[zroger73]

Hey everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster!

I took my 2018 RTL-E in for it's oil change yesterday and was told it was due for it's first major service, the 30,000 mile one. In addition to the oil change he said they inspect a bunch of things, change out the transmission fluid, the rear differential and transfer case fluid, the brake fluid, wiper fluid, rotate tires, replace wiper blades and install a Kuerig in the front dash. For a car that still feels brand new to me this sounded like a lot of things to do. After he told me the price, I was a bit floored and I said thanks but no thanks. I then came back to my trusted forum and saw that many were complaining about this service costing as much as $419. The advice has been that yes, that is a bit high, but that these trucks like new transmission fluid, but we aren't supposed to go by those maintenance intervals anyway and should rely on the maintenance minder (MM). The reason I felt I had to register and join was that my dealership quoted me $795 for this service, which included a "special" they were running for $150 off the normal price of $945. This is the same dealership I bought the truck from, and have had all my oil changes done at. So I'll ask the group here, how "special" do you guys think that price is?

Welcome to the Ridgeline Owners Club, @PNWAdam!

"30,000-mile service" is something that is completely made up by the dealer. Honda expects you to follow the Maintenance Minder and the instructions in the owner's manual.

The rear differential fluid should normally be replaced when code 6 appears on the Maintenance Minder. Maintenance codes will only appear once the remaining oil life reaches 15%. If you always have your oil changed before prompted by the Maintenance Minder, you'll never see codes for other maintenance items.

It sounds like you're at least 10,000 to 22,500 late on your rear differential fluid change depending on driving conditions.

30,000 miles is premature for transmission and transfer fluid (code 3). These services normally become due once the oil life reaches 15% at around the 45,000-mile mark.

If you change the transmission and transfer fluids before code 3 appears, a dealer must use an HDS (Honda Diagnostic System - their "scan tool") to reset only code 3 in the Maintenance Minder.

The moral of the story is: Follow Honda's instructions - not a dealer's recommendations.

 

[zroger73]

I just called my dealer who quoted me a price of $650.00 for the 30,000 mile service. I'm looking at what should be done at this mileage and can't believe the charge so much. I had my local mechanic perform the 15,000 mile service and it looks like he will be getting this job too. It's hard to support your dealership at the prices they charge.

Honda has no "30,000 mile service" or "15,000 mile service". That's something completely made up by the dealer to generate additional service revenue.

Your vehicle is equipped with a Maintenance Minder that will prompt you for service each time the remaining oil life reaches 15% based on how the vehicle is driven. You should follow it. Your wallet, the vehicle, and the environment will thank you.

 

[zroger73]

Also, will the Maintenance Minder prompt you when the differential fluid and transmission fluid needs to be changed?

Yes.

I strongly suggest you download the full Owner's Manual from owners.honda.com and read the section on maintenance.

 

[zroger73]

I think your "Yes" needs to be qualified. If you do early oil changes and don't let the MM get to 15%, you may not get the additional maintenance reminders. Unless the G2 MM is different from the G1 MM.

Agreed and you are correct - resetting the MM before the oil life reaches 15% will suppress all maintenance prompts.

One point about the dealers services (such as this thread is about), your truck will not be undermaintained. It will be over maintained.

Not necessarily...

B16 service notes

We just returned from retrieving our Ridgeline from the dealer after performing the B16 service at 12,600 miles and here are some highlights: A) The dealer uses Mobil 1 lubricants. B) They removed the Vephic skid plate to change the oil, (explaining so not to make a mess, no extra charge), and...

www.ridgelineownersclub.com

 

[zroger73]

Where does that 8500 miles OCI for a normal driver come from? I consider myself pretty normal with a mix of highway and city driving and get 6000-7000 mile OCI's on my MM vehicles.

The MM's in all my Hondas have reached 15% at around 8,500 miles (except for the ones that I got rid of before reaching that distance). From 2006 to 2011, I had a 3.6-mile, mixed commute to work. Since 2011, I've had a 15-mile mixed commute. Weekend shopping trips are mostly city. I think @silkiechicken also gets about 8,500 miles and that seems to be a common number.

I drive 12,000 miles per year and my fuel economy is usually right at the combined EPA rating. I don't tow or live in an extreme climate or mountainous area. I don't idle the engine for more than the duration of a red light. At least to me, that all spells "average".