I'm just bought a HCH 06 and the dealer has handed me the maintenance schedule pamphlet. It this tells me that there are two types of maintenance A and B with sub maintenance: 12345.
A: $27.88 CAD
replace engine oil
B: $175.88 CAD
replace engine oil and filter
service front and rear brakes
inspect parking barke adjustments
inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots
inspect suspension components
inspect driveshaft boots.
inspect barke hoses and lines (including ABS)
Check fluid levels, condition of fluids and check for leaks
inspect exhaust system
inspect fuel lines and connections
1. $33.88 CAD
rotate tires and check pressure
2. $155.88 CAD
Replace air cleaner element. replace dust and pollen filter and adjust drive belt.
3. $76.88 CAD
Replace transmission fluid
4. $120 CAD
Replace spark plugs. inspect valve clearance
5. $78.00
Replace engine coolant
I have only owned one car before this (back in 01, and it was my first car), so my knowledge about car maintenance during that time was only as good as anyone who has never touched a car at all.
I'm just going through it and i strongly believe that at least more than half of it are DIY jobs: for example replacing oil and oil filter, air filter , engine air filter, checking tire pressures (just buy a tire guage and a tire inflator), checking drive belt (just have them replace it after 3 or more cracks exist per inch), replacing spark plugs (i believe it uses platinums or irradiums which last 130,000 + KM, i have to verify), checking for leaks, and finally checking fluid levels.
Having mentioned the above DIY jobs, those are what i currently know how to do with my current car : 01 BMW 325ci have saved thousands of $$$$ ever since my warranty expired 3 years ago ( yes i drive a lot and yes i had no choice but to learn those otherwise suffer having a hole in my wallet with their scammed $1000 CAD inspections )
and my car still runs flawlessly.
I guess that's how the dealer makes the bulk of their money.
To me, the only thing that's necessary for taking the car to the dealer after the warranty is up is to rotate tires, replace brakes (front and rear disc and drums), replace transmission fluid, and coolant fluid periodically; fortunately the last three are not very often. Also, when you finally start hearing the engine knocking and clicking to the point where it annoys you, just have them adjust the valve clearances (this is how i inspect my valves
)
And when the battery finally goes at their specified 8 year or 130,000km that's when i have to let the car go too and trade in for another and more advanced hybrid
but since the car will be under warranty for 100,000kms I guess should stick to this schedule for now.
I'm planning on changing the oil myself to mobil 1 0w20.
That is why i have to skip Maintenance Type A alltogether even when the car is new ( I like to change both Oil and Filter together, although some may say it's not necessary to).
As far as tire pressure goes, I think going 2 psi over the specified value is okay and will give a slightly more stiffer ride and hopefully better mileage is what i have done in the past and plan to do the same with my new car.
I know honda knows best about maintenance for their cars, and i know that their maintenance schedule is designed for maximum profitability but are there really clear ingedients for any car owner to know besides changing oil which are mandatory to keep their cars running and healthy for a long time? any tips suggestions will be appreciated especially for new car owners who want to learn some DIY jobs.