I had a 15 K service on my 04 TL. When I called to make the appt, he told me it would cost about $160. However, when I went to pick up the car, they said it will be $290!!! Needless to say, I was a little shocked. They ended up charging me $160.00 for the service after a little talking. Is the normal price around $300? This was at Gunn Acura in San Antonio.

 

What do you mean by 15000 service? Is there a MID code for 15000? 04 TL do not need 7500, 15000, 30000 kind of services. Rely on MID and find the code in manual what it means. I've done only A1 and B on my 12000 miles drive TL as per MID. Please post if there is 15000 service code.

 

Is it possible that his dealer uses 03TL 15k service to service his 2nd maintenance schedule (B service)?

I got 2 03TL 7.5k service and 1 03TL 15k service so far.

 

Yes it was a service B. They told me it was a 15K service.

 

By the way, what did your B service cost you?

 

Service B is little more than an oil change and a tire rotation. The manual says they should check a bunch of things, but these are the same things they should check on any oil change.

An oil change and tire rotation should not be more than $60, and the other stuff should be for free.

Check your manual, page 199, for a list of items to be checked on a B service, and go back to the dealer and make him explain, line by line, why he charged you so much.

Many dealers are just using this as an excuse to part you from some dollars, especially since the service intervals are becoming longer and longer, meaning less chance for them to get in your pocket.

 

Here is the breakdown of what they charged:

PARTS
QTY FP-Number Description Unti Price
1 15400-PLM-A02 FILTER, OIL 9.63 9.63
1 90471-PX4-000 WASHER, DRAIN 3.06 3.06
1 94109-14000 WASHER, DRAIN 0.64 0.64
3 08200-9001 FLUID ATF-Z1 5.95 17.85
1 BG310 ATF ADDITIVE 10.75 10.75
1 15KW 15K SERVICE KIT 32.50 32.50
5 OIL Q/S PREMIUM OIL 1.88 9.40
TOTAL 83.83

Then they wanted $200.00 for labor, so the total with tax was $290.33, but like I said, I paid $160.00. If I still got overcharged, then I will go back.

 

Wow, they gave you beyond what "b" service requires. At 15k miles, there shouldn't be any need to (altough it wouldnt hurt) change the auto trans fluid, atf additive or the outrageous 3.06 for washer on the drain bolt. And what does the 15k service kit itself include for $32.50?

 

I think you got ripped. A $3.06 washer!!!!????????

They also threw some BoGus ATF additive in there - did you ask them to? Honda does not recommend additives in their transmissions or engines - that BG product may or may not be compatible with the Z-1 spec. I would ask them to produce a letter from Honda Engineering condoning the use of ATC+ in your tranmission - otherwise, I would insist they drain and refill the tranny two times to remove most of it.



And what, pray tell, is a "15K Service Kit"? I doubt there is such a thing - notice that it does not have a Honda part no. I think it may be a dozen doughnuts and half a joint.

Your post yet again confirms my decision to do all my own service.

By the way, you gotta see this link and read their decription of the BG stuff:
http://www.texasautocraft.com/BG_ATC.htm Is it a car product or a laxative?

 

Amen to that, brother. $8 for the filter, under $10 for the oil, and my B service is done for $18, and I know it's done right and the drain plug wasn't put on with an impact gun and I didn't forget to put the washer on, etc.

 

hmmmm... you guys got me thinking that I should go back and and find out exaclty what they did....

 

I'd go back - my service B (at 9000 miles) was an oil change. $22.

No need to rotate tires as they had 3000 miles on them.

 

From http://www.texasautocraft.com/BG_ATC.htm
"BG ATC Plus , Soft Shit Formula, Improves shifting characteristics, Reduces torque converter shudder, BG ATC Plus Enhances properties of new and used A/T fluid, Prolongs fluid life and prevents deposit formation, Keeps seals soft and pliable and prevents leaks, Improves fluid oxidation stability, BG ATC Plus is compatible with all automatic transmission fluids.This product is part of the BG TDC program."

Call me crazy but i have serious reservations about any company who describes their product as the "Soft Shit Formula". Chances are it supposed to be Shift, but none the less, have those hillbillies heard of spellcheck?

 

Definitely must be a laxative Road Rage.

I agree with everyone else, $160 is too high. My dealer charged me $65 + taxes for the "B" service this weekend, although I thought that was slightly high, it was still "relatively reasonable".

And I wish I had the equipment to service my own car...one day...with a bigger garage...

 

I think you really got ripped on this service, even at the "quoted" price.

That washer you show at $3.06 has a Honda suggested list of $1.70 and $6.41 for the oil filter. Assume a comparable markup over list on some of the other parts too.

Stop to consider this:

They quote you $160, they then proceed to charge you $290. You argue them back down to the quoted $160 - which is still way too much. Get the picture here?

Dealers will try to upsell customers any chance they get, it's a nature of the business. But this method is unethical, to say the least.

 

Thanks. I did consider that actually.... I am on the phone with them now about to talk about this... Will post on the outcome...

 

You might want to learn to change your own oil and filter(very easy but if your are not the type don't take to quick lube or anyplace like that), take the car to Discount Tire who will rotate the tires for free if Discount is in your area, find a qualified and honest independant honda repair shop to do the expensive services and save visits to the dealer for warranty work only unless you live in an area that has ethical dealerships. Remember, these things are really Hondas that have been seriously upgraded but Hondas just the same. We are not talking Italian exotic here.

 

Talked with the shop foreman who had explanations that made no sense whatsoever...
One example is that an oil filter is included with the 15K service kit, yet he couldn't explain why I was (over)charged for an oil filter also as a line item. "Well, it all works out in the labor", and some other confusing nonsense. I laughed in his face.

He said he would call me back. The Service Director then called me and was so concerned... Yeah right.... Anyway, I got them to credit my visa another $60 and a free oil change and tire rotation for my next service. So, it looks like it cost me about $80.00. Still high, but better than it was....

 

Think of it this way, at least they are unlikely to try and gouge you again in the future since they now know you pay attention and have an idea of what the service work actually costs to perform.

But, no doubt, they'll find some other unenlightened soul to pull this on.

 

My wife just called up Gunn Acura for the 15k service. She was quoted $320 and scheduled the appointment. When she told me I went nuts. $320 for an oil change, tire rotation, and fluid top-off? Oh yeah, they do an "inspection" of other items which I'm sure consist of no more than a 5 minute look-around of the car. They are seriously on crack if they think I'm paying that much for basic maintenance. My BMW dealer doesn't charge me that much and my cab cost $20k more.

Ok knowing that this is total BS, should I:

a) take it there myself, require a line item breakdown of the exact cost of everything and a detailed explanation of everything so I can call them on it. Then inform them that I know of someone who got theirs done for under $80 at this dealership.

b) Take it somewhere else. After all, all it really needs is a freaking oil change.

Bear in mind that late next week it is going in for the tranny recall, but I have to get the oil changed if I take it to Houston on Friday. Otherwise I gotta take the Bimmer.

 

I would call them and ask how they can justify that price and when they can not, proceed to tell them that you just want an oil change and tire rotation. That shouldn't be more than $40.

 

Get the line item detail then send a copy of it to ACS with another copy to your state's Attrn'y general. That's ridiculous.

 

i 'just' called my dealership, as my b 'miner message' came up, and asked for a quote. They wanted $215 for a 'full b service'...full? there better be a hot stripper in my car when i leave for $215

he rambled on about how it included changing the cabin filters and some other fluids/etc. i asked why it wasn't just what the manual listed, he said I could have 'just' that done.

always trying to get you to dump more money in their pockets, but that's capitalism for you

 

if you only want an oil change then tell them that and ask the price before they do anything.

it's your car and if you don't want them to do certain things then tell them what you want and only agree to do those things.

always ask the price though before they do anything in case they try to ream you then you can always decline their services.

 

i f'en hate dealers that try that shit. i went in for my second B service 2 weeks ago and they tried the same thing with me. i declined and printed out from acura's owners link what i needed done. they have a list(as well as the owners manual) of what the codes mean.

 

How often do they recommend a wheel alignment on these? My dealer wanted to do one as part of the B1 service.

 

Just had my B service done at Gunn in SA. After what they tried to charge my wife for a 15k service on her RSX-S ($320) I requested they do only what the service manual required, so they quoted $160 for the "minor" service. I told the advisor I did not want my tires rotated and that I'd like to be charged less. She said she'd see what could be done. She offered a $10.95 hand wash that I turned down and said that the wash should be free and that the service department at Sterling Acura in Austin gave me free washes with a service. She said she'd comp it.

When I picked up my car my bill was $111 and change. I thought that wasn't too bad although I just noticed they added some $9.95 additive.

Anyway next time I'll take my TL back to Sterling for service, it just stinks that I have to drive to Austin to be treated fairly.

 

You should align your wheels (regardless of make of vehicle) approximately every 12,000 miles or 1 year.

 

Okay, I have an 05' w/ almost 20k miles and Service B flashing overdue a few hundred miles.

Is the consensus that the SERVICE INDICATOR really just means time for an:
OIL CHANGE ($25) , fluid change ($5), TIRE ROTATION ($20), and possibly a 4-wheel ALIGNMENT ($80)

Am I missing anything? $125 sound about right? (Or $50 if no alignment.)

So should I ask the dealer to just do these things, or should I just go to Jiffy Lube/Independent Honda Mechanic? (no i am not going to do them myself under the car

 

DO them urself under the car...you would be able to use a lot better quality products for the same price you will pay the dealer...

e.g. Mobil 1 Oil (5 quarts = $25) Mobil 1 Filter ($10) = $35...that what the dealer would charge you and I dont think they use synthetic...

 

lol. i just said i didn't want to get the argument doing self-repairs. its not even a possibility nor an issue.

 

I dont agree with this at all.
If your tires are not wearing oddly, I would not get an alignment.
More often than not, they just screw up the factory alignment.
I had inside edge wear on the front tires of the Jaguar, and took it in
to the tire place I always got the work van serviced at.
They gave me nice before and after printouts of the alignment, and with new tires
i drove off happy.
After a while, my new tires wore the inside edges off again, so I did some
reasearch and borrowed a drive on toe scale.

i come to find out most of the stuff they 'fixed' was not adjustable.
The Jaguar has shims at the upper ball joints in the front to set caster, no
camber adjustments, and toe was at the tie rods.

The rear had the axles as the top suspension member, and camber is set
with large spacers in the axles.

Well, the ball joint shims still had the original paint on them, and they
would not have access to the axle shims (special order at Jaguar).
So the only thing they could have done was toe, and with my toe scale
I found toe out off the scale.
I adjusted the tie rods to give a bit of toe in and all the noise going around
turns went away, the erratic steering went away, and the inside edge wear
stopped.
Now I put another 60,000 miles on that car and a few sets of tires, and never
had things change or odd tire wear.

That is why I think most shops do absolutely nothing but take your money
when you get an alignment.

If your tires wear ok, leave it alone.

Brett

 

My bad

I read "OR do them myself under the car" instead of "no i am not going to do them myself under the car"

then just take it to the dealer and tell them the specific items you want to get done...unless you have a trusted mechanic you know...u dont want to go to some random Jiffy Lube place...

 

That's a great point, alignment may be a waste or even worse make my alignment out of wack. I think I will leave the alignment alone, it still tracks pretty straight and I have not noticed any abnormal tire wear.

The only reason I was considering alignment is b/c I noticed some people saying you should get alignments every certain xxx miles AND I changed the wheels a couple months ago so thought this might be a reason to get an alignment. But no problems noticed with alignment.

Oh and to the prior poster, no problem, and should I really consider other oil than the standard oil? On my last Acura I never used anything but standard oil, and it ran 140k no problems, changing it frequently. On my BMW it required synthetic and the dealer charged $150 for synthetic oil changes lol. I don't know if there is any basis to conclude that our engines will benefit from premium oil when they were designed for standard oil.....I looked on Acura's website and i does not indicate any benefit----kinda like a car designed for 87 octane and people putting 93 octane thinking it'll run better?

 

From Owner Link:

"
Maintenance Minder B Scheduled Maintenance
Recommended service for your 2005 Acura TL:

Replace engine oil and oil filter

Rotate tires

Inspect front and rear brakes

Check parking brake adjustment

Visually inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots

Visually inspect suspension components

Visually inspect driveshaft boots

Visually inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS)

Visually inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids

Visually inspect exhaust system#

Visually inspect fuel lines and connections#

#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column on page 198."

 

You have to love it! I was in at 10k for an oil change and rotate tires. Rotated tires because of the crappy 45's . When I was getting car guy says be time for the 15k service at $350 soon. have to tell you I laughed right in his face then asked him if I looked like a moron? I just had a 15k service, an oil change and tire rotate for $42 I'll VISUALLY check everything else myself. Any of these package SERVICES are nothing more than pure revenue enhancement for a dealership. There are definatelt some people that pay this because of a total lack of understanding anything about what it really is or because they have been conned into believing that it is required for warranty or some such.

 

Ok, so this is kinda sorta on topic. I just hit the 11k mark on my 05 TL and the B service light came on. I had the oil changed at ~4500 miles with M1 5w20 synthetic. Knowing what's needed for the B service, I call the dealer to see how much the damage would be. $35 for the oil change and $47 for the tire rotation & balance. After I picked myself up off the floor, I inquired as to why they were so proud of their rotate & balance price. Service guy tells me that they do a "2-sided" balance. The TL is my first super cool car, so I've never heard of a 2-sided tire balance. I also asked if the price of the oil change included any of the other items that Acura recommends for the B service. He said, "No, that's extra." I ended up in a 15 minute discussion about whether to follow the MID or the dealer's recommended maintenance schedule, which is based on mileage eg. oil changes every 3750 miles. He of course pushed to follow their schedule (more visits=more money).

So, given the above, I'm in a quandry. Who to believe, who to believe... I googled for 2 sided tire balance and came up with zilch. My biggest concern is if I'm missing out on anything by not following their mileage based major maintenance schedule (7500, 15000, 30000, etc.) Thanks.

 

Correct. I usually get an alignment when the tires are replaced, which is every 40-50K.

1-yr/12K is excessive unless you're having alignment issues.

Mike

 

You aren't missing out on anything. Follow the MID, there is NOT set maint. schedule for the TL; the set maint. schedule was for the 2G TL only.

As far as the "2-sided wheel balance" goes, thats bull. If they're referring to balancing both sides of the wheel, don't all shops do that? BTW, try Walmart for a tire rotation/wheel balance, IIRC, they charge $7.50/tire for lifetime balance. At the same time, get a Mobil 1 oil change from them, $30-$35 as well.

Mike

 

WTF is the 15K service kit? A few rags to wipe up oil spills? Maybe its a shop supply fee?

As for the $3.06 drain plug gasket shows, that's a scam. You can buy a drain plug WITH a washer attached for that amount of money. Oil Filter is marked up a little on the high side but not way out of line.

Mike