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Thread ID: 135184	2013-10-05 07:14:00	How much car servicing is really essential?	Nomad (952)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1355148	2013-10-05 07:14:00	I've just been looking into this lately. There is always the conflict what you are told that you should do versus what most people do and they seem to get away from it. We obviously do the filters and fluids, the essential stuff bang on date and less frequenly the other stuff but we still do them - due to that we only do 6,000Km one one vehicle and the other does about 10,000Km PA. We don't do road tours. Personally, I know no one who get the fluids flushed out, manufacturers do say every 24 months. They get their WOF, other stuff are looked over by the mechanic and they pay for any things pointed out. I had a look at the big name mechanics like Pit Stop and Midas ie - to the average Joe and Jane. The service plans at least doesn't mention any of the flushes, one could pay $180 - 280 for various multi point check up but they only include the engine oil / filter, maybe a air filter at most and top up of any fluids. And thing also is that most people keep a car for maybe 5 - 8yrs. If I am inclined to get the flushes done outside with this used car why not do it after 5yrs of owning it and wait some more years and flick it off .... That would be more than what the average Joe / Jane does :confused:	Nomad (952)
1355149	2013-10-05 18:45:00	Maintenance extends the life of the vehicle. Even if you don't keep it long - it's resale appeal is increased by showing you kept up the maintenance....for instance, I always check that.....and would choose that over one that was driven and ignored....	pctek (84)
1355150	2013-10-05 19:22:00	^ +1 In addition, I would not count servicing at Pit Stop or Midas as 'proper' servicing, as they are not specialists in a particular vehicle make. They may be quite adequate as mechanics, but I prefer to take my Honda to a dealer service centre, since they know what to look for (quirks that a particular vehicle may have etc), they have make/model-specific parts (rather than after-market parts - I once made the mistake of getting after-market disc pads for an Accord I owned. They did nothing but squeal when I used the brakes. As soon as I replaced them with genuine parts, the problem went away). Dealer service centres may be slightly more expensive, but they know what they're doing and have ready access to experience and genuine parts. That said, I get my Honda serviced annually, and get the WOF and rego done at the same time and it costs me around $600-700 - not bad considering the rego cost. Plus I usually get a courtesy car for the day...	johcar (6283)
1355151	2013-10-05 21:59:00	I've just been looking into this lately . There is always the conflict what you are told that you should do versus what most people do and they seem to get away from it . We obviously do the filters and fluids, the essential stuff bang on date and less frequenly the other stuff but we still do them - due to that we only do 6,000Km one one vehicle and the other does about 10,000Km PA . We don't do road tours . Personally, I know no one who get the fluids flushed out, manufacturers do say every 24 months . Do you drive a pre-historic diesel?? 6k servicing is overkill . Prehistoric diesel? If so, 5k oil, 10k filter . Otherwise nothing before 10k . They get their WOF, other stuff are looked over by the mechanic and they pay for any things pointed out . I had a look at the big name mechanics like Pit Stop and Midas ie - to the average Joe and Jane . The service plans at least doesn't mention any of the flushes, one could pay $180 - 280 for various multi point check up but they only include the engine oil / filter, maybe a air filter at most and top up of any fluids . And thing also is that most people keep a car for maybe 5 - 8yrs . If I am inclined to get the flushes done outside with this used car why not do it after 5yrs of owning it and wait some more years and flick it off . . . . That would be more than what the average Joe / Jane does :confused: Mate, Pitstop, Midas, and the rest of the franchisees are the biggest bunch of crooks in this country . I went in to get my brake pads changed . . . I was quoted over 2,000$ . Because this was wrong and that was wrong, and because all my disks were warped, all my calipers were seized . . . Apparently a miracle that I didn't crash getting there . . . I drove out, went to a normal mechanic all done for 120$; nothing wrong with brakes at all . All the checks these *******s do are worth crap to you, and a whole bunch of $$ to them . My advice, go to a proper mechanic, they'll charge you a third of the price and be, for the most part, honest with you . If you want to pay high prices, go and get serviced at the dealership . Not these 3rd rate douche bags .	Cato (6936)
1355152	2013-10-05 22:09:00	Dealer service centres may be slightly more expensive, but they know what they're doing and have ready access to experience and genuine parts. That said, I get my Honda serviced annually, and get the WOF and rego done at the same time and it costs me around $600-700 - not bad considering the rego cost. Plus I usually get a courtesy car for the day... Sounds like a ripoff. Under 300$ for a year's rego. 100 for wof. So 300$ for a service? Yeah right.	Cato (6936)
1355153	2013-10-05 22:38:00	If 'fluids' have to be topped up, then there is likely a problem. Brake fluid absorbs water and should be changed every 2 years, otherwise it is likely to cause corrosion of the wheel cylinders etc. If the level is low, then it means it has leaked and you have problems. Coolant does evaporate and the reservoir can be checked and topped up with 50/50 coolant, but I understand it is the corrosion inhibitors that deteriorate, and so the coolant also should be changed every two years even though the ethylene glycol is still working as an antifreeze. My wife's car only does around 2-3000km a year, but it is all short journey's to the shops and the battery hardly gets a chance to be charged, and the oil hardly gets warmed up :) So that has a yearly service and check over, also it is of an age that a yearly service is good insurance.	Terry Porritt (14)
1355154	2013-10-05 23:19:00	Sounds like a ripoff. Under 300$ for a year's rego. 100 for wof. So 300$ for a service? Yeah right. Jeez - where do you go for a WOF!!!??? :) $50 or so at the local VTNZ. An annual service for $350 or so carried out with Honda-trained mechanics, using Honda genuine parts in a workshop with up-to-the-minute equipment and a workshop floor you could eat your lunch off (if you were desperate to prove a point!), with a courtesy car thrown in? I reckon I get a bargain!	johcar (6283)
1355155	2013-10-06 00:47:00	Agreed John, and you also have confidence that the job has been done properly. We have both a Honda Accord and a BMW 535i. They are serviced at different places for the reasons you state in your posts.	Richard (739)
1355156	2013-10-06 00:57:00	What I am trying to say is ... if one picks up a used car like a Corolla 6 or 8yrs used, fairly typical, fairly price 4 digits does the expense in the thorough maintenance work out when by the time they flick it off the vehicle's 15 or 18yrs used anyway it may not be worth much.	Nomad (952)
1355157	2013-10-06 01:11:00	Jeez - where do you go for a WOF!!!??? :) $50 or so at the local VTNZ. An annual service for $350 or so carried out with Honda-trained mechanics, using Honda genuine parts in a workshop with up-to-the-minute equipment and a workshop floor you could eat your lunch off (if you were desperate to prove a point!), with a courtesy car thrown in? I reckon I get a bargain! 2x 50 = 100. Not everyone drives cars under 5 years old. :) "Up to the minute equipment" what's that exactly? And what kind of genuine parts do you need for a service? I'd rather go to my mechanic and get it serviced in under 30 mins than have a courtesy car for a day. Then again, the older I get the bigger back for buck I require. If you have an extra 250$+ to spend good for you	Cato (6936)
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