Dealer Servicing

Its up to you if you dont want to get it serviced...
lots of issues are fixed at services that people arent even told about.

Heard of one case where a courier driver had a stuffed diff at 90,000 km but didn't
have it dealer serviced since 30,000 km.
He couldn't prove he'd had the diff oil replaced every 30,000 km (because it wasn't done) so he got his warranty claim knocked back, so he had to pay. ouch

Moz

I don't trust dealer services myself. I'm pretty fastidious with my vehicles. I took my Landrover for its 20,000 service at the dealer, and also checked it over myself after. Most hose clamps needed tightening; one was quite loose, and leaking. The oil levels were not checked, as the original thread seal hadn't been broken on the gearbox. A couple of suspension bolts needed tightening.

These things are all listed on the schedule. They did the engine oil, filter, etc of course, but also added a fuel additive to the tank, without asking. I alrerady had another product in there, they should have asked to ensure it was necessary and not risk adverse reactions. Thing is, the more you know about maintenance, the more you realize how good (or not) the quality of the work you get is.

I think there are plenty of good mechanics who would do the book servicing better, and there should be no legal claim against invalidating warranty, if done by the book. i did all my own servicing from then, and with the next car (Patrol), only taking it to Nissan for warranty work.

Not all dealers the same. You will find some have big mark ups on engine oil and add things like, "environmental levy" - $15, (still don't know what this is), "Workshop supplies" - $10, (the rags they use to clean things), and charge up to $11 per litre for oil, then $5 to "dispose" of your old oil.

We had quotes from 2 dealers to service same car at same interval. $275 from one, $154 from the other.

Like most things, shop around

Rolande

You hear some interesting stories about guys having warranty knocked back because of who has or hasn't serviced the vehicle. I think in these situations there could be some extenuating circumstances that we never hear about - the guy with the diff , diff was empty, full of water, rear tires blistered from continual burn outs :-)

I rang Toyota Australia some time ago and asked them that if I service my vehicle as per the book, will this void the warranty.

His answer was simple

If your rear door falls off we cannot blame it on you for changing the oil, it obviously will be fixed, However if you engine seizes because you left the sump plug out obviously we will knock that back. He was very polite nice bloke to talk to.

I however never had any problems with the Toyota so couldn't test the theory, did 185,000 without seeing the dealer and I recon it was better for it. The Japs build a great product, give it to the Aussie (she will be right mate) dealer and things always seem to go wrong. My passed experience has shown these mechanics' cant even rotate tyres without breaking/striping wheel studs. (although I hear there are some good Mech's out there)

Wife has a Hyundai Lantra, its also has never seen a dealer for service, I look after this car also, Its been back to the dealer (a few times) only for minor warranty work, always fixed no questions asked. Good service.

As I said with the Toyota I have never tested the warranty system and not sure what direction it would have gone if it broke a rod but if I look back at the money I have saved I could now replace a couple of motors with it, The time I don't mind, I enjoy tinkering with the cars, learn more about your truck every day.

Worst sting I have had (obviously not Dollar value) was to charge me $8.00 to fill the windscreen washer bottle. Told them if they did not deduct it off the bill I would never be back. Paid the $8 and never went back.

The Jack I had a couple of years back was the most trouble free vehicle I ever had. The only problems I ever had were installed by Authorised Holden Dealer Servicing at two different dealers. Auto juice not changed, wrong dif oil peeing out after towing, gasket leaks after valve clearance check (no adj. necessary $800 later) etc, it's a con. Current Nissan only sees dealer at 20K intervals, all others I do myself (basically a checkover and oil/filter change) and I thoroughly check over the dealer work. After the last 20K I had to grease the prop shaft, it was not done.
I sign the book myself, tick all the boxes for what was done, list all the products used and keep the receipts. I reckon they would have a hard time arguing the work was not done correctly if there was a drama.