bassiccutz, why are you defining what a light year is? I know what it is. You don't have to be a smart ass. It was an analogy.

 

 

This is the list of Maintnence items to be spedified by the 2000 Honda Accord owners manual: (for *severe driving conditions)

1.Clean and or replace air filter element
2.Inspect and adjust drive belts if needed.
3.replace tranny fluid (severe condtions*)
4.Inspect front and rear brakes
5.Check parking brake adjustment
6.replace airconditioning filter
7.lubricate hinges locks and latches
8.finally check all fluid levels and hoses for leaks

Your dealer may very a tad.
For $550.00 dollars your dealer may be replacing things such as spark plugs or adjusting valves, at least I hope so.
But all of the above can be done by the basic shade tree mechanic. In fact you should inspect alot of this stuff regularly on your own. $550.00 for 2 filters, wow seems like alot of cash. The AC filter was a pain to change but certainly not beyond attempt for the first timer. Was it worth what my dealer wanted?

I'd likely just save my cash and pay the dealer for the 100k service. The tranny fluid change would likely be worth a change but generally I get coupons from my dealer for around 49.95 -- 79.95 for this service. If you are a moderate driver, you can wait on this until 100k mi as well.

Again I love my dealer, but some of these specified Honda maintnence intervals have crazy fees for simply inspecting. My dealer had my car for 20minutes during the 30k service. Nothing needed fixed and I was out $300.00

(I only did the 30k service because my warranty was going to expire soon and I had some previous warranty repairs. I wanted to be sure I had a documented visit prior to expiration for what ever good that was.)

 

Stop and think about every profession and think about the fees they charge. Have you ever hired a painter? An electrician? A plumber? What about home improvement? How much will it cost to install siding or put a new roof on your house? How about a new deck or a new concrete driveway? You would choke if you knew how much of the total cost is from labor or a profit from materials.


People don't understand how much overhead is involved with running a dealership. No one is getting rich off your ONE service. If you can do the work yourself and if your time isn't worth the cost of someone doing the work for you, go for it. But you need to remember every mistake you make will cost big $$.

With that being said, you might want to shop around. $550 seems high for a 60K. We only charge $299 for a 6 cyl and $350 for a 4 cyl. We're at $70 an hour out here but I hear there are regions with a labor rate above $100/hour (San Fran). You may live in an expensive region...

 

Knock off the flaming guys or this will be closed.

 

who's flaming?

 

$350.00 for the 60k service (4cyl) wouldn't be bad especially if it included the transmission fluid change.

Who is flaming? Looks like this is a debate of value for the dollar?

I'm not saying the dealers don't have overhead or extra technical service traning either, this is exactly why I take my Honda to the Honda dealer. I just think if you add up the totals for the 60k service and add in the hourly rate (2hrs?) , there is no way you come up with 550 bucks.

 

I have yet to bring my 96 Accord EX in for the dealer check-up service every 15k miles. I replaced my air filter every 15k, trans fluid every 30k, new brakes at 90k, tires at 60k, coolant changed every 30k, new exhaust b-pipe and muffler, timing belt, balance shaft belt, seals, water pump, distributor cap/rotor and spark plug wires at 90k miles. I have never had a break down or mechanical failure whatsoever and at 95k miles the car runs like brand new, so I must be doing something right. I have used all genuine Honda parts, but I did not have the dealer put them on. My oil choise is Valvoline Synpower 10w30 which Ive used since 65k miles.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mayonaise
[B]wow, already i don't like this guy... you want him to flush the transmission fluid and not replace it? that makes sense, doesn't it... hondas don't drive too good, eh? but of course, hondas are notorious for not driving too good that is why so many people buy them, isn't it, because everybody loves cars that don't drive too good


well, not to sound too harsh...

First of all, tranmission oil change is different from flush. One takes one bottle, the other takes about a case or more.
Accord by far the worst car I have ever owned; don't want to sound too spoiled, but I got one because it used to be my wife's car before we got married. The only reason why I am driving it now is because it would cost me $5500/6month for insurance if I drive my car. People buy Accord because the price is right for a decent car, doesn't mean it is good.

 

Come on Chad You got that fancy new lift and all, no reason you shouldn't change your own tranny fluid. Might as well save some coin to help pay for that lift. It's as easy as changing your oil, and the recommended interval is every 30K for severe, 90K for normal. It's so cheap and easy, I figure I might as well do it every 30K to be safe.