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Thread ID: 75205	2006-12-20 05:35:00	Vehicle servicing	beetle (243)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
508241	2006-12-20 05:35:00	Ok as most of you know i have a large vehicle... .......... i recently got it serviced.. and new tyres........ ouch and have been given a list of things to do....... when you take a vehicle to get serviced what are the usual things they do...? there is a car list and a 4WD list........which is more extensive and expensive.... with out physically going back to the garage.......im not actually sure what the service list comprise's of............but i know what it doesnt....... cos they said they need doing????? things im unsure about are........sparkplugs, wiper blades???? auto fluid, power steer fluid, and drive belt....... these items need checking or replacing? so these arnt part of the service? think im gonna have to go see and stand outside and write down whats on the list........ or ring them. been told the drive belt idea is fairly urgent........ and a extremely tedious painful job to do, seen it done before on my vehicle...........not pretty or easy...... labour intensive not being super mechanically minded ill pass on the idea of doing it myself, apart from the fact i dont have the tools.... the garage did a good job, and have also delt with me in the past............so i wouldnt hesitate going back to them.........just wish there list was added to the bill or what was done and what needs to be..........a bit clearer. but i got part of my to do list done........... in reguards to my vehicle.......and its going all good. beetle:thumbs:	beetle (243)
508242	2006-12-20 06:09:00	Ok reread it and forgot to ask............. How often people service there vehicles or get them serviced by others? and what do you expect to be done...... beetle	beetle (243)
508243	2006-12-20 06:22:00	The items on the list are things that you should do soon to prevent problems. New spark plugs will save you a bit of fuel and prevent hard starting / misfiring under load. Wiper blades will let you see better, and prevent scratching the windscreen. Auto Trans fluid will keep your gearbox from major damage, (4wd automatic? Bit rare.) power steering fluid will help you keep on the straight and narrow. Drive belt is much better replaced before you are left with an immobilized vehicle due to flat battery, no power steering, overheating etc. All these items are checked as part of a normal service, if they aren't done what exactly have they done? Threaten to beetle all their power tools and light fittings until they 'fess up to what they have or have not done. If all they did was tyres, oil and filter, then they have barely done a regular service by accepted definition.	R2x1 (4628)
508244	2006-12-20 06:24:00	depends on age and if under warranty . out of warranty just throw the list away ;) . there are some critical things to be done such as cambelts every 100,000km . fan belts etc just when they are getting warn ditto most other things except for the basic's oil and air . you can get full transmision service depending on km's and make/model . 4x4's are really not much different from cars . there is a few things more, transfer case, hubs etc but most of that is to just check . things like hubs can cost more to service than to replace so they are often left untill they break . IMHO any mechanic who actually sticks to the "list" is not one i would want to take a vechile to . good mechanic know what to miss and whats critical on most makes/models . there are some dodgy as **** mechanics even doing factory servicing . get someone to check their work .	tweak'e (69)
508245	2006-12-20 06:34:00	I have been reccomended these guys by another 2 Blokes.:p and one of these guys owns a Jeep as well. The belt will need doing as soon as i understand that, no cam belt, as its a chain on this vehicle. the list i have is of things to do ............ things like sparkplugs i thought was part of the service, but in saying that i didnt check with them before hand and specify i wanted them done........ so... partially my lack of understanding on that one. its way out of warranty... its over the 100's kms, and it goes good otherwise....... but i try to take good care of it...... id rather service than have to fix it like when it broke last time.... ive learnt that lesson. thanxs guys. be interested to see what others say about how often they do their vehicles if at all....... beetle:waughh:	beetle (243)
508246	2006-12-20 06:41:00	there are some critical things to be done such as cambelts every 100,000km. My Nissan Primera ain't got one... its got a chain :p The garage should give you a detailed breakdown of what they did to the vehicle. I used to get the recommended servicing done but it got so expensive and we were short on money so I only get the major ones done and change the oil myself.	dolby digital (5073)
508247	2006-12-20 06:47:00	I would do more on mine......but worry ill do something wrong...... and i have no one to ask here........... for that other pair of hands...........right now.... when the oil or whatever happens to pour out everywhere or i drop the tool somewhere... an and really im a clutz pure and simple and i damage far to much in my life........so dealing with my 4WD is probably safer not too. for me. beetle	beetle (243)
508248	2006-12-20 07:04:00	When I first got a car, I went to some night classes on how to do basic car maintenance. You got taught how to check fluids, change the oil, change the filters, change spark plugs and check the timing etc. I don't bother doing any of that now as it is easier to have the mechanic look after it, especially if you dont have all the right equipment. I get my car serviced regularly, perhaps not right when the wee sticker says so, but close enough. I've been using the same mechanic that my folks do and trust their honesty and judgement for what needs doing. Had the cambelt done recently ($$) :eek: , but preventative medicine is better than having it go on you. A friend just had their cambelt break at 103,000 Kms, and to add insult to injury it was actually booked into the mechanics later that week to be changed.	Jen (38)
508249	2006-12-20 07:19:00	Beets....when you take it in they'll fill out a "job sheet" or similar....just make sure you or they note an amount they ain't allowed to exceed without your permission. Effectively you are saying they can do what they like up to say $500...after that they need your agreement to continue. That way you know your maximum liability at all times. AB	allblack (6574)
508250	2006-12-20 07:22:00	Ok well the edit thing is too short.......:p I think really id need more than one set of hands plus well written instructions............ and someone giving verbal guidance as well............ and lots of plasters or bubble wrap for saftey...... i did a simple course in mechanices when i was a teen...and have forotten most of it....... and really dont think its a good idea for me too attack it. nothing is safe with me round it seems.... Ok well i said service it, and ring me if they found other stuff important enuf to fix, with my ok.........before they went ahead with it, it didnt cost me more than i was expecting......... less actually. just would have said ok, on the sparkplugs and belt thing if they had it in stock......... cos another day with out the jeep is a shocking idea.:p beetle	beetle (243)
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