Honda service. Did they really do anything?

[Ace of Pop]

Honda Re Set. All Models. They wont approve but it works. Discon Battery,hang on a few Mins. hold Neg to Pos and it zeroes the lot except the Mileage.

[bazza40]

Possibly the dealership simply forgot to reset the service message on the computer chip after doing the service.

Car servicing is a lottery in Thailand. Dealerships usually overcharge on servicing. There is also the language barrier.

I have a good mechanic in CM, keeps the Vios running very well. However, he's just lost my custom because he's charged me for changing the spark plugs at 10,000 km twice in a row. Obviously thinks I'm a falang idiot that doesn't know spark plugs should last at least 50,000 km.

The search for an honest mechanic continues........

[soc]

I have a 1.8 liter benzine engine Ford Focus. At the 10,000 kilometer service interval, the dipstick showed the oil to still be caramel colored and not black at all. I mentioned this to the service manager and he changed the interval to 15,000 kilometers. I don't know if this was a dealer decision or Ford's decision. At 5,000 kilometers on my old Nissan diesel truck the oil is black. I would guess that the diesel creates a lot of soot and that quickly blackens the oil.

l was(now retired)a Mechanical Engineer specialising in extreme lubrication.

l know that some manufacturers recommend 15,000km oil changes but that is far too long IMHO.

I bought a new Holden in Australia & although l had it serviced by the dealer every 15,000kms, l also changed the oil myself every 5,000km.

l know that its a bit expensive to do that but l had peace of mind.

By Holden's recommendation, you should get the oil system galleries flushed out at 105,000kms.

That is admitting that the oil gets sludgy.

My car didn't need flushing as l was using a high detergent oil & as have said, changed it every 5000km.

For the non-Aussies, a Holden is/was a local GM product.

The oil in a diesel engine rapidly goes black, that is why you must do the services by kilometers/hours travelled, not by the oils appearance.

Hope this is of use to you.

Cheers.

[Beats56]

When they service the car there some button or something to reset the warning.

I had the same issue in Canada with my car

Took it back in and they reset the warning

Seems to me they just forgot to that when they finished the service.You can check to see if oil is new by pulling the dip stick and look at the color. I would think they did what they were suppose to do but forgot the reset.

[soalbundy]

I have found Honda service to be very good and reliable, after a service i get a phone call from Honda in Bangkok asking if i was satisfied

[Shiver]

My local Honda dealer is pretty good, but they do sometimes miss the obvious. I don't think it's foul play, just lack of focus.

I had a bike accident a while back, the the other party agreed to cover costs to me. It went to an 'approved dealer' appointed by their insurance (a back street junk yard), and they changed body panels and stuff, but used all the fuel in it (about 2/3rds of the tank), saying it was to test it (about 150Kms). I asked if it was to test it, why does it still not ride correctly? I got some fob off so just left and took it to Honda and paid it myself. When I sat on the bike it was much better, but still not right. Being tubeless tyres I asked if they'd checked the pressure on the front tyre (which took the initial impact as it hit their car). They said "I was just going to do that". Added some air, rides perfectly. It's just little things like that you need to keep an eye out for as they can be forgetful.

If, as previous posters have suggested, the dipstick oil looks okay, then it might just be the computer needs resetting to let it know the service has been done. I'm assuming this is mineral oil and not synthetic? in which case you don't have to drop the oil, just top up and change the filter, whereas mineral will lose viscosity over time and turn black/carbon thin liquid like.

[rapom]

My local Honda dealer is pretty good, but they do sometimes miss the obvious. I don't think it's foul play, just lack of focus.

I had a bike accident a while back, the the other party agreed to cover costs to me. It went to an 'approved dealer' appointed by their insurance (a back street junk yard), and they changed body panels and stuff, but used all the fuel in it (about 2/3rds of the tank), saying it was to test it (about 150Kms). I asked if it was to test it, why does it still not ride correctly? I got some fob off so just left and took it to Honda and paid it myself. When I sat on the bike it was much better, but still not right. Being tubeless tyres I asked if they'd checked the pressure on the front tyre (which took the initial impact as it hit their car). They said "I was just going to do that". Added some air, rides perfectly. It's just little things like that you need to keep an eye out for as they can be forgetful.

If, as previous posters have suggested, the dipstick oil looks okay, then it might just be the computer needs resetting to let it know the service has been done. I'm assuming this is mineral oil and not synthetic? in which case you don't have to drop the oil, just top up and change the filter, whereas mineral will lose viscosity over time and turn black/carbon thin liquid like.

You assume wrong. Mineral oil is not used in automotive applications, as an engine lubricate, but you can put it on a babies butt. Internal combustion engine use either petroleum, a semi-synthetic blend or 100% synthetic based motor oil.

[Happy Grumpy]

Some of these posts are hilarious, and sum up so much about Thailand and Thais.

In one dealership the cashier lady added on 100 baht.

change given with no receipt or document.

I told her I want the receipt in Thai.

She panicked, came back a few minutes later with the receipt and a 100b note saying that the mechanic made a mistake.

Another time they didn't do one thing that they charged for, so I went back to show them.

They did it, then called me round to show me a screw that was screwed into one of my tires (no wear on it, freshly screwed in) and asked in Thai if I had driven by a building site as they just found it this time, but didn't before.

They loved that one.

Ah, dealing with Thais.

[Happy Grumpy]

Actually, they're so good, that they don't need to use torque wrenches or PSI guides, they can tell with their hands.

[bazza40]

My local Honda dealer is pretty good, but they do sometimes miss the obvious. I don't think it's foul play, just lack of focus.

I had a bike accident a while back, the the other party agreed to cover costs to me. It went to an 'approved dealer' appointed by their insurance (a back street junk yard), and they changed body panels and stuff, but used all the fuel in it (about 2/3rds of the tank), saying it was to test it (about 150Kms). I asked if it was to test it, why does it still not ride correctly? I got some fob off so just left and took it to Honda and paid it myself. When I sat on the bike it was much better, but still not right. Being tubeless tyres I asked if they'd checked the pressure on the front tyre (which took the initial impact as it hit their car). They said "I was just going to do that". Added some air, rides perfectly. It's just little things like that you need to keep an eye out for as they can be forgetful.

If, as previous posters have suggested, the dipstick oil looks okay, then it might just be the computer needs resetting to let it know the service has been done. I'm assuming this is mineral oil and not synthetic? in which case you don't have to drop the oil, just top up and change the filter, whereas mineral will lose viscosity over time and turn black/carbon thin liquid like.

You assume wrong. Mineral oil is not used in automotive applications, as an engine lubricate, but you can put it on a babies butt. Internal combustion engine use either petroleum, a semi-synthetic blend or 100% synthetic based motor oil

The difference between "mineral" and "petroleum" oils is in the cracking of crude oil, both originate from that. Mineral oil is highly refined so that it consists of long-chain hydrocarbons only. Petroleum oils are less refined, being a mixture of long-chain hydrocarbons and naphthenics.

Mineral/petroleum oils have additives such as zinc organo-phosphates, molybdenum disulphide and various anti-oxidants. Their friction coefficients can be just as good as a full synthetic; however, the performance life is shorter due to consumption of the additives.

Personally, I think the claims for 100% synthetics are overstated, and I would feel uncomfortable with oil changes at 20,000 km. So I specify a semi-synthetic, and change it every 10,000 km. Works fine for me.

I recall taking a rental scooter for its monthly check to the rental shop with a nearly full tank. When I got it back, it was a quarter full. Called the boss lady, she called the two mechanics. The body language on one was so obvious he could have just worn a neon sign. After reaming him out, she got the other mechanic to refill the tank for me, free of charge. What bemused me was he presumably thought I wouldn't notice.

[jacko45k]

If I take mine to the Ford service centre I can stand and look at nothing happening for most of the day!

[canthai55]

Personally, I think the claims for 100% synthetics are overstated, and I would feel uncomfortable with oil changes at 20,000 km. So I specify a semi-synthetic, and change it every 10,000 km. Works fine for me.

Agree. But don't use semi myself in the car. Off the shelf 10w30, change with filter 5000km Bikes full syn, 5000km. Only use a liter plus so cost OK

Little off topic but Greyhound - back in the day - would clean their bus oil, add an additive package, and reuse. It is the additives that break down, the oil itself just gets dirty.

Edited November 18, 2015 by canthai55

[kannot]

Service lights need to be manually reset. I watched the Suzuki guys service my bike and the light stayed on. We all tried to figure it out how to shut it off and couldn't. On a follow up visit they did. Google how to reset your service indicator light before you get to harsh with the staff.

if they cant turn off a service light I wouldnt trust them with anything

[kannot]

Actually, they're so good, that they don't need to use torque wrenches or PSI guides, they can tell with their hands.

or feet, yes a good kick to the tyre and thats it done

[NanLaew]

If I take mine to the Ford service centre I can stand and look at nothing happening for most of the day!

Take your what to Ford service centre? Your Honda?

[jacko45k]

If I take mine to the Ford service centre I can stand and look at nothing happening for most of the day!

Take your what to Ford service centre? Your Honda?

My cat you numpty!

[Gary A]

Its always best to tell them not to overfill the oil as well. This can really cause problems wth the engine.

Whenever I get the Focus serviced, they always put a half full one liter jug in the trunk, boot to some of you. The dip stick always shows full exactly to the line and never over the line.

[canthai55]

Whenever I get the Focus serviced, they always put a half full one liter jug in the trunk, boot to some of you. The dip stick always shows full exactly to the line and never over the line.

Big part of living anywhere is finding a mechanic who is good. The West same as Europe same as here. My go-to guy is an ex Nissan service manager. Does work at home just to keep busy. New clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, bleed hydraulic clutch circuit and replace fluid - 2600 baht. Try doing that anywhere else for that kind of money.

[IMHO]

Big part of living anywhere is finding a mechanic who is good.

Not just the mechanic/technician - they come and go - it's about the service centre itself.

Plenty of examples of good and bad, from just about every major brand in this thread.

[DLang]

I was almost assaulted by a Honda mechanic once.

Went in for an oil change.

My model uses oil with a blue top. Different weight to the red top.

Stated that I wanted the blue top.

Don't have, we'll use the red top.

No thanks, I'll go some place else.

Same. SAME. I use this oil.

No thanks. They're not the same. If they were the same they wouldn't have different colored tops, and Honda would not recommend the heavier weight oil for this engine.

He got very angry.

As Thais tend to do when you don't agree with them.

[Ace of Pop]

Mechanics dont sell Oil.Hans Christian.

[JaseTheBass]

He got very angry.

As Thais tend to do when you don't agree with them.

So do spoilt children...

[natway09]

Been servicing my Honda for 3 years where I bought the car. Cannot fault them.

Even replaced engine mountings & lots of other stuff under warranty as they said (a bit loose)

[DLang]

Modern Day Hondas.

[JetsetBkk]

Been servicing my Honda for 3 years where I bought the car. Cannot fault them.

Even replaced engine mountings & lots of other stuff under warranty as they said (a bit loose)

Hmmm, engine mount failure at just 3 years old........

I got my pick-up engine mountings changed after about 6 or 7 years. The gear stick used to try and break my knee cap when ever I started the engine. I was steady as a rock after that.

Think I need to get them changed again now. Shocks too, probably.

[JetsetBkk]

He got very angry.

As Thais tend to do when you don't agree with them.

So do spoilt children...

When I first came to Thailand, I loved the way the women were so easy to talk to - you know, a bit child-like and immature, like little kids.

Then I discovered the men were just the same.