Maintanance question

[Vahagn23]

Im schedueld for maintanance 2 which is 7500 miles or 6 months. I get my oil change for free, but do I have to pay for anything else? because I asked them to look over the car to see if there is anything wrong with it. I also asked them to check the breaks because they squek. Thanks

[sooner4x4]

The ideal situation is to deal with a reputable shop (which potentially could be a dealership service dept) that does not attempt to sell you unnecessary service. The less you know about automobile maintenance the more likely you are to be told you need something you really don't.

My experience with dealerships is not favorable. For example, I recently had one of my vehicles in for a warranty repair. I was told I needed the following:

attempted sale: tire rotation and balance, "the front tires are really worn": actual condition: The tires were brand new with less than 2000 thousand miles on them.

attempted sale: recommend a new cabin filter.actual condition: I had replaced the cabin filter less than 10,000 miles ago.

attempted sale: recommend fuel system cleaning.actual condition: car is getting excellent gas mileage and has no running or starting problems at all.

Most dealerships I have been to attempt to do this. I of course decline these unecessary services, but how many people are being taken advantage of. This is very unethical behavior by service departments.

So to answer your question, read and understand your manual, it will explain what is necessary. When you take your car in, tell them what you what done to it. Pay attention to how your car is driving and running. Discuss any unusual noises or driving problems with your mechanic.

If your car has only 7500 miles on the odometer, and the tires haven't been rotated yet, get them rotated. Also get an oil change.

[matttail]

The other thing that often helps, is if you're a guy and at least pretend to know what's going on. I know that's a horrible stereotype but it's often the way I've seen things work when getting a car repaired.

I was sitting in the dealership waiting area while my car was having some warranty work done. Service manager walks up to a woman and gives a very vague explanation of what was wrong and that they fixed it. Then he comes back in a bit and goes up to a guy and right off launches into explaining exactly what they did.

If you've a friend who actually knows about cars it might be a good idea to see if they can come along with you.

[Vahagn23]

So I got it back and all they did was change the oil and they said they checked all the fluids and tire pressure. I found a rope tied from the bumper to somewere under the engine. They took it off. Anyways it was a waste of time. They didnt rotate tires.

[frankoV]

I'd find out why -- it's part of what you paid for. Unless you didn't pay because you have the free oil changes.

If you can't do it yourself, go someplace that does it cheap and pay the 20 bucks.

[Vahagn23]

I paid them almost $200 for a lifetime oil change, they did this because I bought the car from them. Everytime i get the car back though its always dirty and I see oily fingerprints

[frankoV]

Nice dealership

[fjwagner]

on any new car, I walk into the service writer with the manufacturer's maintenance plan in my pocket. I then ask "what is included in the xxxx mile checkup". I then am given a long list of stuff and a high cost. I pull out the manual and ask them why they want to do so much more than recommended. I get BS as an answer, then I read off exactly what I want done. Often is is just an oil change.

[BlueMango]

As a girl I usually do some online research and ask a couple of guys (ones who know tons more about cars than I do). I almost always end up catching the mechanic off guard. I also always ask for detailed explanations in writing and keep records of everything I've had done in my glove box. They either back down from their sales attempt or throw something in for free because the "problem" is under warranty from when they did it the first time.

[kam472]

to check if they actually rotate the tires i usually mark a small dot on front tires on their sides ....they always rotate it from what i checked. If they dont, u have a proof af negligence on their side and let them re-do it!