Nearing 30,000 miles - questions about maintenance

[michaelle8885]

So I'm at 24,000 miles on my car, and once I hit 30,000 the dealership wants to try to push me to get the 30,000 maintenance package plan or whatever, I know most of this stuff I can do myself, such as replacing the air filter, but other stuff will need to be professionally done. My question is how important is this stuff really, because I know the dealerships try to push more maintenance stuff than the actually manufacturers because they need to make money. Another question is how have you guys gone about this either with your current car or past cars. Should I just try to do them myself and just pay for the stuff I can't do or pay $225 for everything done at nissan?

[1sik4dsc]

Originally Posted by michaelle8885

So I'm at 24,000 miles on my car, and once I hit 30,000 the dealership wants to try to push me to get the 30,000 maintenance package plan or whatever, I know most of this stuff I can do myself, such as replacing the air filter, but other stuff will need to be professionally done. My question is how important is this stuff really, because I know the dealerships try to push more maintenance stuff than the actually manufacturers because they need to make money. Another question is how have you guys gone about this either with your current car or past cars. Should I just try to do them myself and just pay for the stuff I can't do or pay $225 for everything done at nissan?

to tell u the truth if you can do it all yourself than save yourself that 225. I use to have a friend that worked at a dealership and he said they didnt do half of the things that they tell you they do. Just my opinion

[CT Maxima]

Originally Posted by michaelle8885

So I'm at 24,000 miles on my car, and once I hit 30,000 the dealership wants to try to push me to get the 30,000 maintenance package plan or whatever, I know most of this stuff I can do myself, such as replacing the air filter, but other stuff will need to be professionally done. My question is how important is this stuff really, because I know the dealerships try to push more maintenance stuff than the actually manufacturers because they need to make money. Another question is how have you guys gone about this either with your current car or past cars. Should I just try to do them myself and just pay for the stuff I can't do or pay $225 for everything done at nissan?

If you don't do the maintenance at a dealership, and something goes wrong, YOUR WARRANTY IS VOIDED, KAPUT, DEAD.

So goes the typical threats you hear from dealers. For stuff you can't do, a local mechanic can do it for cheaper than Nissan. Do the rest yourself; save some bucks.

[Mreim769]

I would just get it done through the dealer for warranty purposes. Oil changes and stuff like that I just do myself but that 30,000 milestone is perfect time for stuff to go wrong. They will have it in their record saying everything is ok whereas if you didn't get it done through them they will wonder...

[dale512]

8885...I don't mean to hijack your thread but I'm curious about one part of your maintenance for the 24K miles. Did you use ester oil for oil changes throughout the 24K miles? At the rate you're piling up the miles, oil changes are expensive with ester oil. As readers on this forum know, dealers are asking $120 per ester oil change. Thanks for any insight.

[STARR]

I had the 30k performed on my 06, worked out pretty well cause if I would have done it myself, it would have taken me longer and then I would have had to get rid of all the waste oil, they also replace the air filter, ac filter, wiper blades, stuff adds up fast, for what I paid and all the stuff they did it looks as if I just paid for parts, but it also works out in my favor that if and when I had a problem that needs to be taken care of the service adviser takes me right away.

Looks like it may be a while until I hit 30k with the 09

[LtLeary]

I think it was worth it. I believe the Fuel Service alone was worth it. I can't remember that far back, but I do recall they serviced the fuel injectors and changed out the CVT fluid. Afterwards my MPG went up 10-15%. I should hit 50 next week and am serious thinking of having this done once more to validate my 30K service.

[michaelle8885]

Originally Posted by dale512

8885...I don't mean to hijack your thread but I'm curious about one part of your maintenance for the 24K miles. Did you use ester oil for oil changes throughout the 24K miles? At the rate you're piling up the miles, oil changes are expensive with ester oil. As readers on this forum know, dealers are asking $120 per ester oil change. Thanks for any insight.

No I do not use ester oil, it is recommended but not required. I think it's a waste, although I drive my car daily I don't race or push it hard or anything.

[MONTE 01&97 SE]

Originally Posted by 1sik4dsc

to tell u the truth if you can do it all yourself than save yourself that 225. I use to have a friend that worked at a dealership and he said they didnt do half of the things that they tell you they do. Just my opinion

You are right, I have never done this on my current Nissan's and the 6 I had prior and never had issues regarding warranty work. Most of that stuff is check, check and also if you have your oil changed there they do most of those checks on the 36 etc point checklist part of the oil change that they attach to your receipt.

[Tyrone]

sweet

[G9Max]

just got my 15k service done at the dealer, I supplied my own ester oil and filter, also told them it was not necessary to change the wipers and air filter. I recently swapped to bosch icon wipers and have upgraded the air filter to the "green" drop in air filter.
The dealer quoted me for $200, which I thought wasnt bad, the fuel additive seems to be beneficial, my mileage went up.