[barcarole]

A123 service at around 30,000 miles:
- A: Engine oil replacement
- 1: Tire rotation
- 2: Cabin filter
- 3: Transmission fluid

I'm in San Jose, CA, where everything is expensive. A nearby Acura dealership quote is close to $550 including tax. See the attached picture. Among them, cabin filter replacement costs $160? Seriously? :frown2: Of course, I do it by myself. I purchased "WIX Filters - 24815 Cabin Air Panel" from Amazon at $18, and it took me literally a minute to replace it.

I really don't understand this kind of tactics from the dealerships. Is there something special treatment of this $160 cabin filter replacement service?

By the way, what's your typical budget for this A123 service? To be more exact, A13.

 

[skirmich]

You got to understand that Dealership Prices are often overpriced, literally 9 out of 10 times the dealership is basically stealing your money.. There is nothing special about their process to replace the air cabin, they ask for that much money because YOU the owner do not know how to do it yourself so you are paying for the knowledge and the piece of mind. They also have to pay the "pseudo-Certified" mechanics by the hour rate and California has one of the most expensive hour rate charges in the country.. So that is basically why it cost so much.

I sincerely haven't paid for these kind of services in my entire adult life, I learn how to mess with cars in my teens so I haven´t had a budget for anything car labor related for more than a decade, if there is a budget its for parts only. Having a garage well equipped saves you lots of money in the long run.

Being said that, The special process that the new ZF Requires for the ATF change makes it entirely not Casual DIYer Friendly and it seems that dealerships are trying to make many new difficult processes to make you pay the Labor

 

[skinny2]

I've found that if you call and start asking questions about the cost, the price comes down in a hurry. I just had all my fluids changed out and the transmission fluid was $96. Same fluid and quantity for a '14 as a '12.

 

[Emmet]

A123 service at around 30,000 miles:
- A: Engine oil replacement
- 1: Tire rotation
- 2: Cabin filter
- 3: Transmission fluid

I'm in San Jose, CA, where everything is expensive. A nearby Acura dealership quote is close to $550 including tax. See the attached picture. Among them, cabin filter replacement costs $160? Seriously? :frown2: Of course, I do it by myself. I purchased "WIX Filters - 24815 Cabin Air Panel" from Amazon at $18, and it took me literally a minute to replace it.

I really don't understand this kind of tactics from the dealerships. Is there something special treatment of this $160 cabin filter replacement service?

By the way, what's your typical budget for this A123 service? To be more exact, A13.

I typically try to DIY my maintenance items when I can, so I don't know off hand how much my dealership charges. If you're not the DIY type, I would think that an independent mechanic could do the same services at a better price than the dealer service department. You just have to make sure he uses the right fluids.

 

[Emmet]

You got to understand that Dealership Prices are often overpriced, literally 9 out of 10 times the dealership is basically stealing your money.. There is nothing special about their process to replace the air cabin, they ask for that much money because YOU the owner do not know how to do it yourself so you are paying for the knowledge and the piece of mind. They also have to pay the "pseudo-Certified" mechanics by the hour rate and California has one of the most expensive hour rate charges in the country.. So that is basically why it cost so much.

I sincerely haven't paid for these kind of services in my entire adult life, I learn how to mess with cars in my teens so I haven´t had a budget for anything car labor related for more than a decade, if there is a budget its for parts only. Having a garage well equipped saves you lots of money in the long run.

I agree that the basic maintenance services are typically overpriced, and that those services are good money makers for dealers. However, I wouldn't go as far as saying that the dealership is "stealing" your money. The dealers set their prices, and vehicle owners are free to choose to have their service done there or somewhere else. I'm not exactly sure what percentage the techs get from the dealer's hourly rates (my best guess is between 20-35% depending on skill level), but it's obviously not 100%. With the dealer rates, you are paying for other "services". This probably includes: a clean, modern, and upscale facility with a nicely furnished waiting area; training for techs; the service advisor/writer, manager, and other support staff; loaner vehicles; car wash and vacuum; snacks, drinks, and the coffee machine; and the giant flat panel TV, cable service, and Wi-Fi. Some vehicle owners like these kinds of things, so they'll pony up and pay the premium. Aside from the loaner vehicle, I personally don't value those things as much when I need to have basic maintenance done. But if I have something like an odd problem or intermittent issue on a relatively new vehicle that needs to be addressed, I'm willing to pay the dealer's prices.

Now if the dealership is charging for services that don't get done or pushing work that isn't definitely not needed or called for by the manufacturer, then yes, I'd agree that they're stealing from the customer. This is part of what defines the word "stealership".

 

[neoshi]

Sounds like Stevens Creek prices... I wish I still remembered the indie Honda shop I used to go to when I was in college, but the information is long gone. I would definitely DIY the filters and engine oil, but the transmission fluid is up to you. There is a procedure to monitor temps using a specialized tool while doing the change, but realistically, you could probably manage a DIY drain and refill without it, run it after a drain and refill to bring it up to temp, then repeat about three times, and after the last drive up to operating temps, just open the fill plug again and make sure it is topped off.

 

[Emmet]

I would definitely DIY the filters and engine oil, but the transmission fluid is up to you. There is a procedure to monitor temps using a specialized tool while doing the change, but realistically, you could probably manage a DIY drain and refill without it, run it after a drain and refill to bring it up to temp, then repeat about three times, and after the last drive up to operating temps, just open the fill plug again and make sure it is topped off.

It looks like the OP has a '14 model (6 speed), so the transmission fluid change should be the classic drain and fill procedure.

 

[neoshi]

It looks like the OP has a '14 model (6 speed), so the transmission fluid change should be the classic drain and fill procedure.

Oh yup even easier!

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

 

[VMDX]

A123 service at around 30,000 miles:
- A: Engine oil replacement
- 1: Tire rotation
- 2: Cabin filter
- 3: Transmission fluid

I'm in San Jose, CA, where everything is expensive. A nearby Acura dealership quote is close to $550 including tax. See the attached picture. Among them, cabin filter replacement costs $160? Seriously? :frown2: Of course, I do it by myself. I purchased "WIX Filters - 24815 Cabin Air Panel" from Amazon at $18, and it took me literally a minute to replace it.

I really don't understand this kind of tactics from the dealerships. Is there something special treatment of this $160 cabin filter replacement service?

By the way, what's your typical budget for this A123 service? To be more exact, A13.

Filter: $10.00 Filter disposal fee: $150.00 >

 

[mark890]

MDX tech FWD - Jan 2014
So I just got B1 service done at 22k miles basically just oil change and oil filter change as I had tire rotation from Costco and changed cabin filter in glove box and engine filter myself. I am hoping A123 shud not light up at 30k.
if it does - should I go only for Transmission Fluid??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[skinny2]

I am hoping A123 shud not light up at 30k.
if it does - should I go only for Transmission Fluid??

These usually call for transmission fluid around 30k. It's pretty simple and as mentioned above, my dealer charges less than $100 for that. No reason it should be higher, it's just a few quarts of fluid and a basic drain/fill. Anyone charging much more than that for such a simple service is ripping you off.

 

[manera]

goodness gracious....the price....aaarrrghhh. makes you want to pull your hair out.

'Stealership. At your service.'

 

[manera]

Filter: $10.00 Filter disposal fee: $150.00 >

:surprise::surprise:

 

[AMoceri]

I am at 57,700 miles on 2014 MDX and I got the A123. Took it to the dealership and they wanted $895!! I looked over the list of things and decided not to do all of the service. How often do you change transmission fluid?

 

[Emmet]

I am at 57,700 miles on 2014 MDX and I got the A123. Took it to the dealership and they wanted $895!! I looked over the list of things and decided not to do all of the service. How often do you change transmission fluid?

I think typically the transmission fluid change interval hovers around 30K miles. Some owners who are really into their vehicles even change it more often because it's an easy DIY task.

For what it's worth, prior to Acura implementing the maintenance minder in their vehicles I believe their recommended ATF change interval was 30K miles.

 

[skinny2]

I am at 57,700 miles on 2014 MDX and I got the A123. Took it to the dealership and they wanted $895!! I looked over the list of things and decided not to do all of the service. How often do you change transmission fluid?

Out of curiosity, what all are they doing as part of A123? Can you post a pic of the list and prices? It must be far more than what is actually required. Here is what Acura (per their website) requires as part of A123 for a '14 MDX (i've deleted items that are repeated in each section):

A:

• Replace Engine Oil
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
• Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

1:

• Rotate tires

2:

• Replace air cleaner element
• Replace dust and pollen filter
• Inspect drive belt

3:

• Replace transmission and transfer fluid

 

[MSETH]

I got a quote of $648 for MDX - A123 service from Acura Dealer.

 

[Casique]

Call and compare the service cost with any mainstream garage such as Firestone. They can pull the service required on their computers and usually charge substantially less. I have used Firestone for my Acuras and Volvo.

 

[p07r0457]

I would never let Firestone touch my car... let alone do a transmission fluid service. That is asking for trouble!

 

[sgkent]

Had to drop by the local dealer, Niello Acura, here in Sacramento yesterday and inquired for you. I believe it is $313.95 for an A123. My service rep, whom I have known a long time, is Gary. Niello is (916) 872-2400 if you want to verify that number. They are in Roseville about 2 minutes off I-80 next time you are on the way to Reno or N. Lake Tahoe / skiing. I've been extremely happy with their service.