Automotive Service

[RM14]

Does anyone have any tips for vehicle maintenance? I received the following recommendations from my latest inspection. Not that I don't trust their inspection or recommendations, I am looking for other opinions as these tasks add up quickly to $3,000.

Spoiler!

[puckedoff]

Is your steering bad / all messed up? Is that why you took it to the shop? I can't really comment on this as it is not a repair I'm familiar with. Its not something that should wear out typically (on relatively recent model year vehicle with regular use).

You can change your own air filter in about 5 minutes (and without getting your hands dirty) for about $15-20. Cabin air filter is at your discretion, as this just filters the air you breathe (usually an easy change also).

Unless the car is mangy, leaky or not well kept I would skip the diff services and transmission oil change. If the brakes feel ok (not soft/spongy) I would skip the flush and get it done the next time you are getting brakes serviced.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

What kind of car is it / what year? As far as an independent shop in town goes, I like Dale Adams Automotive.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Fluid exchanges...........
Check your car manual for maintenance suggestions. That's the only thing you need to follow. I find a number of these "fluid exchanges" to be utter BS.

$80 to replace an air filter? Jesus Christ.....

[topfiverecords]

Take it up to the Hamptons automotive service district.

[bc-chris]

i second what puckedoff said!

also...

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Fluid exchanges...........
Check your car manual for maintenance suggestions. That's the only thing you need to follow. I find a number of these "fluid exchanges" to be utter BS.

$80 to replace an air filter? Jesus Christ.....

exactly!!!

go to napa (or amazon) and buy the air filter and change it yourself. i can do the one in my truck in under 10 minutes (most air filters are located in behind the glove box area).

go onto a car/truck forum for your vehicle and check out the "how to's" - you'd be amazed how a lot of stuff is pretty easy to do yourself and you can save yourself a bunch of $

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

More like under 30 seconds for a cabin air filter, in most cars. I understand why people don't want to do their own fluids, though.

Obviously the big question there is the steering rack. Why would it need to be replaced? What happened? Those things typically don't just fail on their own.

[RM14]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Is your steering bad / all messed up? Is that why you took it to the shop? I can't really comment on this as it is not a repair I'm familiar with. Its not something that should wear out typically (on relatively recent model year vehicle with regular use).

I didn't notice anything prior to taking it in. The only reason for the appointment was an oil change and routine inspection. They said it was leaking so it need to be replaced to avoid other damage. But no, I didn't bring it in as a complaint.

Originally Posted by puckedoff

You can change your own air filter in about 5 minutes (and without getting your hands dirty) for about $15-20. Cabin air filter is at your discretion, as this just filters the air you breathe (usually an easy change also).

Thanks good to know. I will definitely do those myself now that I know the parts are that cheap.

[RM14]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

What kind of car is it / what year? As far as an independent shop in town goes, I like Dale Adams Automotive.

This recommendation is from the Dealer service shop.

It's a 2014 Jeep GC Laredo. only 51,000 kms. I'll check out your suggestion.

[Looch City]

I purchase air filters/cabin filters from RockAuto. Like $8 each after shipping. Comes in about a week.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by RM14

This recommendation is from the Dealer service shop.

Yes, of course it is. All dealerships do this. It's a cash cow for them. As others have suggested, take it elsewhere and see what they suggest. I'm willing to bet you don't need a majority of that work.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by RM14

This recommendation is from the Dealer service shop.

It's a 2014 Jeep GC Laredo. only 51,000 kms. I'll check out your suggestion.

Uh, how is a failed steering rack on a 4 year old vehicle not covered under your warranty?!

[RM14]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Uh, how is a failed steering rack on a 4 year old vehicle not covered under your warranty?!

I bought it 5 years and 2 months ago.. Warranty is now over. Good lesson to take it in before each warranty period closes.

[Nufy]

3 Year warranty on most Chrysler / Fiat products...

I almost got burned a few years back when the Steering rack went on my 2011 Truck with only 37K Kms on it.

Service advisor told me that because the truck was over three years old ( by about 3 months) that it wasn't covered under warranty.

After exchanging some bad words with him and his manager they finally agreed to repair it under a "Good faith " warranty...

I really didn't care as long as it was fixed. saved me approx. $ 2300.00

I only had to cover the coast of an alignment after the rack was swapped.



Other than the steering rack everything looks an attempt to pad the bill.

Required or not, its just the recommended service for the vehicle at that age / mileage.

Personally I would change the filters myself, monitor the fluids and carry on...

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Seriously, if it's two months out of warranty I would try to work something out with them. That's insane.

[Northendzone]

is you steeering rack leaking fluid now? is the pump low?

as for the fluid exchanges - i am always torn on those, as they can be pricy, and the reality is always that you take your vehicle in and it is running fine, they swap fluids and you are out $1,000 and your vehicle is running fine versus fixing somehting that is broken.

i guess my thought is that if you are planning on keeping the unit for a while, get the fluids done. i will sometimes stretch those out over two service appointments to lessen the financial pain.

i will note that if you search the net, you will likely find an equal number of pros/cons with resepct to the fluid swap.

[cral12]

Probably a coincidence as I have a 2010 Acura ZDX, but my last visit to Acura I also was notified of a leaking power steering rack that requires replacement, then realignment.If I don't do it, the risk is pump running dry, then I have bigger problems.

A friend told me just to monitor it. Torn as well.

Ugh - love/hate relationship with vehicles. Bikes are so much easier!

[RM14]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

is you steeering rack leaking fluid now? is the pump low?

It's not dripping or creating a pool or anything. But I was told it is "leaking". I will shop around and get a second opinion and quotes. I live near the Montgomery Auto Service and Parkdale Auto Service. I am going ask them about it and their quote. Both shops have good Google reviews with the Parkdale shop sounding slightly higher priced.

[RM14]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. I have a game plan thanks to your comments. Going to do the filters myself when I find some time. I'll sit on the fluid exchanges for now but keep a note about it for next service.

Also, going to shop around for the Steering Rack job because I don't want it to create more problems down the road.

The plan is to drive this unit into the ground well into the future if it holds up!

[llwhiteoutll]

Since you’re taking it to another shop, it might be wise to just have them do an inspection on it without knowing what the dealership told you. Removes any bias and you can always specifically bring up the steering rack when you go to pick it up.