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:@

[Dave_H_M]

I see that going on all the time at the Toyota dealer. After going berserk on them when they tried to gouge me for 500 plus bucks, they musta put a note in the computer to leave this crazy old man alone and don't even try to get their hand in my pocket. :B

[angler]

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

[MEXICOWANDERER]

If the device being lubed has clutches and friction materials that's one thing, but mere ball and tapered roller bearings and gear contact surfaces, quite another.

I recommend you change light bulbs once a year. Why are ours five times the price of others? Well, they're -- they're -- they're GENUINE!"

MoPar has really pricey ATF4 automatic transmission fluid. In my toad it is optional. But I dropped the pan for the first time in it's life and found absolutely zero. No metal. No friction materials. Rubbed finger on bottom of the pan, and came up absolutely clean. Not a speck of shiny anything. SOLD! New ATF4 went back in at 10.00 dollars a quart. There's times to spend extra money and other times to hoist the middle finger.

[Gdetrailer]

angler wrote:
Honda dealerships definitely over service based on the manual. I think they have a check next to your name to see if they can up sell you.

THIS..

Not the first time I have heard of a Honda dealer playing shady games with peoples minds and wallet..

A former coworker for many years used to tell me some pretty wild stories that his dealer gave to him on needing to TEAR DOWN HIS HONDA ENGINE EVERY 60K MILES TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, REPLACE HEAD GASKETS AND ON AND ON!!!

Yeah, I am not kidding, he FELL FOR THIS!

So, like clock work at the 60K mile mark he lost his vehicle for a week and his wallet was much lighter to the tune of $2,000!!!

Nothing I could say could get him to understand that all of the was not needed..

Before folks chime in, it WAS NOT THE 1970S.. It was 1998-2009 ish, he left the company around 2010..

Yeah, that dealer also would take and HOLD your trade in vehicle keys to prevent you from leaving if you didn't "like" the deal.. Not sure why he had that fascination to keep going back to that shady dealer, but he did..

Use your manuals specifications on fluid changes and other maintenance and DON'T LET THE DEALER BULLY YOU INTO THINGS. It is YOUR MONEY, use it wisely..

[philh]

follow the manual. Nothing to be gained from more frequent changes.

[angler]

Honda dealerships definitely over service based on the manual. I think they have a check next to your name to see if they can up sell you. They don't even ask me anymore. I have them change the tranny fluid ever 75,000 miles(surprised they didn't hit you with that too), diff 40,000, brake fluid every three years(manual says that), oil change every 5000, Air Filter and Cabin every 3 years, And the 100,000 mile timing belt for the V6. Probably still over servicing, but never had and major repairs on them.

[pauldub]

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.

[angler]

I have two Hondas and do it about 40,000 miles. When I read how the AWD system works on the Hondas I just figured it may be a good Idea. I have a 15 year old CRV and never had a issue with the AWD. Had it changed 4 times at a cost of 200 (40-60 each) so I figure its cheap insurance.

[moebedick]

Had a 2009 Nissan Frontier that the dealer said required several different fluid and filter changes along with minor “checks” and adjustments. The estimate was for only $925. Took the truck to my friendly local mechanic,showed him the estimate,and then watched him do it step by step for $225.
I no longer bring any vehicles back to the dealership for anything but “free” maintenance or warranty work. I prefer to make my own boat payments,not the dealers.

[Big_Katuna]

The maintenance percentage is for engine oil. The trans and diffs are on a separate schedule.

[RJsfishin]

I always figure the MFG nor the service manual knows the conditions any vehicle will operate in, so they play on the safe side, which is more money in their pockets.
Me, I change oil when I see it getting dirty, meaning if I can't see the markings on the dip stick thru the oil, its time to change.
My gear oil at 100K miles, looks like new yet. Your thoughts may differ.

[ksg5000]

Pretty sure my 2014 CRV says that the cars computer is suppose to tell you when to change oil etc - each car is driven differently so they got rid of specific mileage recommendations. That's my recollection at any rate.

[Lwiddis]

Not a “rip off” because you disagree. Learn to disagree without being disagreeable. It’s your vehicle and you can decide.

[downtheroad]

Some manufacturers recommend changes by either mileage or time...which ever comes first..
As posted...check your manual for service intervals.

[Bob_Vaughn]

My dad bought a new car once then went thru and figured up all the maintenance recommended would cost twice what the car cost and you would still have an old car..