PRM-RDX-3G

My RDX with 50,000km was showing 01279 required mtnc services ... Wheel Rotation, Oil + Filter, Air Filters, Brake Fluid Flush, Brake Service. I pass on the rotation and brake service as neither was required. I went to Honda for the oil change ($79), air filters ($137) and brake fluid ($124) as it was $100 cheaper for the identical services. Am I being penny wise and pound foolish? As best I can tell there's zero difference given the Honda mechanics familiarity with similar platforms?

PCR

I just bought my 2021 ASpec RDX, but when I had my 2017 Tech RDX, I always took it to my Honda dealer.
The difference in cost between my Honda dealer and Acura dealer was more than $100. Always genuine Honda parts, never had a problem.
I even gave my local Acura dealer a chance to match Honda's price (they tried to tell me that the service was not the same... )

leomio85

Nope. I wouldn't have any problem going to Honda as most of the parts are shared, including fluids. I'd have no qualms about going to a Honda dealer over Acura.

Madd Dog

I would have absolutely no problem going to a trusted Honda dealer. The engine and tranny is pure Honda and is in the current Accoed.

Jauntytime

Here in Ontario Canada, my Honda and Acura dealer while not being co-located, are side-by-side. When I called the Acura dealer for my first service he said they would schedule me in but I had to go to Honda for the actual service.

hans471

Odd.....I actually get better service prices from my Acura dealer than from the Honda dealer down the street. But then the Honda dealer here is part of a large dealer group and are well known for being rip-offs. They do things like charge 25% over MSRP on parts. For a rear differential oil change (the first one needed at 15,000 miles) the Honda dealer charges $90 more than the Acura dealer.
My Acura dealer charges $65 for an oil-filter change (full synthetic oil) including a tire rotation. $50 for just the oil change. A rotation alone is $15 and for $45 they will do a complete rotation and wheel balance.
Also: Are they really selling you a brake fluid flush on a 2019 car? Totally not needed at all! I would never think of replacing brake fluid before it was three years old, it just isn't required. $137 for air filters? Are they gold plated? Change them yourself for $20 and ten minutes of your time. Piece of cake job to do. Air filter, depending on where you drive, lasts for 24,000 miles or much more. Easy to pop it out and check it. Cabin filters are under $10 and your ten year old could do it in five minutes. My dealer checks the air filters during an oil change and will replace them for just the cost of the filters.
My sister-in-law actually traded in her Honda as her local Honda dealer was taking so much of her money with endless, and not needed, expensive service. She went with a BMW as it was "cheaper to own". (on average the German cars cost twice or more to maintain than a Japanese brand).

I feel sorry for people over paying for basic service and being pushed to spend a lot of money for things that are not really needed that often.

russianDude

Most acura dealers give you loaner cars if you wait for service, with Honda my understanding its more difficult to get loaner car (must be something very serious).
Also it depends what you are doing, if its simple maintenance, all of them can do it, but if its something Acura model specific, the Honda tech might not have the necessary experience with it.
I dont know if all the fluids are available at Honda dealers for RDX, there were few ocasions when certain fluids were made for Acura models only, and Honda dealer might not have them in stock.
does anyone know if RDX rear diff fluid used on any Honda cars?

flames9

I would have no issues taking an Acura to Honda....but I do believe it pays to stick with 1. My wifes Subraru warranty expired Jan 2020. last month the compressor in the AC system went....Would have been a $2000 repair, but since I went their and its basics completed their (just oil changes, tire rotation and 2 recalls) they repaired it for free as a goodwill geature. Now if I would have had that done elsewhere, I doubt very much they would have done that for me.

DarkNinja75

My Acura dealer put a giant scratch in my car 5 days after I bought it, then wanted to use touch up paint to fix it. So I go to a separately owned Honda dealer for all my (non-warranty) maintenance instead.

DriverOne

That may be true, but there's an actual reason for it. There are far more Honda dealers than there are Acura dealers. Many people on this forum have even written about driving for multiple hours to get to their Acura dealer to buy a car. In contrast, you probably can find a Honda dealer within 30 minutes of you, unless you're really in the middle of nowhere. So a Honda dealer will most likely have a shuttle service drive you home versus loan you a car.