Is this a ripoff, Honda HRV 2016 Differential Fluid Change

[boston_blacky]

Hey folks;

Just returned from my friendly Honda Dealership. Service rep. says they (Honda and the Dealership) recommend drain and replacement of differential fluid. I told them NO - but I would double check and get back to them asap. Veh. is 2016 Honda HRV AWD with only 35k miles

It has been driven under normal conditions and all regular service(s) have been done - on time - as recommended!! I figure fluid should be good for (at least) 50k to 80K miles. What say you- fine folks. BB:@

[jfkmk]

Don’t agree on their timing belt and water pump. Yeah, they CAN last a lot longer than the specified replacement schedule.

However, IF the timing belt breaks on an interference engine, it is toast. Since you can’t see the belt without taking off the timing belt cover, the interval is set to where they feel most belts won’t fail.

Replacing the $25 belt is expensive because it is all labor. The water pump is driven by the timing belt and takes the same amount of labor to replace. It would be foolish not to replace a timing belt and water pump per the manufacturers guidelines.

Had an old Rabbit that the timing belt broke on. It wasn’t an interference engine, so no engine damage. It was kind of a pain to replace!

[Gdetrailer]

angler wrote:
The service you mentioned on Honda's is required service, but it's at 100,000 miles not 60,000 and I think only the V6. The 4 cylinder has a Timing chain instead of a belt. It's about 800 ( Not exactly sure) Certainly not 2000. They replace the internal belt, water pump (have to take it off anyway), and a few other things as part of the process.

All the New Dealers do this now for maintenance. They make much more on service and Parts than selling cars. Its a shame since many people get taken

My former coworker never kept his Hondas after 80K miles, always traded for a new one by then..

I don't believe in changing a timing belt just because it hit a certain mileage as "normal" for ANY GOOD WELL DESIGNED ENGINE. Timing belts (and even serpentine belts) CAN EASILY exceed 200,000 miles.

Water pumps on average CAN well exceed 200,000 miles..

Modern engines mechanically are very well engineered and are pretty much the most reliable item in todays vehicles..

The downfall of todays vehicles IS THE ELECTRONICS, all the computers, sensors and wiring will typically give you more fits that the internal parts of a engine.

Honda, like a lot of auto manufacturers now days use the "fear factor" to create fear in peoples minds, making tons of money from folks who just don't know or understand. Upselling unneeded service items is a huge income for the dealers service bays in LABOR AND PARTS.

[MrWizard]

what does Honda Differential fluid have to do with RVing

and (3) subsequent pages arguing the point each way

would it not have been better to ask in a Honda Forum

[shelbyfv]

boston blacky wrote:
I figure fluid should be good for (at least) 50k to 80K miles.

Probably not a good idea to base maintenance, especially if still under warranty, on a WAG;) Someone mentioned that you may not get the change alert. The dealer should be able to explain if that's the case. Could be why they mentioned it.

[allbrandauto]

as a repair shop owner have done many honda diff. services when you don't you can get a clunking noise making a hard turn this service almost allways takes care of this problem so its a legit service

[theoldwizard1]

time2roll wrote:
First three years it will be brake fluid and wipers. Really hard to up sell when you do not even go in for service.

My previous car was almost 10 years old. Never saw the inside of a dealer shop.

I have an old beater, 20 years old. Only been inside a dealer twice for warranty work.

[time2roll]

This is what is so very scary about electric vehicles... so little service is needed. These dealers will be doomed.

First three years it will be brake fluid and wipers. Really hard to up sell when you do not even go in for service.

[ksg5000]

pauldub wrote:
I looked in the owner's manual for you and didn't not find any service interval for diff fluid. It does say to replace it when the maintenance minder displays code 6. They are called the Stealership for a reason.

Yep - the only problem I have noted is that if you change the oil frequently (as many do) then you don't get oil reminders which I have read says that you never get to the secondary reminders such as differential changes.

[ppine]

Ozlander wrote:

ppine wrote:
Changing the fluids when you are supposed to is one of the ways to get to 300,000 miles.

Another way is to change nothing and still get to 300K.

And the moon is made of green cheese.

[mountainkowboy]

When we bought our CRV new in 2005 the rear axle was making a strange noise in tight turns at only 40K. Fluid change cured it and it never came back again. I would change it just to get rid of the breakin stuff that might be in the fluid.

[theoldwizard1]

According to the 2016 Honda HR-V Owner's Manual, page 120, The builtin Maintenance Minder will show code B6 when the rear differential fluid should be changed.

[camperdave]

Our Ford dealer does this stuff too. More so to my wife than me. I bring her car in for service just for that reason. Sad.

Most new cars are based on predictive maintenance. The car will tell you what/when is needed. Mileage based schedules are a thing of the past.

[Ozlander]

ppine wrote:
Changing the fluids when you are supposed to is one of the ways to get to 300,000 miles.

Another way is to change nothing and still get to 300K.

[ppine]

Changing the fluids when you are supposed to is one of the ways to get to 300,000 miles.