This morning I found myself in a position I'm sure a lot of women have been in. I recently paid off my new car (a whole year early!). Now that I own the car outright, I want to be extra diligent about routine maintenance so that I can drive the car for a long time. I was due for an oil change and took it into a place I've used before.
After 15 minutes, the technician returned with a list of items that needed to be done to my car. I know some of these services aren't really necessary and are just a way for them to make a quick sale. Other items sounded legitimate though. I was pressed for time so I ended up going with the oil change ($40), a fuel injection service ($90), and a filter ($30). They gave me a $30 discount, but my little trip still ended up costing over $100.
What services are truly necessary and which ones likely aren't worth the seemingly high cost?
How old is the car? I usually get a new filter every other time I get an oil change [along with a tire rotation!]. I think the fuel injection service was an extra sale. My dad has always told me that you never really "need" that done, or anything else [transmission flush, etc].
Depending on how many miles are on the car and how long you've had the car you will need to get those services done, but it sounds like your car is relatively new. Also, if you don't drive it hard and keep up with it regularly you shouldn't need those services until well over 80,000 miles [again, depends on the car, as I can only speak for small "go-kart esq" cars since those are the ones I've had.
Last time I went they made a HUGE deal and basically treated me like an idiot for not getting my anti-freeze replaced or my transmission flushed. My boyfriend's dad is an auto mechanic [and he was one too for quite awhile] and reminded me that, although those things need to be done, my car is 3 years old and less than 50,000 miles so it's not life threatening for it to be done any time soon.
Join the Discussion
Please log in or become a member (it's free!) to reply to a discussion.