2000 Honda Civic Service

JANEW

MEMBER
2000 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
15,000 MILES

My father recently gave me an 01 Honda with very low miles. We've driven it a year & it is at 15,000 miles. I'm being told it needs a 7 year major service, inc. Change of spark plugs, change of transmission & break fluid for close to $500, rather than just a 15,000 mi service for considerably less. How true is this?

I've talked to several dealors in the area and they all agree that service should be based on # of years rather than miles. Aside from the fact that my father drove it vey little, we live in a city & also don't use it that much. So it seems crazy to spend that kind of money. Any reccomendations?

Thank you!

4 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

HOLY MACKERAL! IN MY OPINION YOU PROBABLY ONLY NEED AN OIL CHANGE AND MAYBE A TIRE ROTATION.

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Monday, January 14th, 2008 AT 3:13 PM

TOPGUN1226

MEMBER
29 POSTS

Honda puts them on there as a suggestion. The big maintenances are every 3 years because they want to replace most of the fluids in the vehicle and flush them, whether you drive it the recommended mileage or not.

I personally do the mileage maintenance for Normal Driving procedures.

I get my oil changes done at Jiffy Lube and do things like Air Filter and Wiper Blades myself and top off my fluids - just getting the cheapest oil lube and filter.

I recommend though that if you get something wrong with the civic, or a big yearly maintenance, bring it to Honda. I've probably done more damage to my car by bringing it to the garages around my area because they employ cheap, young techs that don't seem to have experience.

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Monday, January 14th, 2008 AT 3:24 PM

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

I strongly disagree with the bring it to the dealer. Let me tell you my experience from being a shop foreman at a very large chevrolet dealer for many years. I would say a majority of the mechanics I had were incompetent. I said majority. They would be hired right out of high school. And they sold service work. Now on the other hand I have worked for the independant and now own a repair shop. My business thrives on repeat customers. Every single customer of mine gets treated the same. I cannot afford to have a dissatisfied customer. In my opinion at the dealer you are treated like a number. And believe me if you think all the mechanics are factory trained you are sadly mistaken. I hope this helps.

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+1

Monday, January 14th, 2008 AT 3:51 PM

TOPGUN1226

MEMBER
29 POSTS

I think it all boils down to just finding a mechanic you're happy with - whether it be the dealer service or a local garage - and stick with them until they give you a reason to not bring it back.

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Monday, January 14th, 2008 AT 7:56 PM