I have a 2005 Accord sedan, 4-cylinder, 55,000 miles. I make many short trips and consider this "severe" service for maintenance purposes, per the manual.

I take it to the dealer every 6 months for routine maintenance, which generally alternates between oil-changes only, and several-hundred-dollar maintenance packages.

For example:

Jan. 2011 31K miles -- oil change only
June 2011 34K miles -- "4 year/ 60,000 miles scheduled service" $400
Dec. 2011 38K miles -- oil change only
May 2012 42K miles -- oil change only
Dec. 2012 48K miles -- "5 year/ 75,000 miles scheduled service" $400
Jun. 2013 52K miles -- oil change only

I'll probably keep going like this. Does this make sense to you?

 

what does the $400 dollar service include exactly ???

 

The last one for "5 year, 75K miles" included oil and filter change, add "Castle" oil and fuel system cleaner (?), air filter change, check and rotate tires, check brakes, adjust parking brake, replace brake fluid in master cylinder, inspect transmission for leaks, drain 3 quarts from transmission pan and replace, lubricate locks and hinges, inspect cooling system hoses and connections, inspect fuel lines. $229 labor, $161 parts.

 

It doesn't sound out of line at all. It sounds like a person who is taking care of their car.

 

All these things you can do in your driveway.cheaper.

 

maintentenance history makes a lot of sense. Mom has a 08 civic, has the same type of history, but less cost due to taking it to a shop that works on Hondas and less overheadl. but lots of work is done. the car runs perfect and is reliable.

 

I would say that Bucwheat is right. Lubricating locks and inspecting hoses and fuel lines might not be something you really want to pay someone else to do.
But keeping good service records will pay off at resale.

 

Thanks for all the thoughtful responses. I like to work on cars but now I have no driveway or garage, and park on the street in the middle of a big city. I can lubricate locks and inspect hoses, but those are just part of the maintenance "packages" my dealer has, which include many more things that are harder for me to do in the street. So, I go ahead and let them do some of the easier things as part of the package.

I guess breaking down and charging for each individual maintenance service would cost more, even if I pulled out the easier items.