Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

Jim Yanik <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in
news:Xns998DDDC4E77F8jyanikkuanet@64.209.0.87:


>>
>
> I just got a service reminder for my 94 GSR that was stolen,stripped
> and torched the end of June.



A sad end for a fine car.

I'm so glad I live in the sticks where I do, well away from the anarchy of
the cities.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

Elliot Richmond wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> I thought the group might appreciate this short tale. I shared with
> you that I purchased a 2006 Honda Accord. It has now turned over
> 20.000 miles. Like clockwork, I got an email message from the service
> facility at the dealer from whom I bought the car that it was due for
> it's "20,000 mile service."
>
> Well, I dug out the owners manual, and looked for a schedule. Instead,
> it told me that the computer would tell me when the car needed
> service. No mileage schedule. I remembered the collective wisdom of
> this group and that this subject was discussed, so I dug through the
> archives. No mileage schedule. I searched the internet. No mileage
> schedule.
>
> So, I replied to the email from the service facility, explaining that
> all of the information I had was that the car would tell me when it
> needed service and if the service manager knew something I did not
> know, then he should share it with me. Particularly, I wanted to know
> if there really was a mileage schedule that supplemented the
> maintenance minders.
>
> No reply after a week.
>
> I think I will take my car, when it really does need service,
> somewhere else.
>
> Elliot Richmond
> Itinerant astronomy teacher
> Freelance science writer

This page might be of interest to you...
http://www.high-road.com/maintenance/maintenance.htm

Eric

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

Elliot Richmond wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> I thought the group might appreciate this short tale. I shared with
> you that I purchased a 2006 Honda Accord. It has now turned over
> 20.000 miles. Like clockwork, I got an email message from the service
> facility at the dealer from whom I bought the car that it was due for
> it's "20,000 mile service."
>
> Well, I dug out the owners manual, and looked for a schedule. Instead,
> it told me that the computer would tell me when the car needed
> service. No mileage schedule. I remembered the collective wisdom of
> this group and that this subject was discussed, so I dug through the
> archives. No mileage schedule. I searched the internet. No mileage
> schedule.
>
> So, I replied to the email from the service facility, explaining that
> all of the information I had was that the car would tell me when it
> needed service and if the service manager knew something I did not
> know, then he should share it with me. Particularly, I wanted to know
> if there really was a mileage schedule that supplemented the
> maintenance minders.
>
> No reply after a week.
>
> I think I will take my car, when it really does need service,
> somewhere else.
>
> Elliot Richmond
> Itinerant astronomy teacher
> Freelance science writer

This page might be of interest to you...
http://www.high-road.com/maintenance/maintenance.htm

Eric

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

Elliot Richmond wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> I thought the group might appreciate this short tale. I shared with
> you that I purchased a 2006 Honda Accord. It has now turned over
> 20.000 miles. Like clockwork, I got an email message from the service
> facility at the dealer from whom I bought the car that it was due for
> it's "20,000 mile service."
>
> Well, I dug out the owners manual, and looked for a schedule. Instead,
> it told me that the computer would tell me when the car needed
> service. No mileage schedule. I remembered the collective wisdom of
> this group and that this subject was discussed, so I dug through the
> archives. No mileage schedule. I searched the internet. No mileage
> schedule.
>
> So, I replied to the email from the service facility, explaining that
> all of the information I had was that the car would tell me when it
> needed service and if the service manager knew something I did not
> know, then he should share it with me. Particularly, I wanted to know
> if there really was a mileage schedule that supplemented the
> maintenance minders.
>
> No reply after a week.
>
> I think I will take my car, when it really does need service,
> somewhere else.
>
> Elliot Richmond
> Itinerant astronomy teacher
> Freelance science writer

This page might be of interest to you...
http://www.high-road.com/maintenance/maintenance.htm

Eric

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:39:21 +0000 (UTC), Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m>
wrote:

>You can bring your car someplace else, but if that someplace else is
>another franchised dealer, you will be faced with the same annoyance.

It's not the annoyance, it's the deceit. If there is a maintenance
schedule based on mileage, then Honda or their service departments
should tell us about it. (I suspect there is.) It is also the failure
to respond to my email request. That is what lost them a service
customer. If they can take the time to send an emil to me, they can
take the time to reply to mine. I know they are busy. So am I.

Lacking information about a "secret" maintenance schedule, my best
bet seems to be to go by the owners manual (something that is often
recommended on this group). The manual specifically states that I
should have the car serviced when the maintenance minder says to. So,
that's what I plan to do. There are no listed alternatives for more
frequent service.

I do not think that going beyond service recommendations is cost
effective anyway. One could change oil every 1000 miles, every 10,000
miles or somewhere in between. Where is the point at which more
frequent oil changes do so little good, that they are simply not
worthwhile? Clearly every 1000 miles is too often. But is 10,000
miles too long an interval?

On my previous Honda, I decided I would go with what the owner's
manual said, which was every 7,500 miles, despite the local Quicky
Lube's insistence that it should be every 3000. The car had just
turned 200,000 miles and was running like a fine watch when it had
it's collision with a concrete barrier which severely damaged the
suspension.

Speaking of which, I now regret that I did not take the salvage value
from the insurance and keep the car. I think I could have repaired it
for less than the salvage value, especially if I had harvested good
parts from the local automobile recycler.
Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher
Freelance science writer

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:39:21 +0000 (UTC), Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m>
wrote:

>You can bring your car someplace else, but if that someplace else is
>another franchised dealer, you will be faced with the same annoyance.

It's not the annoyance, it's the deceit. If there is a maintenance
schedule based on mileage, then Honda or their service departments
should tell us about it. (I suspect there is.) It is also the failure
to respond to my email request. That is what lost them a service
customer. If they can take the time to send an emil to me, they can
take the time to reply to mine. I know they are busy. So am I.

Lacking information about a "secret" maintenance schedule, my best
bet seems to be to go by the owners manual (something that is often
recommended on this group). The manual specifically states that I
should have the car serviced when the maintenance minder says to. So,
that's what I plan to do. There are no listed alternatives for more
frequent service.

I do not think that going beyond service recommendations is cost
effective anyway. One could change oil every 1000 miles, every 10,000
miles or somewhere in between. Where is the point at which more
frequent oil changes do so little good, that they are simply not
worthwhile? Clearly every 1000 miles is too often. But is 10,000
miles too long an interval?

On my previous Honda, I decided I would go with what the owner's
manual said, which was every 7,500 miles, despite the local Quicky
Lube's insistence that it should be every 3000. The car had just
turned 200,000 miles and was running like a fine watch when it had
it's collision with a concrete barrier which severely damaged the
suspension.

Speaking of which, I now regret that I did not take the salvage value
from the insurance and keep the car. I think I could have repaired it
for less than the salvage value, especially if I had harvested good
parts from the local automobile recycler.
Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher
Freelance science writer

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:39:21 +0000 (UTC), Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m>
wrote:

>You can bring your car someplace else, but if that someplace else is
>another franchised dealer, you will be faced with the same annoyance.

It's not the annoyance, it's the deceit. If there is a maintenance
schedule based on mileage, then Honda or their service departments
should tell us about it. (I suspect there is.) It is also the failure
to respond to my email request. That is what lost them a service
customer. If they can take the time to send an emil to me, they can
take the time to reply to mine. I know they are busy. So am I.

Lacking information about a "secret" maintenance schedule, my best
bet seems to be to go by the owners manual (something that is often
recommended on this group). The manual specifically states that I
should have the car serviced when the maintenance minder says to. So,
that's what I plan to do. There are no listed alternatives for more
frequent service.

I do not think that going beyond service recommendations is cost
effective anyway. One could change oil every 1000 miles, every 10,000
miles or somewhere in between. Where is the point at which more
frequent oil changes do so little good, that they are simply not
worthwhile? Clearly every 1000 miles is too often. But is 10,000
miles too long an interval?

On my previous Honda, I decided I would go with what the owner's
manual said, which was every 7,500 miles, despite the local Quicky
Lube's insistence that it should be every 3000. The car had just
turned 200,000 miles and was running like a fine watch when it had
it's collision with a concrete barrier which severely damaged the
suspension.

Speaking of which, I now regret that I did not take the salvage value
from the insurance and keep the car. I think I could have repaired it
for less than the salvage value, especially if I had harvested good
parts from the local automobile recycler.
Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher
Freelance science writer

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:26:00 -0700, Eric <say.no@spam.now> wrote:

>This page might be of interest to you...
>http://www.high-road.com/maintenance/maintenance.htm
>
>Eric

It is interesting, but this is from a company that provides (sells)
service. For example, it has that 3000 mile oil change recommendation.
No automobile manufacturer has a recommended oil change interval that
short. Most are going to longer intervals.

Here is another approach:

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../interval.html

And still another

http://ask.cars.com/2007/05/oil_change_main.html

And still another.

http://greenmesh.com/2007/07/oil_cha...s_get_long.php


Only one thing is clear. Whatever is being "sold" has a great effect
on the recommended oil change interval.



Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher
Freelance science writer

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:26:00 -0700, Eric <say.no@spam.now> wrote:

>This page might be of interest to you...
>http://www.high-road.com/maintenance/maintenance.htm
>
>Eric

It is interesting, but this is from a company that provides (sells)
service. For example, it has that 3000 mile oil change recommendation.
No automobile manufacturer has a recommended oil change interval that
short. Most are going to longer intervals.

Here is another approach:

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../interval.html

And still another

http://ask.cars.com/2007/05/oil_change_main.html

And still another.

http://greenmesh.com/2007/07/oil_cha...s_get_long.php


Only one thing is clear. Whatever is being "sold" has a great effect
on the recommended oil change interval.



Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher
Freelance science writer

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:26:00 -0700, Eric <say.no@spam.now> wrote:

>This page might be of interest to you...
>http://www.high-road.com/maintenance/maintenance.htm
>
>Eric

It is interesting, but this is from a company that provides (sells)
service. For example, it has that 3000 mile oil change recommendation.
No automobile manufacturer has a recommended oil change interval that
short. Most are going to longer intervals.

Here is another approach:

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../interval.html

And still another

http://ask.cars.com/2007/05/oil_change_main.html

And still another.

http://greenmesh.com/2007/07/oil_cha...s_get_long.php


Only one thing is clear. Whatever is being "sold" has a great effect
on the recommended oil change interval.



Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher
Freelance science writer

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

Elliot Richmond <xmrichmond@xaustin.xrr.xcom> wrote in
news:30k7c35q7egk3b30qsdsp8fjoa4ekn8jq0@4ax.com:

> On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:39:21 +0000 (UTC), Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m>
> wrote:
>
>>You can bring your car someplace else, but if that someplace else is
>>another franchised dealer, you will be faced with the same annoyance.
>
> It's not the annoyance, it's the deceit. If there is a maintenance
> schedule based on mileage, then Honda or their service departments
> should tell us about it. (I suspect there is.)



There is not (aside from the servicing that arises from observed need).

What the dealership is trying to do is to get you to do more work than
the Maintenance Minder indicates. If you were running that dealership,
you'd do the same thing. The service department is a real money maker,
mostly because nobody takes care of their cars.

I think you need to ease up here.



> It is also the failure
> to respond to my email request.



Two explanations: 1)( They got somebody else to send out the mass
mailing on their behalf, or 2) they're like a lot of companies that do
very little email and thus never check it.

I agree it's pretty silly to have a published email address, send out
messages using it, then not respond to replies.

It's also possible the dealership didn't want to put any answers in
writing for fear of later getting in trouble. Did you include a
telephone number?



> That is what lost them a service
> customer. If they can take the time to send an emil to me, they can
> take the time to reply to mine. I know they are busy. So am I.
>
> Lacking information about a "secret" maintenance schedule, my best
> bet seems to be to go by the owners manual (something that is often
> recommended on this group). The manual specifically states that I
> should have the car serviced when the maintenance minder says to. So,
> that's what I plan to do.




You RTFM! Everybody knows you're not supposed to do that!




> There are no listed alternatives for more
> frequent service.
>
> I do not think that going beyond service recommendations is cost
> effective anyway. One could change oil every 1000 miles, every 10,000
> miles or somewhere in between. Where is the point at which more
> frequent oil changes do so little good, that they are simply not
> worthwhile? Clearly every 1000 miles is too often. But is 10,000
> miles too long an interval?



Not if the Maintenance Minder says it OK. That depends on the use of the
specified oil, too. You can't put just any old junk in there and rely on
the Maintenance Minder.

Considering your desire to abide by the Owner's Manual, I assume you
will use the correct Honda-specified fluids when it's time to change
them? Honda fluids are more expensive.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

Elliot Richmond <xmrichmond@xaustin.xrr.xcom> wrote in
news:30k7c35q7egk3b30qsdsp8fjoa4ekn8jq0@4ax.com:

> On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:39:21 +0000 (UTC), Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m>
> wrote:
>
>>You can bring your car someplace else, but if that someplace else is
>>another franchised dealer, you will be faced with the same annoyance.
>
> It's not the annoyance, it's the deceit. If there is a maintenance
> schedule based on mileage, then Honda or their service departments
> should tell us about it. (I suspect there is.)



There is not (aside from the servicing that arises from observed need).

What the dealership is trying to do is to get you to do more work than
the Maintenance Minder indicates. If you were running that dealership,
you'd do the same thing. The service department is a real money maker,
mostly because nobody takes care of their cars.

I think you need to ease up here.



> It is also the failure
> to respond to my email request.



Two explanations: 1)( They got somebody else to send out the mass
mailing on their behalf, or 2) they're like a lot of companies that do
very little email and thus never check it.

I agree it's pretty silly to have a published email address, send out
messages using it, then not respond to replies.

It's also possible the dealership didn't want to put any answers in
writing for fear of later getting in trouble. Did you include a
telephone number?



> That is what lost them a service
> customer. If they can take the time to send an emil to me, they can
> take the time to reply to mine. I know they are busy. So am I.
>
> Lacking information about a "secret" maintenance schedule, my best
> bet seems to be to go by the owners manual (something that is often
> recommended on this group). The manual specifically states that I
> should have the car serviced when the maintenance minder says to. So,
> that's what I plan to do.




You RTFM! Everybody knows you're not supposed to do that!




> There are no listed alternatives for more
> frequent service.
>
> I do not think that going beyond service recommendations is cost
> effective anyway. One could change oil every 1000 miles, every 10,000
> miles or somewhere in between. Where is the point at which more
> frequent oil changes do so little good, that they are simply not
> worthwhile? Clearly every 1000 miles is too often. But is 10,000
> miles too long an interval?



Not if the Maintenance Minder says it OK. That depends on the use of the
specified oil, too. You can't put just any old junk in there and rely on
the Maintenance Minder.

Considering your desire to abide by the Owner's Manual, I assume you
will use the correct Honda-specified fluids when it's time to change
them? Honda fluids are more expensive.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

Elliot Richmond <xmrichmond@xaustin.xrr.xcom> wrote in
news:30k7c35q7egk3b30qsdsp8fjoa4ekn8jq0@4ax.com:

> On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:39:21 +0000 (UTC), Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m>
> wrote:
>
>>You can bring your car someplace else, but if that someplace else is
>>another franchised dealer, you will be faced with the same annoyance.
>
> It's not the annoyance, it's the deceit. If there is a maintenance
> schedule based on mileage, then Honda or their service departments
> should tell us about it. (I suspect there is.)



There is not (aside from the servicing that arises from observed need).

What the dealership is trying to do is to get you to do more work than
the Maintenance Minder indicates. If you were running that dealership,
you'd do the same thing. The service department is a real money maker,
mostly because nobody takes care of their cars.

I think you need to ease up here.



> It is also the failure
> to respond to my email request.



Two explanations: 1)( They got somebody else to send out the mass
mailing on their behalf, or 2) they're like a lot of companies that do
very little email and thus never check it.

I agree it's pretty silly to have a published email address, send out
messages using it, then not respond to replies.

It's also possible the dealership didn't want to put any answers in
writing for fear of later getting in trouble. Did you include a
telephone number?



> That is what lost them a service
> customer. If they can take the time to send an emil to me, they can
> take the time to reply to mine. I know they are busy. So am I.
>
> Lacking information about a "secret" maintenance schedule, my best
> bet seems to be to go by the owners manual (something that is often
> recommended on this group). The manual specifically states that I
> should have the car serviced when the maintenance minder says to. So,
> that's what I plan to do.




You RTFM! Everybody knows you're not supposed to do that!




> There are no listed alternatives for more
> frequent service.
>
> I do not think that going beyond service recommendations is cost
> effective anyway. One could change oil every 1000 miles, every 10,000
> miles or somewhere in between. Where is the point at which more
> frequent oil changes do so little good, that they are simply not
> worthwhile? Clearly every 1000 miles is too often. But is 10,000
> miles too long an interval?



Not if the Maintenance Minder says it OK. That depends on the use of the
specified oil, too. You can't put just any old junk in there and rely on
the Maintenance Minder.

Considering your desire to abide by the Owner's Manual, I assume you
will use the correct Honda-specified fluids when it's time to change
them? Honda fluids are more expensive.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:22:06 +0000 (UTC), Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m>
wrote:

>Considering your desire to abide by the Owner's Manual, I assume you
>will use the correct Honda-specified fluids when it's time to change
>them? Honda fluids are more expensive.

Yes, with one exception. The service facility I plan to use (a
different Honda dealer) has always given me excellent and prompt
service. Their prices have generally been lower than independents
(e.g. timing belt replacement). They use Castrol GTX, so that is
probably what I will go with.


Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher
Freelance science writer

Re: Maintenance Reminders redux
 

On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:22:06 +0000 (UTC), Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m>
wrote:

>Considering your desire to abide by the Owner's Manual, I assume you
>will use the correct Honda-specified fluids when it's time to change
>them? Honda fluids are more expensive.

Yes, with one exception. The service facility I plan to use (a
different Honda dealer) has always given me excellent and prompt
service. Their prices have generally been lower than independents
(e.g. timing belt replacement). They use Castrol GTX, so that is
probably what I will go with.


Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher
Freelance science writer