I was wondering if the 30,000 mile service provided by the Nissan dealer is really necessary or worth it. The service center guy told me it would cost around $350. Can I get it done from some other shop? I have not been to any other shop and this guy at the dealership has been pretty helpful to me in the past (gone out of the way and given discounts and stuff). Your inputs are welcome.

 

Did he give u sheet detailing what gets done? For the most part it seems like a fairly basic tuneup minus the spark plugs:

Change fuel filter, air filter, oil & filter,tranny fluid drain, rotate & balance tires, check charging system, inspect all belts & hoses/brakes

My car felt so much stronger after I had mine done, but all in all like any service work for a car you're basically paying for the labor. A friend of mine is a Nissan service tech so mine was done for free. If you were looking to do it yourself the hardest part is getting to the fuel filter. If you're not comfortable with doing, and you trust your service tech I'd have them do it.

It's definitely worthwile having it done

 

The only 2 major things for 30K are air filter and tranny fluid change. Everything else is just normal maintenance. 350 for that service is way out of line. Read your owners manual, it clearly tells you what needs to be "Inspected" and what needs to be changed.

Your tire rotation and oil change intervals can be seperate from the 30K schedule.

Most everything is DIY except for the tranny service, unless you change your own oil, that job gets messey. If you familiar with changing your oil and have the oil catch pan, then a change and refill of your tranny is easy as well.

 

The service IS necessary. $350 is way out of line though. Sounds like they might be trying to recoup all those discounts they gave you earlier, but they're probably just your typical rip-off dealer. I'd DIY if you can, or find a decent independent mechanic. You shouldn't have to pay 1/2 that, even including labor.

 

I dont have spare $350 to donate to the dealers, so I do these stuff myself, except the tranny flush and the belts.

This post is not supposed to be sarcastic or negative. If you can really afford it, I see no problem going to the dealer. I enjoy MODDING my maxima, I dont really enjoy doing maint. stuff.
And the complete tranny flush is only like $75-$100 bucks. I think it's definitely worth it. Flush and fill method is too cumbersome for me.

 

At my 30k service, it was about that much and those people are just morons. I was reading over what they had charged me for and i was like, uh what is this automatic transmission fluid and check. She was like, whats the problem. "I have a manual transmission." OH, well, i guess they just forgot to put that down, that happens sometimes. Right. Last time I ever considered the dealership for anything.


Jonathan Marsh

 

Not unless your name is Donald Trump.

C'mon now, my 60k service was $390, and that included 6 plugs which go for what, $9 each (don't ask me why). Dealers are taking lots of liberties these days, like a Bosch engine flush etc. Yes, on the one hand it's their livelihood so caveat emptor applies.

I think pretty much every service is unnecessary except air filter and oil changes. it's not like the car's gonna turn into a pumpkin if you skip the service. The dealer wants to service your car every 7.5k, just say no way Jose.