Car Service (Is $600 Worth It?)

• 

  Nugs on 08/12/2023 - 12:06

  "odo is 30 000"
  Don't skimp, but maybe shop around?
  .

• 

  barge-in hunter on 08/12/2023 - 12:10

  +3

  From what I understand Brake fluid doesn’t age particularly well - and, well, brakes are important

  In tank fuel filter sounds like a tricky or time consuming job (depending on the model). At 30k though, you wouldn’t think it’s needed

  Air filter… possible it wouldn’t need doing at 30k

  The big question - is it under warranty? Skipping scheduled services / items can void your warranty. Price wise, it’s not exorbitant but you might be able to get it a bit cheaper by shopping around

• 

  grog on 08/12/2023 - 12:11

  +2

  Brake fluid is compulsory in my view and after 30k overall extra $400 i reckon it is about right.
  The in tank filter in our car is very expensive to replace pull the rear end seats etc right out they quoted around $600 [ toyota ]

• 

  Drakesy on 08/12/2023 - 12:17

  You'd think it's a bit early to change the in tank fuel filter, my Audi required the seats in the rear to be stripped out and carpet cut back. Biggish job.

  Would need the type of car as well. As it's under warranty though you'll need to do everything per the book.

• 

  rambutann on 08/12/2023 - 12:18

  +1

  The fuel filter is a pain in the ass to get to. But i'm surprised this is a part of a 30,000km service..

  This still isn't an expensive service… last service I had that involved an in-tank fuel filter change was around $1300..

• 

  Hellfire on 08/12/2023 - 12:19

  If it's under warranty then you need to service as per the schedule or risk that if something goes wrong you won't be covered.

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  bobokingdom on 08/12/2023 - 12:23

  Just follow what the service schedule said, it is 1 by 1 (by time OR distance travel, which ever is SHORTER interval). If it calls for all these extra item, follow the schedule OR you WILL void the warranty of the engine.

• 

  USER DC on 08/12/2023 - 12:34

  +1

  Brake fluid

  just get it done from outside, takes too much effort at home with the bottle and pipe method, plus need of another person to pump brakes (to bleed out air). If you can get it for $50-$130 ish from outside get it done from outside. Not worth that hassel and annoyance caused by it.

  Fuel Filter

  IDK, IMO probably dont need to change unless you running really shitty gas/disel

  (including the in-tank filter)

  ahh pretty sure they wont be changing some in tank filter, let alone open any bolt to get to fuel tank. They probably just changing a fuel filter.

  Engine air cleaner filter.

  ?? umm I think you meant "air filter for engine" - you can do that yourself for the cost of air filter may be around $30 ish I think.

  The missing bit

  Engine oil change, and oil filter change. Make sure they get changed (assuming you running a gasoline car). And if too many years/milage then may be coolant flush too. Can do it all yourself, if you happy to learn online from videos. However if your situation is like need to get it from outside like for warranty etc. then get it serviced from outside, shopping around.

• 

  sumyungguy on 08/12/2023 - 12:53

  Unless you're a professional automotive tech, you should complete the recommended preventative maintenance schedule. Otherwise you risk higher remedial maintenance costs. You can save money by DIY and/or sourcing a lower priced service provider.

• 

  Euphemistic on 08/12/2023 - 13:02

  +2

  What car? How old? How can you expect any form of decent answer without this?

  If it will maintain the warranty, then you should do it. If you don’t give a crap, skip it.

  In tank fuel filter may not be that hard depending on model. Brake fluid does go bad. Air filter should be easy.

• 

  7ekn00 on 08/12/2023 - 13:58

  +4

  If you can get them to include Blinker Fluid check then it will be worth it for sure!

  • 

    JIMB0 on 08/12/2023 - 20:08

    +1

    And grease the muffler bearings, but make sure they use high temperature grease.

• 

  localhost on 08/12/2023 - 14:32

  +2

  Make? Model?
  Sometimes when car is expensive like Audi Q5/7, BMW M series… $600 is just for a welcome handshake.

• 

  Jake D on 08/12/2023 - 14:40

  what dealer with fixed price servicing will let you say "I didn't do the number 3 service six months ago because it was too expensive, just do the number 4 please"

• 

  [Deactivated] on 08/12/2023 - 16:01

  Brake fluid is hygroscopic, it will absorb moisture over time which causes spongy brakes and rust in the system - Do not skip changing brake fluid

  Air filter is there to ensure you don't end up with crap in your engine, a dirty filter over time will allow more continents into the engine which can degrade oil and eventually contribute to a full engine failure. Yeah probably won't but it's a $30 part and a (in most cases) 10 minute job.

  Fuel filters unless diesel are cheap, a lot cheaper then having injectors replaced! The intake one though sounds a bit odd, usually that's a 'sock' that doesn't get touched.

  Most mechanics charge around $120/hour some indis can be as low as $80 and dealers over $200. All the work you listed will be about 2 man hours, plus parts, plus environmentals, plus consumables. $600 isn't that high, you might find as low as $400 but that'll be it. I wouldn't personally bother DIYing even as a former mechanic, without a hoist it's not worth crawling around on the ground.

  • 

    JIMB0 on 08/12/2023 - 20:14

    As a filter gets dirtier it starts to block up and actually filters out even more particles. Eventually the flow will be so restricted the engine will run poorly, particularly under high load and revs. It's unlikely to damage an engine.

  • 

    Euphemistic on 10/12/2023 - 06:57

    Air filter is there to ensure you don't end up with crap in your engine, a dirty filter over time will allow more continents into the engine which can degrade oil and eventually contribute to a full engine failure.

    It’s the opposite of that. A dirty filter clogs up and doesn’t allow enough air flow reducing efficiency. It doesn’t suddenly start letting stuff into the engine.

• 

  Cave Fire on 08/12/2023 - 20:49

  Might as well look up the air filter procedure for your car. Could be really easy and save a bit. Other stuff isn't easy or can be dangerous. If other stuff is the manufacturers recommendation, go with that I guess.

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  Hedgehog on 09/12/2023 - 08:11

  Assuming your prices are from a dealer? Try getting your log book service done by a local small business who should be able to do your full logbook service much cheaper. DIY for simple jobs is okay but don’t void you warranty by scrimping on not getting a mechanic to do the job and certify in your log book and on your invoice.

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  Nioliluu on 09/12/2023 - 08:13

  We had a similar situation after our new car came off the service plan and the next service was quite a lot more than on the plan. We shopped around and found other reputable places with decent prices. Its best to keep up servicing annual because it's for safety

• 

  spurf on 09/12/2023 - 09:48

  +1

  This service is easy to do yourself (if it is out of warranty) as parts are just remove and replace. Brake fluid change can be done with just some tubing if you are patient enough to do a gravity bleed or you can buy / rig up a one-man bleed kit. I also don't trust that all mechanic bleed brakes vs just replacing the resevoir fluid either as its easy to get away with.

• 

  Sinnerator on 10/12/2023 - 09:52

  if under warranty shop around for a better price, and get that stamp in your service log book

• 

  pandadude on 10/12/2023 - 13:43

  +1

  Since the vehicle is out of warranty there no value in following log book service.

  During in warranty period the vehicle has to be on time and/or km whichever is first. Failure to do so will mean the manufacturer will not honour the warranty. This is why each service has km or time. A lot of rubber seals and safety check need to be done in an annual procees.

  Many manufacturer removed brake fluid from the mandatory service section and include it in the inspect section. The reason for this is if the fluid fail the test it need to be replaced. How quickly water get into the system depends on many things. This has to be replaced if it fails the test.

  Outside of warranty third party service will do a basic service and inspect parts as required. They will only replace parts as required. This might last longer depending on the part. This only applies to easily accessible parts like engine fitler or cabin filter. Your in tank filter would just be replaced given the labour requirements to remove it.

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  TiredKitty78 on 12/12/2023 - 15:26

  Youtube it. If there's A video or 6 showing people how to fix the thing yourself, you're probably good to fix the thing yourself and save some money. I did the engine air filter myself.