Is it mandatory for a leased Nissan to be maintain by its original dealership?

*wcasskicker* · 10-15-2008, 05:40 AM

My mother-in-law took her Altima to Richmond Automall Nissan today for our free lifetime oil change done. The service guy said you are due for 24,000maintenance which will cost $156 + tax. Of course my mother rejected, and told the guy she'll come back next time to do it, then the service guy said "your lease vehicle must be maintined here, please book an appointment with us next time."

My mother-in-law has her own auto mechanic, do we really need the stealership to maintain our leased vehicle ?

*JSMax* · 10-18-2008, 03:52 PM

I don't think so... but if it's listed in the contract that she signed she'll need to get it done there.
Some times these service managers try "funny stuff" to drum up business.

Drdla · 10-23-2008, 11:22 AM

I doubt it... as long as she follows the maintenance schedule and keeps accurate records of the services done to the car everything should be fine...

tbaGd_jEw · 10-23-2008, 02:13 PM

No, unless specified in the contract. However, I would go to a reputable place though.

maxximaa · 10-24-2008, 04:36 PM

i'm in Canada, not sure how it works down south.

from what i know....we are allowed to go to any service shop we prefer because we need the invoice of the work saying we service the car according to the service manual.

i dont think we have the contract saying we gotta go to the stealership to get it done....at least in my province.

sorry that doesnt help, does it?

*wcasskicker* · 10-25-2008, 02:33 AM

Thanks for the reply guys. I did check her contract, it didn't mention about maintenance has to be done at dealership so i guess she's safe. I'll let her know to get records from her mechanic in case stealership request proof in the future.

*JSMax* · 10-25-2008, 09:42 AM

It a good idea to keep the maintenance records in case something comes up that is covered under warranty anyway. Some dealerships might try to weasel out of warranty work if they think that you caused the damage by not maintaining the vechile properly.
Cover your a55 properly. noone else is going to do it for you.

96blkonblkse · 10-25-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcasskicker

My mother-in-law took her Altima to Richmond Automall Nissan today for our free lifetime oil change done. The service guy said you are due for 24,000maintenance which will cost $156 + tax. Of course my mother rejected, and told the guy she'll come back next time to do it, then the service guy said "your lease vehicle must be maintined here, please book an appointment with us next time."

My mother-in-law has her own auto mechanic, do we really need the stealership to maintain our leased vehicle ?

I work at Pan Pacific Surrey, Pan Pacific Richmond sister store (Formerly Richmond nissan).

Anyways. No you do not have to get it serviced at the dealership that it was purchased at, meaning, if you dont want the 24K done there, you can take it to Jonker in Langley, Morrey in coquitlem or burnaby, Regency in North Van, or my dealer in Surrey.

Basically, you dont "have" to get the recommended services done, its up to you

BUT, if you have any problems, for example, engine troubles or check engine light, the dealer/nissan can refuse the warrenty claim strictly based on the fact you didnt keep the car "maintained" Whether or not, you took it to your mechanic, he is not "Nissan Canada Warrenty Approved". Neither is Mr.Lube.

To sum this up, if you value your warrenty, take it to the dealer, and just pay for the services. In a normal 4 year lease, the only costly services is the 24, 48 and 84k. The rest of them are oil changes and tire rotations.

156$ for a 24K is about the normal, thats a little cheaper then most places i believe.

Be careful when reading the fine print on lease agreements, its possible some dealerships, will require you to do all services in order to maintain the lease agreement, i know for a fact our dealership doesnt, because a lot of people dont do the recommended services.

I didnt tell you this, but if shes experiencing sqweaky brakes and she is driving an 07 + altima, she might be eligible for new calipers/pads in the front/rear. Next time you bring it in, complain about the brakes making noise.

maxximaa · 10-27-2008, 08:51 PM

man i thought this was in the US section....lol

SunMax · 11-06-2008, 11:03 AM

Just curious, how did she get the free lifetime oil change?

96blkonblkse · 12-02-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunMax

Just curious, how did she get the free lifetime oil change?

Generally when you buy a new vehicle..they will try offer you a "VIP OIL CHANGE package" basically what it is, is 4 free oil changes per year for the length of time YOU own the vehicle. Usually its about 349.95. I know thats what we charge for it.

I swear we loose money on it, most people keep there cars for 3-4 years (average length of a lease), normal oil change costs 30$ + Tax, lets just say 30$, so per year its 120$, in 3 years thats already 360$, in 4 years 480$. We make like zero money on oil changes though.

The reason why dealerships offer this, is to get the customer to come back to the dealership and not Mr lube (Not warrenty approved FWIW). If we can get the customer back, treat them well, there is more likely hood that they will do the recommended maintenence.

Oh and for those wondering, mr lube, and any of those oil changes places are NOT warrenty approved, unless a "nissan" filter is used. despite the fact that many other filters are superior in quality due to nissans "good" filter being made in china.

If the dealer wants to be a ****, they see a fram, napa whatever on there they can decline your warrenty work.