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Yearly Checkup

15 messages,  Last post on Nov 20, 2006 at 8:17 AM

You are in the Honda Pilot Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Pilot, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 2

#1 of 15 Yearly Checkup by ronnyc

Nov 15, 2006 (5:42 pm)

I have a 2005 Pilot LX. Car runs perfectly; has about 9000 miles. I took it in to the dealer for its yearly checkup. Before anything (including looking at the car) the estimate was about $600. This included replacing the air in the tires with nitrogen and replacing various fluids.
 
Is $600 in line, out of line, insane, actionable? (The actual bill was higher by about $70).
 
A friend of mine mentioned my bill to his mother who also has a new car (Chrysler) and her checkup was $100. But...?
 
RON

#2 of 15 Re: Yearly Checkup [ronnyc] by steve_ HOST

Nov 15, 2006 (6:07 pm)

Replying to: ronnyc (Nov 15, 2006 5:42 pm)
You can check what we think a check-up should cost for your zip code with the Edmunds Maintenance Guide.
 
Costco and some other shops use nitrogen (at no charge) in their tires, but I think it's just a marketing scam on passenger tires personally. Check Tires, tires, tires for other opinions.

#3 of 15 Pilot Maintenance by suvtime

Nov 15, 2006 (6:16 pm)

ronnyc, I've never heard of replacing air with nitrogen on a Pilot. Looking through the Pilots maintenance schedule there is no mention of nitrogen in the tires. Here in Canada they seem to have four different maintenance procedures for the Pilot.
Type 1,2,3 or 4.
 
I can't tell by your message if you've already went a head and had them do the work or not. If they haven't I would pass and go somewhere else.
 
If you've been doing regular maintenance on your Pilot, according to the schedule in front of me you should only need a type 1 (which is an oil and filter change only) or a type 2 which would consist of the oil change and a brake inspection, tie rod end inspection, suspension component inspection and a driveshaft boot inspection.
 
I'm not sure of the price, but no way $600.

#4 of 15 Re: Pilot Maintenance [suvtime] by ronnyc

Nov 15, 2006 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: suvtime (Nov 15, 2006 6:16 pm)
According to the Edmunds estimate, my cost should be about $33. I of course have already paid for the checkup (at Potamkin Honda in Manhattan). Here's the bill:
 
Perform 12 month service replace engine oil and filter perform complete lubrication to all door locks hinges and latches perform rear differential service clean fuel injection service rotate and speed bqalance all tires perform 3 wheel inspect all brakes adjust had break top off all other fluid levels clean and lubricate battery terminals adjust all tire pressure replace wiper refills and road test. Customer (me) requests purigen 98kpg (I assume this is the nitrogen?) This was the estimate.
 
Here's the actual bill: most items are nothing; but Fluid VT 08200 is $29.92 and EMISSION is $59.95.
 
Total parts is $122.30; total labor is $399,00 (at $95 per hour). Total is $649.17.
 
Is the consensus that I just got taken?
 
RON

#5 of 15 Re: Pilot Maintenance [ronnyc] by steve_ HOST

Nov 15, 2006 (6:57 pm)

Replying to: ronnyc (Nov 15, 2006 6:43 pm)
Maybe you can get Eliot Spitzer's attention before he leaves the AG's office for the governor's palace.
 
I did a 7,500 mile service for a Virginia zip code with the Maintenance Guide for an '05 LX and came up with $122.07. The 15,000 mile service comes in at $164.42. (The 11,250 one was $31.75).
 
Either way, you seem to have paid too much based on what you've told us, and a request for an adjustment may be in order. If the dealer doesn't agree, then you may consider contacting the AG/Consumer Protection office or BBB or your local news expose channel for advice.

#6 of 15 Re: Pilot Maintenance [steve_] by ronnyc

Nov 15, 2006 (7:00 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Nov 15, 2006 6:57 pm)
I'm thinking of it. I don't mind paying to keep the car in great shape, which it is, but I'm feeling a little weird now about this and have to think about it.
 
I did some research about nitrogen in the tires and there is some info which suggests it is a good thing to do.

#7 of 15 Re: Pilot Maintenance [ronnyc] by tidester

Nov 15, 2006 (10:04 pm)

Replying to: ronnyc (Nov 15, 2006 7:00 pm)
I did some research about nitrogen in the tires and there is some info which suggests it is a good thing to do.
 
I am quite certain you won't get $120+ worth out of that N2.
 
tidester, host

#8 of 15 Re: Pilot Maintenance [tidester] by ronnyc

Nov 16, 2006 (5:13 am)

Replying to: tidester (Nov 15, 2006 10:04 pm)
That's for sure.

#9 of 15 Re: Pilot Maintenance [suvtime] by odie6l

Nov 16, 2006 (8:01 am)

Replying to: suvtime (Nov 15, 2006 6:16 pm)
"I've never heard of replacing air with nitrogen on a Pilot. Looking through the Pilots maintenance schedule there is no mention of nitrogen in the tires."
 
Any local Goodyear, or even Costco will switch you over to Nitrogen for about $20 per tire. The thing with Nitrogen is the tire will not seep as fast as normal air will. Also Nitrogen will not change in pressure with temp of tire / outside.
 
Odie
Odie's Carspace

#10 of 15 Re: Pilot Maintenance [odie6l] by ronnyc

Nov 16, 2006 (8:34 am)

Replying to: odie6l (Nov 16, 2006 8:01 am)
I checked around, calling several Honda dealers in Suffolk County (on Long Island). Explained my situation (2005 Pilot EX, 9000 miles, needs the 7500 mile check up). The prices I got were $96, $125, $144. I called Honda US up; they were polite but not really that interested.
 
I left a message for Potamkin Honda's general manager.
 
I'm pretty sure the next time I need to do a check up, it will not be there.
 
RON

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