# Is my car dealer service dept. BS'ing me? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 16, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240 "2018-12-16T20:46:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/21 "2018-12-17T19:02:57Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > My response would have been along the lines of “Huh, that’s good to know. If Infiniti makes such poorly designed vehicles that they need this service, especially so soon, then I know to never buy one again. Thanks for the head’s up! Now please return my poorly engineered vehicle to me, as is, never to cross your threshold again.” > > Wouldn’t do any good, but it would make me feel better. That is the kind of response I give when I am buying a car and they tell me I need to buy an extended warranty because repairs are so expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/22 "2018-12-17T20:27:12Z")
A la Doctor Jackson Go to the sales manager with that estimate and ask VERY LOUDLY\* if they are willing to refund your money considering they sold you a lemon that needs so much work done after only 36K miles. \*So potential customers can here ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/23 "2018-12-17T22:07:45Z")
I am glad to hear the consensus chorus here. I had been taking our car to the dealer for oil changes since their price for that is competitive and the dealership is convenient. A time or two they also threw-in warranty work while in their shop, at no additional cost. All good. However, the last time I went in for something to be repaired (a couple of door locks were malfunctioning), they fixed those, and happily found an additional $1,500 of other repairs under the hood and with the suspension and brakes. Since when does fixing a door lock involve inspecting other areas? Oh! In the service ticket, where it says they will do a “FREE multi-point safety inspection.” Sounds good, eh? NOT! I authorized them to fix the door locks and do a couple of the other smaller items, but took it to a local, family-owned shop for a 2nd opinion on the expensive item (struts) and they said that service was not needed. Will not be returning to the dealer for anything other than warranty work, and when the struts do need to be replaced, the family-owned shop will get my business. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/24 "2018-12-17T22:19:52Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > A la Doctor Jackson > Go to the sales manager with that estimate and ask VERY LOUDLY\* if they are willing to refund your money considering they sold you a lemon that needs so much work done after only 36K miles. > > \*So potential customers can here That’s assuming customers are their. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/25 "2018-12-17T22:38:11Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > That’s assuming customers are their. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/26 "2018-12-17T22:51:11Z")
Perhaps they thought the odometer said 360,000. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/27 "2018-12-18T14:53:44Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > That is the kind of response I give when I am buying a car and they tell me I need to buy an extended warranty because repairs are so expensive. Yup. It’s amazing how a line like that turns off the hard sell. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/28 "2018-12-18T15:10:23Z")
I’ve had an Infiniti in the past, and never got hustled to do anything like what the OP mentions. The only communications I ever got re service from the dealer were mail coupon offers for supposed discount oil changes and the like. I would try another Infiniti dealer for service, or any reliable repair shop. This one should be avoided like the plague. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/29 "2018-12-18T16:47:45Z")
Many years ago I took a fairly new Jeep Wrangler back to the dealership for some “free” work (I think it was the first oil change). They called me a few hours later. I was busy at work and was told they were calling for my OK for some other work that was due/needed. I made the mistake of saying, “yeah, tell them to do whatever needs done”. When I went that evening to pick up my vehicle I owed a small fortune. Things like the cabin air-filter that I’d never have wanted touched. I paid the bill but have never let a dealership do anything other than free recall work. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/30 "2018-12-19T22:23:13Z")
I’m essentially echoing and agreeing with what **Machine Elf** said. This is serious overkill at such a low mileage. \>**Fuel induction service ($190):** Uses a “special tool” to clean fuel injectors, fuel lines, and intake valves and ports. This was often a helpful service a few decades ago. Between very efficient fuel management systems on cars and detergent additives in modern gasoline, it’s virtually never needed anymore. I can’t remember the last time I did one for a customer. \>**Flush and replace differential oil ($140):** The service manual says “inspect” but never says “replace” (unless you tow a trailer or drive off-road). They are saying I need this only because I’ve never had it done, not because there is some problem. I say you don’t need it because it’s not at all necessary. Most differentials and the oil in them go well over 100K miles (or twice that) without a problem. For this “inspect” means check the fluid level. There are a few exceptions, e.g. some Honda designs use a special fluid that should be changed at about that mileage, but yours uses standard gear oil. Most vehicles on the road that use it have never had it changed, with precious few consequences. And it’s not flushed (totally useless procedure that I’d say no one ever does), it’s simply drained. \>**Wheel alignment ($140):** I can believe this but they didn’t show me the numbers. I usually don’t do just because time goes by, only if there are symptoms. Unless the vehicle pulls to one side, the steering wheel is off center when going straight ahead, or there’s uneven tire wear, it’s fine. Wheel alignment is not a maintenance procedure. \>**Throttle body cleaning ($100)** (because I might have “deposits of carbon and sludge”!) You might! Oh dear! Another thing that was of concern decades ago but seldom comes up nowadays. \>**Power steering flush ($140):** Power steering fluid is never mentioned in scheduled maintenance, not even to “inspect.” Actually, it’s a wallet flush. These items are all about making sales, not about the mechanical health of your car. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/31 "2018-12-20T01:13:21Z")
Thanks to all for the feedback and confirming what I suspected! ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/32 "2018-12-20T15:27:12Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > I’m essentially echoing and agreeing with what **Machine Elf** said. This is serious overkill at such a low mileage. > > \>**Fuel induction service ($190):** Uses a “special tool” to clean fuel injectors, fuel lines, and intake valves and ports. > > This was often a helpful service a few decades ago. Between very efficient fuel management systems on cars and detergent additives in modern gasoline, it’s virtually never needed anymore. I can’t remember the last time I did one for a customer. Some years ago when I was driving a CNG Honda I took it to one of those quickie oil-change places and a kid there was trying to sell me on letting them run a bottle of injector cleaner. I kept saying no and he kept pressing until I (knowing there was no port) said, “I’ll buy it if you can figure out how to get it into the injectors.” Looking at the strange plenum on top of the engine he was flummoxed. “This doesn’t burn liquid fuel,” I said, pointing to the CNG sticker on the side of the car. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/33 "2018-12-20T16:24:25Z")
Another vote for I wouldn’t do any of that at 36,000 miles. Oil changes and tires is all it should need. Shouldn’t even need an alignment with new tires unless you are seeing uneven tire wear or have a pull in your steering. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/34 "2018-12-20T22:32:33Z")
I don’t think any business of a similar size has more scam artists than a car dealer - in both sales and service . ---
**Author:** ![SigMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SigMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SigMan)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240/35 "2018-12-20T23:31:29Z")
You just broke my BS meter. :rolleyes: I’m a retired mechanic and I am disgusted because it’s so easy to prey on people in that area. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-car-dealer-service-dept-bsing-me/826240.md?page=1)