Lease and Maintenace
#1
Lease and Maintenace
Hello,
So, I have a dumb question, but I'm curious. I have never leased a vehicle up until this RDX, so I've always been diligent about doing maintenance. However, since I'm currently doing a 12k/36mo lease, what would if anything, be the downfall of not doing some of the required maintenance during the lease period? For example, the differential fluid at 15k. I'm sure you could push it with the original fluid up until 36k without major issues.
I do understand that lack of maintenance, and some catastrophic failure would probably come back on me, but the more I think about it, the less beneficial (financially) on my end it would be to really keep up with all of the maintenance on the vehicle. Obviously, oil changes are a must, but other than that, I'm not so sure.
Anyway, just curious...
So, I have a dumb question, but I'm curious. I have never leased a vehicle up until this RDX, so I've always been diligent about doing maintenance. However, since I'm currently doing a 12k/36mo lease, what would if anything, be the downfall of not doing some of the required maintenance during the lease period? For example, the differential fluid at 15k. I'm sure you could push it with the original fluid up until 36k without major issues.
I do understand that lack of maintenance, and some catastrophic failure would probably come back on me, but the more I think about it, the less beneficial (financially) on my end it would be to really keep up with all of the maintenance on the vehicle. Obviously, oil changes are a must, but other than that, I'm not so sure.
Anyway, just curious...
#2
Just FYI, the SH-AWD mpg will be a lot worse than advertised, especially in cold temperatures, so keep than in mind when calculating expenses.
Normal service you should do in 3 years / 36k miles on the RDX: oil changes, tire rotation, brake fluid, rear differential fluid (if equipped), "possibly" skip transmission fluid. Most you should be able to do on your own if you want to save a buck here and there. YMMV
Last edited by JDMaccord3.5; 02-09-2022 at 07:50 AM.
#3
I've had a handful of people come in with 19k+ on the original oil because it was going "back from lease." Engines sludged up and sometimes you could hear the engines knocking. They didn't care, it wasn't "their" vehicle. Dealers would take them back without a penalty so long as they were leasing another car from their dealer. I suspect this is why a lot of the German companies, and I think even Toyota/Lexus, give complimentary maintenance on their cars for the first 1-3yrs ... they were sick of getting cars back that were basically unsalable. Conjecture at best, but if it was happening at our shop, I'm sure there were plenty of people doing the same thing everywhere.
It would obviously be the "right thing to do" to change all the fluids, but it's your car (for now) and your money. I'd at least do the oil changes when the maintenance reminder comes on (intervals are plenty long enough). The rest of the stuff won't grenade if you don't change the fluid, but it obviously won't be ideal.
It would obviously be the "right thing to do" to change all the fluids, but it's your car (for now) and your money. I'd at least do the oil changes when the maintenance reminder comes on (intervals are plenty long enough). The rest of the stuff won't grenade if you don't change the fluid, but it obviously won't be ideal.
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ESHBG (02-09-2022)
#4
I am not worried about the financial aspect of doing the maintenance, I was just "curious" how that works, and whether or not people actually follow the service intervals because it's not "their car". I, however, plan on keeping up with the maintenance, as I might buy the vehicle out at the end of the lease.
Thanks all!
Thanks all!
#5
Three Wheelin'
I've had a handful of people come in with 19k+ on the original oil because it was going "back from lease." Engines sludged up and sometimes you could hear the engines knocking. They didn't care, it wasn't "their" vehicle. Dealers would take them back without a penalty so long as they were leasing another car from their dealer. I suspect this is why a lot of the German companies, and I think even Toyota/Lexus, give complimentary maintenance on their cars for the first 1-3yrs ... they were sick of getting cars back that were basically unsalable. Conjecture at best, but if it was happening at our shop, I'm sure there were plenty of people doing the same thing everywhere.
It would obviously be the "right thing to do" to change all the fluids, but it's your car (for now) and your money. I'd at least do the oil changes when the maintenance reminder comes on (intervals are plenty long enough). The rest of the stuff won't grenade if you don't change the fluid, but it obviously won't be ideal.
It would obviously be the "right thing to do" to change all the fluids, but it's your car (for now) and your money. I'd at least do the oil changes when the maintenance reminder comes on (intervals are plenty long enough). The rest of the stuff won't grenade if you don't change the fluid, but it obviously won't be ideal.
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leomio2.0 (02-09-2022)
#6
#7
Suzuka Master
I know couple of people, when they return their lease dealer never bothers to check maintenance records, just a visual inspection. Never buy used car that was leased unless you can see the history of al the oil changes done.
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#9
Racer
What about the maintenance-minders? We have a few built into the system. With regard to this hypothetical question, would Mr. Nomain Tenance reset all those intervals without actually performing the maintenance? How else would one intend to conceal this? At what potential legal penalty?
#10
Suzuka Master
What about the maintenance-minders? We have a few built into the system. With regard to this hypothetical question, would Mr. Nomain Tenance reset all those intervals without actually performing the maintenance? How else would one intend to conceal this? At what potential legal penalty?
yes, you can reset them in the menu. Once they accept your lease, there is no legal penalty.
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wataru210
1G RDX (2007-2012)
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02-01-2007 02:30 PM