Honda record keeping

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by Clarity_Newbie, Mar 27, 2019.

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  1. Clarity_Newbie

    Clarity_Newbie Active Member

    Question for the Honda fan boi's...

    Say a person changes oil/oil filter, rotates the tires, performs the multi-point inspection etc then dutifully records the maintenance item through the Honda owners website under the maintenance recording feature.

    Does Honda collect this info for their records and recognize maintenance as being performed?

    Does Honda provide the information to the dealer network through their proprietary computer maintenance program?

    Can the dealer network pull up past service records by VIN and it includes "by owner"?

    I can confirm the Hondalink app notifies an owner when the MM warns of the dire need for maintenance items A01 via message. The message remained visible in the app until the MM was reset on the car then it disappeared a day or so later...so its obvious Honda records the MM info via Hondalink.

    Maintenance completed 3 days after the dire warning from MM, recorded that evening on the owners site...all which occurred several months ago.

    The reason I'm asking is...an email arrived from the local dealer informing the owner the Clarity is in dire need of maintenance or the warranty may be affected.

    Is Honda USA this inept?
    Is the dealer network this inept?
    Both?
    Is there somewhere else to record this service so it is recognized by either/or?

    One brand I have driven for 30 years and continue to drive, links maintenance info recorded by the owner to their proprietary computer system and is available for the dealer network to see when a car is pulled up by VIN.

    Yes...receipts are kept for all supplies and a written log to "prove" to Honda the required maintenance was performed as well.

    Thoughts?
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2019
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  3. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    I too do my own maintenance. My dealer has no way to enter anything I do into their Honda networked system that could be pulled up like the work done by any dealer. (That makes sense to me since there is no bullet proof way for them to verify.)
    I have to keep a file of all my maintenance records and receipts just in case I ever have a warranty claim. Kind of a PITA but necessary.
     
  4. MPower

    MPower Well-Known Member

    I have received a notice of need for first service from the Honda dealer last week, but it has not appeared yet on the HondaLink app, only 5450 miles on the car. My guess it was triggered by the tire rotation mileage. My guess is that they did not reset the MM when they put the winter tires on.

    I have no intention of taking it in until I am ready to have them change over to summer tires, which I hope will be in a couple of weeks or so.
     
  5. Mariner91

    Mariner91 Member

    1) Doubtful
    2 & 3 ) No. In fact, unless your dealership is in the same network as the one xx miles away, the other dealership won't even have access to your dealer's info. For our Odyssey, we tend to use two different service shops, and neither of them "talk to each other" maintenance records wise.
     
  6. David in TN

    David in TN Well-Known Member

    I do my own maintenance on my cars, unless it is something major (which I've not EVER had with a Honda product!)

    I purchase oil for my vehicles, 0W-20, in cartons of 6 quarts, usually 4 cartons at a time. I purchase my oil filters in bulk, too.

    I have a "log" (aka Microsoft Excel) where I keep up with gas purchases. I use a different tab for maintenance and other tasks. For maintenance, I record the vehicle code(s), date, work performed, plus the parts and quantities used.

    I have receipts for when I purchase the parts, but no written "proof" that the work was performed other than the log that I use. I've never had a need to produce records for anything in my 40+ years of Honda ownership.

    Just my $0.02
     
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  8. JackH

    JackH Member

    The "will affect your warranty" message is just a marketing scare tactic to get you into the dealership.
     
  9. Sandroad

    Sandroad Well-Known Member

  10. V8Power

    V8Power Active Member

    If concerned consider taking a few photos on your phone when you do the job that shows date time stamp and gps location as extra proof.


    Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
     
  11. Clarity_Newbie

    Clarity_Newbie Active Member

    Thanks for the response(s).

    I have always performed vehicle maintenance. And, like David In Tn, I have never had a serious issue with a vehicle (knock on wood x 3). One keeps detailed records for the low probability an issue occurs to try and support your case to the corporation that indeed the car is maintained above and beyond "required measures" as dictated in the booklet.

    As noted in OP...receipts are kept and maintenance performed is dutifully logged on paper (electronic or otherwise). I refuse to take pictures or videos on principle...does the dealer network supply you with pics or video that proves they actually "did" what they say? How many folks have over inflated tires, no body plugs etc even though the PDI check list denotes all the above performed according to spec? The list can go on.

    So I guess the answer is...even though Honda USA offers the ability to add service records through the Honda USA sanctioned site when logged in as an owner...it is a pointless exercise.

    IMHO the owners word is just as valid as any Honda employee who enters service records into the system. Honda dealership's nationwide should see owner entered records when the VIN is pulled up. Owner validity = the written word is backed up by the paperwork should a question arise.

    I would, however, venture a guess if an owner were to type in the wrong part number for the oil filter...and a warranty issue arose about the engine...a copy of all owner supplied documentation on their website would find its way to their lawyers in nano seconds as proof the owner messed up. Just a gut feeling.

    I know I am preaching to the choir...my response is measured...in the hopes perhaps, maybe, under favorable wallapalozza conditions...an upper management person will read this and take note...or use it as bulletin board fodder.
     
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  13. Clarity_Newbie

    Clarity_Newbie Active Member

    Thanks for the response.

    These folks have lawyers who draw up the wording, along with ensuring correct spelling, making it "legal".

    The point of me putting that in writing is...there is always an "implied threat" about voiding warranty from all car manufacturers if something is not done according to specs. The single goal is to appease the dealer network to help motivate consumers to bring the car into their shop where the "big bucks" are made.

    If its been said once on a (any) forum its been said a million times..."don't want to do anything to give them an excuse to void the warranty"...or..."what the heck...I'll let them do the service till warranty period is up then I'll do it myself"...

    You get the point.
     
  14. Clarity_Newbie

    Clarity_Newbie Active Member

    Mariner91

    Disheartening to say the least.

    If thats the case...inept is a very appropriate word (and you can throw in stone-age) to describe Honda USA.

    Thanks for the response.
     

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