xviper, do you suggest that we learn to do this maintenance work ourself or should we ask the dealership to inspect or change this items every oil change?
Can you be specific about items that need changing and items that need only inspection?
Also how can we verify that inspected items have been inpected appropriatly?
Thanks.

 

Changing the differential fluid, transmission fluid, and engine oil are quite simple. I don't plan on anyone but myself doing those in the future. Next on my list is to learn how to do the brake and clutch fluid changes so that I don't have to rely on others for that.

As far as having the dealership "inspecting" your transmission and differential fluids every oil change I just don't see it as a possibility. In order to see the fluid you would pretty much just have to drain it. I drained and refilled the differential at 3,500 miles, when I did my first oil change. I did the same with the transmission at 5,000 miles and should have done it sooner. Changing just those two fluids made a very noticeable difference in the car. As far as knowing/verifying that the inspected items have been inspected appropriately...your only option, IMO, is doing it yourself. That way you know it was done correctly.

 

Oil, tranny, differential and spray lube/grease points are easy if you have the tools and the space to do it.

I think most people take it to the dealer to have done because they are either intimidated by the work, don't have the tools, don't have the space and/or think they don't have the time.

It actually takes longer to get the work done at a dealer and costs you more. Fluid changes are about 15 minutes for each (engine oil, tranny and differential). Spraying silicone lube doesn't take long especially if you already have your car jacked up when changing fluids. Cleaning lug bolts takes a little longer but it's still not that hard. Air filters are simple.

For me personally, I feel better that I did it myself.

 

This has been a "bugbear" of mine for many years. I think it's all in marketing. Everyone wants to think that they are "normal", so they like to keep this usage. In time, I think that we will see a more useful labeling of maintenance schedules where something more like "normal" and "exceptional" might be used. As it stands, there are those who would fall under the category of "normal" - like those who are traveling salesmen, driving long distances between starts, away from urban environments. These types of conditions could possibly see maintenance intervals far exceeding even what is listed under "normal".

This is a tough one. I can tell you that my car is over 3 years old now and it has never seen the inside of a dealer's service bay. I do all my own maintenance and now that the warranty is over, I will be doing all my own repairs (which I hope to be only normal wear and tear things). This is just too much for the average owner to do. It is simply not practical and most must depend upon the dealer to keep their cars kept up.
I run on 35 years of wrenching on cars and 35 years of trial and error. Some lessons learned along the way will always be applicable to all cars, even if the owner's manual says nothing about them.
You will never be able to tell if dealers have performed the routine checks. These may involve a simple "walk by" and visual. I highly doubt that they would actually unscrew a tranny or diff fill bolt and stick a finger in to check.
There are so many items that I do above and beyond the schedule. I shall try to list some of the important ones:
-on a new car, change the diff fluid within the first 3000 - 5000 miles, then annually (DO NOT use Honda fluid here).
-change the tranny fluid annually (Honda MTF OK).
-silicone spray the 2 steering rod rubber boots and the 4 CV boots a couple times a year. Honda would love to sell you new CV joints when all the grease falls out and they break and blame you for abuse.
-don't believe for a second that your post '01 engine coolant is good for 10 years. I'd wait no longer than 5.
-if you live in extreme climates, treat your window, top and windshield rubber seals more often than what the book says. Don't forget you have seals under the hood and trunk lids, although these are not quite as important as they are not exposed to the elements.
-take a look at your brake and clutch fluid and consider changing them sooner than what the book says if you operate the car under extreme conditions and if they start to look bad.
As owners, sometimes we must take some responsibility for our own property because the manufacturer cannot always know each one's particular driving circumstances.

 

Thanks, xviper. I hope I can find a reliable mechanic who would do this things for me. I would have probably be more inclined to learn had I had a garage but as it stands now I have a driveway on an incline.
As far as the diff fluid I remember you told me that mobile is good.

Thanks Honda606 and Marcus as well.

 

Yes, Mobil 1 75W90 synthetic gear oil for diff.
I'm sure there are a few owners near you who do their own maintenance. You should get to know some of them and do a "tech" day in one of their garages. You watch, you help. Or find someone like me in your neighborhood. Several owners here come to my place and I do their fluids for free lunch, supper or a couple of beers. Many of them get the confidence watching me do it, that they do it themselves from that point on.

 

xviper, thanks for the explanation that I had asked for.

Honda606, thanks for the flame that I did not ask for.

 

Quote by Honda606: "I don't mean this to be rude but how old are you and how long have you been driving cars?"

It's interesting that you would want to know my age, as if there is a direct correlation between age and knowledge of motor oil. Would it make a difference if I were 12 years old or 60 years old?

Also, I never claimed to have an extensive knowledge of motor oil, hence, I was asking for an explanation.

I am 22 years old, and if I wanted to, I am sure that I can research and read up on motor oil, and come back and debate the daylight out of you. But...I'm a student and I have other books to read.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jyeung528
Quote by Honda606: "I don't mean this to be rude but how old are you and how long have you been driving cars?"

It's interesting that you would want to know my age, as if there is a direct correlation between age and knowledge of motor oil.

 

has anyone had their car VTEC before 3 bars? when I went to Mobil1, it will do it on 1 bar..