took my car to dealer to get it wheels alined

and they said i need a to get the 15k service

oil change
tire rotation, and balance
air filter
wiper inserts
throttle body assy.cleaning
rear brake clean and adjust
25 point inspection
electrical test
lube all door locks and hinges (if required)
wash vehicle (upon request)

all for after tax 225 dollars

now what the heck is a electrical test???

glad i said no i don't need it!!!

 

D I Y :D

 

hell yeah imma big D.I.Y'er

the question is "what the heck is a (electrical test)"???

 

yeah you're right.. what a money making lie your dealer was trying to pull!

All you needed was the oil change and the air filter.. the tire rotation (if you were due for the rotation)..
the rest of it? a joke.. cleaning and adjusting of rear brakes? yeah well on the xA it's a drum brake? if your brakes are fine, leave it alone.. when I had my civic they'd pull this all the time, fell for it ONCE.. and they didn't even adjust up the rear brakes, to the point they weren't even working! nice, eh? then tell me its "within specs".. yeah i didn't know i didn't need rear brakes.. idiots.. how do these people get jobs? amazing.. okay i'm done venting..

you were smart in just getting what the manual said to get.. must've ____ed them off they couldn't sucker you for more money..

 

for got too add they say you need to get a 4 wheel alinment every 2 years

the manuale also states rotate your tires at every oil change i thought it was every other oil change

 

yeah it depends on the tires you have.. might have to rotate them earlier, all depends on the construction of the tire..

plus an alignment every 2 years? well, i usually would get one once a year.. but if it's not pulling and no tire wear, why worry (like the dealer telling you that you need one if its not pulling)

 

You should consider the scheduled maintenance a little more. Sometimes it may be required to show proof you've done all of the required maintenance when it comes to warranty work.

I actually have the paid scheduled maintenance for 3 yrs. Nothing to worry about for quite some time and all maintenance up to date.

As for the "electrical test" ... it's likely just to be sure all of the connections are still secure, your sensors are still OK, the ECU is working properly and the battery/charging system is OK. It's not a bad idea... but if you don't think anything could be wrong or just don't want to pay for it... don't.

 

<---Glad I AM a mechanic....I don't pay anyone for sheet

ack154 is correct, I work at a dealer (not Toyota) and for Powertrain coverage you must present proff of sceduled maintenece up to your current mileage
it does not have to be done @ the dealer
they just wanna make sure that your scored cylinders are not from never changing your oil (example)

i agree that the "electrical test" was a check of the battery/charging/starting system
I don't get the thottle body cleaning (at 15K?)
Air Filter ?? (as if u don't have an aftermarket intake?)
lubing door hinges should have been included in the oil change (we do)
as well as the car wash (every damn car every day...i have a special bond with our car wash by now)
the "rear brake clean and adjust" is kind of a joke
I would make sure they adjusted the rear wheel bearings if they are gonna deeck around back there and charge you!!

sorry, I guess I had to vent too
It just seems like, from all the stories i hear, that i work at the very last HONEST dealership service department left in the USA......
makes me sad and happy at the same time (why repair shops are NEVER trusted)

 

well when i had my wheels off i checked the pads and shoes and they have pleanty of meat left on 'em!!!

 

yeah i know, that's why a lot of techicians have a "bad name".. it's like you gotta stand over people to prove their doing the job they said they were paid for..

i agree with you, lots on that list was nothing more than free money for the dealer.. more profit.. basically lying to people..

 

has anyone here ever seen pics or video of a Dealer Service Dept in Japan???
every mechanic has a large window at the head of their stall
where the customer sits in an office like room on the other side of the window and can watch everything that is done
talk about trust.?.?.?

 

wow.. i'd love that.. i wonder how nervous it would make the technician..

 

ok, well. a few things. rotating your tires with every oil change is a part of the 5000 mile schedule if you're on a 3000 mile schedule then it's every other time. or don't rotate them at all. just replace the front ones more often than the rears. all are sound methods. the alignment, i have to get done about evry 6 months, but i drive hard. if you're not an aggressive driver and you don't feel the need for an alignment, get it checked once a year. checking is usually pretty cheap if not free(depends on where ya go and who ya know). your rear brakes are self adjusting. they press themselves out. the dealer can't do anything to adjust them any more than they already are. you have been officially ripped off. the air filter is supposed to be changed every 15,000 miles, but, again, most paper filters need to be replaced at 10,000 miles. and are easy to do yourself. for records of maintenance, you just have to keep the reciepts for the oil, filters, greases, and other things you buy when you do the work yourself.

any strange testing or adjusting your dealer wants to charge you for, ask him what it is for. if he can't come out with a straight answer, tell him to remove the charge. if the answer sounds plausible, but unlikely, have him show you what he did/wants to do. If it sounds reasonable and like it was a necessary item pay for it. if not tell him to take it off. if he refuses to remove any questionable charge, tell him you will be in contact with the better business bureau. if that doesn't phase him then call your attorney general's office. they will investigate and take care of the matter. if you have a cell phone, call these people right there in front of them. theft is theft, no matter how you package it. if a mechanic is on the up and up this won't be a problem. do not allow your car to stay there, no matter what. pay them for the amount you think should be correct and tell them the rest will be settled by arbitration or a court. if, after that, they refuse to relinquish your keys, they have just stolen your car and can have the right to a good couple hours at a police station.

 

Well i called my dealer and they wanted close to $450 so your price was better then mine, But i am at 20k right now and i took it in at 15k for my last free oil change and rotation of tires, but thats it, all that other stuff i can do.

I just love rich people that pay so much for nothing.....

 

if you were trained and were used to it, probably not that nervous

if u took a US mechanic and put him in that situation--he would freak
I don't think most people would want to watch anyway

how about a big mirror above you during surgery--so you can watch the doctor cut you up????

it is about the same thing....as far as most humans know about cars and repairing them...they would be wholly confused