Hi Scotty,
I have a 2019 Honda Ridgeline with 115k km. I was advised by the dealership to change have a transmission fluid change and fuel emission service performed. But the maintenance minder codes only showed B3, which is an oil change and inspection. Do I need to follow their advise or stick with the codes shown on my dashboard?
Thank you.
Keep the dealer as far out of your life as possible. If their lips are moving, they are lying. Look at the maintenance schedule in your owners manual and divide the mileage or time frame by two. For example, if it says change your oil and filter every 10K miles, do it at 5K miles. Find an independent mechanic if you don't do the work yourself.
I love Honda but hate their maintenance minder and dealers. I think maintenance minder would be great! If the dealer didn’t try to scam people with added services. But it confuses everyone, including myself, when the dealer says one thing, the maintenance minder says another, and traditional maintenance guidelines say something else.
To answer the question more specifically.
Fuel Emissions Service: They usually market this as Fuel Indiction Service. It’s not usually needed. Only if you are noticing problems. Fuel Induction Service is one of the dealers biggest scams. You can pop a bottle fuel system cleaner like Techron in the tank yourself for a fraction of a fraction of the price they will charge.
Transmission Oil Fluid Exchange: Maybe. Most owners manuals suggest transmission oil fluid exchange every 100K-120K miles. Mechanics and DIYers here in this board often suggest to take that number, and do it half the intervals. So between 50K-60K miles. At the very least do it every 100K-120K miles. If you drive your car harder, and/or you want to maintain your car for the long term, do it 50K-60K.
if you drive a CVT transmission, do it every 20K-30K miles, despite what the manuals says. Especially if it is a Jatco CVT.
Thank you I appreciate it. Good thing I declined the dealer's recommendation and followed the MM.