So i was over at Steve Bailey honda the other day, and I have 15000 miles, and so they told me it was time to come in for my check up, They said that it will only cost $267, for them to run there checks, and change the oil, and if the tires need rotation it is only$29 extra...But if it needs balancing and Alignment that is is only $84.95 more....So I was like and what do you do for all this money ????? I figure if it isn't broke why fix it.....What do you think....Are they taking me for a ride ?

YES, THEY ARE!!!! RTFM and you will figure it out:)

they are riding you right to the bank!

all you need before 30k is an oil change and tire rotation. should be $50 at the local corner tire store. or find yourself a nice trustworthy independent mechanic.

use the rest of the money for a few nice accessories for the element from H&A.

and never go back to that dealer except for warranty repairs, since they are clearly not to be trusted.

I have been taking my Element back to the dealer near me. They are very reputable and all but Expensive as dealers do tend to be. They didn't even charge me that much.

I paid just over $100 for the 10,000 (first maintenance) and around $185 for the 20,000. That included tire rotation, multipoint inspection and the oil change. I think there might have even been filter replacements somewhere... Read your manual and find what you are due for. Always go to any mechanic with knowlege. Othwise anyone may try to get you for unnecessary stuff. Know what the difference is between a dirty but cleanable filter and one that does need to be replaced. Some air filters can be tapped a few times to remove some dirt, put back and used for another 3000 or 5000 miles. Some places will tell you that you need a new belt or hose or filter when you could really get another 5000 miles off of it. An easy way for them to add more to your bill. It is up to you to be able to tell them go ahead or, no, I will wait till next time. Also, know what the manufacturer recommends, ie. the RTFM comments. For example, the manual says filter at 20,000 and such. By being informed and alert, they shouldn't be able to take you like that. Use OwnerLink or keep a log of what you have done and when. That way, you will know what you have had done and what you are do for. My recallection is that the work that the dealer itemized on my Element was consistant with the HONDA recommended service for those mile points.

I recall the schedule saying oil changes at 10,000 and again every 5,000. Rotate Tires every 10,000. Replace air cleaner filter at 20,000. Multi-point inspections every time in... From experience with places like Jiffy Lube, they will do a multi-point inspection and lube etc every time they do an oil change as part of the service. They clean the interior and windows, check all fluids etc, hoses, belts etc. ..... My dealer seemed to do all that as well. I think, what it comes down to is, while oil is draining and a mechanic is standing around, he looks at things under the car. (Looking for other work they might charge you for). While the other guy is waiting for oil to flow in, he looks in the engine at belts, filters, hoses...(Looking for other work to charge you for). When tires are removed for rotations, they look at rotors, pads, calipers, tire tread.... (Looking for more work to bill you for). Thus, most of this work is stuff that they should be doing anyway, in conjunction with the basic Oil Change and Tire Rotation. Checking OwnerLink files this is what I find they itemized on the invoices, so far.

10,000 (5,000 for the oil change if you drive extreme conditions) $108

Oil Change,Tire Rotation, Multi Point inspection, They checked the tires for wear and looked at the brakes. Since the tires are removed for rotation, they should be able to visually inspect the rotors and brake pads. They will probably, also, apply the brakes and see that everything is operating correctly. (nothing should need to be done at this point but they will check anyways, in case there are some problems).

20,000 (oil change was actually due again at 15,000 but I didn't get in till about 18,000 due to schedule issues and having time. I just had them do the 20,000 at that time). $185

Oil Change, Tire Rotation, Other Scheduled Maintenance, Multi-Point Inspection, (nothing needed any attention), Check Battery, Air Cleaner Filter Replaced)

They found the source of a squeeking that I was hearing. Turned out to be the Drive Belt. They said the belt was fine but they, occasionally, find some that make annoying sounds. They replaced it under warrantee.

Anyway, sounds to me like they are sizing you up. If they are saying it will cost you that much, and this much more if they need this or that, You can expect that they are going to find This and That and you won't get out of there less than $500. I would run as fast as I can. They should be able to do the Oil Change and Tire rotation for about $60 to $80. Considering it is the dealer, I would cut them around $100 as dealers do tend to run higher. As I mentioned above, all their checks that need to be done at this point should be doable while the mechanic is standing around, within the same time period as the basic oil change. Jiffy Lube and most other places include topping all the fluids, checking air pressure in tires... visual inspections of filters and brakes and so on within their prices of $30. The dealer should be including all that in his prices also. Assuming normal wear and that you haven't hit any curbs or had any rough driving or accidents... or other problems, Everything should be doable for $180 or less. I don't know if there would be any need for any balancing or alignment at this time unless you had any problems like above.

You can certainly find someone to do everything necessary for far less. I do go to my dealer and spend a little more because they are convenient, I feel comfortable with their work and specific knowlege of my vehicle and I am willing to pay a little more for the piece of mind and all.

I recently got my 10k miles service at the dealership. Oil & filter change, fluid top-off, multi-point inspection, tire rotation and proper psi inflation. They also performed PA annual safety inspection and emissions inspection because it wasn't too far off. All this for $85.00. I probably could have gotten all that for a little less, but not much less. My dealership (Dix Honda, State College PA), has always been good to me, even during my Civic days and I trust them.

I've actually gotten dicked over by the small, trustworthy garage that came highly recommended a couple of years ago. About 2 weeks after my Civic got a tune up once, it refused to start. One local garage couldn't get it going so I got it towed to the dealership. They fixed it up proper and I've been going back since.

The only qualm I have with Dix is that every now and then I get a letter from them telling me my Civic is due for its 95K service. They bought it from me a year ago!

Wow that is crazy.. i was there the other day for my seat, and they told me the same BS, told me about the same in pricing, and told me it had to be done in order to keep my 3yrs 36000miles warranty, I told them they were full of **** and that is just a recommendation...I walked out of Steve Bailey and told them to just order my seat cover replacement... Wow,,, talk about a crock of poop from the servicing department! they should know better :x

I know one thing. After reading so much on this site about dealerships, I wont be taking mine to them. Granted there are some things that you just cant get around, but for the most part, no, not any more. They charge almost twice as much per hour as a regular mechanic, and think that their "experts" Blah, blah, blah.

Not all dealers are created equal. :rolleyes: My servicing dealer is Coastal Carolina Honda and I always receive good service and fair pricing. I take all three of our Hondas to them for regular service. My ELEMENT is coming up on 27k miles, so I'll have to pay some $ for the 30k service...but it's worth it.

Anything you maintain properly will take good care of you. My neighbor used to poke fun of me because I had my John Deere mower picked up every 6 months for a full service. For less than $100, they sharpened the blades, changed the fluids, checked the belts, etc... Over 6 years and never *one* issue with that mower. Never lost a day to a mower that would not start...always had a lawn that made the neighbors :shock:

And then...after 6 faithful years...I sold her to my *NEW* neighbor for $800. That JD mower runs like a champ and I recommended he continue the same service intervals...I turned over the "file" of the mower to him and he just smiled. :D

All of our Hondas get the same attention. Don't get ripped off...but DON'T BE CHEAP either.

it takes about an hour to change your own oil, rotate the tires and while rotating the tires look at the brake pads to see if the're ok. brake pads usually come with little metal tabs that warn you by making a screeching noise when they are at changing time. belt changing is easy but not for eveybody that doesnt have tools. total cost 1 hour and around $ 30 for oil and filters. or maybe closer to $70 if you choose mobil one. instead of pep boys store brand.

heh, my 30k checkup cost $70 for parts (mobil1, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter,wiper blades) and $30 for labor (took 45 minutes).

so assuming the typical dealer markup, if it costs more than twice that ($100x2=$200), you are being hosed. and that is for the 'major' service.