I am considering a 2015 RDX/w Tech package..reading on line I see the maintenance schedules as 'A' 'B' '1' '2', etc.

What mileage do those relate to? Also what's the deal with the 'valve adjustment'? Never seen that in a modern vehicle? How often is it needed/cost?

I do the basic services myself but don't want to get into a situation where I am paying $100's for dealer services..

 

Acura Maintenance Schedules | Acura Owners Site

A)

• Replace engine oil*1
• *1: If the message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

B)

• Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter
• Inspect front and rear brakes, service as necessary
• Check parking brake adjustment
• Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
• Inspect suspension components
• Inspect driveshaft boots
• Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)
• Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids
• Inspect exhaust system#
• Inspect fuel lines and connections#
• *1: If the message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
• #: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty of your owner's manual.
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

1)

• Rotate tires
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

2)

• Replace air cleaner element*2
• Replace dust and pollen filter*3
• Inspect drive belt
• *2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
• *3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

3)

• Replace transmission and transfer fluid*
• * Not available on all models
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

4)

• Replace spark plugs
• Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*4
• Inspect valve clearance
• *4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under -20°F, -29°C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

5)

• Replace engine coolant
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

6)

• Replace rear differential fluid*
• * Not available on all models
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

 

Basically, you wait till it pops up on your dash.

and up until about 60-70k miles, its ALL oil changes and brakes.
you will likely not have to do anything major until about 100k miles, where timing belt is due. but again, it will show up on your dash.

 

Yeah, I saw the website with the 'A-B-C-1-2-3' categories..

but am wondering how often each occur? Surely they are tied to mileage and/or perhaps time (e.g. brake fluid change is generally time dependent).

So wondering what the time intervals are…and how often do the valves have to be adjusted 'if they are noisy'?

 

It will really depend on how you drive the vehicle. If you do a lot of cold starts, short trips, drive it like you stole it, or drive like a grandma, the MM will account for this for when you need to change oil, etc.

Air and cabin filters are typically every 15,000 miles, oil/oil filter changes are probably 6-8,000 miles or so. Air and cabin filter changes are so easy on Acuras you do it yourself in a few minutes. The oil changes on the RDX also are relatively simple work.

As for valve adjustments, I've never had that done on all of the Honda/Acura's I've owned the last several years with the MM.

 

I forgot to add, transmission fluid changes are around 30K (also really easy to do on the RDX), rear diff I believe is around ~15K, spark plugs ~100K. Engine coolant I believe is 150K or 5 years.

 

ie: wait til the letters and numbers pop up on your dash.

the computer knows how many revolutions per minute the engine is spinning at.
it knows if you take it all the way to redline on a daily basis or not.
vtec is where the vehicle shines (+4000 RPM!)
it knows when you start it up and shut it off.
it knows how many miles you take it back and fourth to work every day.

basically; its counting for you and there is no set "interval"
because it knows how far you've driven.


so, just wait till the numbers and letters pop up on your dash.

 

yes, but...

Hondu's response is quite accurate.

Your car will call for an oil change every 6-8k miles. Every third service or so will require air and cabin filters. You'll know what the car needs because it will ask for it.

There is one service that is time based (brake fluid) and one service that "may" be time based (oil change at least every year even if the MMI doesn't call for it yet because of low mileage).

Even if you do your own servicing you should follow the schedule and keep a record of what was done and when it was done. Keep receipts for all fluids, filters and others items you've replaced.

You'll want to keep that to be able to prove (kind of) that all the required services were done in a timely fashion and that you've used the proper parts/fluids.

In order to keep the warranty intact (in the US) you have three options:

1. Have all servicing done by a dealer. They will record it but it is best to keep a record yourself. No need to keep specifics on parts used because it is assumed (for warranty) that an Acura dealer will use the proper parts and fluids.

2. Have an indy shop do the service. Keep receipts and assure that they specify the type of oil and parts used.

3. DIY. Keep a record of what you did when and keep receipts for all parts and fluids.

Back when I did it myself, I kept a three ring binder and put receipts, labels and box tops into a ziplock bag that I attached to each entry. Each bag was labeled with the service, date and mileage and I'd stick a note inside detailing any findings such as "leaking shock noticed. Made appt for warranty service on..." If specialized tools were required, I would also annotate where I got the tools (such as "tools and space provided by Vilseck Auto Hobby Shop") and I'd annotate who helped me on difficult or two-man jobs (Joe Schmidlapp [chief mechanic at the xyz motor pool] assisted with the repair)

There are three things you need to show in order to keep your warranty intact:

1. Routine maintenance completed as required
2. Proper parts and fluids use
3. Servicing was done by "competent" persons

The third is reason that I would annotate who helped and identify their position if it might help. If any of the things are missing then the dealer may refuse warranty service if they believe that you didn't comply with your end of the bargain and that your failure contributed to the failure.

 

I can always count on you Ceb to expound on my short comings!

 

No shortcomings and you were correct - one should wait to see what the car asks for.

It is always good though to have a basic idea of when the car will be asking for stuff.

With my 2012 wagon, I got an A1, another A1, a B2 and an A1 before it was totaled. On my 2013, I've had three A1's and the last checklist on Saturday showed "air filter will need attention soon" which begs the question "why didn't the car ask for a "2" service?"

So here - a year into ownership and 21k miles, I've had three services that would have cost about $400 ($125x3 plus tax and shop charges), so I figure I'll get the rest of my $450 easily paid for in the next 40k miles (I got the 4 year, 60k maintenance plan for $850)

 

^that was a compliment, ceb.

 

You do not have to keep receipts for maintenance work. There is NO requirement like that for the warranty.

 

Really?????

How else do you show that the routine maintenance was properly completed? Do you think that a note scribbled on a piece of toilet paper that says "i done all mantenunce" will suffice if you have a warranty disagreement with the dealer?

Somehow I think that a detailed list of what you did, when and include receipts for products is a slightly more compelling argument. But what do I know, I just worked warranty issues at a JAG office for ten years.

 

Yes CEB is more than correct... All receipts would come in handy if there is a disagreement between you and the dealer on warranty issues.

 

Toilet paper probably isn't the best idea. Grant it, Acura seems to be a little more demanding than most manufacturers with their requirements, but if you read the manual they say you need one or more of the following from the list of three items. In other words, you need one. One item is filling out the maintenance journal indicating the work that was done and the mileage and sign and date it.

 

The entire discussion is really academic.

Lubrication related issues are far and few between but if Acura asks you to "prove" that you've completed maintenance then you can bet your last dollar that they've got enough evidence to show that it was somehow your fault - and that is where receipts and box tops come in.

 

...but let's delve into the actual requirements a bit more. Highlighting is mine from page 35 of the 2013 warranty booklet for the RDX.

If you regularly take your vehicle to
an Acura dealer for scheduled
maintenance, the dealership
personnel will know its history if
you need to make a warranty claim.
Make sure your service technician
fills out and embosses your Acura
Maintenance Journal. If someone
else has been performing the
maintenance, you may need to
provide evidence that you have
properly maintained the vehicle.
This evidence may consist of one or
more of these items:
• The Acura Maintenance Journal
showing the odometer mileage
and date for each service. Each
entry in this journal should be
embossed and signed by a person
who is qualified to service
automobiles.
• Copies of repair orders or other
receipts that include the odometer
mileage and date that the vehicle
was serviced. Each receipt should
be signed by a qualified
automotive service technician.
• A statement that you completed
the maintenance yourself, showing
the odometer mileage and date
you did the work. Receipts for the
replacement parts (fluids, filters,
etc.) should accompany this
statement.
NOTE: As a convenience for the
next owner, keep all maintenance
receipts with the vehicle if it is
sold

Accordingly, the first section applies to dealerships, the second to independent garages and the third to individual owners.

Here's the bottom line. If there is a dispute, the Acura will just refuse warranty service. You can then pay to get it fixed and take Acura to court.

Do you think that a small claim judge will accept your handwriting in the warranty book (probably written in the same pen and at the same time - 10 minutes before the hearing) as actual proof that you did the services?

Do you want to risk that because you are too lazy to keep a couple of receipts? Those receipts may get you more $$ in a private sale and might even get you more money on trade in. When I traded my first Audi (to a dealer 8 hours away), he looked at the file of receipts (neatly bound in one of those manila folders with the two prongs) and said "it looks like you took real good care of the car." He walked around the car to look for obvious damage and we went back to the office. That folder may not have gotten me more money but it sure cut the inspection time down.

 

I'm certianly not lazy as I personally maintain my fleet of vehicles. If I had one or two cars, keeping all the receipts would be a little more straightforward. When one is buying multiple different oil filters, air filters, oil at the same time, which car gets the receipt? Make copies and distribute them to 5 different binders? Would a photocopy even be acceptable? Would it be better to keep a spreadsheet to keep all of the receipt locations straight? Well, maybe I am being lazy.

When I bought my first new car in 1990 I used to take pictures of each oil change with the newspaper in each picture to verify the date along with the used oil filter and empty quart bottles of oil. That seemed a little excessive (from what I was told) so for my next cars I switched to just documenting the work in the maintenance manual.

I agree that the likelihood of a lubrication related warranty issue is pretty slim. I'm also not saying receipts would not help if Acura was disputing a warranty claim. I'm just saying it's not a requirement. If it was, the "should" would say "must" in the language below.

A statement that you completed
the maintenance yourself (preferably not on toilet paper), showing
the odometer mileage and date
you did the work. Receipts for the
replacement parts (fluids, filters,
etc.) should accompany this
statement.

I believe I would fall under the first item:

The Acura Maintenance Journal
showing the odometer mileage
and date for each service. Each
entry in this journal should be
embossed and signed by a person
who is qualified to service
automobiles.

as I am certianly qualified to preform the service. I could easily prove that to a judge and testing on the maintenance journal could be done to show the difference in age of the ink on the pages (if one wants to get CSI crazy). Note that the burden of proof is on Acura as they would need to prove that you didn't maintain your vehicle.

 

Nope. You have an obligation to maintain your car to keep your warranty intact.

Once Acura says "The issue is only seen when there was improper maintenance" then the burden shifts to you to prove that maintenance was done correctly.

Manufacturers walk a fine when setting maintenance requirements and the "should" is most likely there to give them some wiggle room.

If you are Mona Lisa Vito then you can probably convince a judge that you know what you are doing, but the average Joe who thinks that changing a light bulb in an end table lamp is challenging might not be able to be as convincing.

BTW, I didn't mean to imply that YOU were lazy. Sorry if it came across like that. I meant is more as a generic "it ain't that hard to keep a handful of receipts.

The upside of course is that if you maintain your car even anywhere close to the requirements then you'll never need to prove that you maintained it.

 

This discussion (about keeping receipts) may apply only to an average person. 1CleanRDX evidently seems to have more expertise and experience related to vehicle maintenance and if you can prove that to Acura (or the Judge) that may be sufficient IMO.

 

I've maintained my Civic according to the MM and have had no issuses. I plan to maintain my RDX the same way. I'll probably put a K&N filter in it when it calls for it, I'll replace the transmission fluid, oil and coolant myself using the Acura fluids. I'm so excited!! I'll leave the timing belt and water pump up to Acura.