So I brought my 2012 Fit to the dealer to have a tire replaced for $147, and afterwards they handed me a pre-printed sheet with the dealer's recommendations for service based on the age of the car.

Now, my car is almost three years old and it only has 8800 miles on it. I haven't even gotten to the first maintenance minder yet. But the dealership thinks I need to have this $529 service done!

It includes replacing transmission and differential fluids and the air filter, and rotating the tires. The rest of the pre-printed sheet is just mumbo-jumbo about inspecting various things: brakes, exhaust belts and hoses, driveshaft boots, steering linkage, suspension, blah blah blah.

They told me that since I have so few miles, I should disregard the maintenance minder and go by their recommendations based on age. They did say this was their recommendation, not Honda's.

So, I don't know whether to believe them, or stick with the maintenance minder. Suggestions?

 

Well, even if you go by the 12,000 mile a year philosophy your transmission still wouldn't be due yet. I believe that's due at 60k miles, which would be 5 years.

Brake fluid should be changed every three years because the fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture, which lessens it's effectiveness, and oil should be changed at least once a year minimum if you don't put enough miles on the car to set off the minder. I believe these are Honda's only time sensitive instructions. So at most you might be due for brake flush soon.

I think you may want to reconsider your choice in service shops. $500 is a lot of money for some fluid exchanges regardless.

 

Yeah I would pass on these guys. Even for said service, that seems like a lot of money to me. I would suggest that you look into doing some of these yourself. It doesn't take a lot of know how or tools. You can save yourself a lot of money in the process.

 

yah, dont listen to the dealer. i put about 6k per year on my '12. i have like 16k-17k miles on my car right now. only work ive done is oil change (once a year) and visual inspection.

i will swap the cabin and intake filter this year on top of the oil change. that's about it.

 

Little-used cars make the MM irrelevant.


Even Honda says "replace the oil yearly even if the MM wrench is not lit". And if you do that, the rest of the MM codes get reset before they are "due".



Now, in the past, service schedules would always specific months OR miles. The pertinent question is, AM I DRIVING MY CAR LONG ENOUGH TO FULLY WARM IT UP?

This requires at least 45 minutes of driving at once.

Short, 5-minute trips DO require more frequent fluid replacements, more to remove moisture and contaminants than to replenish "worn" oil.

Other items (like filters) can be inspected and replaced if needed.

++++++

Bottom line, you need to replace SOME things on a time basis...other things just need to be monitored. (Kenchan has the right idea!) If your car is off warranty, I'd look for an independent Honda specialist to do the routine stuff. They will be a LOT cheaper than a dealer.
(PS, a Honda specialist knows the importance of using OEM fluids and parts when needed)

 

Thanks...I appreciate the feedback. Good to hear I don't need to spend $500 checking things on the dealership's "list."

Once my car's warranty expires I plan on taking it to a local shop that specializes in Japanese-made cars. I took my old car there, and they were always very fair. I trust them a lot more than this dealership, especially after reading the feedback you guys have given me...

 

Just wait until your car has more miles on it.

We had our '07 Fit in to a dealer today, to get two recalls done. (No charge for that, of course)


They gave us a very nice list with "suggested" services based on their Courtesy Vehicle Inspection. "Only" $1500 USD.


Notably missing was any mention of the collapsed/torn LF transmission mount, which I replaced this afternoon. Oh yeah, they also forgot to mention the burned out side-marker bulb.

But hey, the donuts, coffee, and WiFi were nice.