Today's trip to the Dealership

[fintstone]

I have not used a dealer for years...but have been taking my newest car (Lexus) to the dealer for warranty. During the recent 20K mile service, the tech sent me a video clip of him doing the required checks. I don't know if this is standard or because I complained last time (10K mile service). It showed him balancing the tires, checking the brake pads, looking under the car for leaks, etc. In the video, I noted that he poured a bottle of BG Ethanol Fuel System Defender® PN 213 in the gas tank.

He did send me a text later asking for a "5" rating on Google.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Does anyone know what the 'premium engine conditioner' is? It's listed separately from the syn engine oil.
I have no idea what it is....but I'd like to know.

It's listed on the invoice below the filter as 5050 Pro Guard at $13

That wasn't listed or approved on the intake invoice..cough

Karen: I'd like you or the manager, the Certified Dealership™ representative, to explain what was modified to my low mileage almost brand new car.
In detail and in writing.


When a dealership tech sees a cabin air filter @40k show up on the screen, it is not unreasonable.
This should still be approved beforehand.

[stevej37]

Yeah, when I checked in with the car I asked about oil type, and she said full synthetic.
Never told me that some additive was going in also. I was thinking it went in the engine, but Fint saying he saw additive going in the gas tank, makes me think that's what I got also in the gas tank.

I agree that they should mention it at some point...she had the perfect time to do it when I asked about the oil type.

[john70t]

Notify them in writing of the change. Preserve your factory warranty.

[stevej37]

I keep all my auto repair receipts...it's printed right on it.

I'm sure it's something they recommend....just surprised they didn't mention it.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Yeah, when I checked in with the car I asked about oil type, and she said full synthetic.
Never told me that some additive was going in also. I was thinking it went in the engine, but Fint saying he saw additive going in the gas tank, makes me think that's what I got also in the gas tank.

I agree that they should mention it at some point...she had the perfect time to do it when I asked about the oil type.

Another guess is they topped off your antifreeze. Anything with 50 50 in the name is often antifreeze. That said, it may have well been an oil supplement.

I went back and looked at my 20K service video and receipts and in addition to the BG Ethanol Fuel System Defender® PN 213 in the gas tank, the Lexus dealer also added BG Advanced Formula Engine Oil Supplement, MOA Extended Life® PN 115 to the oil).

I read the specs on the gas additive and plan to try it in my other car/s.

Screenshots from the video they sent me showing the gas additive are below (the video did not show the oil change/additive):

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stevej37

40k seems early for the tranny oil...esp in a manual.

I have no idea what the interval is for your specific model but 30K miles/24 months has been specified for some models for decades.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by javadog

I have no idea what the interval is for your specific model but 30K miles/24 months has been specified for some models for decades.

For manual tranny's?

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stevej37

For manual tranny's?

Yes, automatics too. In fairness to the autos, you don't get much of the fluid out when you change it, so you're sometimes renewing only about a third of it at a time.

What's in your maintenance schedule? It could be that it's due, or the service writer had their head up their ass.

[stevej37]

[QUOTE=fintstone;12401125]Another guess is they topped off your antifreeze. Anything with 50 50 in the name is often antifreeze. That said, it may have well been an oil supplement.
I went back and looked at my 20K service video and receipts and in addition to the BG Ethanol Fuel System Defender® PN 213 in the gas tank, the Lexus dealer also added BG Advanced Formula Engine Oil Supplement, MOA Extended Life® PN 115 to the oil).


I tried googling 'premium engine conditioner' and it came up with this....

Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com › Petron-Plus-12121-Engine-...
Nano-monomolecular Technology provides exceptional EP Lubricant protection for metal-to-metal moving parts, engines run cooler, with more power, less fuel consumption, increase in power.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by javadog

yes

I'm surprised because my Prelude is recommended at 80k and I planned on doing it this summer.
It currently has 115k on it. (manual also)

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Decided to take the Civic to the Dealership for an oil change.
It's been over 30 years since I've not done it myself.
< blah, blah, blah >
Future oil changes will be done at home again.

That'll teach ya! At least it was a fairly minor issue that wasn't too inconvenient.

Originally Posted by cabmandone

Checked your cabin air filter while doing the oil change?

The shocking part is that they actually checked it vs just telling him that it needed to be changed without even checking.

Originally Posted by cabmandone

I swear the cabin and engine air filters ALWAYS need changed when you go to a dealership. That and tires always need balanced.

And yeah, since it's most likely synthetic, I'd be surprised if it REALLY needs changed.

And any time you get tires from a place that does brakes, you always need new pads and/or rotors.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

The prem engine conditioner...I have no idea what that is and if it was added or not?

I think it's a mix of sand, iron filings, and some corrosive chemical that eats seals and gaskets over a 30-90 day period...

[javadog]

I should point out that most driving I do is in "severe conditions" which changes a 90K interval to 30k.

What does Honda consider severe?

Frequent driving at high temps (over 90 degrees) Yeah, that's every day in the summer.
Short trips; less than 5 miles, or less than 20 miles in cold temps. Check, lots of those.
Long periods of stop and go driving or extensive idling. Yep, gotta lot of that.

Etc.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I'm surprised because my Prelude is recommended at 80k and I planned on doing it this summer.
It currently has 115k on it. (manual also)

It was probably due at 72 months, regardless of mileage. Time is most definitely a factor on many things, including fluids.

Like I said, you gotta read the book, I have no idea what a '22 Civic maintenance schedule looks like.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by javadog

Yes, automatics too. In fairness to the autos, you don't get much of the fluid out when you change it, so you're sometimes renewing only about a third of it at a time.

What's in your maintenance schedule? It could be that it's due, or the service writer had their head up their ass.

I looked in the 1000 page manual...couldn't find it a recommended interval.
So I just googled that also for a 22 Civic...."You can consider changing the transmission fluid every 50,000 to 100,000 miles"

Sorta vague..but I'll consider it for next year.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Does anyone know what the 'premium engine conditioner' is? It's listed separately from the syn engine oil.
I have no idea what it is....but I'd like to know.

It's listed on the invoice below the filter as 5050 Pro Guard at $13

Maybe something from this page?
https://envirowayproducts.com/product_category/engine-products/

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I looked in the 1000 page manual...couldn't find it a recommended interval.
So I just googled that also for a 22 Civic...."You can consider changing the transmission fluid every 50,000 to 100,000 miles"

Sorta vague..but I'll consider it for next year.

There is usually a separate booklet for the maintenance schedule.

[stevej37]

^^^ Yes, I believe it was the Engine Treatment'

[Ralph3.]

My experience with Honda service is that they recommend things that they didn't do at their facility, not by actually checking the item. Be it filters or brake fluid, coolant etc.