Major service or Minor Service

[vabfzd]

Hi all,

I have a Honda Ballade which is regularly serviced as per schedule. Now it is the time for a major - 90,000 Kms service but my car has clocked only 67,000 kms.

I don't forsee any major change in driving, so expecting to drive maximum of 10,000 Kms by next service.

Can you please suggest if I should go for a major service as per age of the car or a minor service as per mileage clocked.

Regards
Vab

 

[Nirv]

Your service manual will state that it is by km or time elapsed, whichever comes first. So the time for a major service has now arrived and you should go ahead with it. The main reason for this is that many things will wear out over time, regardless of km traveled. For example, rubber belts will perish / get brittle, fluids become less effective over time etc.

 

[HAL 9000]

Most motor manufacturers work on a distance OR time interval (whichever comes first) for servicing intervals.- both major or minor as specified in the log book.

For example, my car's service intervals are 15,000 kms or every year (if I it is still under the distance interval).

In July 2018, my car was due for its 105,000 km in July 2018, but I had only done 100,379 kms.

Last July, it was now due for its 120,000 kms service, but had only done 114,347 kms.

Because I only travel about 1,000 kms per month (12,000 kms annually) I am servicing my car on an annual basis, in order to maintain my extended mechanical warranty policy validity.

Just before I bought the car at 70,000 kms, the previous owner had the cam-belt changed in 2015 at 67,000 kms, even though the service interval for that replacement is 90,000 kms (or 5 years) as it was now on the time limit for that replacement, even though it was UNDER the distance limit.

 

[tRoN]

Some newer cars have an ECU that indicate condition based servicing.

For other vehicles, 1 yr or designated Kms as per handbook whichever occurs first.

 

[Hemi300c]

When your warranty is over and you don't have a extended warranty only do servicing on the km or if something is not right.

 

[vabfzd]

though it is not in the warranty/ servicing plan, I would have to sell this car in 3-4 years.. so, If I don't get it serviced annually, it will decrease its value drastically.