Observation on Dealer “Service Packages”
The wife has a 2 year old Chevy Traverse that she really likes and we always have the oil changed at the purchasing dealer, who we really like too. I’ve always changed my own oil but at $38.95 for 5...
Forum Discussion
monkey44 wrote:
Another issue -- dealers at one time had plenty of work keeping up with the maintenance on vehicles they sold. NOW, most do not have the same requirements, no points, plugs, rotor etc every 'xx' miles ... so, once the truck sells, we now have 100,000 mile plugs, electronic ignitions, and most of the general maintenance items are now absent.
What's a dealer to do - well, make up some 'check and adjust' periodic maintenance so it can keep its mechanics busy ... brakes now last twice or more as long, and other items that once wore out, don't. So, here we have mechanics with nothing to do ... and equipment that costs a fortune to buy and maintain.
Nothing against good mechanics here, we need them when we need them -- but to schedule periodic maintenance to 'look' at things that 'ain't broke' makes no sense --
That is really not entirely true. The modern vehicle is better built and does require less maintenance. On the other hand, the number of new vehicle dealerships has decreased dramatically, the number of vehicles in operation has increased dramatically, and the average age of vehicles in operation are far older requiring more work. In addition, the time for repair has increased with the advent of computerized controls and more complex diagnostics. Good shops are not standing around looking for something to do and the dollar volume they do is far higher than 30 years ago.
Many dealers do suggest more frequent maintenance intervals than the factory manual. This is simply because they see first hand the problems encountered when the service intervals are lengthened by the manufacturer in attempting to convince the consumer the vehicle is cheaper to operate and less time consuming. In many cases, the manufacturer has shortened service intervals from the level of just ten years ago because of these problems.
Like many other things, this can be carried too far by certain dealers. But simply because theyrecommendationomendation does not mean they are out to take advantage of the consumer. Anybody who flies a plane would be quick to realize that visual checks are important and are a necessary part of pre-flight. Seldom to vehicle owners take the time to actually inspect their vehicle when they drive it and rarer yet is actually putting the vehicle on a lift to do the job right.
