before i schedule for a maintence check and pay about $130+ to refill fluids and change oil, i want to seek out other options...

my main ?'s are:

-do you guys go to the dealership to have this done? or do it yourself?
-what EXACT brands do you use for EACH fluid?
-and what fluids do i need to refill (yep i know its a dumb ? )

( i could call the dealership & find out but I want to see everyones responses and see which brand may be better ect...)

 

How many miles do you have on your car? Isn't maintenance free for the first 45k miles?

 

$130????!!!!! Thats an a$$raping if you ask me!

 

good question h0tGRLh0tRiDeNJ, I was about to ask the same thing. I have an '03 with 16k miles on it. Would like to hear about everyones suggestions!

 

i have almost 16,000 miles on my car.

the free scheduled maintanence is only for like the first 3 or 4 oil changes. but if something fails with ur car and its not your problem (ie- transmission or whatever) thats under warantee...

so back to my original post, can someone help out withthe ?'s i asked

THANKS!!

 

yeah i can help ya, dont pay 130 bucks, just use what the dealership recommends, theres no need for you to get top of the line fluids, its not like your gonna get more "power". You shouldnt need ALL new fluids if youve only got an 04 or 05 unless you got a boatload of miles on the car.

 

Um, I'm not sure what we're talking about here, but usually the dealership tops up coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid.... washer fluid, whatever else is below the normal level, all for free when they do an oil change. And for that they charge me about $40CAD. Since you have an '04, and you mention the price of $130US, I'm *guessing* that you're talking about the 1-year service. This includes oil change, as well as air filter change, spark plug change (if you live in a cold area), inspection of brakes/brake lines, drive shafts/boots, trans fluid level/condition, etc. It's a fairly detailed inspection, and it takes a while, which is why they charge so much for it. I don't think brand of fluids, besides oil and trans fluid, matters very much.

 

The 15k mile servie is supposed to be free - oil/filter change, tire rotation, check tranny oil, check brake pads/hoses, change cabin air filter.


If you have to get it done yourself, I'd take it to Jiffy Lube. Their basic sub $20 service change the oil/filter, checks/tops off fluids, checks tire pressure, lubes joints, and includes a free vacuum and window wash.

 

For the first 12,000 kms or 7,500 miles maintence service its only an oil change (about 1 galon) and oil filter, besides that, they rotate your tires and check your brakes. Is not until the 48,000 miles that you need to change your sparkplugs and air filter. In the US you can do this by yourself or take it to other place rather than do it in the delership for the 3 first services, just be sure to use the right stuff. In México in order to avoid getting you warranty void, you have to do all services in the dealership (that sucks) and their are not free (about $85 US).

In here we use Mobil SAE 5W30 Synthetic Oil (4 liters, about 1 galon). Empty the whole motor, dont overfill.

Brake Fluid we use Mopar brand, but any DO-3 or DO-4 will do, fill until the marked line.

Coolant you can use any known brand.

Transmision fluid we use Diamond SP3 for autos, Im still finding out for manuals. I get back to you when I get the info.

This will be checked and filled in every service you take your car.

By the way, $130 is a ripp off !!!

Hope you find this useful.

 

i just called my dealership to get some info...

this is what i said, " yes hi- im calling to schedule my 15, 000 mile service check up but i have a few ?'s first.... when you do the oil change, do you re-fill all the fluids?... what else you do?"

this is what he said, " well ms., other than changing your oil, we have a list of about 30 things we check out like changing your air filter, spark plugs, balance tires, check & clean rear brakes, (other parts i dont remember) so that your car is running in tip top shape."

me: "that sounds great how much does that cost?"

him: "$270"

me: "um.. ok thanks alot" and then i hung up

DAMN!!! thats mad expensive! now i'm just going to go to a pep boys or something and get this done for alot cheaper. what a rip off! and I thought it was $130 , i was way off!

 

$270 is correct only if you need new brakepads, brakepads package is an extra $180 US.

I dont know about service prices in the US, but $270 only for and Oil change, filter, rotation of tires and adjusting brakes sounds expensive.

 

does anyone know what EXACTLY voids the warantee? i know theres a couple of things but i want to make sure i know all of it.... thanks!

 

US and México have different warranty policies, so I couldnt tell exactly for the US.

 

Example:
The manual transmission in the Ralliart requires GL-4 compliant lubrication. As long as I have fluid installed that meets or exceeds the GL-4 standard, they can not void my warranty.

Feel free to shop around for better prices. You will have a list of maintainece in the book that came with the car. Make sure you get everything done and you will have no problems. Not to be an ***, but you are female, and alot of mechanics try to rip off girls because they assume they know nothing. If you have a guy friend that can call for you or even drive with you to the place, you'd probably be surprised how easily the price changes.

 

I just pulled out my 15,000 mile maintenance records.

Here they are:
Change engine oil & filter, Change Transmission oil. Balance and rotate tires, CK Front/Rear Brakes, CK Air Filter, CK All Fluid Levels. Road test

Work performed: $54.70
Kit 1165: $14.15
Installed MD050317 Gasket, ENG OIL PAN DRAIN: Included
Installed MZ690116 Oil filter: Included
Installed 5W20 Valv Oil: Included

10% Pref cust Discount -6.89
Shop Supplies $3.28
Tax $4.51

Total $69.75

I hope this helps. Also for my 22500 Mile I just went to wal-mart and got an oil change and tire rotation there. It was like $15