Vehicles, Regular Scheduled Maintenance??

TheRogue · 07-26-2003, 06:58 PM

Do you get your's done. I generally change my own oil, lube, airfilter, misc. I normally take my rigs in at 30k, 60k, etc., to the respective dealerships for the major services. I went in to the local Ford dealership and got the estimate for my 30K service next month.

Parts: $85.68
Labor: $518.70

WHAT!!! Let's see, change pan gasket, fuel filter, air filter, and oil change. Everything else is "Inspect" or "Check"! Things which are covered under my standard 36K warranty anyway...steering system, exhaust system, some of the brake system.... :whazzup: :whazzup:

Sorry Chuck Colvin and Ford, don't think I'll play the game with this one! [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

TR

Silver Hilton · 07-26-2003, 07:25 PM

Lots of independent mechanics wil be able to do this with certified mechanics for about half the price. Call around. I don't use dealer service for anything but warrantee work.

fish_on · 07-26-2003, 07:27 PM

They are more of a check to see if we can find anything wrong than a service. We called it "gravy" work because it pays well and takes little time. Most of it you can do yourself but the tranny service is more than most want to do in their drive way. In the old days when the ignition and the fuel could be adjusted it was a needed service, today change the plugs yourself and get the trany serviced by a pro, flush the tranny every 30K and replace the filter every 60K.

Lepper · 07-26-2003, 08:50 PM

Just get the list of everything they do and do it yourself.. A lot of things if you don't see a drip out the bottom it isn't leaking.. no reason to pull th emotor half off just to check a seal that would be leaking out the back or bottom of the motor...

Check engine lights and tune ups.. Big money makers..

1pump · 07-27-2003, 08:22 AM

Good advice from Silver Hilton. Dealers are for warranty work.
I don't use any repair shops for anything if I can possibly help it. Occasionally I'll use one for a front end alignment or exhaust work, since I don't have the equipment for that. I used to work in that field, and I've seen too many gougers. I take my time and double-check my work, which is something paid mechanics can't afford to do. And with the Internet, there's wealth of DIY information out there. If you're willing to spend some money on tools and stay current with the technology you can do about anything yourself. My biggest problem is finding the time.