Dealer Service

[87ninefiveone]

I just called the dealer to find out about scheduling a 15,000 mile service on the G35 coupe we just bought and to my surprise they want $300!!! And what do I get for my $300, and oil change and basic inspection.

Sucks to that.

My question is, if I just get the oil changed and take care of basic fluid maintenance (there or elsewhere) can the dealer deny any future warranty claims I have on the car? I see no reason to pay them $300 every 3,500 miles to tell me a brand new car is indeed working as it should if I don't have to.

[C-Kwik]

As long as you can show record of oil changes, they can't deny a warranty that can be attributed to a lack of oil changes.

[joe603]

So what if you don't need an oil change? Will they still charge $300?

[87ninefiveone]

I think they assume that your following the service manual and getting it changed every 3,750 miles. So each time you bring it in they change the oil and do whatever else is scheduled.

I'm taking it to Nissan instead. They only want $170 for the same service. Thats still high though. Here's a basic list of whats going to happen;

Oil/Filter ChangeAir Filter Replacement"Install" injector cleaner (you know the stuff that you don't need anyways and only costs $6 a bottle).Fluid top-offChassis Lube (do they even do this anymore???)Basic inspection (lights, driveline, brakes, etc...)

Ugg.....what a ripoff.

[joe603]

I just want them to check out my MT fluid level, rotors/pads, Diff. level, fix rattles, lube car, and check out PCM systems...Should I just ask the dealer to do those tasks?

[Warpkor]

Thanks for the info 87. My dealer called to remind me to schedule my 15k service (I only had 12k on the car). When I asked what the service included, I could not get a clear answer. That's when I asked them to put me on their "do not call" list.

[infinititech1]

15k is more than an oil change it includes

oil change, rotate and balance, air filter, micro filter, alignment, wiper blades

unless you are getting the cheap 15k which is just

oil change, rotate and balance, and a micro filter is all i believe that one comes with

[87ninefiveone]

You can't rotate the tires on a coupe, and an alignment IS NOT performed. So that leaves a pretty skimpy list of stuff for the $300 charge.

[ezflow]

Only do what's specifically required by the manufacturer. Have the service adviser put only THAT down on the order. And that's ALL you should be paying for!

[Q45tech]

Everything depends on how long you want to keep the vehicle after the warranty expires!!!!!!!!!!

I keep cars until they are junked and stripped for parts.

The best thing you can do to extended life is to change all the lubricants and fluid frequently.

Coolant, PS, ATF, OIL, Brake Fluid, Diff Lube, and the one that eventually cost the most {{ AC COMPRESSOR OIL}}

Thinking that any of the long lived fluids will last 100,000 miles [or even 50k] is a sure way to pay for expensive parts replacement soon thereafter

[ezflow]

Everything depends on how long you want to keep the vehicle after the warranty expires!!!!!!!!!!

I keep cars until they are junked and stripped for parts.

The best thing you can do to extended life is to change all the lubricants and fluid frequently.

Coolant, PS, ATF, OIL, Brake Fluid, Diff Lube, and the one that eventually cost the most {{ AC COMPRESSOR OIL}}

Thinking that any of the long lived fluids will last 100,000 miles [or even 50k] is a sure way to pay for expensive parts replacement soon thereafter

Staying on topic:

Changing fluids (other than just oil) out every 24K to 30K is a far cry from paying hundreds for 15K dealer 'recommended' services that are not necessary or you can do yourself.

[Q45tech]

If you are expert enough to analyse problems and change all the fluids yourself then you can dispense with dealer. Assumming you can document the oil changes to Nissans satisfaction incase you have one of the 1 in a hundred or thousand oil consumers and need the engine replaced.

However like all businesses the dealer tends to treat it's most profitable customers better than those that only come in for warranty. As an independent business they do not have to accept you as a customer nor can you force them to do any warranty work as your warranty is with Nissan not the dealership.

I always think it is a good idea to pay them to look at least once per year so they can find things to charge Nissan Warranty to replace.

[ezflow]

"If you are expert enough to analyse problems and change all the fluids yourself then you can dispense with dealer."

I don't plan to change fluids every 15K (staying on topic). I have no problem using Nissan or Infiniti for that purpose.

"Assumming you can document the oil changes to Nissans satisfaction in case you have one of the 1 in a hundred or thousand oil consumers and need the engine replaced."

I never advocate avoiding the dealer, just being more selective on how you spend your money when you are there.

"However like all businesses the dealer tends to treat it's most profitable customers better than those that only come in for warranty. As an independent business they do not have to accept you as a customer nor can you force them to do any warranty work as your warranty is with Nissan not the dealership."

BS! I don't need to kiss any rings so they will remember me. When I need warranty work I go there, and I get it. And Nissan dealerships as well as independents are just fine for routine services I don't do myself.The LAST thing I want to be is one of their most profitable customers!!!

"I always think it is a good idea to pay them to look at least once per year so they can find things to charge Nissan Warranty to replace."

I would agree, an excellent idea for those not educated on how to maintain their vehicles and not understanding when they have a problem.

[infinititech1]

You can't rotate the tires on a coupe, and an alignment IS NOT performed. So that leaves a pretty skimpy list of stuff for the $300 charge.

no but they can be balanced and yes an alignment IS performed on the 15k service

[Q45tech]

Of course you can rotate a directional tire you just need to demount flip and remount......................what everyone with directionals needs to do if they care about squeezing the last mile out of them..........or just replace them whem they get noisy at 8,000 miles. Or live with the noise.

Lots pf owners come in whining and threatening just after the warranty expires you look them up [nothing few oil changes] you don't go out of your way to persuade Nissan they were GOOD and deserve any special treatment..............so sorry you are 1 mile over your warranty here's Nissans 800 number..........have a nice day.

[87ninefiveone]

What, so if I don't bring my car in for un-needed service and inspection every 3,750 miles it means I don't deserve to be treated well by the dealer?

I'm all for performing required maintenance and even for PM, but there's no way in hell I'm going to bring my car in and throw away $200-500 every couple of months so Nissan/Infiniti will treat me the way they should in the first place. Regardless of whether or not I get the regular scheduled maintenance performed they should cover any warranty related problems I'm having with the vehicle. As long as I'm taking care of the vehicle (i.e proper fluid changes) there should be no problem.