Extra Dealer Recommended Maintenace

[Holligl]

One of the things that I appreciate about the new generation is the more infrequent maintenance actions. However, my Dealer's Service department routinely makes several recommendations for services not called out in the owner's manual (which to date I have routinely declined). Wondering if any have merit and if anyone has actually had any of these performed:

1) Fuel Injector Cleaning
2) Brake Fluid replacement
3) Transmission Fluid replacement (before specified 150K)

I have found that the dealer oil change is typically the best price available, and does come with a free wash. 4 years and just hitting 60K now. Recently replaced rear brake pads and tires.

 

[Bill #5 Explorer]

Fuel injector cleaner- I'd pass. Just use quality fuel from a busy station.

Bake Fluid- mine was changed for the first time at about the 98,000 mile mark. Was only $128 so I said, "do it".

Transmission Fluid- I've had this done twice already. About 70,000 miles and again at 125,000 miles. These are about $175 each.

 

[adamjeeps]

1. Use some Techron or Marvel Mystery oil if it makes you feel better.

2. Maybe if you plan on keeping your vehicle for awhile longer.

3. Maybe if you plan on keeping your vehicle for awhile longer.

 

[182RG]

Wondering if any have merit and if anyone has actually had any of these performed

Fuel injection - Nope. Brake fluid bleed - every 3 years regardless of mileage providing it's a bleed, not simply a fluid swap. There is merit here. Transmission - I use BG service (exchange system) every 60 K. Filter on Ex isn't serviceable. I don't believe in lifetime fluids in an auto transmission. If leasing, I wouldn't bother with any of it. If you're going to keep for 10 years, probably some merit.

 

[markls8]

Do a visual inspection (clarity, colour, cloudiness, burnt smell, particles, moisture or mould present, dab it on a paper towel and check the absorption, etc) of the brake fluid and transmission fluid before changing them prematurely. If they aren't like new, change them.

The dealer is motivated by boosting profit margins on this type of work. The manufacturer is more qualified and knowledgable to make decisions such as service intervals than is the dealer with its much more limited technical resources.

 

[PIUtility]

Do a visual inspection (clarity, colour, cloudiness, burnt smell, particles, moisture or mould present, dab it on a paper towel and check the absorption, etc) of the brake fluid and transmission fluid before changing them prematurely. If they aren't like new, change them.

The dealer is motivated by boosting profit margins on this type of work. The manufacturer is more qualified and knowledgable to make decisions such as service intervals than is the dealer with its much more limited technical resources.

at the same time, "planned parts failure" is real, and much more costly than fluid and filter swaps.

 

[markls8]

at the same time, "planned parts failure" is real, and much more costly than fluid and filter swaps.

Good point, PIUtility, and it did cross my mind while typing. But I had to stop the post somewhere!

There is also some drive to compete with other manufacturers to extend service intervals, it can be a selling point at the time of purchase to buy the vehicle which has less servicing required per unit of time or distance.

Very few people will benefit from the dealer-reduced service intervals, one in a thousand, one in ten thousand, one in a hundred thousand ( pick whichever one you like). But the dealer will benefit from each and every one of them, every time.

I suppose the most synoptic view would compare the situation to gambling in the casinos. The odds favour the house (ie the "dealer" , pun intended ) and certainly there are some people who do win, but most "lose", and that certainly doesn't stop people from trying. (Hope that didn't sound condescending, that's not the intent).

 

[Halwg]

You know, in almost 50 years of owning vehicles, I have never, ever, had my brake fluid changed, but a lot of people swear you should do it every 3 years as the fluid attracts moisture. Transmission, unless it specifically states to do it at a certain mileage, I'd stay away from that, as well. The only transmission failure I have ever had came a few months after a transmission fluid change. Coincidence, maybe. But I won't do it again unless specifically called for.

And finally, why clean the injectors if there is no indication they are giving you problems? I certainly would not.

Those are just my opinions.

 

[Miami-Beach]

You know, in almost 50 years of owning vehicles, I have never, ever, had my brake fluid changed, but a lot of people swear you should do it every 3 years as the fluid attracts moisture. Transmission, unless it specifically states to do it at a certain mileage, I'd stay away from that, as well. The only transmission failure I have ever had came a few months after a transmission fluid change. Coincidence, maybe. But I won't do it again unless specifically called for.

And finally, why clean the injectors if there is no indication they are giving you problems? I certainly would not.

Those are just my opinions.

I have never changed out my brake fluid in any vehicle and I keep vehicles for over 200K miles in Miami Jungle heat..Pompano Ford wanted to change out the my brake fluid for 200 bucks years ago and I declined.

For the injectors I never clean them..I only use Mobil fuel [87] from a very busy station which seems to keep them clean..Just IMHO.

I do change out the Transmission fluid and coolant every 35-40K..For that I go Mullinax Ford which is the only dealer I trust in South Florida.

 

[orangesoda123]

Don't bother with the fuel injector junk. Throw a bottle of seafoam in your gas tank if you want to clean the system a bit (MAKE SURE TO USE THE FUNNEL BY THE SPARE WHEN ADDING IT TO THE TANK). If you aren't really having issues than its something you don't really have to worry about.

Replacing brake fluid in my opinion should be suggested maintenance. After a few years it tends to take on water from temperature changes and humidity. I typically do this every 3-4 years.

I personally wouldn't bother with a tranny fluid change at 60k but this depends on how you use the vehicle. If you do a lot of short trips, tow something and/or there's wild temperature fluctuations where you live it wouldn't hurt but you can probably still hold off on this a bit (maybe 100k). I've never replaced transmission fluid before the specified interval and I've never had any issues.

 

[wifes2011xlt]

I would get all these done. Dealer knows best. Just last week they convinced me to get my turn signal fluid changed so I did....

 

[Holligl]

Thanks for all the perceptions thus far. One more to add (actually on the scheduled maintenance list):

4. Cabin Filter (and environmental controlled seats filters)

Has anyone checked or changed these themselves? I did not find procedures in the manual. Surprisingly the dealer has never suggested these profitable items.

 

[Odrapnew]

I would recommend bleeding the brakes at least every 5 years(regardless of mileage) or sooner. As stated before, brake fluid absorbs water and can degrade the brake system from the inside out. Last thing you want is a brake failure. Not very common for it to happen, but I’d rather not have that concern.

For the cabin filter, I’d highly recommend against having the dealer do it. They’ll charge you $100 for a $10 part and 5 minutes of work(actually changed my wifes while sitting in a drive through). I don’t have any info on procedure, but I can’t imagine it being difficult(usually behind glove box). I changed the cabin filter on my old MazdaSpeed6 and my wifes CX9 in about 5 minutes total. They were both filthy after 4 years. I noticed a significant increase in air flow from the vents when I put the new filter in. If you do it yourself, I would say do it every 2-3 years.

 

[182RG]

You know, in almost 50 years of owning vehicles, I have never, ever, had my brake fluid changed, but a lot of people swear you should do it every 3 years as the fluid attracts moisture.

More complex ABS systems, with pumps, sensors, etc. changed this over time.

 

[Bill #5 Explorer]

For the cabin filter, I’d highly recommend against having the dealer do it. They’ll charge you $100 for a $10 part and 5 minutes of work(actually changed my wifes while sitting in a drive through). I don’t have any info on procedure, but I can’t imagine it being difficult(usually behind glove box). I changed the cabin filter on my old MazdaSpeed6 and my wifes CX9 in about 5 minutes total. They were both filthy after 4 years. I noticed a significant increase in air flow from the vents when I put the new filter in. If you do it yourself, I would say do it every 2-3 years.

My dealer charged me $53.40. The filter alone is $29.98 (FMC AE9Z 19N619 A)

 

[Holligl]

Just did the Cabin Filter myself. O'Reilly's had a $6 version and an $11 version. The $11 version looked just like the original. Difficulty: A little worse than getting to the fuse box. You have to remove the glove box to get to it. Here is the DIY Utube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlxI5N0ghnE

Pretty dirty after 4 years
Side by side old and new: http://www.4shared.com/download/f6HaRA6Cba/20141205_135136.jpg?lgfp=3000
Closeup:
http://www.4shared.com/download/Zmm6qXigce/20141205_140939.jpg?lgfp=3000

 

[adamjeeps]

My dealer charged me $53.40. The filter alone is $29.98 (FMC AE9Z 19N619 A)

$14.84 shipped from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Ford-AE9Z-19N...F8&qid=1417814719&sr=1-1&keywords=AE9Z19N619A

Dealer makes money on parts and labor, don't let them fool you into thinking otherwise.

 

[Bill #5 Explorer]

$14.84 shipped from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Ford-AE9Z-19N...F8&qid=1417814719&sr=1-1&keywords=AE9Z19N619A

Dealer makes money on parts and labor, don't let them fool you into thinking otherwise.

Obviously they do. I don't begrudge them that. I'm NOT a DIY guy. I have a business to run. A family. A spouse. Hobbies. And fast toys to play with on sunny warm weekends.

 

[blwnsmoke]

Changed my seat filters at 70k. It was very difficult to tell which was the old and new. It had just a light black haze to the white filter.

Just look under your seat from the back to check them out for yourself.

 

[Bill #5 Explorer]

Changed my seat filters at 70k. It was very difficult to tell which was the old and new. It had just a light black haze to the white filter.

Just look under your seat from the back to check them out for yourself.

I know there's a trick to get these filters to come out. I've tried once or twice, and can't even get them to budge. I gave up. I vacuumed them off instead. After 126,000 miles on the original filters, my heated and cooled seats are still working great.