Maintenance Required Light and Service Interval

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Debasis Goswami, Feb 28, 2004.

  1. I bough a 2004 Odyssey from Sloane Honda near Philadelphia. The sale was
    smooth. However, I found that this dealer always pushes for first and all
    subsequent servicing at 3,750 miles instead of Honda-advised 7,500 miles for
    normal driving. I drive between 2K and 3K miles every month and all highway.
    I am not sure if the dealer just pushes people too early for a few bucks in
    servicing. I called another dealer in NJ and they did not expect me to
    service before 7,500 miles for the first one.

    In general, I am seeing poor customer service quality with Honda
    dealers/servicing. They don't drop off people or provide a loaner car if the
    car needs to be in for the day. I guess the reason is that these dealers are
    too proud of their brand name

    Earlier I have always driven Ford for many years. While some of them are
    staffed by rude people, some others are nice. Particularly to the one I used
    to go to (Robin Ford). I could not buy a Ford for the minivan this time
    because of horrible quality of Ford minivans.
     
    Debasis Goswami, Feb 28, 2004
    #1
  2. Well, first of all virtually NO ONE satisfies the requirements for
    "normal" driving as outlined in the manual. Honda wants desperately to
    make the "normal" maintenance for its cars look good, so they (and every
    other manufacturer) twist "normal" to meet what they want it to look
    like. Realistically, your driving probably falls in between their
    "normal" and their "severe" driving. What most people call normal, the
    manufacturer calls "severe".

    That being said, the dealer wants you in as frequently as possible.
    That makes him money. OK, so what does that get *you*? In some cases,
    it gets you peace of mind--knowing that should anything happen, your
    dealer will take care of you, period. In fact, some dealerships are
    smart about that; they'll take it upon themselves to warrant the vehicle
    for 7 years/100K miles as long as you take the car to them on the
    maintenance schedule they specify. That's not a bad tradeoff in many
    cases.

    Me, I came up with a 5000 mile schedule. It's a compromise between
    Honda's "normal" and "severe" schedules, and is very easy to remember.
    It took me awhile of studying their recommended maintenance schedules to
    come up with it, though.
     
    Elmo P. Shagnasty, Feb 28, 2004
    #2
  3. Honda dealers are no different. What you're seeing is a concentration
    of rude Honda dealers *in your area*.

    Fact is, auto dealers are independent businesses with virtually no ties
    to the manufacturer. Honda can't specify what a dealer does or doesn't
    do with respect to rides, loaners, etc. It's up to each independent
    businessman how he wants to run his business.

    I assure you that there are plenty of places in the country where you'll
    find a friendly Honda dealer amidst a concentration of rude Ford dealers.

    You can't make a blanket statement about Honda and Ford based on what
    you're seeing. Not by a long shot.
     
    Elmo P. Shagnasty, Feb 28, 2004
    #3
  4. Debasis Goswami

    Woody Guest

    At 2-3k miles a month and highway driving there is nothing wrong with
    changing oil at 7500 miles unless those highway miles are abusive, high
    speed and you have a lead foot. Don't use the dealer as he will maximize his
    income. If you don't service it yourself use a quality service shop. The
    dealer cannot refuse you warranty service because you use a 3rd party
    service shop unless he provides the service free. Use quality oil and change
    at 7500 miles. Have the oil analyzed once in a while for the record...
     
    Woody, Feb 28, 2004
    #4
  5. Now, that's a broad, broad statement. The dealer *may* maximize his
    income IF you just wave your hand and say "whatever" when you're asked
    what needs done.

    If you're specific in your business dealings, like you should be, no
    dealer would have a chance at fleecing you.

    And in fact, my dealership *is* a quality service shop.

    There's no need to avoid the dealer at all. And remember, if you don't
    do it yourself you stand a chance at being ripped off by EVERY shop you
    go to.

    So the advice "find a quality service shop" is good advice, but don't
    assume the dealer is any worse than any other shop as you shop around
    for a service place. In fact, the dealer may be better than any other
    shop around--and you don't want to miss out on that.
     
    Elmo P. Shagnasty, Feb 29, 2004
    #5
  6. --------------------

    Deb,

    Whatever you do, don't do the first oil change prematurely. There's
    special oil in there and it's helping your engine 'break in' properly.
    Read your owner's manual religiously and you'll be smarter than the
    salesman (perhaps). :)

    'Curly'

    --------------------
     
    'Curly Q. Links', Feb 29, 2004
    #6
  7. Debasis Goswami

    Woody Guest

    Spoken like a true dealer employee...


     
    Woody, Feb 29, 2004
    #7
  8. I learnt the same after doing a little research on the internet about the
    servicing schedule. In fact, the user's manual explains this also.
    Therefore, I have decided to wait till 7,500 miles before first servicing.
    All subsequent servicings may be done at a shorter interval but not the
    first one. In fact that may benefit the engine. Thanks.
     
    Debasis Goswami, Mar 1, 2004
    #8
  9. Debasis Goswami

    123.bam Guest

    I am still skeptical of the first oil change at 7500 miles as the best
    approach. Here is my reasoning.
    Special "break in oil" or not, if you let the minute particals float around in
    the engine to "establish a wear pattern" those particals can and do cause
    un-needed wear. Its in the best interest of the dealer and owners manual to
    suggest this long service interval, the damage that could be done in the first
    7500 miles may actually decrease the total life of the engine by several 10's of
    thousands miles, hence earlier replacement.

    Im a bit of old school when it comes to engines, Ive done oil changes after the
    first 100 miles after a rebuild, and 1500 miles following that. Then I switch
    to 5000 mile intervals. The amount of crap floating around the engine when new
    can plug the oil filter causing it to bypass all filtration when the engine is
    cold. Changing the oil and filter early in its life reduces a lot of wear.

    mabey make a compromise on what the manual and dealer recommends and change the
    filter after the first 1500-3000 miles and top the oil back up. This might be
    the best solution.
     
    123.bam, Mar 1, 2004
    #9
  10. First of all, top posting is WRONG. Stop it.

    Second, I'm not a dealership employee.

    You, on the other hand, sound like you closed your mind a long time ago,
    never to open it up again.

    Can't believe that a dealership would be straightforward with its
    customers, can you? You also probably can't understand what a
    dealership *can* offer to its long time customers. It's no different
    than any other business relationship.

    But, I guess you wouldn't know what a long time business relationship
    can get you.
     
    Elmo P. Shagnasty, Mar 2, 2004
    #10
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