Does this need to be done?

[JMG]

I took my CR-V to the shop today for its annual checkup.

The shop suggested I get;
Transmission Flush/Filter
PS flush
Brake system flush
Differ. Flush
Radiator Flush.

I knew that the radiator had to be done. 65K miles and orginal coolant on a 2001 CR-V. And that is what it went in for. But these "new" flushs, are they needed? Good idea to get done? I did tell them go ahead with diff. and trans. since I did read about this here and on Honda-tech for the CR-V.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Gary Allan]

Most will say, "Yes" ..but that's gonna be one big bill if you do it all at once.

I'm not a brake fluid swapper ..at least not to the extent most are here. The dif (don't you have a transaxle?) ...maybe..the trans, if an automatic DEFINITELY. Coolant, sure ..but I've personally been the exception to the rule on that one ..and managed many years on the original coolant.

 

[rgl]

I don't think a power steering flush is necessary unless it is a vehicle with a weak spot there. I have so far never had a problem or hint of one on PS pumps in my last 3 vehicles, one had over 200K on the original pump. You can generally suck out what is in the reservoir and replace it with a turkey baster and do this every few months to replenish the oil additives.

I don't think a flush for the tranny is recommended either, if the fluid looks good and they just drop the pan and change the filter that should be plenty. If the fluid looks iffy that's another matter.

If by differential "flush" they mean draining ALL the old oil out and putting in new oil, yes that's a good idea because you want to get the original wear-in material out of that case. If they just mean they put a oil pump in the fill plug and not removing ALL the old oil, I would pass.

The brake system flush is probably a good idea too . Some say it's not necessary, but even if it's only a 5% chance that it will bite you, you don't want that 5% chance to come when you're going down a mountain at 70mph.

 

[labman]

I would definitely go with anything the owner's manual says if you are still in warranty. From there, I am becoming more and more skeptical about all these ''vital'' fluid changes. Those that want to change their fluids for something to do, can if they want to. I am still waiting for data supporting them.

Oil and coolant take a beating and likely do need changing. Automatic transmissions shed band friction material. Brake fluid is lost, either through preventative rebuild/replacements or failures, long before it creates any problems in the real world. Abused brakes nearly always fail by fading.

 

[JMG]

I agree with these fluid flushes. I had just the transmission drained and filled with new filter and coolant. I am going to wait for the diff and have that done at Honda. I really dont trust Honda here so I go to a Foriegn Car place that a freind of mine recommended and I have taken my Accord there a few times. But the shop couldnt get the diff. done today and and it was going to cost me more than just taking it to Honda. First time ever something at the Dealer be less than a shop.

Thanks for all replies.

 

[benjamming]

tranny filter in a Honda? I thought Honda only used a non-serviceable mesh screen or is that just in the Accords?

 

[JMG]

Sorry no filter. You are correct.

 

[Schmoe]

Notice the shop said "suggest," and not "recommended."

 

[JMG]

my use of suggest was meaning recommeded. But I trust them over my Honda Dealer, since I once took my Accord in for a tune-up, 1996 with 75K miles, orginal everything, and said it needed nothing more than a engine flush. And then they told me my axle boots and sway bar links needed to be done. I asked my freind who has a Toyota and he takes it to the shop I am talking about. So I went in and my car finally got a tune-up and the axle boots and sway bars were fine. I got a third opinion as well and they agreed didnt need to be changed. So no more Honda Dealer. Maybe when I move.

 

[doitmyself]

JMG - you always have to be careful with any shop until you develop a repore (SP?) with them. Have you tried Honda since they moved to the new Jolly Road location?

Everybody has horror stories - here's one of mine:

I was told of a great shop in Mason for front end work. I took my van there for an alignment ($40). AFTER he was finished, he told me I had a bad tie rod end. He would replace it for $110 and redo the alignment.

I replaced it myself for $25 and with some ingenuity, put the replacement tie rod end back to the correct length.

He should have told me of the defective part BEFORE doing the alignment. He thought he could get more money since it was already on the rack.
Sorry for going off topic!!!!

 

[JMG]

Thanks for sharing. I will perhaps try them again. I am need of an oil change anyhow in my Accord soon and thought of going to Honda again for it.I have only been to the Jolly Rd. location.

I go to University Foriegn Car now...