Maintenance for a low km vehicle.

[Swank]

Thanks to working from home and living very close to work my 5 y/o car has only 22K km on it (2018 Civic Si). The dealership is recommending some maintenance due to age. I don't mind paying to have it done if it's legit, I'm just trying to determine if there is a middle ground between "they hosed you" and "that's vital maintenance man". I've had annual oil changes and brake fluid replaced twice as my Google-fu helped me determine that it does break down after 2 years.

They are recommending (forgive the copy and paste):

1 - THREE STAGE FUEL/AIR
INDUCTION SERVICE - ADD FUEL
DRIER TO FUEL TANK. - ADD FUEL
SYSTEM CLEANER TO FUEL TANK.
- PERFORM AIR INTAKE SYSTEM
CLEANING.

2 - Manual transmission fluid drain and fill.
3 - Coolant flush.
4 - Spark plug replacement.

I expect with working from home happening more and more that I'm not the only one wondering about this.

My headlight fluid and mudflap batteries were recently looked after so no worries there.

[bjstare]

Don’t do any of those things. They are hosing you.

You might not even need to do your brake fluid. It needs to be replaced at a certain moisture content (not a certain age), which can be easily tested.

[HHURICANE1]

#1 Money grab. Likely not Honda recommended but probably BG product upsell. Gravy for the shop.
#2 Should get about 50,000 km before that is required.
#3 Most coolants these days are long-life and good for 5 years or 150,000km. The additives do wear out so you could consider this one.
#4 Most plugs these days are platinum or iridium and should go at least 100,000 km. No way car with that low of mileage needs plugs yet. Even copper plugs should get you 50,000 km.

[ExtraSlow]

I could be convinced of the fluid changes, but I certainly wouldn't consdier any of them urgent. Fuel/air/intake cleaning no way, plugs are easy to DIY or skip, don't pay a shop.

[ThePenIsMightier]

OmG, LoL!! Please, no. Don't do any of that.

Make this you new mantra:

Ain't broke,
Don't fix.
Cash cheques,
Bang chicks.

[killramos]

A good rule of thumb is if the word flush is being used you are being bent over.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Only one I’d consider is the coolant but I’d do some research on what the OEM coolant quality and rating is by checking your owners manual. It could be like 8-10 year recommendation.

[msommers]

Tranny and coolant fluids I'd consider changing it at the 5 year interval.

Brake fluid will depend on how much moisture is in it, and at 5 years it's probably cutting it close.

Spark plugs you have nothing to worry about.

I'm going through the same thing, changing fluids based on time than usage these days because of WFH.

[max_boost]

5 year mark it doesn't seem unreasonable to flush things out but idk anything

[Swank]

Thanks guys, good info for me and hopefully many others. I can't even book in until mid November for an oil change. Mr. Lube is sounding more and more appealing.

[max_boost]

we used to drive 40k/year cuz of in house deliveries and always went to mr.lube for the oil changes and never had a problem, just say no to the upselling of stuff.

[tonytiger55]

Its a money grab.
The plugs can go till 160,000km easy.
Coolant fluid you can change as proactive maintenance as its hitting the 5 year mark. Hell..when I got my used 2002 CRV at 212km. I did not even change the coolant for five years after that. God knows when it was changed last. It was fine.

[90_Shelby]

Use the recommendations that are provided by the manufacturer in the owners manual for maintenance items, nothing more and nothing less. The owners manual will also provide guidance on both mileage and time. I believe that most modern cars will tell you when maintenance is due based on the above mentioned guidelines.

The dealership and any lube place will push for more maintenance than necessary including oil changes every 5000km (unnecessary), and the internet will have a multitude of options and opinions.

I have always stuck with the owners manual and I reference it every time the dealer pushes to upsell.