[mitchrapp]

I have a 2011 MDX (~56,000 miles) and have stopped going to the stealership for service. I have been going to an independent mechanic, but really just for oil changes and tire rotations whenever A1 and B1 pop up, then changing out air filter and cabin filter myself if service 2 pops up.


I had to tow the MDX to the stealership a few weeks ago due to the car not starting and an airbag warning popping up. Turns out it was just a dead battery, but they did their multipoint inspection and gave me a whole laundry list of things I should take care of verbally over the phone. I wasn't sure which items were legit or not and only took care of the battery at the time. On the print out, they only put brakes as a red item, then fluids as a yellow item. They haven't responded to several inquiries on which fluids triggered the yellow warning. I'm having my local mechanic change out my brake pads and rotors (and brake fluid flush), but also wanted to take care of any other fluids. Any recommendations on what I should be changing/flushing out? I don't remember if transmission fluid was one of the items the advisor rattled off to me on the phone.

 

[p07r0457]

I'd do the transmission fluid every 30-60k.
Transfer case every 30-60k.
Rear differential fluid every 30k.
Power steering every 3 years.
Brake fluid every 2-3 years.

 

[mrgold35]

There is also a 6AT transmission reflash to help smooth out the shifting. It improved my hwy mpgs when I traveled in the southwest with my 11 MDX (NM, AZ, Utah, and CO). The reflash wasn't applied to 10-11 MDXs; but, was standard for the 12-13 models.

Age instead of mileage seems to be your main service concern. You might have to look into replacing the serpentine belt, timing belt, coolant, battery, and tires in the next few years if they are all original.

 

[mitchrapp]

Thanks all!

 

[skinny2]

Timing belt is due at 7 years or 105k miles, whichever comes first. The 7 year part is probably very conservative, but if you're planning to keep the car for awhile you might as well get it out of the way now. An engine only good for a boat anchor is no fun.

 

[Localbar]

In my experience they always mark fluids as yellow when they don’t have recent records. I brought my MDX in to have the heated steering wheel installed and they came back with a similar laundry list and the fluids were all yellow / red.

I told the rep on the phone that it’s impossible because I just changed all the fluids the weekend before and she said it was because they didn’t have any records so it’s automatically yellow / red.

Most dealerships are known to try and get you to perform unnecessary maintenance, keep good records for yourself.