42k... Few questions

[br4dysays]

So i took my versa in for an oil change/tire rotation And the shop manager showed me how one of the rear shocks seems to be "leaking" fluid, the passenger side moreso, but the other side appears to be starting the same. This any cause for concern? I figure that im def out of warranty for such a thing.

Also he said the brake fluid failed some sort of test and recommends flushing the system for 99$.

Any help?

[Promise Land]

...one of the rear shocks seems to be "leaking" fluid. This any cause for concern? I figure that im def out of warranty for such a thing.

Leaking fluis will eventually lead to less damping ability of the shocks and it will feel more and more bouncy as you go down the road over bumps. While it's not going to destroy the car necessarily, it will probably be less fun to drive around.

Also he said the brake fluid failed some sort of test and recommends flushing the system for 99$.

"Some sort of test?" Before I personally comment, I'd like to know what the test is. Viscosity, density, etc.? The fluid will eventually turn darker with using the car and eventually should be replaced. I don't know that 42k is the magical mileage, but it could be ready for replacement. Someone else with higher miles may have a better guess depending on their experience thus far.

[BBISHOPPCM]

Brake fluid only goes bad because it absorbs moisture. Theoretically, it should be changed every two years, or any time any major brake work is done (pads/rotors/caliper replacement), or if the car is ever involved in a flood. Brake fluid is not affected by mileage, so the 42k theory is invalid. If the car is over two years old, and you plan on keeping it for more than 15 years, go a head and flush it; it'll help save the brake lines from corroding internally.

[darkwind25]

As for the brake fluid,,,,You should be coming up on a major service.Here in canada it's called the 48k service,,where all the fluids are flushed or changed...ie..On the V's----Transmission,brake fluid,antifreeze, oil change, tire rotation and In cabin micro filter...Depending on the transmission,,,I'ver seen this service go up to $600.00 for a CVT transmission.The CVT fluid in a reasonable market is 29.00 a litre....in a market like abbotsford,,its $35.00 a litre.....thats why I refuse to send anyone to abbotsford Nissan or go there myself.

We had a customer with a Pathfinder....she went down there to do a recall...They took her to work and did a 48k service to her pathfinder.with out notifying her or her permission .When she went to pick up her Pathfinder...they gave her a 750.00 bill and told her if she didn't pay it,,she wouldn't get her keys back.So abbotsford Nissan is now having its day in court with this person and along with enterprise Rent a car company.

The supposedly did the recalls on the Sentra master cylinder.....25 cars (supposedly) through there shop and everyone of them needed the master cylinder 1 month later. So again this tells me that abbotsford Nissan is doing it's best to ruin the nissan brans here in BC.

As for your shocks,,,,a good set of After market shocks will be just as good as OE.

[BBISHOPPCM]

By 48k, I'm assuming you're referring to "48,000 Kilometers." FYI; CVT fluid should not be compared to ATF, and should only be changed when the internal service life counter says it needs to be changed. CVT fuid should last well over 100,000 miles under normal usage. I'm only mentioning this because many people think it works like ATF, which can go bad as early as 30,000 miles in some vehicles.

[br4dysays]

I had the 30k service done by Nissan themselves and yeah it cost me over 500$ so they must have not done that.

[fjwagner]

Dealerships typically "add" service to the recommendations within the owners manual. Take your manual in next time with the page open and only authorize what Nissan says is necessary. You may have been able to drive away with less than a $500 bill.
Modified by fjwagner at 9:17 AM 5/31/2009

[frankoV]

The 48k inspection . . . er, work . . . is about $200. Frustrating -- service department techs eyeball the car and charge for it; then eyeball you and see how much they can get from you.

Do the minimum, please, and I'll do the rest. I can install the air filter and save 15 minutes of labour; install the CAF and save $90, etc.

[iluvmyVersa08]

The 48k inspection . . . er, work . . . is about $200. Frustrating -- service department techs eyeball the car and charge for it; then eyeball you and see how much they can get from you.

Do the minimum, please, and I'll do the rest. I can install the air filter and save 15 minutes of labour; install the CAF and save $90, etc.

Lol, I feel the same way. I only go there for my oil changes because they are free with my extended warranty. However, when the free oil changes are up (one left) I am going elsewhere. I never have them do the extra maintenance stuff. Why pay them $90 to install an air filter when I can buy the air filter and install it at home. Once my free oil change is up I will not be visiting the dealer much, unless I have an issue with the car. But so far so good!