Dealership service departments

[MtnMan]

We have a RAV4, purchased from the previous Toyota dealership 10 years ago. To date, there has been one recall on the vehicle, that involves replacing the battery with the wrong size battery, i.e. too tall. This would cause the battery posts to make contact with the hood, thus causing a fire or other damage. I got the notice in the mail years ago, and it provided the option of taking it to a dealer, or inspecting the vehicle yourself, and placing a little sticker on the battery hold down bracket.

Today the current dealership called stating it was urgent that I bring it in for a "free" recall service, and did I want to make an appointment? They stated that it would only take 45 minutes to complete. (I did it in less than 2 minutes myself).

I wonder how many problems that could find in that 45-minute window that needed $attention$. I estimate 4 or 5. ($1,000) Told my wife about it, and she said that if she took it, it would likely be 7 - 8 ($2,000).

The car is in great shape, only 66K on the clock, and all servicing is done by a locally owned independent service shop.

 

[JPS35]

We have a RAV4, purchased from the previous Toyota dealership 10 years ago. To date, there has been one recall on the vehicle, that involves replacing the battery with the wrong size battery, i.e. too tall. This would cause the battery posts to make contact with the hood, thus causing a fire or other damage. I got the notice in the mail years ago, and it provided the option of taking it to a dealer, or inspecting the vehicle yourself, and placing a little sticker on the battery hold down bracket.

Today the current dealership called stating it was urgent that I bring it in for a "free" recall service, and did I want to make an appointment? They stated that it would only take 45 minutes to complete. (I did it in less than 2 minutes myself).

I wonder how many problems that could find in that 45-minute window that needed $attention$. I estimate 4 or 5. ($1,000) Told my wife about it, and she said that if she took it, it would likely be 7 - 8 ($2,000).

The car is in great shape, only 66K on the clock, and all servicing is done by a locally owned independent service shop.

Blinker Fluid, a thrown Johnson Rod, loose left Flange, The Radiator Springs, and Exhaust Ventilation Regulator out to be around $3500 for Parts and Labor. These generally need replacing at the 60,000 mile check up. There are about 3 more to consider, but it just gets ridiculous after that.

 

[Brainonska511]

I had one recently for my relatively new Elantra: we were only given one key fob at delivery because of shortages. When I went in 2 months ago for the extra fob that was now available, the service person tried to claim that all driving in New England should be considered severe, and routine maintenance should be done at the half interval periods. Translation: that free routine maintenance for the first 3 years "needs" to be doubled, and the extra service needs to be paid for. Kind of blew that advice off and will just follow the standard service windows.

 

[pete6032]

Love going to the dealership and getting a report back. Use a coupon for a cheap oil change and they do a decent one-over and tell you what they see so you can go fix it yourself.

 

[turtile]

The three Toyota dealers I went to only recommend what's on the service sheet. After 116K, I've only replaced the basics (tires, wipers, oil, and air filter). The coolant is supposed to be changed at 100K and they didn't even mention replacing it.

 

[K1052]

I had one recently for my relatively new Elantra: we were only given one key fob at delivery because of shortages. When I went in 2 months ago for the extra fob that was now available, the service person tried to claim that all driving in New England should be considered severe, and routine maintenance should be done at the half interval periods. Translation: that free routine maintenance for the first 3 years "needs" to be doubled, and the extra service needs to be paid for. Kind of blew that advice off and will just follow the standard service windows.

Dealership keeps trying to call me in for service on my electric car that by the book isn't due for anything but a brake service in mid 2024. Hm...no thank you.

 

[Captante]

Unless your vehicle is under warranty (or for a recall), the stealership should be the LAST place you go for service.

 

[Captante]

My personal favorite was when the Toyota dealer (during one of my "free" oil changes) insisted that my Scion xB needed a power-steering fluid "flush and refill".

My Scion had electric power steering.

 

[MtnMan]

The three Toyota dealers I went to only recommend what's on the service sheet. After 116K, I've only replaced the basics (tires, wipers, oil, and air filter). The coolant is supposed to be changed at 100K and they didn't even mention replacing it.

That was our experience, until the local dealership sold out to a chain, that has Toyota, Nissan, Kia, Acura, etc., all across 2 states.

I used to take our vehicles there for service, especially the oil change center, service was great. Took my Dodge truck for oil and state inspection. The third brake light bulb was bad, which they fixed, so it would pass. They only charged a couple of bucks for the bulb. Another time I had tires rotated, and a stud rung off on one wheel. They had to wait for the part (also for Dodge truck), but I needed to leave to go teach a class. They loaned me a vehicle at no charge, and I went back and got my truck the next day. No additional charge, except the cost of the part, all done under the rotation fee.

Went back after the new and greedy company took over for just an oil change (based on past experiences). Tried to upsell me other services, like a cabin filter when I still hadn't even handed them the keys yet, and didn't even bother to reset the "Service Soon" light on the dash, which comes on automatically every 5K miles.

 

[MtnMan]

My personal favorite was when the Toyota dealer (during one of my "free" oil changes) insisted that my Scion xB needed a power-steering fluid "flush and refill".

My Scion had electric power steering.

Had you agreed, they would have charged you for it.

 

[MtnMan]

Love going to the dealership and getting a report back. Use a coupon for a cheap oil change and they do a decent one-over and tell you what they see so you can go fix it yourself.

But did it need fixing?

 

[pete6032]

But did it need fixing?

Usually yes. They can tell me how many CCA the battery has left or how much tread is left on my tire, that type of stuff. I will even believe them if they say an air filter is dirty and needs to be changed. Just go do it myself.