I got 30k on my 03 civic. Ex manual. question is, should i take my car for the maintaiance for the local shop or to the dealer ? dealer is asking for $250.00 for this and local shop will do the same thing for $150.00 but the question is. i have extended warranty on this car for 75k miles. if something happens in the future, and have to get this fixed, can dealer void the warranty ? what you think ? where should i take my car for the Maintainance. Please advise, Thanks

 

go to an actual honda specialist...and.. what 30k mile maint. are you talking about? .. theres really nothing too major to take your car to a "mechanic" untill 90k miles.. the rest you can do yourself... all it really is .. plugs filter and oil... and check all your fluids

 

I like the Honda dealer, just because they are experienced and have all of the right tools necessary.

Standard mechanic shops are good for old cars and keeping your **** running, but a car with <100k I'd take to a dealer.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by return_2020 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I got 30k on my 03 civic. </TD></TR></TABLE>

If I remember, from my mom and girl's 7th gens, there really isn't a 30K service interval. I think the tranny fluid, oil change and air filter are all that's required (I'm going off the top of my head, since I don't have the manual in front of me though).

Plugs and coolant were around 60K or something like that. Of course the dealer will want to do everything at 30K for you so they get teh bucks from your wallet.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by return_2020 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> if something happens in the future, and have to get this fixed, can dealer void the warranty ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

As long as the maintenance is done, and you have receipts, they cannot void your warrantee. You do not have to have your maintenance done at a dealer.

 

all they are going to do is, oil change, MTF change, clean the throttle plate with 3mcleaner, flush out the brake fluid, and other things include, check the suspension, steering system, and check check. do you still think its worth $250.00 at the dealer ?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
As long as the maintenance is done, and you have receipts, they cannot void your warrantee. You do not have to have your maintenance done at a dealer.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly..that's the key...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by return_2020 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">clean the throttle plate with 3mcleaner</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not needed at 30K, that should still be fairly clean.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by return_2020 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> check the suspension, steering system, and check check. do you still think its worth $250.00 at the dealer ? </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's why it's so expensive, labor costs for 'checking'. Honestly, your car is practically new, and shouldn't have any problems with any of the things they'll be checking.

Look at your manual and see what's required at 30K. Then go and ask them to do it 'a-la-cart'. You'll probably pay $30 for the oil, $30 for the MTF, &lt;$50 for the air filter. No 'checking', you get the service performed that's needed, and save some bucks.

 

thats a good advise. thanks

 

Our 30k includes all of this
oil, atf/mtf fluid change, air filter, wiper blade inserts, fuel injection cleaner, coolant flush, rotate and balence tires, and brake flush and we fill your washer fluid. It pays me 3.0 hours and cost you 299.95. rip off if you ask me. but oh well people pay it.
It does not void your warrenty at my dealer if you don't do your services.

 

http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/maintenance.do

30kmi maintenance schedule

Part Description Part Cost
Air filter $ 24.50
Cabin air filter $ 25.00
Engine oil $ 10.50
Oil filter $ 6.00
Total Estimated Parts Cost $ 66.00


Labor Action Item Labor Cost
Replace Air filter $ 3.49
Inspect Ball joints $ 6.98
Inspect Brakes $ 20.92
Replace Cabin air filter $ 20.92
Inspect boots & seals Drive axles $ 6.98
Inspect Drive belt(s) $ 2.09
Change Engine oil $ 13.95
Lubricate Hinges, locks & latches $ 3.49
Replace Oil filter $ 6.98
Inspect Steering $ 6.98
Inspect Suspension $ 3.49
Inspect Tie rod ends $ 3.49
Inspect Tie rod ends, steering gearbox & boots $ 6.98
Rotate Wheels & tires $ 20.92
Total Estimated Labor Cost $ 127.64


Total Estimated Costs
Total Estimated Parts Cost For Your Area $ 66.00
Total Estimated Labor Cost For Your Area $ 127.64
Total Estimated Cost (excluding tax)* $ 193.64

 

umm after all this reading, i guess i will take it to dealer. because there is not much of a difference i

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by return_2020 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Replace Air filter $ 3.49
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats bullshit.

 

take it to the dealer, it will insure your warranty. i would check on what the warranty regs are, i really doubt that engine needs any tune at all in reality, as most new engines don't even need valve adjustments till over 50k miles. THe new caddy northstar doesn't need a tune till 100k miles. how hot is that?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by washpawryder &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Thats bullshit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why? It's a techs job to do services and to get paid. If he did freebies all day at a flat rate then he doesn't make money. When you go to a dealership and pay the big money your not only getting the work done your knowing that if something goes wrong you have a company to stand by their work. They also take care of any recalls that may need to be done that you may not know about.

 

im a tech at a local honda dealer here and I think everybody is pretty much correct (HOURLY RATES MAY DIFFER OURS IS 95.00 AN HR).IT also includes a allignment as well I think. Ill check tommorow.I think your car might even be in the year range that you need to get the combo switch recall.(depends on vin as well)Id also take it in just so you can a last time checkout (if there is any thing that you think is rattling, loose, or not the way you think it should be BEFORE 36K)

 

much of the stuff you can and should take care of yourself. a K&N airfilter costs the same and will have better flow and not need replacing.

just tell the dealer what you want taken care of and it'll cut your bill down quite a bit. plus, when you take a car in for regular service (such as oil changes), they check much of that stuff as complimentary. you could probably save half of the suggested bill.

they have to make money somehow.

 

i saw the air filter for 3.95 and said bs to myself too. im sure they arent that cheap...

 

that's for the labor of the air filter replacement.

 

different dealers have here own things they do but basically coolant ,atf/mtf , oil , air filter , cabin filters , inspect/service brakes , rotate and in some places balance tires , inspect suspension and underbody , and wiper inserts . 03 's have no open recalls h/l switch was for the most part 01's and some 02's and 01 insights. it's more or less a piece of mind that you're taking care of your car properly . newer civics don't get plugs till 105kiknow i kinda babbled , but this is what i do 7-5 5 days a week

 

you sure no allinment I cant remember I know we do it at 15k but not 100% sure if we do at 30k. Ill try to find it somewhere on in.honda.com.

 

its rec. every year or every 15k....

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 10K4U &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you sure no allinment I cant remember I know we do it at 15k but not 100% sure if we do at 30k. Ill try to find it somewhere on in.honda.com.</TD></TR></TABLE>

dayum our hourly labor rate is 78.00.....but we do have table/chart system that once it gets about to 10hrs of labor its about $85-90....just keeps climbing


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 10K4U &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im a tech at a local honda dealer here and I think everybody is pretty much correct (HOURLY RATES MAY DIFFER OURS IS 95.00 AN HR). </TD></TR></TABLE>

we do oil change, trans service, rotate and balance wheels, replace air filter, and fill washer fluid....for 2.8 hrs

we rarely void warranties.....extended warranties its up to the adjuster and the extended warranty company....honda 3/36 only if the car has been tampered and if it has a problem in that area we wont fix it, but the warranty isnt totally voided

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civic-si-2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Our 30k includes all of this
oil, atf/mtf fluid change, air filter, wiper blade inserts, fuel injection cleaner, coolant flush, rotate and balence tires, and brake flush and we fill your washer fluid. It pays me 3.0 hours and cost you 299.95. rip off if you ask me. but oh well people pay it.
It does not void your warrenty at my dealer if you don't do your services.
</TD></TR></TABLE>


Thats true.....proof of maintenence is a damn good insurance for extended warranties


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
As long as the maintenance is done, and you have receipts, they cannot void your warrantee. You do not have to have your maintenance done at a dealer.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

ok I guess ISIS doesnt like to be copy and pasted oh well(2.4 hrs).Yea our service dept is gettin kindda greedy with the labor rate.Its all good though as long as customers keep comin in.


Modified by 10K4U at 9:21 PM 12/13/2004