Dealer "Suggested" maintenance....what is needed???

[Guzman]

My 2018 Stinger GT is about to hit 35000 KM and I booked an oil change with my local dealer. Their reply back:

Factory Recommended Comprehensive Maintenance Service - #2 -
$339.98, possible Engine Air Filter $161.98, Fuel Injection Cleaning &
Fuel System De-Carbon $289.98, Service & De-Carbon Intake & Throttle
Plates $99.98, Transfer Case & Rear Differential Fluid Replacement
Services $149.98 each, possible Tire Rotation - car $49.98, 4 Wheel
Alignment --- maintenance $159.98 ---- all charges are Plus + Shop
Supplies + tax

Some of this seems beyond excessive. I have changed my air filters to AEM drop-in and my cabin filter to a K&N reusable one. The injection cleaning and "de-carboning" is probably a $15 can of CRC. Transfer case and differential are not to be replaced as per my owners manual....tire rotation, not possible since staggered....alignment??? This is over $1400 worth of suggested service!!!

Even their "Service #2" is an oil change, cabin filter, and inspecting things...for $340!!. If I follow the replacement schedule in the owners manual, am I potentially being negligent since things aren't being "inspected"?

Thanks for your advice

 

[RedCal]

They can suggest anything they want... follow the OM, for diff, trans, filters, etc.
I believe "de-carbon" is service #3... not #2 so call them out on it (especially the tire rotation) and ask if their service advisors get paid commission

 

[Guzman]

Thanks for the reply....yeah....they MUST get commision or some sort of kickback. Funny how my wife's Porsche requires one oil change a year and a cabin filter for the first three years....but my Kia "needs" much more....and people talk about German car maintenance...repairs sure but maintenance??

 

[SOCAL2.0]

It is excessive for sure. Do clean up yourself after inspecting your filters. If you use premium branded fuel you will not need the FI cleaners. Use manual for all lubrication flush and refill cycles but don't go more than 5 yrs just to be on safest side. For a performance car they don't need a lot of routine service.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Wow it's one thing for them to recommend the #2 service but they're basically preparing to take you for a ride. I feel like when a dealer sends you something like that they're looking to get a read on your reaction hoping you throw them the keys and say do whatever you think is necessary and they just tear you a new one and do a bunch of unnecessary crap to pad their pockets.

Just be clear that you're following the manual and tell them you either just want the #2 or the engine oil and filter. They can't deny the warranty as long as you follow the manual.

 

[RedCal]

One of my past services they showed me a pretty dirty cabin filter and suggested that it needed changing, I asked how much, (because lazy) it was more then the $35 one I installed when I said, Nope, I'll change it myself

FYI it looks like Liquimoly has a GDI cleaner now (maybe new to me only) might toss a can in once and while to help keep it clean.. not sure how it helps the valves... but its cheap

DIJectron

The unique combination of proven PEA technology and the latest additive generation achieves maximum cleaning performance in the combustion chamber, in and around the injector tip and in the entire fuel system. Furthermore, DIJectron stops the formation of new deposits so that complex injector...

products.liqui-moly.us

 

[DoctorStiches]

I was told at 60-90k they need to change fluids in the diff and tranny but no word on cleaning my fuel systems already over 51k miles

 

[RedCal]

I was told at 60-90k they need to change fluids in the diff and tranny but no word on cleaning my fuel systems already over 51k miles

For the Diff - OM has "inspect" @ 60,000KM, and replace if LSD at the same (36,000miles) or 72 months

 

[stoopid]

I was told at 60-90k they need to change fluids in the diff and tranny but no word on cleaning my fuel systems already over 51k miles

Under severe this is what the manual says (I just checked 60k transmission, 72k for awd differential/transfer case), under "normal" they're only an inspection. 36k for LSD under severe.

There's no service interval specified for warranty compliance with regard to 'fuel system cleaning', from what I could see. It's a good idea at some point with Direct Injected engines, especially if driven hard.

 

[SOCAL2.0]

Manual does call out using a fuel additive if you use non Tier 1 gasoline

 

[Revvdmedia]

I am not the first to say it here, but your owner's manual dictates the manufacturer's required maintenance and at what intervals. Being in Canada, just assume to follow the "Severe Service" required intervals. As long as you follow what the manufacturer requires (as shown in the manual), your warranty will remain intact. The dealer you use might put a note on your file if you refuse service and give you a hard time for warranty claims, but your warranty is not void, just take it elsewhere.

Profit margins on new cars are not always tremendous depending on the trim and model (lots of low end base models have almost nothing for profit even at MSRP). The dealer makes the bulk of their money on after sales in the finance office like undercoating, extended warranty, and in the service department. If they can bulk up your price when going in for service, they will. Typically they're not going to cause harm to your vehicle for performing a service sooner than required, it just costs you money and earns them more revenue, so while I don't like it, I can't blame them for trying. If they tell you not following THEIR guidelines that exceed what the manufacturer requires will void your warranty, then I have a problem with them.

Let me tell you, my BMW has "Free" maintenance (you probably actually secretly pay this in the MSRP truth be told), but do you think they give anything extra when they pay for it? NOPE! Service once a year only, lol.

 

[Guzman]

Yeah my wife’s Porsche is the same. She got a maintenance package... once a year service. Obviously if a Porsche (or BMW) can get by with less.. so can a Kia

 

[SKStinger]

My 2018 Stinger GT is about to hit 35000 KM and I booked an oil change with my local dealer. Their reply back:

Factory Recommended Comprehensive Maintenance Service - #2 -
$339.98, possible Engine Air Filter $161.98, Fuel Injection Cleaning &
Fuel System De-Carbon $289.98, Service & De-Carbon Intake & Throttle
Plates $99.98, Transfer Case & Rear Differential Fluid Replacement
Services $149.98 each, possible Tire Rotation - car $49.98, 4 Wheel
Alignment --- maintenance $159.98 ---- all charges are Plus + Shop
Supplies + tax

Some of this seems beyond excessive. I have changed my air filters to AEM drop-in and my cabin filter to a K&N reusable one. The injection cleaning and "de-carboning" is probably a $15 can of CRC. Transfer case and differential are not to be replaced as per my owners manual....tire rotation, not possible since staggered....alignment??? This is over $1400 worth of suggested service!!!

Even their "Service #2" is an oil change, cabin filter, and inspecting things...for $340!!. If I follow the replacement schedule in the owners manual, am I potentially being negligent since things aren't being "inspected"?

Thanks for your advice

LOL just tell them to change the oil.

I can’t believe they want to swap your transfer case and diff fluids at 35,000kms. Unreal.

Also, ask them what specifically they do as part of that fuel service and why it is not mentioned in the owners manual.

Oh and ask how they rotate your staggered tires....

The reason for all of this is because that service menu they’re using is Dealer derived for all Kia models as a profit mechanism. Your car doesn’t require any of that so as said above, follow your OM.

 

[Guzman]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was pretty confident it was mostly (all?) BS. I was a bit concerned about the "inspect" items in the owners manual, which are probably part of the Service 2(3,4,5,etc) and if they might deny warranty if those weren't dealer inspected.

 

[RedCal]

Call them out for it... ask why and they are want to change something that only needs to be inspected at 60K, and you are barely passed the halfway mark?... and SKStinger said... just how are they going to rotate staggered tires? Follow the OM, & change your own air filters

 

[Revvdmedia]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was pretty confident it was mostly (all?) BS. I was a bit concerned about the "inspect" items in the owners manual, which are probably part of the Service 2(3,4,5,etc) and if they might deny warranty if those weren't dealer inspected.

There are a lot of shops out there officially approved to do warranty compatible oil changes and inspections. Most "inspect" are just a quick visual check and anyone with reasonable knowledge can inspect this. I question just how closely the dealer inspects some things. Do they look for cracks in the springs? Doubt it.

Most inspect items will not lead to catastrophic failure if you miss it anyway, in my opinion, just might need a tow to a shop. If a serpentine belt breaks, you're going to know before you wreck the engine because you'll likely get a CEL when the alternator isn't driven by the broken belt, or if the water pump is belt driven you should get a warning about coolant temps getting too hot. Bushings that are prematurely worn will likely become noisy before they fail. Make sure the fluids are topped up and filters are clean and you'll be good for at least the warranty period.

The irony is that most people quit checking the "inspect' items after warranty ends (because it feels less obligatory with no warranty to maintain) and then that's when things like suspension bushings and drive belts go bad - after 60K miles. I like to take a quick peek at the accessible items in my wife's now 8 year old vehicle when I do seasonal tire changes, and give the bushings a shot of lube since those started making noise a while back - that's stopped since lubricating.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Such awesome and solid advice from other members already here!

But yeah, as others have said, just follow the owner's manual and you'll be fine.

When I bring my Stinger to my local mechanic and he lifts the car up he always does a look around and see's if anything is off. Very honest gentleman which is rare nowadays.

Good luck and welcome!!