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we recently took my wife's 2007 Civic in for service. It is 3 years old with 30,000 miles and although the service/warranty manual indicates little in the way of specific periodic maintenance, it seemed about time. We have changed the oil every 6 months or 6,000 miles regardless of what the "service life" indicator said. Perhaps the days of 3,000 miles or 3 months between oil changes are gone, but I still feel that it is cheap insurance.

The service rep told my wife that service was not required. When she asked how he knew that, he talked about the service life indicator. He seemed to feel that this indicator was part of a comprehensive system that monitored time, driving conditions, oil quality, coolent level, brake fluid, filters, ... well you get the idea. When he was asked for the specifics regarding exactly how all of this was done, he -- of course -- could not provide anything intelligent. In fact, that indicator seems to magically return to 100% when you change the oil -- isn't it amazing how just changing the oil remedies all other maintenance issues?

So, can anyone tell me what the service life indicator actually monitors and how it works.

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 811

lol 30k miles is a major service interval. you should get the trans fluid changed, brake fluid is every 3 yrs independent of mileage, power steering if it looks dirty, coolant (you could stretch to 4-5 yrs), and air filter if you havent done it within a year.

 
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thanks for the reply. I was not really asking what should be done -- I have maintained my own cars for 40+ years so I already know that. Rather I am trying to understand exactly what the service life indicator actually measures. I suspect it is nothing more than some combination of miles and time since the last oil change.

 
Rep Power: 811

oh okay. yeah in most cases, the service life is just a timed odometer light. on the newer cars it does get a bit more complicated and takes into account other things like time, miles, driving rpms, etc. but overall its a terrible way to do maintenance. and usually they have a habit of coming on early so the dealer gets more money. most normal people think somethings wrong with the car when those lights and displays start showing up so they go straight to the dealer thinking theres a problem. i would just pretend it doesnt exist.