So I'm coming up on my 15K service and looking at the warranty maintenance schedule my dealership gave me which lists their prices for the work they recommend at every service, depending on mileage. Anyway, they grossly overcharge, as one would expect, so I'm wondering if a few people can help explain a thing or two to me.

First off, what is chassis lubrication exactly? Where do they lubricate and with what? I doubt this is really a concern, but I figure it can't hurt if I knew what this involved.

They list that they'll always check for factory recalls, but is there a way I can do this myself?

They inspect parking brake, brake hoses, coolant, steering for leakage, exhaust/heat shield, clutch, CV boots, battery terminals, fuel lines/connections. Is any of this going to be more than a visual of finding the appropriate piece and making sure it's still there? IE, by checking the clutch, I'd assume they mean that they'll drive the car into the bay and if it goes, the clutch is good.

They also say they'll replace the air filter, spark plugs, oil/filter, do all the lubrication and give me a car wash for the super-low price of $200 ($270 if I get the recommended alignment). ;-O

So anyway, I'm sure I can handle all this, but was just wondering if anyone could confirm for me that most of this is actually just intended to make the 15,000 mile service look really involved.
-N

 

No one's got any input?
-N

 

First of all, don't take your car to the dealer for maintenance work. My service department thought it would be cute to tell me that I would void my warranty if I didn't bring it in. This of course it false as long as you keep maintenance records. If you take your car to Valvoline you can get a full service oil change for $30 and you get to choose what kinf of oil you want (full synth., 50/50, or normal).

As far as I know, the spark plugs are good for 100000 miles (not sure if iridium are stock or not), but check them and if you chose to not replace them, take a picture of the plug to be on the safe side of the warranty hounds. If you do replace them, go with some nice NGK Coppers because they are cheaper and actually provide more spark than iridium (iridium just lasts longer)

Valvoline will lube the chassis, and if you call them I'm sure if you ask they will inform you exactly what work is involved. Also during a full service they will check the anti-freeze which can corrode your radiator if it's too old.

Brakes are easy to check as you can see them when you take your wheel off (or through the spokes of the OZ wheels). If they are less than 1/8 of an inch, I would consider getting new ones.

Battery terminals and all of the lines mentioned, just visually check for corrosion, rust, and leakage. Other than that you'll be fine.

Also don't forget that the service department take about 1.5 hours or more to do all of this and give you a car wash. In my opinion, not worth my time or money.

 

Well, I know it's not worth the money - that's what I was asking for. So basically, you've confirmed what I thought - that all their checks are basically checks to make sure the part is essentially still there.

I'm still not sure about lubing the chassis simply because it's too general a phrase. I would assume that means lubing the control arms and moving suspension components and I'll go get some silicon grease and go at those I guess.

I do know that iridium plugs aren't standard, so I'll replace them with much nicer ones - that's a given - not too expensive and nice to do.

Anyway... does anyone else have any input into anything special they do during a service that isn't clear from their description.
-N

 

Plugs are only good for 15k. You can do them yourself, and add Iridium at the same time...

If anyone knows the bolt size to check the rear drums, that would be helpful too.

Chassis is sealed, there are no lubrication points you can service.

-DG-

 

Ya i was wondering about that, i believe the service sheets are a genaral list, and not everything on them may apply to your vehicle. I take my vehicle To this car wash in town where i get my oil changed (valvoline) and get a voucher car wash for 29.99 and you can add a quick detail for 10 bucks instead of the regular car wash, which is just a hand wash but safer if you have aftermarket rims. And i can get all my scheduled milage mantenance done there 15k 30k 45k 60k , however it goes. Like they said just keep the reciepts for warranty purposes.

 

WAIT SO YOU GOTTA PAY FOR THE SCHEDULED MAINTNENCE??? I THOUGHT THAT FELL UNDER WARRANTY. I AM PISSED!!!! IF THIS IS TRUE WHY AM I EVEN WORRYING ABOUT THE WARRANTY I CAN JUST LOWER MY CAR AND **** NOW. So i guess this is good.

 

Your dealership may have made a deal for you to cover maintenance, but it's definitely not a Mitsu thing.
-N

 

not to mention most 1st gen mods do NOT void the warranty since they replace several items that are considered "wear" this means, struts, springs, CAI, exhaust, all of these things should not void you warranty since they are not covered by it.

The warranty is VERY useful though. I just used it to correct a cracked gasket within my clutch assembly. It took them 4 hours to fix plus parts all covered and cost me no cash. If I had to pay it would have been around 500 or more.

I have all of the above mods and they didn't even bat an eye.. you have to have a good dealership though beacuse it's the cheap distrustful ones that will try to get you to pay for it..


As to the first post, I just do the work myself (except the oil change Mobile 1). I clean my Air filter every 20k miles or as needed, and I'm getting new plugs at my next service at 25k. btw.

 

Springs and all are covered on the bumper to bumper tho right.

 

I had 15k service done and it was like $200.00. I read in the manual that the plugs need to be changed at 15k. I thought the dealership was blowing smoke up my *** but they were shooting me straight. The only thing that annoyed me was when the used that white grease on the door hinges it ended up everywhere.

 

**** Warranties......The dealer gives you a hard time when you want to get warranty work done, and then they usually manage to **** it up some how.

You have a problem with a part, go demand a new one and bring em back the core if you supposed to......do the work yourself.

As for lowering it's supposed to be alright to lower your car based on what my dealer and other dealers have told me.....but once again **** warranties.

You want a modified car, then do it....you want a warranty then enjoy that Stock goodness.

Yours Truly,
Anti-Warranty Man

p.s. AEM intake 167 KMS
Tein Springs 600 KMS
Exhaust 800kms.

And the only reason it took that long is because the parts had to show up.

 

try going to eco-lube-tune. the whole think should cost you about $50 or $100 if parts are replaced.
you can check for recalls on the internet.