OK, I am Confused ...Guys dont say RTFM I dont have access to it.

The dealer somehow classifies the Service Schedule on the TL as 7,500 ($90)and 15,000 ($ 240) and I shopped at 3 dealers in the area....

The MID has A, A1, B, B1 etc... Can any one please explain to me what these codes exactly mean, I am @ 12,000 miles and 40 % oil life, I am just trying to get some information together before my MID sign comes-on.

I had only one service done yet (B1, i think) where I got an oil change from the dealer($35) @ 7200 miles and rotated the tires myself. I dont know what I should be expecting now hence the confusion.

My driving is 50% HWY 50% City....also would like to hear different MID signals people recieved in the 11,000 to 15,000 range...

thanks for the help.

 

If you log into the Acura owners link the MID messages for maintenance are explained fully there.

 

 

Obviously, those dealers seem to use the old 2003TL maintenance schedules/plans to service your 3GTL. We all know this new MID reminder system has reduced our visits to Acura dealers (if you try to follow the system to do the maintenance), who start to lose $$ a little bit. Most of dealers have created the new schedules/price to match 3GTL's MID system, but there are still a few refusing to do so.

For B service, I'd think the $240 quote is really ridiculous.


Hopefully someone has the similar driving pattern as you do will tell you more about his experiences. Best luck to you.

 

I heard a service advisor ask the customer, "Did any codes pop up?"

She said, "Yes, A1?"

He proceeded to explain to a customer who had originally requested an oil change that the A1 was a "major scheduled service" and included the oil change, tire rotation, brake checks, code reset, etc, and quoted her $110. I think she would have been safer with just requesting an oil change and a tire rotation separately.

 

Where does the time go? My TL has about 12600 miles at 50% mid. After reading the forums here I decided to do the 3000 mile oil change and not pay attention to the MID. I went to the dealer and he kept telling me that the MID will tell me when the car needs service (oil change) (Of course I already knew that). Basically he told me every 7500 miles the oil needs to be changed. Coming from a Camry V6 this is pretty much all new to me. So for the next service which I guess will be the "B service" he quoted me $209.
I've gone through the manual and searched the forums already but my question is:

All he could tell me was the oil change, tire rotation, air filter and 27 point inspection. Anybody know what else needs to be done to justify this price?

 

NOTHING!!!

You are paying for an oil change, tire rotation, possibly an air filter you don't need, and of course the so called 27 point inspection- IE Joke..... You know part of the 27 points is checking the air pressure in the tires etc.. All stuff you can do yourself in the driveway. Ask your service adviser for the 27 point "checklist" so you can do it yourself.... They will either refuse or probably won't even have one. The dealership I worked at handed it to the customer at each visit.. Of course our "26" point inspection was automatically included in the $24.99 oil change like it should be....!
I know their are several guys on the forum like me who spent numerous years working at a dealership and know this is just a marketing scheme and a "feel good" service for those customers that don't know different.
Obviously, driving styles/patterns and locations are different. So one person may need maintenance prior to another, BUT.... Remember one thing! If the dealer isn't replacing and or repairing something on your car they shouldn't be charging you for it... IE "the inspection". If they're rotating your tires they shouldn't be charging you to check the brakes, etc.
Another way to think about it is this: Here you are paying $200-$300 for so called scheduled maintenance (during the warranty period) where 70% of it involves "inspections". Well guess what,, you're paying them to "look" for things wrong that will in-turn be covered under warrenty.... Don't waist your money.

Speaking of "rotating",,, For one thing most tire shops will do this for free for the life of the tire (after performing a wheel balance etc.). I balance near every time I rotate. Would you pay an additional charge for rotation during a balance, IE should it cost more just to put the tires back on in different locations??? Many "dealerships" will do just that. If you walk in and say I want an oil change, tire balance and rotation.. Many will tell ya, OK-that will be $49.95 for the oil change and rotation and another $36 for the balance.... Bottom line find a good tire shop for this. Pay the initial $48 dollar balance fee and then get lifelong free balance and rotation after that.... (or ensure it comes with your tire purchase etc.)

Big picture is,,, If the "published" maintenance IE "owners manual" doesn't say it needs replaced, flushed-filled, checked, etc. at some specific interval,,, don't "pay" someone to do it. You are paying a premium to have your dealership "look" at items that they should be anyway when it's up on the rack.

Where am I going with all this? I don't know, but it sure gets me heated...

Dealerships are good for two things: Warranty work and ripping you off... OK, three - messing up your car. Minimize all three if you can.
If you can't walk in and ask for an oil change, tire balance etc. then say - "while balancing rotate the tires for me, and while they're off check the brake wear... O and while your at it check for any leaks under the car and while under the hood check my belts and other fluids.... This type of visit shouldn't cost you more than strictly the oil change and tire balance etc. If it does, take it elseware.....

Final comment... Don't fall for the "well we have Acura trained technicians"..... This is the same for any dealership.. "Trained" stands for "paid for"... Just because they are Acura or any other manufacturer trained doesn't mean they are "better" at working on your "make" of car. Sure, it means they most likely have "documented" training, and may be faster at working on an "Acura" due to familiarity, but not a "better" mechanic for your Acura etc...

Yes it's true, I despise dealerships. After my 8+ tenure at one, a very good one in my eyes non-the-less, I have yet to experience any that I would recommend to a friend etc.. Just another one of those been there, done that experiences (and the fact I understand the New/Used car, Finance and Service Dept techniques well..)

PS - This is not another "Acura sucks" post either.. This is strictly a "Dealership sucks" post. I will admit their most likely are some good ones out there.... I just haven't found one in the last 14 years...

 

Great post, KJSmitty. I get so mad when I see some dealer doing this that I have to calm down, and you did a lot better job than I could have with the reply.

Of course, the short answer is tell the dealer to stick it, you just want an oil and filter change. Some people could change the air filter themself, but a lot of people wouldn't want to tackle the cabin filter job, which is probably about $75 parts and labor. And at 12,000-13,000 miles you don't need to change either filter unless you've been in Death Valley for a while.

 

I laughed when I saw this thread and felt comfort in hearing the posts. Just want to add my experience the last time I was in the dealership.

I had my '04 in for my second oil change at about 9500 miles. I also had the tires rotated and balanced along with having a few minor rattles looked at.

The service advisor gave me a "Recommended Service" brochure printed by the dealership. I asked if the list (the long list) of items were recommended by Acura? I had a feeling they were not since I had reviewed the service manual and log into this site a lot. The advisor told me the Acura maint. book was the bare minimum that I can do to keep the car under warranty. Since it was such a minimal list, I needed to consider their brochure and follow their schedule vs. Acura's. I find this frustrating that an Acura dealership can down-play Acura's schedule while trying to push their's. I reviewed the list and it consisted of a lot of fluid changes, etc. Things that will not hurt the car but things that are not absolutely needed either.

I figure the on-board computer and Acura's schedule should do me and the car just fine.

 

WOW! Thanks all!! I even sprung for the extended warranty! Hmmmm If it's just an oil change, filter and tire rotation hell i should be asking my bro-in-law to take care of me. Ops Manager for one of the tire chain stores. I'll have to search for the code to reset the MID when I get it done.
Oh yea, just remembered: When I asked him what does the 27 point inspection include and what other things need to be done, he said "the joints (I forgot what other parts he said) have to be checked to see if they need to be re-greased."??????????????? Are the parts that delicate? He had no idea what else needed to be done. I would think when you're going in to talk to the service advisor that they would know just about everything that needs to be done.
This is my first Acura and I love it but I'm also a stickler to what needs to be done on time and want to take care of this care as much as possible. Change the oil when the MID says so or change it at the traditional 3000 miles? I think I'll change it when the MID tells me.

 

Teka you dont need a code to reset the MID, following are the instructions that Ron A originally posted a while ago.

IMHO I follow the MID for oilchanges and other maintainance. I think other mainitainance codes are paired up with oil changes and once you start not following (and resetting them every 3000 miles) you are just getting in the area where you have to rememeber what you did and didnt do etc...just not my cup of tea. I get Mobil 1 fully synthetic Oil ($25 for 5 quarts) and Mobil 1 Oil filter (M-104) ($10) and since these are top of the line products I think they are good enough to last the 7000 mile intervals for oil change that my MID is showing.

Originally Posted by Ron A
The procedure on page 196 of the manual is incorrect. In paragraph 3a of the manual, the requirement to hold the button for 10 seconds the second time it is pressed is omitted. If this is not done, the display will not reset.

Here’s the full procedure to reset the MID display.

1. Turn the ignition switch to ON

2. Select Trip A or Trip B (You can use either one, so if you are using one to record data for something, use the other one to reset the Oil Life Indicator).

3. Press the < or > button repeatedly until the oil life is displayed.

4. Press and hold the Select/Reset button for 10 seconds. The Multi-Information Display will ask for a confirmation.

a. If you are sure you want to reset the display, press the Select/Reset button for 10 seconds again. (This is the part omitted from the manual.)

b. If you do not want to reset the display, press the < or > button to select “Cancel”

 

I couldn't agree more... and perhaps I'm being cynical but I just don't believe than any dealer out there is going to treat your ride with the "love and respect" that you will. I supose it's a human nature thing, they are not the one who dropped the cash or pays the payment monthly on it. Beyond that, they don't drive it every day nor experience any sense of pride in your vehicle. Worst case is the jerk at the dealership who regularly takes customers vehicles on 'test drives' and rags them out. This happens way more than we want to know. That is why even though my dealer does offer oil changes at a reasonable rate ($29.99) I decided to do it myself. I picked up a few A01 filtech honda filters off of eBay, choose the oil I'll use (based on so much reading on here, went with Havoline 5w20 GF-4 cert'd) and also the interval without getting flak from the dealer about how it's too soon, etc etc. I felt that changing the oil at 1500 and then at 3500 to clear out the break in particulates was of benifit (for me, my humble opinion). Changing the oil on the TL is BEYOND easy... it's about the easiest car I've ever changed the oil on. Kudos to Honda for their engine design!

Dealers are for warranty work without a doubt. My dealer quoted me $600 bucks (+tax) to install my A-Spec suspension. That is simply rediculous. It's a 3 hour job if your dorking around the garage drinking beers and dancing to every other song on the radio ala Ellen. Just my

 

where do u find this link to log into, thanks

 

Acura's Owner Link:
http://www.acura.com/owning/owning_index.asp

 

I only drive my car on the weekends. If you don't put a lot of mileage on the car, does that effect the service intervals?

 

I know from experience that there are two service schedules, the manufacturer and the dealers...I go with the manufacturer...

 

i don't use the dealers 7500 maintenance rule. if you take a look at what they do it's actually pretty stupid. they perform a bunch of checks and replace some fluids and rotate the tires. i know for the so-called 15K they change/tighten some belts which i thought was rediculous since the car is so new when i reached 15K. like another poster said just log onto the owner's link and look up what the code means. There are a few things that are not listed on the owner's link that alot of people on the board have done. for instance if you have a 6MT it is recommended you get the factory tranny oil out pretty soon. i have 21K(i should have changed it earlier) on my tranny and i plan on changing it out next visit. i changed out the air filter at around 15K but did that myself since it was so easy. i want to change the pollen filter but i am a little hesistant as i am not that handywith tools and stuff. don't let them rape you for silly inspection service that they perform.

 

just do everything yourself. It's so easy, especially the oil change. I mean, come on, all you need to do is unscrew one bolt, let the oil drain, unscrew filter and replace, put oil plug back in, and refill. You don't need to be a "tech" a monkey could do it.

If you don't want to jack up the car to rotate the tires take it to Costco and for about $15 I think they will rotate and re-balance them. Then change the oil yourself.

 

how often are u guys balancing your tires..i am up to my third maintanence (A1) and balanced the tires once at about 10k miles, i have 18k now. This one auto place priced me $83 for oil change and balance and rotation, but from what it says above costco charges u $15 for tire rotation and balance, is that if u havent bought the tires from them though? I know they no longer fix flats on tires unless u bought the tire from them.

If they do any tire for balance and rotation then i would do that for $15 then take car to this hand car wash place that gives u oil change and car wash in/out for 25.

 

anyone know how often u are suppose to balance your tires ? Are u suppose to everytime u rotate your tires?

 

Ive Had My Tl Since Last Feb And My Mid Has Never Automatically Popped Up And Showed Any Codes. I Have 18,000 + Miles . Could It Be My Mid Is Not Working?

 

what does it say under your oil life, does it stay at 100%


but i would say if u havnet gotten anything, something is def wrong, i have 18k and this is the third one that came up

 

As long as your tires are wearing evenly, and you don't feel any vibration (or any more vibration than you usually have), it isn't necessary to balance the tires.

Rotation is recommended around 7,500 miles or so because of the front-wheel drive characteristic of wearing the front tires faster than the rear tires.

 

My MID shows my percentage of oil life thats all. A code should automatically come up if I need oil, right ? I have changed my oil but never got a response from the car that it needs to be changed. What codes should have at least come up if I have 18,000+ miles? I guess I have to take my car in to see why my MID isnt working.

 

Any1 believe my MID is broken?

 

You won't get a code if you need oil, but you should have gotten several other notifications by now with 18,000+ miles.

If you change your oil with more than 15% remaining, and reset the oil life in the trip meter (the MID does not show the % remaining, the trip meter does) then you will not get a notification for an oil change. But you should get notifications for tire rotation and periodic checkup items.

But it is possible that by resetting the oil life early, you might not get any notification in the MID. I have 15,000 miles now, and have changed the oil twice, at around 6,000 miles. By doing this, I probably told the computer that I also did the tire rotation, or something like that, because I too have never seen any notification pop up.

Maybe when I get over 20,000 the sub item 2 will show up, and maybe by resetting it around every 6,000 miles nothing will show.

What I'm getting at is I don't think your MID is broken, I think the computer is using your manual resets (if that is what you are doing) to adjust itself.

If you have never reset the oil life indicator manually, then you probably have a problem.

 

Its interesting, this procedure did not work for me. I had to go to the "xxx miles past due" screen which pops up when you turn the ignition switch to ON.

- I then held the select/reset button for 10 seconds
- When I got the confirm change I just pushed the select/reset button again briefly (less than a second) and the MID reset.

The procedure may be different when you are PAST the recommended time, or it may be different for '05.

I'm not challenging the procedure below, just want this information available for anyone who looks this up in the future.

 

Resetting the MID is not the same as resetting the oil life remaining indicator.

When you reset the MID you only zero everything in the MID, such as miles driven, time, average mpg, etc. This does nothing to reset the engine oil indicator.

To reset the oil life indicator, you have to go to one of the trip meters (A or B), and follow the procedure above, which says in paragraph 2 to select trip A or B.

It may have changed for 05, or it may be the same. I always change my oil myself before the MID gets lower than 15% so I have never seen the display you mention, but I always reset the oil life indicator in the trip meter back to 100% so I will have to take your word for the procedure you describe.