What do you recommend/anything i should know?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
What do you recommend/anything i should know?
On my other cars, i do my oil change and basic tune ups (filters,oil,spark plugs) myself; mainly because i enjoy it - not to save money (most times i end up spending more for i get the best of every filter and other supplies) .
The 05 Tl is the newest (now @ 2400 miles)and most expensive car i've owned so far, do you recommend i carry on the same practice and if i do- are there any special procedures i should know,common mistakes to avoid. Or should i go strictly dealer.
The 05 Tl is the newest (now @ 2400 miles)and most expensive car i've owned so far, do you recommend i carry on the same practice and if i do- are there any special procedures i should know,common mistakes to avoid. Or should i go strictly dealer.
AZ Community Team
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,084
Likes: 4,756
From: Maryland
I recommend you carry on doing your own maintenance.
I've been working on Honda/Acura's for 20+ years. While the TL while technically is more advanced design-wise than other vehicles I have worked on, the basics are for maintenance are almost the same. If you enjoy doing the work like I do great, you also get the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right (or wrong as I occasionally make a minor mistake).
One thing I highly suggest is getting the factory shop manual, the OEM Honda/Acura manuals from Helm are excellent.
I've been working on Honda/Acura's for 20+ years. While the TL while technically is more advanced design-wise than other vehicles I have worked on, the basics are for maintenance are almost the same. If you enjoy doing the work like I do great, you also get the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right (or wrong as I occasionally make a minor mistake).
One thing I highly suggest is getting the factory shop manual, the OEM Honda/Acura manuals from Helm are excellent.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 626
Likes: 6
From: NJ
This site has great information on DIY (do-it-yourself) projects in the 3G Garage. If you did not already have the link, here it is
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84831
Actually mine is the other way around. On my previous cars (2 accords bought used one after the other) I never used to do anything on my own, partly because I was in school and partly because I did not have a problem with any road side mechanic working on it.
I started doing stuff on my TL myself because I dont like taking it to any mechanic and I quickly learned that the dealer is a rip-off. Like you said I sometimes end up spending the same amount of money (e.g. Dealer charges $35 for oil change, I but 5 quarts of Mobil 1 @ $ 5 a quart and I buy the Mobil 1 filter for $10 = $35) + the intial investment I made in ramps, misc tools, drain pan etc but basically I am putting in a lot better product in the car for the same amount of money and like you said the pleasure of working on your car.
You dont need to do much except for rotating tires, changing oil, changing filter (air and cabin), changing transmission oil etc for the first 30 K, since you already have been doing this on your past cars you are not a newbie and with the information on this site I think you would do just fine. so I say do it yourself.
hope this helps.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84831
Actually mine is the other way around. On my previous cars (2 accords bought used one after the other) I never used to do anything on my own, partly because I was in school and partly because I did not have a problem with any road side mechanic working on it.
I started doing stuff on my TL myself because I dont like taking it to any mechanic and I quickly learned that the dealer is a rip-off. Like you said I sometimes end up spending the same amount of money (e.g. Dealer charges $35 for oil change, I but 5 quarts of Mobil 1 @ $ 5 a quart and I buy the Mobil 1 filter for $10 = $35) + the intial investment I made in ramps, misc tools, drain pan etc but basically I am putting in a lot better product in the car for the same amount of money and like you said the pleasure of working on your car.
You dont need to do much except for rotating tires, changing oil, changing filter (air and cabin), changing transmission oil etc for the first 30 K, since you already have been doing this on your past cars you are not a newbie and with the information on this site I think you would do just fine. so I say do it yourself.
hope this helps.