My 2004 LC has about 20k miles on it. According to the dealer, it's due for a "Minor Service" which includes an (i) oil change, (ii) some inspections (lights, wiper blades, brakes, etc.) and (iii) rotate tires (as necessary)/tire pressure, lube chassis, service and adjust brakes (I just got new brake pads/turned rotors 5k miles ago). For this, the dealer wants $85. Is the minor inspection worth it or should I just change the oil and wait until my 30k mi. major inspection for all the other stuff?
Minor Service: Worth it or Rip Off?
- Thread starter ebod
- Start date
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At 20k you shouldn't need anything but an oil change. You can see if your wipers are working or not, you can check/adjust pressure at any gas station next time you fuel up, and a lot of tire stores will check tires for free, sometimes they will even rotate tires for free (even though you did not buy them there, they want your business when you buy your next set). you can easily see if your lights are working, your brakes should not need anything 5k after new pads/rotor job (which sounds suspect to me anyway, you should not need any rotor work at 15k mi).
Just look in your owners manual and see what is really recommended by the factory, not what the money hungry dealer wants.
Just look in your owners manual and see what is really recommended by the factory, not what the money hungry dealer wants.
To play devil's advocate - could they ever deny a warranty claim based on services being completed by oneself? I'm sure if you keep everthing in a log you would be covered...just wondering if anyone has had this happen.
No, they can not require a specific person/business to do the maintenance, just keep a record/reciepts, whether an independent shop or DIY. Most of the stuff they want to charge him to do probably aren't listed for 20k maintenance in the owners manual, so it doesn't need to be done anyway.Drinkin40s said:
Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
Why did you get new brakes/rotors at 15K miles? That sounds suspicious already. At 20K mi, I'd change the oil, oil filter, maybe air filter depending on where you live or at least check it (here in AZ, it's dusty/windy, so I have to change air filters every 6 mo on my DD), lube drive shafts, and rotate tires (make sure to hand torque the bolts, as over/uneven torque via an impact wrench can warp rotors). If your cabin filter wasn't done at 15K mi, you should do it soon. The wiper blade inspection thing is always a scam. Honda is the same way. "Inspect wiper"...sheesh, give me a break! Maybe if you just came back from the Rubicon, you'd want to inspect/re-torque suspension bolts.
My local dealer does a bunch of unnecessary stuff at 60K mi (adjust valve clearance, inspect timing belt [ie, remove radiator, timing covers, etc.]) and wants $2.4K for it, and it doesn't even include flushing the AHC fluid which is listed in the '03 owner's manual at 60K mi intervals. Other dealers (from posts on the web) do what's listed in the manual and charge $1.2K, 50% less! OTOH, I find they are reasonable if you have a la carte work done, like flush AHC or ATF ($95/hr labor plus parts, basically the same as toyota). You really have to stay on the ball with these guys and make sure they're not doing work they shouldn't be, just to pad their wallets.
My local dealer does a bunch of unnecessary stuff at 60K mi (adjust valve clearance, inspect timing belt [ie, remove radiator, timing covers, etc.]) and wants $2.4K for it, and it doesn't even include flushing the AHC fluid which is listed in the '03 owner's manual at 60K mi intervals. Other dealers (from posts on the web) do what's listed in the manual and charge $1.2K, 50% less! OTOH, I find they are reasonable if you have a la carte work done, like flush AHC or ATF ($95/hr labor plus parts, basically the same as toyota). You really have to stay on the ball with these guys and make sure they're not doing work they shouldn't be, just to pad their wallets.
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Keep all receipts and you should be fine. They tried selling me the maintanence package for 750 bucks when I bought mine recently. Oh, and they were so proud it was such a good deal. It basically provided oil changes up to 55k and it stopped before the major 60k. Keep your money but make sure you do the inspections. If you're worried take a picture to prove you were under the hood
ebod said:
Hey - thanks! Another one to show my wife in support of how much money I save by doing all my own service, and how she should be grateful to have such a tinkerer for a hubby! (hehe)
But seriously, on the brakes - the only adjustment required might be the rear parking brakes - BUT only if something is wrong with the self-adjusters. The brakes are self-adjusting design - both the disc type and also the drum type (parking).
If the stealer emits noises like "need to adjust your brakes" yet the pedal and the parking brake handle have normal travel, slap him, and then ask the General Manager why he is employing people who are clearly liars and/or fools.
The brakes were redone at 15k? After observing typical drivers on the road, I can believe that. I've also seen warranty narratives from another OEM that indicate people wearing brakes down to metal at <20k, supporting this possibility.
Conservative driving on moderate terrain can make the 100 brakes last beyond 80k (in my experience), but most drivers abuse brakes (and other vehicle mechanical systems).
Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
About brake pads, it seems that most people I see driving on curvy moutain descents don't know how to use the lower gears on an auto. They seem to leave it in overdrive/drive and ride the brakes all the way down. I've noticed the 100 5spd, when shifted to the appropriate lower gear, descends exactly the same as a 5spd manual...first auto I've driven that didn't drive too fast (i.e., no engine braking or insufficient braking in a lower gear) downhill.
