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This came from Tim:
According to Acura, and our latest service menu, the first VTM fluid change
at 7500 miles is essential to the proper break-in of the unit. It is then
changed at the 15K, and every 15K after that.
Here are the service intervals we use:
Brake fluid change - 45,000
Replace coolant - 60,000
Air Filter - 15,000
Transmission fluid - 30,000
Dust/pollen filter - 30,000
Timing belt, water pump, belts - 105,000
Spark plugs - 105,000
And, as an aside, I personally would recommend changing the oil filter with
EVERY oil change. Five dollars is cheap insurance for a $40,000 vehicle. |
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What kind of costs are associated with these services?
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quote:
Originally posted by admin
This came from Tim:
According to Acura, and our latest service menu, the first VTM fluid change at 7500 miles is essential to the proper break-in of the unit. It is then changed at the 15K, and every 15K after that.
Here are the service intervals we use:
Brake fluid change - 45,000 [manual says 3 years]
Replace coolant - 60,000 [manual says 120,000 miles]
Air Filter - 15,000 [manual says only in dusty conditions]
Transmission fluid - 30,000
Dust/pollen filter - 30,000
Timing belt, water pump, belts - 105,000
Spark plugs - 105,000
And, as an aside, I personally would recommend changing the oil filter with EVERY oil change. Five dollars is cheap insurance for a $40,000 vehicle.
You mean for severe service, right? I noticed you recommended a few items differently than, or even more frequently than the manual specifies for severe service.
For instance, why change the engine coolant twice as often as recommended by the manual?
I can understand the importance of changing a timing belt on time, but why change everybody's transmission fluid according to the severe schedule when the transmission manufacturer even says it is good for over 100,000 miles? (see Borg-Warner website)
Forgive me if I seem a little bristley on this, but I believe that the engineers who design, build and determine maintenance schedules for these vehicles should be trusted. It seems that they would have included a reasonable margin of safety in their recommendations, and exceeding them would be unnecessary.
It causes a substantial increase in maintenance cost to perform the severe service level of maintenance on a vehicle that does not need it. Some people may not want to pay double if it is not warranted! |
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Crem, et al
I too, get a little 'bristly' (I like that word) on this issue. Many dealerships view the alteration of service intervals as a vehicle to increase their profits.
I've been told that ALL use in Sacramento CA is "automatically" severe service. This from Lasher Acura, purportedly from the regional Acura rep. (who scoffed when I asked him.)
Deealerships will "recommend" some short, severe serice interval, and then you need to turn them down. Most folks just go with the flow, paying twice their annual maintenance costs. Then they start throwing in "power brake system flushes, etc".
I say go with the manual on all intervals, except shorten up the oil change interval to 5k. Put an Acura filter on each change. If you meet the requirements for Severe Service, go with 3750.
Ard |
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| Yet, one of the conditions that qualifies you for severe driving conditions is hot average temperatures. This therefore qualifies many southern/midwestern drivers as servere conditions. I know here in Houston we need to follow the severe maintenance schedule. |
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Yes, hot conditions do put you in severe service.
BUT NOT HOT AVERAGE TEMPERATURES.
You need to drive "mainly" in "extremely hot [over 90F (32C)] conditions." (page 254 owners manual)
So, perhaps from May through September you bump up the service interval. Perhaps there are areas of the US where it is 90plus throughout the winter, in which case you are on it year round.
I would agree for most that it is just easier to pick a schedule and follow it. And certainly, for the long interval items which will cover several seasons it is not possible to easily calculate a "blended" interval. But for oil and perhaps VTM4 fluids, it should be straightforward.
Oh, and you'll love this. The manual further defines "severe service" as "driving with a roof rack". Duh. All tourings are automatically severe service? I guess I'll ask for a clarification...
Ard |
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I am still confused. I would prefer to wait until 7500 miles for the first oil and VTM fluid change. This is more convenient, one stop at the dealer to fix thud, perform service, complain about mirror weeping again, replace moon roof visor(due to ripping of rubber gasket).
Is anyone else waiting until 7500 for first oil change?????
I am in central new york, 50/50 city/highway, so I don't consider this to be severe driving conditions. |
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| Yes. We are traveling to the Outer Banks, NC in September and I don't think we will have 7500 before that. Old time logic buried in my head says to change the oil before a trip but I guess I will wait. |
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| We are talking about a $30 oil change for a $40,000 vehicle. Why don't I understand the logic in debating to save this amount of money on that large of an investment. I can understand the convenience issue but the dealer is going to have to order the moon roof visor replacement which means another trip. I think your in for a suprise if you think the "thud" and "weeping mirrors" will be corrected with one trip. |
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Do whatever your heart desires with the oil, but don't change that VTM fluid until 7500 miles! Read your manual, page 252. Search for "vtm fluid change break".
quote:
Originally posted by New MDXer
I am still confused. I would prefer to wait until 7500 miles for the first oil and VTM fluid change. This is more convenient, one stop at the dealer to fix thud, perform service, complain about mirror weeping again, replace moon roof visor(due to ripping of rubber gasket).
Is anyone else waiting until 7500 for first oil change?????
I am in central new york, 50/50 city/highway, so I don't consider this to be severe driving conditions.
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It is more of a convenience thing and I do not want them touching the vehicle unless it is absolutely necessary. Also I am still confused over the first oil change concept, wait until 7500. I am very strict about vehical maintenance, so after the first one it will every 3k.
As far as the thud, I want them to perform the TSB and retorq everything.
As far as the mirror, I don't expect anything until a TSB is issued, but I will file another complaint. |
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I guess it may not be too obvious, so instead of growling at you about not reading all the threads about this topic...
The original VTM fluid is different than the fluid which will go in from there on. It is a special "break-in" fluid which insures the components of the rear differential begin to wear properly. Without a special fluid in place, there would be a higher incidence of abnormal wear patterns in the components (statistically). It's just the design engineer's finishing touch to guarantee reliability. |
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Thanks for being kind, Crem de la SUV
I am very clear on the VTM fluid issue and I have read all of the other threads, reread just recently in fact.
It was just the first oil change issue, depending on driving conditions.
Thanks again for your input. |
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