Happy Holidays, everybody. Got a question for ya.

I have a 05 TL auto w/ 33,000 miles on it. I just went in for my A1 service which includes an oil lube and tire rotation. After inspection dealer said that my brake and power steering are dirty, need to drain & flush both for $280.00 I had driven numbers of toyota's (4runners, supra, rx300) which r all over 100 k miles on them, but never needed brake fluid wash and power steering fluid wash. So, pretty please, is there anybody can help me, is this an must do for acuras or dealer try to rip me off.

thanks in advance.

 

Yup, they are padding their wallet. Search other threads

 

What the heck does "dirty" mean??
It sounds like BS, and overpriced, inaccurate BS at that. Most fluids turn darker after a few or some miles- color doesn't indicate they are "dirty."
Acura recommends changing the TL's brake fluid every 3 years (likely to minimize water absorption over time by the fluid rather than to get rid of "dirt" or foreign matter), so do that next year, or at the 3-year anniversary of the car's initial sale.
However, Acura recommends AGAINST flushing the power steering. Don't do it unless you have some repair that requires replacement of the fluid. Otherwise, just add fluid if it's low.
Feel free to send me the $280 if you are inclined to part with it...

 

Brake fluid absorbs moisture and should be replaced as per the manual or sooner if you live in the mountains. If you drive the car hard, extreme braking etc, the fluid is subject to extreme heat and should be changed more often. On the race car we do a full brake fluid bleed between each track session and often change pads and rotors during the weekend. They do seem to be a very important part of the car!

 

no on the power steering flush but Yes on the brake fluid change.

 

I am sorry I didn't answer the question correctly, Don't get the power steering flush because it is just a revenue generator. The brake fluid change is a good thing to have done for a reasonable price.

 

I was in for some work last week and I sat in the waiting area by the service desk for a while. I was amazed (well, ok, not really) at how they try ripping off nearly everyone who walks in the door (worse so for older women- it was obvious). Their biggest thing was selling the nirogen filled tires for "only" 39.95 by listing about 10 BS reasons why you need it.

Also when I was there someone called about the class action lawsuit regarding the odometers on Hondas and Acuras. You could tell the service advisor had no idea what he was talking about as he completely made up some BS on the phone. As soon as he hung up he asked the other service guy what it was all about. lol

 

Stealerships will dick you around... They're not interested in being your friend. They're only interested in your money!

 

don't do it

 

I would have had to ask them about the Nitrogen Tire Fill since AHM seems to have a contrary opinion. The following is from Acura Service News, posted in this forum, September 2006:

So here’s the bottom line: Nitrogen is an ideal gas for inflating tires in aircraft, military vehicles, race cars, and heavy off-road equipment, but when it comes to automobile tires, it offers no apparent advantages over ordinary, dry compressed air. Our advice to you: Just stick with the air you breathe.

 

OH MAN! I read that too! I forgot it was in an Acura bulletin.

 

On the other hand, there are minor benefits, especially in areas with greater temperature variations. Only get nitrogen if it's FREE, like at Costco.

 

I work at an Acura Dealership and can tell you that brake fluid is recommended every 3 years reguardless of mileage. As for the power steering fluid, my 04 TL has just about 44,000 miles has never had the power steering fluid changed and is still clean. I'll ask my mechanic who is Our Shop foreman and get back to you tomarrow.

 

Of course air is mostly nitrogen anyway (78%), so additional nitrogen would have minimal effect, especially for passenger tires.

Elements and compounds present in air