JUDE

iTrader: (7)

My car is due for its 60k mile service. I don't have the time/patience or knowhow to do it myself but also don't want to spend between 300-400 for the service.
I can clean the intake myself and do maintenance on the battery and take the car to the dealer for a tune up, Radiator flush, oil change and fuel filter change and balance & rotate. That adds up to maybe $200 which is not bad. The problem with that is that they won't inspect all of the hoses, joints and other stuff that they need to inspect. Are all these inspections worth the extra 100-200 or should I stick to my plan?

sbslacker

iTrader: (1)

If you stick to your plan, you'll end up paying close to what you wanted to avoid paying in the first place. Servicing the battery and intake are minor items and won't knock down the price much if at all. All of the following you can do yourself easily in one afternoon with the right tools...

Change the following:
Oil, oil filter
Fuel filter
Spark plugs
Air filter

Check and replace if necessary the following:
pcv valve
both belts for cracking and wear
rotate tires
hoses (check for wear)
brake pads and fluid if necessary

You can have the dealer do the radiator and tranny fluid flush. That will run you about $150. All that lubing of the hinges, checking this and that is just an excuse for them to jack up the price. Don't become a victim of the stealer.