Are B1 services REALLY necessary?

da_guy2 · Nov 28, 2016

I know I might be beating a dead horse here, but I haven't seen it discussed recently. Are B1 service really needed?

My car is at 115000km (~70000miles) and is due for a B1 service, but reading over the list of stuff they want to do I don't think I really need most of it and I'm having a hard time justifying quadruple the price of the A1 service.

I need an oil and filter replacement (the A1 service), but I rotate the tire and check the brake wear twice a year when I swap summer/winter tires. I just did this a month ago and the brakes are getting a bit worn (6 months to a year left I'd guess ) but they should be good for now. The rest of the service is just visual checks under the car of suspension, belts, hoses, and exhaust which I believe they did anyways for my last A1, and can't imagine takes more than 5 minutes.

On that note has anyone had any problem for the service rep if your car shows you need a B1 service but you say you only want an A1?

John Clark · Nov 28, 2016

When my 08 was new all I ever did was take it in for oil changes when those came up. I did all else myself...visual inspections, etc. Warranty was never an issue.

roger1818 · Nov 29, 2016

The A1 service doesn't include replacing the oil filter but both include rotating the tires (kind of moot when swapping out winters twice a year). Quadruple the price does seem excessive though for an oil filter and a bunch of inspections.

I see you are also in Ottawa. Which dealer are you using? So far I have been using Kanata Honda and found them very reasonable, but I haven't had to do a B1 service yet.

I wonder if they are also wanting to replace the timing belt? The manual says it should be replaced every 100,000 km if you drive in very high or low temperatures (instead of waiting for maintenance 4)? That could explain the high price.

da_guy2 · Nov 29, 2016

roger1818 said:
The A1 service doesn't include replacing the oil filter but both include rotating the tires (kind of moot when swapping out winters twice a year). Quadruple the price does seem excessive though for an oil filter and a bunch of inspections.

I see you are also in Ottawa. Which dealer are you using? So far I have been using Kanata Honda and found them very reasonable, but I haven't had to do a B1 service yet.

I wonder if they are also wanting to replace the timing belt? The manual says it should be replaced every 100,000 km if you drive in very high or low temperatures (instead of waiting for maintenance 4)? That could explain the high price.

I've been going to Kanata honda as well. I can't remember what their exact costs are but this is the "recommended" costs for honda dealers in Ontario and I believe they are around the same as what Kanata honda charges. https://ontariohondaservice.com/scheduledmaintenance/

As I said kinda crazy.

John Clark · Nov 29, 2016

Wow. So much money is saved by DIY'ing. Wonder why they would charge more for an ATF drain and fill than for a coolant change? $108 for ATF and $103 for coolant change. The coolant change takes much longer than an ATF change...unless that's for a 3x drain and fill which I highly doubt. I guess those are "starting" prices so may not apply to an Ody necessarily.

MrPerception · Dec 2, 2016

They actually do service the brakes. Pull them apart, clean up any rust and lube moving parts. Also check brakes for wear. I know at my dealership they don't charge extra to rotate tires for this service.

John U · Dec 2, 2016

Back in the 80's Honda's this meant deglazing the pads which helped with the issue of vibration when you braked.

Are B1 services REALLY necessary?

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