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Car question on service

Kristi2k

Kristi2k

Golden Member
I brought my car (02 Malibu LS) into the dealer to get the brakes replaced. The person at the counter said since I'm at 72k miles, he said that I should get the Service Level E that costs $440.

They inspect Auto Trans (service it), cooling system flush, and bunch of other things. Is this worth the price or should I go to a shop and get the transmission fixed by them for less?
 
I think if you do it separately, you will save a lot of money.

I reached 30K on my car and the service costs $560! I calculated that if I did everything separately, it would be under $200. Why the heck should I pay money to get a visual inspection of a bunch of hoses? An oil change costs about $30 while a tune-up should be about $100.
 
Originally posted by: woowoo
Dealers are only for warrenty work.
Click to expand...

Truer words have never been spoken.

Kristi2k, you should ask the dealer specifically what they are going to do. Then, take a hour out of your day and call around and get quotes on the same work. I can guarantee it will be cheaper at a local shop. Good luck.
 
Thanks, I told them I will think about it. THey gave me a big list of things they will do. So, I need to get some #'s and call around today to see how much it costs to check out my tranny and coolent system, maybe even the fuel filter.
 
Originally posted by: Kristi2k
Thanks, I told them I will think about it. THey gave me a big list of things they will do. So, I need to get some #'s and call around today to see how much it costs to check out my tranny and coolent system, maybe even the fuel filter.
Click to expand...

Check your users manual. There should be a list of things that you need done to your car during certain intervals. Go to a shop and show them the list. They will give you a good idea of how much it will cost.
 
Look in the owner's manual and see what it recommends for when to do those various things. I'd then ask for a written quote of exactly what they will do and how much it will cost. Then call your local mechanic places and see what they'd charge for the same service.

I know on my '99 grand am it recommends the collant system flush and things like that not until over 100k miles. You'll have to do it eventually but if you want to wait a while it will probably still be OK.
 
Another question, I remember awhile back I wanted to change out the trans oil with synthetic but was told it can't be done due to something being sealed.

Is this true for the 02 Malibus?
 
funny i'm at the dealer right now for my 30K service. apparently they have wireless in the waiting room. it was 299 and would have been cheaper separately elsewhere but i was lazy.
 
Waste of money. These 30k, 60k, etc. intervals are always money down the drain. I wish people would stop paying for them. Besides the fact that all of the maintenance is quite easy, even if you don't want to do it yourself you can get the important parts done for much less at an independent mechanic. I agree with the above sentiment to only take your car to the dealer for warranty work. Stealerships are money-grubbing dicks with no qualms about ripping you out of as much money as they can.
 
At 72K miles it probably inspection 2. Goto an independent shop, it'll be much cheaper. Also note the Stealer will only check most of the items not replace. Replacing them will cost extra.
 
I thought all Malibu's came with that Dex-Cool, 5yr/150,000 mile coolant? I had my coolant replaced in my Malibu though, since I needed a new water pump.
 
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