The cost to get a vehicle serviced nowadays, Wow!

[LVSteve]

Factory parts are more expensive than before COVID and I also believe that many dealer chains are trying to play catch up on lost business. Many dealerships are also way short on techs, and are paying through the nose for the ones they have.

 

[glenwolde]

Aghast at the price of an oil change for the diesel F250 ($125) I decided to do it myself. I'm paying for the next one. It was like a blowout at Spindle Top. I was wishing Red Adair was still around.

 

[wood714]

Geezers have $$$'s.
Many are too lazy, too out of condition to spend a minute on their knees or back, have no clue, don't have the tools or facility, spending their money while they can, too busy taking expensive cruises, buying/trading into new cars like changing their Depends, too complicated to work on, and on and on.

That's a pretty bold statement considering the age of a lot of members on here.

My mom is 86, only thing she does to her 2020 Highlander she keeps in Ohio and her 2019 Rav4 she keeps in Florida is put gas in them. She can afford to pay to have service done when needed. Free lifetime oil changes and car washes are nice.

She has a large house in Ohio she takes care of herself, she does pay a lawn company for yard work. She has a nice house in Ormond Beach Florida where she stays 6 months. She flies down during the summer anytime she wants.

Memorial Day she drove 3 hours 173 miles by herself to put flowers on her family's graves in Casey County Kentucky, picked up my aunt, and drove back to Cincinnati. She's making the trip again this weekend to take her back home.

She doesn't have to "Depend" on anyone, much less wearing them.

 

[Mike1647]

I do my own maintenance while I still can. Partly for economics but mostly because I don't trust anyone else to do it right. I have been taken before.

 

[Golddollar]

I guess I'm lucky. When I moved here in 2005 I found the local Lincoln Mercury dealer that has been family owned for decades. My cars were mid and late 1980s models. I used to do a lot of my own car work but changes in car engines and my body shape slowly took away my abilities to do the maintenace work I used to do. But I have to say that this dealership took good care of me when I was driving 20 year old cars and I eventually ended up buying my first brand new car ever from there. Yeah, the price of an oil change has gone up, but what hasn't? So now the dealership does my car work except for one thing. I still change the engine air filters because I can still do it.

 

[LVSteve]

I still change the engine air filters because I can still do it.

Somewhat bizarrely, the engine air filters are a curse to change on my ML350 diesel, but the cabin air filters could not be simpler as you can access them from under the hood. The cabin air filters on my BMW 4-door and my wife's SUV are more user hostile, sadly.

 

[venomballistics]

I have a porch in the front and a deck in the back, but they never seemed to have an impact on my truck repair costs.

It does by way of the beer fund.

 

[ladder13]

That's a pretty bold statement considering the age of a lot of members on here.

My mom is 86, only thing she does to her 2020 Highlander she keeps in Ohio and her 2019 Rav4 she keeps in Florida is put gas in them. She can afford to pay to have service done when needed. Free lifetime oil changes and car washes are nice.

She has a large house in Ohio she takes care of herself, she does pay a lawn company for yard work. She has a nice house in Ormond Beach Florida where she stays 6 months. She flies down during the summer anytime she wants.

Memorial Day she drove 3 hours 173 miles by herself to put flowers on her family's graves in Casey County Kentucky, picked up my aunt, and drove back to Cincinnati. She's making the trip again this weekend to take her back home.

She doesn't have to "Depend" on anyone, much less wearing them.

Many, not all, as stated.
Thanks for your input.

 

[whitestang]

I do the minor stuff on my two newer vehicles,like filters,wipers and I make sure the fluids are topped off. When it comes to all the other items I take them to the dealership my brother works at and have him do the work,he is a Ford Master Tech and they give me his discount on parts.

 

[chief38]

Get ready to be bombarded by the "That's why I do my own work .." crowd .

YES - I do my own oil changes and maintenance and there are several major reasons.

First of all, the oil I use on my vehicles is way way better than any Dealer uses. They take the lowest bidder interested in producing oil for them. Their filters only meet minimum standards and not only do they filter poorly, they often clog too soon and then the bypass valve opens which in turn lets the oil just flow through unfiltered. NOPE - I will use my own oil and filter and will get the best available which I currently consider to be Amsoil.

Secondly, I do not trust car Dealers! I have been disappointed in Dealer service too many times.

Thirdly, what they charge for simple routine and minor problem service is in my opinion ridiculous! While I am still healthy and in descent shape I will as much as I am capable of.

Last but not least, (some might not get this) I actually enjoy doing this kind of stuff! All my working life I leased cars and never had any time to play with them. Now that I am retired, own all my own vehicles, have all the proper tools, knowledge and time, I love getting my hands dirty, making sure everything is done properly and at the right price. So far after being retired for 14 years there was only one time a repair job was beyond my diagnosing skills and that was a bad ECM. Replacing the part probably tool 10 minutes or less, but I did not realize what was wrong. I paid the Dealer $630.00 to diagnose & replace the computer which I could have bought for $175. Oh well.... you can't win them all!

 

[DixieRanger]

Back in early 70's lived in appartment complex in Raleigh. Lean days then & did my oil changes & tune-ups. A dwell meter, timing light & a $39.95 mechanics tool set in tool box from Sears. Still have all. Anywho, young ladies noticed work & as they were young as me in 20's just starting out, gotta lot of invites to supper doing this. 20yr old secretaries & nurses...oh my. Gonna say more but forgot!

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[yeti]

I do most of my own service, but farm out only the more challenging (think specialty tools) procedures.

The $$ saved 5 years ago were pretty significant, especially with a German car in the mix.
Now? Yiiiikes!

 

[Babysitr]

being a retired mechanic (trucks), I do my own. was shocked at the price of fully synthetic diff oil and trans fluid for my 2018 silverado....usually change them once at about 30k or so........

 

[CH4]

I buy Mobil 1 oil/filter at Walmart and the local Dodge dealer changes it and inspects things for $15. Does my Tacoma too.

 

[WR Moore]

One thing about Post #1. It's been maybe 10 years (or more?) since many cars & trucks eliminated serviceable wheel bearings up front. Or, if you've got independent rear suspension, back too. The hubs come with installed bearings and they're replaced as units. Saves time on the assembly line and on service. Of course this time/money savings for the factory/dealership costs you more.

I do front wheel bearing inspection & packing at 30K miles (5 years on trailers) on my vehicles that still have serviceable wheel bearings. Cost is for new seals, some grease and my time. OTOH, if you have unit bearings, the new hubs (last time I checked) were about $350 each. Don't know if that included the rotor. My late son was a Ford certified service tech working for a government, if the rotors are bad, the whole unit gets changed, not just the rotor. Assuming it was a separate part in the first place.

 

[NYlakesider]

Geezers have $$$'s.
Many are too lazy, too out of condition to spend a minute on their knees or back, have no clue, don't have the tools or facility, spending their money while they can, too busy taking expensive cruises, buying/trading into new cars like changing their Depends, too complicated to work on, and on and on.

Guilty as charged!

Back when I was drag racing (street & strip), working for years at my buddies speed shop garage and generally being a gear head I was a very good mechanic. After that worked on my own vechicles shade tree style at my house. I had the necessary tools.

Now due to age and the many injuries I have had I hardly do any thing more on my vechicles. I made my bones and now enjoy the fruits of my labor. Have a vechicle issue, no problem I also have a couple credit cards.

As charged we have taken many cruises and for a fact I'm far from a electronic type person. I have stated many times my cat knows more about computers and electronics in general than I do. I made my decent living for the most part working with socket sets, all sorts of wrenches and welding.

 

[Tom S.]

Geezers have $$$'s.
Many are too lazy, too out of condition to spend a minute on their knees or back, have no clue, don't have the tools or facility, spending their money while they can, too busy taking expensive cruises, buying/trading into new cars like changing their Depends, too complicated to work on, and on and on.

Horse pucky. Mechanical ability is like any other talent. I can turn a wrench with just about anyone, but put a musical instrument in my hands and I'm totally useless. Ask me to bake cookies and you'll be sorry, especially if try to eat the results. Heck, I can't even perform brain surgery or do rocket science.

Lots of people who simply lack the ability to perform mechanical tasks, let alone have the tools needed. That doesn't make them lazy. I know young adults who can't drive a vehicle with a manual transmission or change a flat tire. They aren't lazy either. I also know many who have the knowledge and have the tools but no longer have the ability due to advanced age. Again, they aren't lazy. If you are able to perform your own work and possess the necessary tools, that's great and you should consider yourself lucky, but don't discount others because of their inability to do likewise. After all, they may be your brain surgeon.

 

[DixieRanger]

Geezers have $$$'s.

Many are too lazy, too out of condition to spend a minute on their knees or back, have no clue, don't have the tools or facility, spending their money while they can, too busy taking expensive cruises, buying/trading into new cars like changing their Depends, too complicated to work on, and on and on.

Whoa nellie...Geezers have $$$, too lazy, change Depends? Gettin' close to home cept for $$$, lazy & Depends there bud. Some 'Geezers' have $$$ cause they earned thru years of WORK unlike kiddos living at Mama's and wouldn't take a job in a pie factory. Not all mind ya. Lot of us are conservative by nature & wonder what 'entitled' means. Let's play nice & have some respect for the oldies...ok? We're here to learn from each other, share & have fun. Not meant as nasty just touched an old nerve...and so it goes

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[H Richard]

Speaking of brake pads & rotors, what is the "normal" mileage currently? I bought some tires recently and the dealer tried to sell me the "needed" brake job. My car (a 17 Buick Enclave) has only 43,000 miles. My previous SUV had over 75,000 miles and still didn't need pads. I'm think 60,000 to 70,000 miles should be about normal.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

No, it was a wet battery and that's what we put back, an Interstate from Costco.
The battery wasn't dead, but at 4-1/2 years old its CCA was down to 330, should be 600+.

If you got 4.5 years out of a wet battery and it didn't leave you stranded beforehand-you are wayyyyy ahead of the game