Dealerships are terrible

[SpatiallyAware]

My experiences with dealerships have been absolutely terrible. Here's the latest... SO needed transmission fluid changed on an 08 sentra with 45k miles along with an oil change.

The car has been maintained very very well, albeit not by a nissan dealership. The service advisor noted upon my SO dropping it off that it only had the bare minimum service in their system (IE she only had nissan handle stuff that would affect warranty, everything else was done by my mechanic although the service advisor didn't know this).

Note that the vehicle is in excellent shape, and needed nothing going into this.

The SA called and left her a message that said the car will "definitely need a major service" which is $550, in particular the coolant looks "very old and used up". Here is what the service includes:

Major service $549.95, includes:
change oil & filter
install bg moa oil fortifier
27pt inspection
replace engine air filter
replace in-cabin a/c filter
clean and adjust rear brakes and parking brake
rotate and balance tires
adjust clutch (where applicable)
clean and inspect battery & battery service & protector
check & correct tire pressure
road test and check alignment
install bg cf5 fuel additivere
set engine base idle speed & ignition timing
lubricate lock latches & hinges
inspect all lights
coolant flush
induction service
mass air flow service
inspect exhaust system
inspect on board diagnostic system
replace brake fluid


At this point I got involved, called the SA and told her I wanted to talk to the mechanic that recommended this. I get there, and her coolant is PERFECT.. The mechanic says well it didn't have nissan fluid thus they don't know the history. I went down the list and literally EVERY single thing is total BS except the air filter and maybe bleeding the brakes. It was a rather awkward conversation, and fairly clear they didn't expect someone to show and question all of this.

Why is there not a good 'chain' of mechanics? Something like discount tire, where you can go and at LEAST halfway trust what they're saying??

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Call nissan USA and open a ticket with all of their names. Call the service department and tell them you are doing this along with the service managers name. Mention defrauding you as a customer, never purchasing another nissan ever again and how you will follow up with a complaint to the BBB, etc.

Wait for shitstorm to ensue, kick back and watch.

Honest service departments are amazing, everything else (like rainzman) should burn

 

[QuantumPion]

My SO's car had two cylinders cut out on the way home from work. I told her it was probably just spark plugs, I could change them out for $20. She took it to her mechanic, they charged her $650. To change spark plugs. I begged her not to waste her money but she didn't want to confront the mechanic and needed her car for work. I was pissed...

 

[mvbighead]

Agreed, for the most part.

I will say that that I have had mostly bad experiences with them as well. The one example which was probably the most frustrating for me was a IAC valve that I replaced for less than $30 and in less than 5 minutes, that ended up costs $300 for the dealer to do.

Basically, had a check engine light, diagnosed and replaced myself, and the light was gone for a couple months. Light came back, figured there was probably more to it, and brought it to my mechanic. He checked the new IAC, and verified that it was fine, and suggested that it was possibly the computer, but he wasn't sure.

Bring it to the dealer for a $99 diagnostic, and before I even authorize a part replacement, tells me the labor is already at $199. Then suggests that I replace the valve, which I ok thinking that at least authorizing them to replace the part, means the next time it happens, I am covered by them. I don't even get 4 miles down the road and the light is on again, with the same code. I drop it off again, and they finally "determine" that it is the computer, and that it'll cost me $1200.

I check with my mechanic, who would replace the computer for under $400 ($250ish plus labor).

For some reason, I was under the impression that the dealer had a fancy diagnostic tool that would find the exact cause of my problem. The reality is they did the same thing I did, and replaced the valve, despite me telling them it had already been done and my mechanic verifying that the previous part was in working order.

My brother has had good luck with a different dealership which is actually close to my new house, so I may try them some time. But for the most part, my mechanic gets my work.

As for your situation, ugh. Check/correct tire pressure? They've determined that they need to check the tire pressure? Really?

Check alignment? WTF? At 45k miles and no report of driving issues, why the hell does that need to be done?

Inspect exhaust system? Really? 45k miles? Most of that list is ridiculous for a car with 45k miles.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

My issue isn't charging for work that's needed.... it's like in this case, car is running perfectly with no problems. Bring it in for fluid change and OMG we need $500 to make the vehicle safe.

Past that, half the junk on that list isn't even applicable nowadays.

 

[Ferzerp]

Here's the service schedule for a sentra at 45k miles/36 months

http://www.nissanextendedwarranty.c...intenance-schedule-45000-miles-36-months.html

It looks like 45k is the first significant maintenance point for those cars. (looking at S1 or S2, the PM column is stupid and has it crazy maintenance all the time)

 

[NutBucket]

Past that, half the junk on that list isn't even applicable nowadays.

That's the best part. "Adjust idle speed and base timing". LOL

And don't get my started on the BG additives. Funny stuff.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That's the best part. "Adjust idle speed and base timing". LOL

And don't get my started on the BG additives. Funny stuff.

Ugh... another one.. the 'battery service'... I replaced the battery two weeks ago!!

 

[KeithP]

...IE she only had nissan handle stuff that would affect warranty...

Maybe I am not understanding what you are saying but anyone can do maintenance on your car and it won't affect the warranty. Just save your receipts. Nissan can't void a warranty because their mechanics didn't do the maintenance.

-KeithP

 

[desy]

Actually at my Nissan dealership I put the Versa in and it was at 100k brought in for specific work 'fan blower motor died' they noted that the strut bearings were rusty and making noise 'which I knew already' and didn't recommend anything else, I mean nothing I was surprised.

Conversely, I took it to my local garage for a tune up and now they print off the service schedule and had all kinds of 'suggestions' which I turned down

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Maybe I am not understanding what you are saying but anyone can do maintenance on your car and it won't affect the warranty. Just save your receipts. Nissan can't void a warranty because their mechanics didn't do the maintenance.

-KeithP

In a perfect world you are absolutely correct. Things like oil changes, air filters, etc are fine to do on your own.

In this case, the CVT transmissions are unlikely to last even 100k miles. I don't want any sort of potential denial over fluid service.

The unfortunate reality is that dealers routinely deny warranty claims based on stuff like this.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I really never took any car to a dealer until I owned a CPO BMW with a warranty and maintenance plan (my prior cars were Japanese and either so reliable they didn't need warranty service or so decrepit that I wouldn't even have considered going to a dealer).

I must say my BMW dealer, BMW of Minnetonka, has always been very fair and reasonably priced in my experience. I have an excellent local shop, JB Eurotech, but they are not much less costly than the dealer, so in general I go to whichever one is more convenient for a particular service.

 

[Kelvrick]

Toyota dealership next to me has TWICE told us that my wife's corolla has needed to be changed when they didn't. The first time, I don't remember what happened, but I told her to take it to Brake Masters or another random brake place with the free checks and they said her pads were still fine.

This last time, it came back from an inspection (free with a recall ecu reprogramming) saying 1mm pads left. So, I go out and and buy a new set of pads for front (shoes in back) and rotors since they've never been changed and the car is at 80k. Jack the car up, drain the oil and take the tires off. Front pads are over half life left. Take rear drum off, shoes are still over half thickness.

 

[NutBucket]

Eh, I don't touch brakes unless I'm upgrading or I hear the wear indicators squeeling away.

 

[Raizinman]

You got the menu!!

There is a company going around to dealerships (been doing this for about 25 years) telling dealerships that they can raise their profits. How you might ask? By creating menus of services that look massive, but the majority of the things are just checks and cleans. Heck, a fast technician can run through this list mentioned by the OP, and even longer ones in 60 to 90 minutes. Selling a menu item profits in more than one way. The BG oil fortifier will net the mechanic a bonus too. BG has a program in many dealerships where the mechanic will keep the cap or label off the BG product and then at the end of the month when the BG representative comes in to restock, will exchange these caps or labels for cash. I’ve seen some mechanics clear and extra $400 a month. Obviously you see the problem – being; that the mechanic is more interested in selling the product than repairing your vehicle. I eventually had to kick this product and others like it out of the dealership. They just prey on the greed of the mechanic to sell the product. It will turn a good mechanic into a greed machine.

Unfortunately because of the profit raising of menus, it is not exclusive to dealerships. Many independent shops are also jumping on the bandwagon.

I'll defend dealerships when they are right, but I'll also let you know when a dealership (stealership) is also wrong.

 

[halik]

Ha mass air flow service and adjust idle timing in the same service.

 

[ApexBoost]

Holy shit, Halik from Xceed back in the day?! I bought some parts off you for my 95 GSX I think.

OP, the majority of the stuff in that list is something that is included in a standard oil change. I'd love to see a break down of how they value those services, how much would lubricating my hinges and door locks run? I'd definitely make a complaint to Nissan with the Service Adviser's name.

 

[ballmode]

All you people need to take your cars to Manimals shop


AT GARAGE BABY!

 

[Howard]

but I'll also let you know when a dealership (stealership) is also wrong.

No you won't.

 

[RKS]

All you people need to take your cars to Manimals shop


AT GARAGE BABY!

He is a few hours from me and I am considering having him install my KW V3s.

BTW my wife Armada just leaked all of it's tranny fluid on the way home. Apparently a hose tore somehow. We had the car towed to a local mechanic and we got all new hoses and fluid for about $200. It was also done within a couple hours.

 

[leper84]

Why is there not a good 'chain' of mechanics? Something like discount tire, where you can go and at LEAST halfway trust what they're saying??

Discount will upsell you too...

Its too easy for a good shop to get one bad tech, one bad service writer, one bad manager or change owners and it completely goes to shit. So even the national chains like Firestone, Goodyear, ect. can have the same variation between good and bad as dealerships or independents.

The only advice I can give you is to find an honest tech or an honest service writer and follow them from shop to shop. Get their personal phone number if they'll give it.

As to your SO's car, independent shops can get atf for cvts, though it will cost you more than their normal rate for a transmission service. Just make them show you the bottles from Nissan they're putting in there and don't let them tell you for a second that friction modifier crap they add to normal atf is "just the same"

The BG oil fortifier will net the mechanic a bonus too. BG has a program in many dealerships where the mechanic will keep the cap or label off the BG product and then at the end of the month when the BG representative comes in to restock, will exchange these caps or labels for cash. I’ve seen some mechanics clear and extra $400 a month

Dude BG caps are worth like a quarter a piece.. if they're clearing $400 a month they arent doing anything but bg crap and probably aren't doing all the services they sell either.

 

[redgtxdi]

SA,

I could have written what you put down myself but get this.........(this is on my Camry)..........

The very first time I let Toyota do the timing belt on my car, they did a coolant flush at the same time as I always change water pumps when doing TB. Well, you know how ABSOLUTELY ANAL Toyota is about their red coolant, right? (yes, it's good stuff but they treat it like liquid gold). Well, I went to pick it back up after I let them do a TON of stuff to it and when I pop the hood, what do I find???? GREEN COOLANT!!!

Now, I'm not even saying it wouldn't be as fine as it is today after 200k miles but going to a Toyota dealer and having them use GREEN coolant after knowing how crazy they are about their RED, I kinda flipped. I explained all their silicate-free stuff to them and said, "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?". Needless to say, they fixed it. Since then, they charge you extra for Toyota red coolant. I seriously think dealerships are going off the deep end.

And I've been to 3 different America's tire stores (discount tire) and have been INCREDIBLY IMPRESSED with their customer service. They have a CS protocol that is 2nd to none at least that I've seen in the last couple years!

 

[Doppel]

Major service $549.95, includes:
change oil & filter
install bg moa oil fortifier
27pt inspection
replace engine air filter
replace in-cabin a/c filter
clean and adjust rear brakes and parking brake
rotate and balance tires
adjust clutch (where applicable)
clean and inspect battery & battery service & protector
check & correct tire pressure
road test and check alignment
install bg cf5 fuel additivere
set engine base idle speed & ignition timing
lubricate lock latches & hinges
inspect all lights
coolant flush
induction service
mass air flow service
inspect exhaust system
inspect on board diagnostic system
replace brake fluid

lol virtually everything on this list is nonsense and a total waste of time.

The definite needed items like oil change and air filter take no time and/or very little money. Dealerships must make huge wads of money "cleaning" rear-brakes and "setting engine base idle speed".

 

[Aikouka]

"replace in-cabin a/c filter"

Is that the same as the "in-cabin micro filter"? I know dealerships love to charge an arm and a leg for replacing that bad boy. The worst part is that it usually takes between 5-15 minutes (depending on the car) and a $12 part.

 

[Doppel]

"replace in-cabin a/c filter"

Is that the same as the "in-cabin micro filter"? I know dealerships love to charge an arm and a leg for replacing that bad boy. The worst part is that it usually takes between 5-15 minutes (depending on the car) and a $12 part.

It might take you 5-15, but are you ACE certified? Because if not, you are just as likely when replacing this to snag a wire while you're changing the filter. It can fray and contact another wire and then when you're on the highway with your family and kids inside (think of the children) the transmission and steering could seize and you lose all control and everybody dies. So, yeah, you can change it, but should you? That's your call. I'm just saying I'd rather one of the dealership technicians trained on your specific car change the part. What's your family's safety worth to you? Also, let us handle the dirty job of lubing all the hinges. Again, don't lube a hinge can seize and if you have a car fire how are your kids going to get rescued? Don't cheap out now on this critical piece of safety.