gmucowman

I recently took my car (09 TSX 6MT) with 36K miles into the local Acura dealer and got the following recommendations for maintenance and upkeep:

Flush/replace brake fluid ($129)
Flush/replace transmission fluid ($129)
Replace rear brake shoes ($250, $150 back from class action suit)
Change air and engine filters ($129)

Should I get it all squared away or are they taking me to the cleaners?

PyroDave

you can do the air and engine filter in about 15 min for less than half the price, talk them down to 150 for the brakes(especially if they arent resurfacing the rotors, my dealer changed the fronts plus resurf the rotors for 199+tax)
idk about the other 2

gonzo08452

Is that it for the trans flush? Thats cheap! My broher just had the trans fluid flushed in his VW TDI wagon w/ DSG for $480.00

09TSXTech

OP drives a 6MT (manual transmission) car, should cost less than $100 even at a dealer.

09TSXTech

Since we basically drive the same car, here are my recommendations:

Flush/replace brake fluid ($129)
Should do it every three years or so, try to time it with a brake job so the cost will be lowered.

Flush/replace transmission fluid ($129)
Wait till your MID shows a # 3 code or at least wait till 65K miles.

Replace rear brake shoes ($250, $150 back from class action suit). In Canada, that was covered by warranty, otherwise, try push it down under $200.

Change air and engine filters ($129)
Absolutely DIY operation, take less than 15 minutes to replaced both items.

ceb

That's not even apples to oranges. Changing the DSG fluid is time consuming and requires special tools and a hook up to a computer.

nj2pa2nc

Are You going by the maintenance minder (oil life). I do on my 06 tsx. Did not change the manual transmission fluid until 100k+ miles. The code showed up then.

odus

iTrader: (1)

manual transmision fluid should be fine till about 60k now automatic fuck that maintance minder was told by some guys as honda i know to change it religiously at 30k cause of the internal filter. the filters change them your self much cheaper and you can make a cabin airfilter out of a house ac filter. as far as the brakes got no clue on price for them.

nj2pa2nc

Op has manual transmission. Had Excellent luck following the maintenance minder.

lji

Which of these above services do you really NEED? Dealers often SUGGEST services to pad their bottom line.

I would say the brake fluid service since Acura/Honda mentions to change it every 3 years regardless of mileage. Check websites of local Acura/Honda dealers for coupons and use them at your dealer. More than likely, they'll accept competitor coupons.

Check your manual transmission fluid to see if it needs replacement. Skip the service if it doesn't and keep the $$$.

If your rear shoes are worn down, replace those as well. Again, look for service coupons.

Check your cabin and engine air filters. If they need replacement, do them yourself. No way they cost $129. Check Acura eStore and have them shipped to your dealer. Pick them up and install them yourself. $55 max

Beholder

Personally I always buy K&N filters for my cars, once a year I wash and re-oil them. THey are well worth the $40 bucks. The internal filters are like $6 online and i do them once a year.

As for the brake fluid - i'd wait until you change brakes and have them bleed and refill then.

Manual Transmission - i think 30k is a little early. Personally on my last honda i traded it in with 78k and never changed it, still shifted great!

So a lot of the "stealerships" will suggest premature service (some even put a 3,000 mile sticker on your windsheid even know we have maintenance minder!)

gmucowman

Thanks everyone! It sounds like I should definitely do the rear brakes, brake fluid (negotiate a better price), DIY air filters and wait on the transmission fluid until 60K miles or when my maintenance minder indicates I need it.

Is there anything else I should care about? Thanks again! I really appreciate the help.

mmafighta

i think replacing trans fluid (different from flushing) costs more...but if you know a good 3rd party shop...They can do it for you around 140.

The filters are easiest DIY things you can do. Stealership is charging you an extra $70 for the labor which is so not worth it. $40 for air filter, $20 for cabin if you buy it there..don't pay the extra $70 something you can do in 10 minutes.

Also you do not need to replace your brake fluid @ 36K lol (but of course they'll tell you anything to get your $), you should flush it (not replace) though @ 70K which would be cheaper too and a long ways to go. So that'll save you another 130 for the time being.

Pretty much pay the air/cabin filter from them and D.I.Y and have them do the brake shoes for you.

gwickes

09TSXTech's answer was spot on... so good advice to follow.

I'd also suggest you ask a few questions regarding rear brakes... I also have an '09 6MT... our manual models don't have the same issue with rear brakes wearing like the auto does. My TSX has 32K miles and I drive mostly city (Dallas), so would expect more wear and tear on brakes then someone with lots of highway...

Last month, when in for Acura service the brakes were checked and still lots of pad left...therefore, I'm leaving the original pads on. So, before you replace the brakes, ask the dealer what the pad depth left is... or better yet have them show you when the car is up and wheels off if you really want to see if they need replacing.

For what its worth, my 3 years is up May 31, 2012 for the lawsuit "rebate" (ie. to get up to the $150 back from the lawsuit, the receipt for the rear brakes (service work or pad purchase) has to be submitted within 3 years of putting car on the road).

While my brakes don't need replacing, I did buy a set of the new pads (Part# 43022-TA0-A40) for less than $50 from DCH Acura - great guys with awesome online parts price, availability and service! (website: http://www.dchautomotiveparts.com/). I'll submit the receipt for the rebate (for the amount I paid for the brakes) and put the brakes "on the shelf" until I need them.

spdandpwr

is there a diy on changing the cabin filter? if not, when's the next nyc meet so I can have some people help me out, lol

Dr. Funk

I haven't taken the TSX to a shop but I'm at 47K and still driving on the factory Michelins 17" and they are due for replacement. I've researched tires and found that 225/50ZR17 Continental ExtremeContact DWS Blackwall are a good value for a smoother, quieter,sporty, all-season tire. Anybody heard about those?

Recently the brakes have begun to vibrate (front pass side I believe) at all speeds. Quite seriously at 60mph+. Should I simply get the rotors ground (they were at 10mm 10K miles ago)? If not pads and rotors?

Thanks

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

^^plenty of threads on the 3G TL side for the conti dws tires. i have them and i like them. if you live in an area with snow...it's a good choice. tirerack has a lot of reviews and as i mentioned before there are some here on AZ within other models.

as far as your brakes...if your rotors are warped...you can get them resurfaced if it hasn't been done before, but you may end up warping them again. are you getting the vibration through the steering wheel or floor baords when braking? if you're at 47k miles...depending on your driving habits you might want to consider just replacing the rotors...while you're there check on the status of your pads and replace if necessary.

CAgine

Continentals are good, but I suggest you look into Kumho, or Hangook tires as well, they're a lot cheaper with just as good quality.

BobbyC

holy crap.
im glad i "know a guy" that works at the dealer.
thats expensive as hell.

my guy would charge me a little more than parts for all that.
luckily, ive only got 5k on my car. not looking forward to that 30k service at all now

JayJayPG

Not sure about TSX manual tranny, but the RSX manual tranny is one of the simplest services you can perform on the car as long as you have a jack and 4 jack stands. Easier than an oil change IMHO.

Just level the car on 4 jack stands, open the fill bolt, open the drain bolt (let it all drain out), put the drain bolt back on, then pour the MTF into the fill hole. Once it starts overflowing out of the fill hole, you've reached the MAX level...put the fill bolt back on. Done

ceb

The manufacturer determines what services are required to keep your warranty intact and your car running its best. Those services are outlined in the owner's manual.

The dealership recommends services based on the dealer's need to make a boat payment.

Look at the owner's manual and determine what services are needed at 36k miles. Are any services even based on miles alone or is that all handled by the maintenance minder with A and B services (and the suffixes 1, 2 etc)?

Brake fluid flushes are NOT mileage based but time based. Some manufacturers will require a brake flush after 3 years and every two years thereafter, every three years or every two years. No manufacturer I know of does brake flushes based on miles. The main reason to flush brake fluid is because it attracts moisture - over time.

WHAT DOES YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL SAY ?

dallison

I disagree. Brake fluid should be replaced every 2 years or around 30k miles. Since the brake fluid attracts moisture and will lower the boiling point, thus not having the full braking ability if needed. It may not be great but i like to stop my cars.


As others have said replace the air and cabin filters yourself. Purolator sells great ones for a bit less.
Is this manual trans like all others where you can drain it and refill it, or do you indeed need a computer to do it?

If you don't have the ability to do some of these things, i would most definitely pay them to do it for you.
I replaced my rear pads with aftermarket to see if they'll last longer than oem.

For me those services combined would cost me $125 plus a $50 brake fluid tool.