com/honda-pilot-maintenance-schedule-irvine-ca/


The transmission fluid is on service #3. Not sure how often or what logic that pops under with the maintenance minder. Legit, why couldn’t Honda just make it simple? That thing is far more confusing than old school paper records / schedule.

And the general consensus among Honda forums everywhere is to do it every 30k at least, especially with the ones attached to a V6.

 

[logi]

I would never pay a dealership or independent shop to replace either of those. Buy a couple of each, keep them handy and replace them as necessary. The Honda dealership in my area sends me "coupons" for discount work on our cars and their "deal" for a cabin and engine air filter is $119. You can buy both filters for about $30 at most and replace both of them within 10 minutes.

Correct, I do those myself