tl3097flnkr

So I just got the "Service due soon - B" message on the MID on my 2008 TL. I have about 22K miles on it. I checked with my local dealer and their quote for a B service was $182 and looks like they do a bunch of inspecting - chassis, fluids, hoses, steering column etc other than the oil change and tire rotation. The only thing that sounded worth doing was the front and rear brake service in which they remove the glaze from the pads and service the calipers.

Since the car is almost 4 years old now, and that I have never done a brake fluid flush I am anyways planning to get the brakes bled next month - I am guessing they will de-glaze the pads and service the calipers as a part of brake fluid flush too?

Not sure if getting the B service done has any value or is it just a way to rip off especially with 22K miles?

If i don't do the B service would it affect the warranty? or the resale value if I were to trade in the car?

On one hand it would be good to know of any issues while I have some warranty still left but on the other I am not sure $182 for inspection is worth the money.

What's your opinion aziners?

Thank you!!

Bearcat94

@ $182. What a rip-off.

Just find a reasonable regional/national chain or a reputable indy shop and tell them what you need done - Oil, Filter, Cabin Filter, Rotate Tires. 99% of places INCLUDE a 12/24-point inspection with an oil change. $100 tops (and even that is questionable).

Change the engine air filter yourself. It's ~$10 - $15 and 4 screws right on top in the engine compartment.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

price is on par with the market. it's up to you to determine whether it's worth doing a "check up" on your vehicle. you're probably over due for your brake fluid if it's never been done (needs to be done every 3 yrs).

i had the dealer do the B service mostly for peace of mind. the A service i always ask for just an oil change.

i won't have any of those big chain stores touch my cars. it's trust thing and previous bad experiences. certainly my service history at my dealer has and will give me some pull if anything comes up. customer loyalty does pay off.

ATLS_666

Isn't it once a year after the third year?

Hi speed

iTrader: (3)

The B service is a huge rip off. If you are comfortable doing the oil change, cabin filter and tire rotation or atleast one or two of these items, you can put better quality parts in the car and save money for the brake flush ($60-70). If you don't want to work on the car or would rather pay, I would find a good independent Honda/ Acura shop. The dealership is almost always the most expensive way to go and many times the most dishonest.

Will Y.

WTH is a "B" service??
The service should be a B1, B2, B3, B4 or B5.

The number code identifies specific necessary maintenance.
"B1" is an oil and oil filter change, as well as any cursory inspections.
If you have a "B2" message, change the engine and air filters as well as the oil.

BTW, Acura's "A#" service code means to change the oil and not the filter, but everyone changes the oil filter as well as the oil, so A = B in the case of 3G TL maintenance.

At 4 years, you should do a brake fluid flush. However, a dealership will likely charge you extra to service any other brake components, like calipers or pads, separately from the fluid flush.
No-- every 3 years, per the manual.

Welcome to AZ!

Hi speed

iTrader: (3)

I forgot to mention the brake service. I have never heard of deglazing the pads and I don't think the calipers need servicing either. They might put some grease on the caliper to help with corrosion in states that use salt on the roads. The deglazing thing sounds like it has to take away from your pad life.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

will y- i've had only the "B" code pop up without any of the numbered maintenance codes. most recently it popped up on my TL....i only had them do an oil change.

yes dealers are the pricey route to go and not all of them are out to get you. if' you're smart about knowing your car and it's needs, then you'll be less likely to get screwed. for me DIY on a lot of the items the car needs i don't have the time nor means to do them. yes i pay extra to have the dealer work on my car, but again...it's a trust thing and i've had nothing but good experiences with them. they treat me well and that goes a long way with me.

OP-whether its the dealer or some indy shop...find a reliable trustworthy shop that you feel comfortable taking your car to. sometimes cheaper is NOT always better. bearing in mind, you pay for what you get.

nj2pa2nc

On my tsx I have always had a number after the a or b. I thought the TL would be the same.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

guess it depends on how the car is driven.

nj2pa2nc

or not driven

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

true

nj2pa2nc

Had B12 appear. Took it to the local acura dealer and explained I only wanted the oil/filter changed. Since I am getting new tires I did not need to have the tires rotated. I also did not want them to do the filter change. They tried to sell unneeded service at high prices. I had a coupon for the oil change for $24.95.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

^^the reason why i go to the same SA...they know me and i don't have deal with that crap. you might have gotten the upsell b/c of the "girl" status and the SA didn't know you.

nj2pa2nc

The sa I liked is no longer there. It was the SM That did the bs like you need a brake fluid change. I go by the 3 year rule. I only go to this dealer when I am unable to get to my dealer in Pa. Going to the Pa dealer the end of this month. They will check over my car and let me know If service is needed. I trust them. Since my friend is now their Honda service manager I go there.

ChairmanKaga809

The B Service is a joke. It's a bunch of checks along with replacing the oil and oil filter.

A1 service is 49.98 at my Acura dealer (which is also a joke too).

Just tell them you want an oil and filter change...as well as a 'complimentary multi-point inspection' which is what the B service is.

When I have a A service required, I just ask for an oil change, and get my tires rotated for free at america's tire company since I bought my tires there. They always ask me if they can do a complimentary multi-point and I say yes.

lucnex

iTrader: (3)

If you are really looking to save money just pick up the oil and filter yourself and then bring it to an indy shop and have them change it....then it should only be like 10-15 bucks for that

Change air and cabin filter yourself....takes maybe 15 minutes total and its super easy....

tl3097flnkr

Thanks for the replies...I got a quote from another Acura dealer and they quoted $149.95. I am hoping both places perform the same kind of service.

Still unsure what I should do - I can probably change the engine air filter myself but that's about it - I don't have the time nor the space to do anything else. I feel getting the B service from the dealer might just be worth it because they service the brakes? (they confirmed that brakes are not serviced when brake fluid is flushed. I am planning on getting the fluid flushed next month, so it will not overlap)

Bearcat94

They will not 'service the brakes'. That is 100% bogus.

Either they flush the fluid or they don't. Either they replace pads and/or rotors or they don't.

There is nothing else. At least not worth doing as far as I know.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

B service-does not include any brake service. (crack open your manual and read the inspection checklist). the only thing they might do is adjust the parking brake. DIY your filters (it's really obscene what the dealer charges to do these). if you are complaining that the pads are glazing....the dealer might be nice and try to "scratch" them a little to help...however...it doesn't do much. i had this happen with my rears. i said f-it and had the pads replaced (i brought my own pads in).

you can lower your costs a little if you bring your own oil and filter in.

tl3097flnkr

@TLtrigirl - I noticed that there is no brake service in the manual. However both SA's I spoke to mentioned it as a part of the "B Service" to improve the "life of the brake components" - so you think I don't need to have them open up the brakes at this point?

It's not about the money, if it's a legit service I don't mind paying for it, just don't want to end up paying for something that isn't required in the first place.

So I guess the common theme here is that the dealer will obviously overcharge for the service which can be performed as a DIY for a much lesser cost or at a independent shop - I don't think I have time to do a DIY and I'd prefer to have the dealer touch my car rather than an independent mechanic that has never worked on it. So it's really I either get it done at the dealer or don't do it at all and just replace the engine air filter. Which option would you recommend?

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

the SAs are full of it. they'll look at it and then recommend additional stuff on top of the B service. the key here is inspections. they look, they find, they come to upsell you.

do your brakes really need to be worked on? you're due for your flush, but do the pads and rotors need to actually be worked on?? are they making noises or feel funny?? if NO, then dont' worry about it unless there is an issue. dont' fix what ain't broke.

ChairmanKaga809

As stated here, they will not "service" the brakes, they just inspect wear.

Bearcat94

They're selling you a line of . Sorry, but that's the 99.9% likely correct answer. If you do this 'service' you WILL be paying for something you don't need.

I get the non-DIY thing. It's not for everybody whether because of time, money, tools, experience, etc. But don't automatically discount shops other than a dealer. Acura sold well over 273,000 3rd Gen TL's. They are pretty common. Not to mention they have a LOT of commonality (parts and design) with the oodles of Accords on the road (after all the TL is a rebadged and upgraded Acccord).

Any reputable indy Honda/Acura shop or regional/national chain will have seen and successfully worked on plenty of TL's and/or Accords. It's not rocket science.

Another option - and usually lower cost that the Acura dealer - is to have a Honda dealer do the service. Genuine OE parts, access to the Honda tech-line, etc.

nj2pa2nc

additional: Victor was the SA I liked-he moved back to NJ-Kelvin is the SM-Yes he knows me but this dealer seems to go by mileage not by the MM. The dealer in PA goes by the MM and I have been buying and having service done for 10 years. It is nice to know many that work there including the owner.