First Car Service - Logbook or Not ?

SydOzber on 15/09/2016 - 15:23

Hi Friends,

I bought my Car last year from Manheim dealers in NSW.

Car model: May 2014 Nissan pulsar B17 Sedan 1.8L ST Non-Turbo
Purchase date: 01-October-2015
KM's when purchased: 36712
Current KM's : approx 41700
Looked at the log book and the previous owner had got the car serviced @ 15k,25k,35k KMs - which are all minor servicing.

I haven't serviced it/shown to a mechanic since I bought.

40,000 Log book service includes:

  • Replace air cleaner filter
  • Replace engine oil
  • Replace engine oil filter
  • Replace air conditioner filter
  • Replace Limited slip differential(LSD) oil
  • Replace brake fluid

Below are the quotes I received from different Mechanics:
Local mechanic: $220 + extras
Kmart Tyre & Auto : $462
Nissan Authorised Service: $434

Need expert opinions on

  • Should I wait till 45k KMS and then get 40k+45k Service done together ? or doesn't really matter ?
  • Is the price worth it or am I being cheated ?
  • I just use it during weekends and drive about 5k/ year. Should I not worry about log book and just get the general service ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Automotive

Comments

  • Jam0864 on 15/09/2016 - 15:32
    +1

    A Nissan Pulsar has a limited slip differential?

    • SydOzber on 15/09/2016 - 15:33

      not sure really :)
      just copied it from the log book

  • angelkulit025 on 15/09/2016 - 15:32

    up to you really, if you want to keep the warranty, service should be done fairly regularly but if you only use it during weekends. Stuff the warranty and do it yourself or go to your trusted mechanic.

    • SydOzber on 15/09/2016 - 15:35

      I am covered under manufacturing warranty till May 2017
      Any idea what would be the cost for Gen service + above if done by a local mechanic ?

      • angelkulit025 on 15/09/2016 - 16:50
        +1

        yeah but if they found out that you are not following the servicing schedule, they might void the warranty on the conditions of missed service.

        • SydOzber on 15/09/2016 - 16:55

          do they expect us to do every log book service or just 1 per year ?

        • BensonP on 15/09/2016 - 18:24

          @spk:

          You absolutely should follow the logbook. Otherwise warranty issues could be denied.

          You ARE NOT required to have it serviced at the dealership. Any accredited mechanic can stamp the book.

        • SydOzber on 15/09/2016 - 19:25

          @BensonP: thanks mate.

        • Mumbles on 19/09/2016 - 09:59

          @spk: For my Subaru I only stuck with servicing it based on the Kilometre intervals and ignored the 6 monthly requirement. My Subaru dealership never raised an eyebrow for any non-engine issues that came up. During the 5 year manufacturer warranty the things I got repaired for free were 1) Fix a car alarm issue. 2) Replace a faulty key ignition barrel. 3) Fix a creaking noise with the airconditioner to whenever switching recondition-to-fresh air. 4) Try to fix a metallic engine rattling noise.

          Non-engine related gremlins (eg. car alarm, electronics, etc) would still be covered under your warranty no matter how far apart the service intervals. There's no way the manufacturer can justify not fixing electronic issues because of time intervals.

          As for any major engine gremlins, my guess is Nissan would likely honor the repairs. Most of the Japanese manufacturers have a great reputation for honoring warranties. Though warranty repairs get hairy if you are with a dodgy manufacturer like Volkswagen which are known to have high failure rates of engines and gearboxes.

        • SydOzber on 19/09/2016 - 10:04

          @Mumbles: thanks mate.

  • k-rokfm on 15/09/2016 - 15:40
    +1

    So from what ive found online servicing is every 10k or 6 months and your 40,000k service is a major. Going off the fact that all other services were minor looks like youre upto the 40k service.

    Off the Nissan website the capped price servicing cost for this service is $455.93 - so to be honest youre probably not getting ripped off too badly there. If you still have a new car warranty theres no harm in still going to Nissan, but if its out of warranty you could just go to wherever is most convenient for you. I would tend to not go to chains such as Kmart tyre and auto - ive heard bad things about them. NRMA ive never had troubles with, or a local mechanic that someone suggests.
    (http://www.nissan.com.au/~/media/Files/Brochures/Owners/Capp…)

    How long ago was your last service? To be honest if youre only driving your car 5k kms a year i would probably only bothering getting it serviced every 12 months rather than every 6 or 10k kms.

  • SydOzber on 15/09/2016 - 15:45

    Thanks for your message
    last car service was done July last year @ 35700 Kms.

    • k-rokfm on 15/09/2016 - 15:49
      +2

      Yeah id probably get it done now then and then just do it every 12 months after that

  • Stewardo on 15/09/2016 - 18:24

    I'd get it done at local mechanic as per the logbook, don't worry about what's written on the sticker on the windscreen they just add 10000 kms each time which is misleading and tends to void warranties as people don't get it serviced on time and it starts to creep forward eventually missing a service.
    It's much better to get it done at 30000 40000 50000 etc both for warranty and for the wellbeing of the car.

    • SydOzber on 15/09/2016 - 19:25

      sounds good, thanks.

  • alxr0101 on 16/09/2016 - 07:34
    -1

    Double post…

    • SydOzber on 16/09/2016 - 07:48

      Wat do u mean ?

      • alxr0101 on 16/09/2016 - 07:50
        -1

        Ignore… I posted something then edited afterwards, as someone just posted the same thing.

  • Emli on 16/09/2016 - 11:05
    +1

    I get my car serviced by a local mechanic for reasons discussed in a post about six months ago. My mechanic, who we have been using for 20 years or so, says hat modern cars are built for servicing once a year. However, if you look at the service book/log book cars that are driven under extreme conditions are to be serviced twice a year. My car does not do enough long runs and only does short trips. This does not keep the engine ticking over enough. Extreme conditions would also include excessive miles.

    • SydOzber on 16/09/2016 - 11:24

      Thanks Emli

      I just use it for short drives too. just about 5000-6000 KMs /year

    • [Deactivated] on 17/09/2016 - 23:45

      Actually short trips or extreme short trips do more damage then long trips.

      Massive thread about this over at streets commodores forum and some great articles to read.

  • backpaqer on 16/09/2016 - 13:39

    I find the Nissan engineering to be pretty good. If you have the tools and skills, you can do your own services and save a packet. I've been servicing my Maxima for years after the Nissan service department tried to screw me over and failed when I figured out they hadn't even inspected the air filter (an inspection is at least required on every service). They can only deny you warranty claims if the reason for the claim is due to a failure of not servicing the car properly. For example, if you didn't change the oil and the engine seizes up or develops a fault they can claim you didn't maintain the car appropriately…but if the rear suspension was to fall off…not changing the oil at the right intervals has nothing to do with it.

  • Bargainaholic on 17/09/2016 - 07:05

    Note that the new Pulsar is now only required to be serviced every 12 months or 10000kms.
    It used to be every 6 months but it has been changed (apparently they changed the grade of oil).

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