ajee

I recently bought a pre-owned 2006 acura tsx and its up for its 45K maintenance. All dealerships in Atlanta recommend a cooling system and brake system flush at 45K, in addition to basic preventative maintenance, i.e. adjust belts, replace filters, bunch of inspections etc. The cheapest a dealership is charging is $375 plus tax. My question is that is it worth it to have your car serviced at a dealership or any local private acura mechanic can do as good a job? In the later case can someone recommend any reliable and honest acura mechanics in the Atlanta metro area?

Thanks!

Itchytoe

You don't need to flush your cooling system, it's perfectly fine till 100,000 or more. You probably should inspect/change the filters, oil, brake fluid, brakes, and belt. Any good mechanic can do the same work and it will be significantly cheaper. I don't know anything about Atlanta so I can't help you there.

DurgyNess

hey im in atl and have an 06 too, i take mine to this mechanic in decatur and he's always looked after all my cars. 04 TSX / 05 RL / 06 TL / and now 06 TSX

He is certified and works for nalley lexus. Honest and reliable.

nj2pa2nc

I own a 06 tsx, bought new 11/06. I have all the service done by a acura dealer I think is excellent. I follow the maintenance minder. I recently had a oil/filter change, tire rotation/balance, pressure bled abs and regular brake system and get new brake fluid, changed manual transmission fluid. My car now has almost 104K miles. According to the manual brake fluid should be changed at 3 years (no matter what the mileage) Sorry I am not in Atlanta area

ajee

Can you provide me with his contact please.

DuckDodgers

Coolant is generally recommended for replacement about every 4 years...

DurgyNess

yah sure whats your email? I see you dont have PM yet

nbtx

06 and newer TSXes have a maintenance minder which pops up from time to time with a coded indication of a letter and a number - each indication specifies a set of maintenance items. There is no maintenance specified by mileage. The maintenance items are listed in the owners manual, and your Acura dealer has the factory data but will probably try to sell additional service items which may not be needed. Then again, it's your car - do what you wish.

nj2pa2nc

depends on the dealer-I am one of the lucky ones-The acura dealer I go to does not try to sell me service that is not needed. I am sure there are some private places that will try to sell you additional unneeded service.

subinf

Can't rec anything in Atlanta but I generally avoid dealerships unless you need warranty work done. Find a good independent mechanic and you will be set.

RkFast

I think you need to be careful with dealer service. And it depends what you can do on your own and what you cant. Only you can make that call. Oil changes seem to be the same across the board, so anywhere you go its the same price. So I opt for the dealer. Some other stuff, like brake jobs? Dealers RIP you on prices on brake jobs. Almost twice the price. Tires? Dealers are a little more, not too bad.

You just need to shop around, like anything else.

Good side story here. Window motor on wifey's Corolla had to go. Dealer wanted EIGHT HUNDRED BUCKS to fix it. Local window shop wanted Three hundred.

npolite

I think (but would need to check the bottle) but it states 3 years 36,000 miles.

npolite

The items that are not in this system are the brake and coolant fluid among others such as spark plugs etc.


To the OP, if you can find a reliable mechanic that you can trust then go with them, otherwise stick with the dealership. While you may end up paying a bit more, you have more leverage from their management when things go wrong. I had an independent shop diagnose a bad motor mount. Not only didn't they find the motor mount, they charged me $160 to replace the bushings, while changing the bushing damaged my lower ball joints which ran me $360 and then I had to pay a Honda dealer $200 to replace the motor mount.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

I say go with an indy if you can. It'll save you $$$.

nj2pa2nc

[QUOTE=npolite;12002276]The items that are not in this system are the brake and coolant fluid among others such as spark plugs etc.


replace engine coolant is a sub code 5
replace spark plugs is a sub code 4
codes have not appeared yet on my tsx-

mrgold35

I usually stick to the regular shops for brakes, tires, alignments/rotations, and exhaust. Any electronic issue or powertrain services I like to save for the dealership.

Keep in mind the TSBs that might be out there. I don't think a local shop will take care those like a dealership.

ajee

It's asaiyed@profitsword.com

npolite

[QUOTE=nj2pa2nc;12002840]I must have missed it in the manual. It's odd that the coolant is in the MM when the jugs of coolant state 3 years 36,000 miles.

nj2pa2nc

[QUOTE=npolite;12008011]I thought the same thing but it is there on page 274 of the 2006 tsx owner's manual

jspagna1

I have been going to the same mechanic for the last 20+ years. I go to him with my new car & old cars. I only go to the Dealer if HE tells me I should go to the dealer and in 20+ years,that was only one time.