thedutt

I recently bought a used 2004 TL and have been wondering about service schedule. The in car MID has shown A1 twice so far (oil change + rotation I assume) and the local dealership charges around $95 for it.

The local dealer has suggested to do a 60k miles service. Is this recommended? They charge around $400 for this service. Any suggestions/inputs on maintainence of the car would be appricated.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

How many miles do you currently have on your car? Also, what does the dealer say their 60K mi. svc. entails?

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

$95 bucks seems a little high.

Follow your MID for service. You can also ask the dealer to check the VIN number to see the vehicle's service history. At the minimum, IMHO, you should change the air filter/cabin filter, transmission & brake fluids.

thedutt

The car has 63k miles on it right now. Unfortunately the pervious owner was not getting it serviced at acura, so they do not have the full history of what all was done. So is the 60k service a recommended one? Should it cost aroudn $400ish? I am not too car savy (can change air filter.. lol), any recommendations?

Thanks !

csmeance

Do the following things, and DO NOT GET ANY PACKAGE DEALS at the dealerships:
Oil Change $30
Tire rotation $10
Top off Fluids free
check and replace brake components if necessary 0-400 dollars
Adjust Parking brake on 6MT free

You can change the following filters yourself, just buy the parts from acura. There are a bunch on DIY's on the forum on how to do it, and they are detailed and comprehensive. Lets just leave it at that people at an age not permitted by the forum can do this change in less than 30 minutes.
Cabin filter change
Engine Air Filter Change.

thedutt

Thanks!! So I do not need to worry about transmission fluid or the coolant etc?? The filters may be something I can do w/o much of an issue..

Thanks again for all your help! I really am enjoying this car. Very well refined car ,with the right amount of muscle. (my previous car was a 03 cobra convertible.. still miss it at times )

Tripnbeats

i agree with cs

Tripnbeats

tranny fluid no worries unless they say to change it coolant def no worries. just make sure they check ur heater valve behind the engine; by the firewall because i know those had probs from 04-05

thedutt

Thanks Everyone for the help! I Just wasnt sure what the life of the fluids were in these cars. From the sounds of it, I should be able to save a good $250 or so.

I know these are not the same cars, but my wife has honda accord 04 LE and her's is also @ 60k. Should that car be the same?

Will Y.

Acura TL maintenance is based on the Maintenance Minder messages in the MID, EXCEPT for the brake fluid, which Honda/Acura recommends be changed every three years. The Maintenance Minder codes are in the owner's manual- also available on this site through the 3G Garage- and via the Acura Owner Link website at https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/login.asp?brand=acura.

Get the brake fluid changed out if you don't have the prior maintenance records for the car. Maintenance services done by a good independent shop are generally less expensive than the dealers, and usually more thorough.

My independent Honda mechanic also changes the transmission fluid on his "30K" services as SOP, which was vital with the previous gen TL and Accord V-6s due to their problematic transmissions. FWIW, he charges a little less than $200 for the 30K service (which is equivalent to the B2, except he includes changing the tranny fluid out, but not the cabin air filter).

mr.almeida

A 60K usually consists of
-Oil change $29.99
-Air Filter $34.95
-Cabin Filter $64.95
-Replace Wiper Refills $10
-Rotate and Balance $55
-Clean and adjust rear brakes if necc. $50
-Transmission Fluid Drain and Fill $69.99
-Coolant Flush $59.99

I think that's everything that we do for a 30K, 60K, 90K

007TL-S

get what ggesq recommends! brakes and tranny is a must in the long run ,plus an oil change!

avs007

Altho cheap insurance, the previous tranny would've failed regardless, because it was a design flaw. I've seen people change the fluid every 15k miles, and still see the tranny die.

handy911

hey, do you know any good independent ACURA shop in the LA area. I want to avoid the higher prices those dealers charge?

mr.almeida

I'd also recommend you flush your power steering!!!

Will Y.

S&S Auto Repair in West Los Angeles - Only work on Hondas and Acuras
1512 South La Cienega Blvd., #4 (just south of Pico)
Los Angeles, CA 90035
1-310-657-3328
Used it since very early 90's.

Honcura
561 Vine St. (just off the 5 freeway, not far from the Galleria)
Glendale, CA 91204
818-243-1989
Stan used to work with his uncle John at S&S for years before opening his own shop.

Gilbert Motor Service
1919 W. Valley Blvd. (just east of Fremont Blvd.)
Alhambra, CA, 91803
(626) 282-0644
I think Darren @ Gilbert is also open on Saturdays, as are S&S & Honcura. Darren works on most import makes, and shares a parking lot with "POS"- short for "Pontiac Oldsmobile Service"

handy911

thanks, I've heard about Honcura in Glendale, but will probably go to his uncle's, which is closer to me...

For those in Southern California:
Santa Monica Acura has special service coupons, oil & filter change for $19.95..this is cheaper than what my honda dealer used to charge me
Expired: 01/31/08....and other coupons, which I found pretty competitive...

04TLinSYR

Have the front end looked at also.

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