My MID now indicates that the A12 service is due. I would like to know if anyone knows what that will entail? I am planning on doing the service myself. Thanks!

Mark

 

I would check owners manual - can't go wrong following it

 

OK - A12 service, A: Oil and filter change, 1: Rotate tires, 2: Replace air cleaner and dust and pollen filter. Threw me for a minute ... mainly because you have Maintenance Main Items (A/B) and Maintenance Sub Items (1-5).

 

Hey thanks a bunch. It threw me off a little also, hence the post. I just rotated my tires and will change the oil tomorrow. That leaves the filters and I'm done. Smokin!!!

 

You can also see the items in the Maintenance Section in the Acura Ownerlink site...

Maintenance Minder A Scheduled Maintenance
Recommended service for your 2004 Acura TL:

Replace engine oil*1

*1: If the message, "SERVICE DUE NOW" does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.

Independent of the maintenance messages in the Multi-Information Display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.

Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).

Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.


Maintenance Minder 1 Scheduled Maintenance
Recommended service for your 2004 Acura TL:

Rotate tires

Independent of the maintenance messages in the Multi-Information Display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.

Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).

Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.


Maintenance Minder 2 Scheduled Maintenance
Recommended service for your 2004 Acura TL:

Replace air cleaner element: If you drive primarily in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).

Replace dust and pollen filter: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).

Inspect drive belt

Independent of the maintenance messages in the Multi-Information Display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.

Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).

Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

 

so is this worth getting done? Or do it yourself?

costs?

 

Hei..

I've read a lot of DIY for changing cabin filter. So, cabin filter is the dust and pollen filter, which I need to open the glove box compartment, right?

How about "Replace air cleaner element", what is this one?

Anybody in LA know if Honcura or S&S Autoshop in La Cienega can do this service? How much?

 

Yes.

The Under Hood Air Filter.

The Honda place for sure. Any good shop really. Price - ; probably WAY more than DIY

The underhood filter is SUPER simple; 4 screws, that's it. You'll get upcharged on parts plus 30 mins labor for a 5 minute job.

 

I did A12 service in Honcura last month for $230, which includes oil change, air filter and cabin filter change, rotate tire and automatic transmission fluid change. He recommends to change transmission oil every 15k miles, which is cost $30.

 

thanks, my dealer also recommends A12 service + transmission which is a 3 service...if the MID doesnt ask for transmission fluid change, will it know that it has been changed and recalculate for the next tranny fluid change?

Did Stanley at Honcura do the drain method?

My dealer wants $325 for the same service Honcura charged you $230.

I wish I were like most people here, DIY and save a lot of money...but it's just not in my blood yet, and I am really scared of breaking things....

 

I don't mean to thread jack, but your thread is very similar to one I was about to make.
Does anyone know what A13 is?

 

A - Oil change
1 - rotate tires
3 - Replace transmission fluid

All codes are laid out by the owners manual on page 284

 

I got my A12 service done for $178.17+tax. Got a brake fluid flush too for $130.90+tax (yes, they got me! )

 

Sweet thanks.
Unfortunetely when I bought the car--- didn't have an owners manual. And I'd have to pay an odd 200 dollars for an owners manual--yet I can get one for free in french....

Wait wait--replace transmission fluid? Damnit. Should I provide them with the Synchro Mesh fluid---or should I just let them do their own thing?

 

in fact, my MID says A12, but many people recommend to do A123 as well...

I was just wondering if the MID is clever enough to notice that tranny fluid has been changed, when it hasn't told us to yet...

Also, do most dealerships do the drain and flush method? How about Honcura in LA?

 

Or use the ones that AZ has linked in the 3G Garage: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84834, section iii.

IDK, IDK (but Acura dealers SHOULD know that Honda/Acura doesn't want flushing machines hooked up to the trans, just drain-and-fill), and call Honcura in Glendale to confirm that it only does drain-and-fill.

 

I've never gone to my dealership for any of those services. They usually rip you off for anything.

DIY is the way to go when it comes to the usual maintenance stuff.

 

I did service A123 too when my MID showed A12 service due. Stan told me he reset the MID for me, so my guess is he took care of it.

Stan with Honcura does single drain and re-fill method for transmission oil change. Hope that will help.

 

not to get off subject, but my minder never goes off.. But I still maintain vehicle properly...

 

^ are you saying the MID never prompted you for service.. how many miles u got.. cause the MID should alert ~6k for A1

 

the minder goes off once the oil life reaches about 10%, if you do the 3K changes and reset it, it will never go off...

 

^ Yeah I never realized that. I've never done any of those maintenance services for the last 30k miles lol. Im trying to do them all myself one at a time. Btw my owners manual doesnt go up to page 284?

 

called both Honcura and S&S Auto Repair to get a quote on A12 service...about $240, compared to dealership at $325...

however, when I called, I told them I want to get a A12 service...if they are really specializing in Hondas and Acuras, they should know what A12 service is....instead I have to explain what they are...one of them does not even seem to know about "air cleaning element" that needs to be changed at this level....so I am not impressed with either shop...

Yelp gave them good reviews, especially S&S Auto Repair, but just because the owner likes to offer free soda while you wait?

 

^ would be nice if you just follow the DIY for these. dealers are just a rip off. saves a lot.. more $$ for mods.. lol

 

Remarks and update 7/21/18
First, thanks for all the comments, recommendations and general info sharing... love this forum! To prefice, I was a DIY for maintenance and light repairs, brakes, etc for many years. i also own a Porsche Carrara, so being handy with a wrench is a must, given the extraordinary costs of indy or dealer service these cars have. But overtime, dealers (generally) have become more and more reasonable with their maintenance service pricing, discounting and the fact this particular dealer I use would throw in a descent inside out car wash.. So for about $100 or so, i gave up the hassle of doing this work myself.

That said, to date, here's what's happened so far.
- I wrote the General manager and Service Manager an email with all the details. No responses
- I filed a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) complaint. In California, this state run agency is a watchdog type organization
- I received a response and phone call from BAR, they were quite appreciative that I have taken the time to file what they consider a valid claim, and actually said they wish more people would do so, even when the issue is not monetarily significant. Remember, I am going through all this trouble not for the money, but to call to light the shady dealer practices. I believe if we continue to just shrug and pay, they will continue to rip us off. I have sent all the invoice documentation to BAR and will await their next move. BAR said they might be interested in running one of their "bait" cars through the service department to solidify this case and fuel further actions on their part.

Stay tuned!
I have written three local TV stations with this story in hope of getting a favorable response to produce a story to air in our local market. No responses, yet.

 

What are you talking about?