Hi everyone, it's just about time for me to get my 30,000 mile service on my 2001 Max SE, and I was wondering what my options are for service.

I've never been fond of the service shop at my dealership, George Harte Nissan in CT, they've did me wrong several times.

For example about a year ago my Service Engine Light was on for several months, they wouldn't check my car on their computer for no charge, so after I paid a local shop $90 to run the diagnostics they said it was the catalytic conv., when I brought it back to my dealer then they had no problem hooking it up to their computer to dispute this (after I dropped $90 for someone else to analyze it). etc..

Anyway, now that my 30K service is coming up, they want $459 +tax, for the service, and I think that is excessive. Also, as my warranty is up in 6 weeks, I have a feeling that they wouldn't be forthcoming about any possible problems that may arise that they would be able to hammer me on once the warranty expires in May.

Any suggestions about what I should expect to pay for this 30K service, and maybe what alternative I should use in place of my 'st'ealership?

 

dont get me wrong, the 30k service is important but its no where near worth spending a couple of hundred dollars on. at 30k, they will perform maintenance on the tranny with either a drain and refill or flushing it and also the same with the cooling system. if you are up to date on your oil changes and tire rotations then just about everything else is just an inspection. they will not change your plugs or fuel filter on our cars because nissan says they are 100k mile parts which is crazy to start with. if you want just what you need then take it in for tranny flush or drain and refill and cooling system flush.

 

Are you a DIY'er at all? Do you have any free time at all?

If so, I can help you do almost everything that the stupid 30K requires you to do.

If you are short on free time or tools, I would scout out another dealer because I share you same concerns. Nissan does not seem to care to much about "help".

 

Hey, Wookie (I like the handle, BTW) I cant help u much with the 30k service thing as my car is right on 21.7k miles but on the 90 buck thing and the dealer's refusal to hook you up on their computer....go visit them again and have them re-quote the service after you tell them that you found a link to the EPA's enforcement division that would love to hear of their refusal to diagnose your car when it was obviously throwing a code unless u paid for it...there are mega, mega fines for that...

Whatta bunch of losers and rip-off artists...

 

Unfortunately I am not a capable DIY'er, at least not when it comes to cars.

 

Dealerships are for warranty items...nothing more. I would find a nice/clean independent shop (one that works on Nissans) and take it to them. All you really need is:

1)Radiator flush
2)Oil change
3)Tire rotation
4)Tranny flush or drain and refill
5)Check belts and hoses
6)Air filter

Thats about it...anything else is extra fluff by the dealer. I do my own maintenance anything else goes to an independent. One thing you could also look into is a mobile mechanic. They're about as expensive as a shop, but they come to your house and do the work in front of you.

 

Most of the stuff is really easy to do and there's no way you should spend that much. There's so many how to's on this site which shows illustrates each step. You can also check http://www.motorvate.ca/ for other things like cleaning your throttle body (which I did for the 1st time yesterday and it only took me 20 mins), etc. You have people like Colonel willing to help you out.

If you take the time to learn these things it will not only save you $459.00 now but also alot more down the road.

Damn Galo....you must baby that thing

 

how do you have such low mileage??
i have 77K on my 00!!!!

 

Guilty as charged.....!

It's my daily driver except I have just a nine-mile commute and it's all back roads, only four traffic lights....

In fact, this coming Saturday I'm driving from Beaverton to Seattle for the Nissan meet up there and believe it or not, that will be the first time in nearly three years the Max has been on a Interstate for more than 20 miles!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

And even more worrysome, I'm wondering if I should go get a bra just for this trip BECAUSE I'M WORRIED ABOUT ROCK CHIPS!!!?? Am I getting **** or what?? Yeah, I know, dont say it, okay?? I hate it when my wife is right....

 

LOL!!!

I drive 60 miles daily to and from work and am at 68K.

Your too funny man

 

yuck!

LOL!!!!!!!!

 

I have a 2001 and am at 58K, my hubby has a 2000 and is at 87K (ouch) but he drives a lot for work.

 

I'd a la carte the 30K service. I'll sort it by what my dealership charges.
LOF - Oil Change 21.95
Tire Rotation/Brake Inspection 19.95
Coolant Flush 44.95
Transmission Flush, not Drain and refill, buy Lucas Transmission additive. THE BEST~! Add yourself.
149.95 + $7.50 for Lucas.
Airfilter you can do yourself and clean Throttle Body
14.21 + Non Chlorinated brake cleaner.
Might as well do your in cabin micro filter $40, which is behind your glove box, maybe have it installed there.
Costs less, get the same items done + better job.

 

I was already over my mileage at 42,000 and reluctantly didnt want to proceed with the service which was extremely expensive.

So...the service advisor suggested that I could break up, and do only certain things. He recommended flushing the transmission and coolant systems. The battery was fine, timing and engine settings werent rough, and the tires get rotated free at NTB. I think this is a good alternative to having to pay $400+ for the full service.

Needless to say, I went ahead and did what he recommended. Also, something rattling in the back of my mind was that I have an extended warranty with CNA automotive and I remember reading that they can deny a claim if proper maintenance had not been performed. I mentioned this, and said it is possible, but not likely. It would only possibly apply to the affected part or system. For instance, if there were problems with the transmission down the road, and I hadnt gotten the transmission flush, ever, they might raise a stink. Same thing goes for not ever changing your oil, and the engine locks up.

Having said all that I recommend doing what the service advisor told me, and what others have said previously.

 

I went to Manchester dealer, CT for my tranny oil change ($100)... i have 30k milen on my car, so today i will go to the Harte Nissan for oil change
I dont like Harte at all...

 

Well, they are all rip off, no matter what Nissan dealer you have it done. Most of the stuff can be done else where cheaper, or even cheaper to do it yourself if you're handy. However the tranny job, I would have it done elsewhere or at Nissan, that's the only thing I would consider worth paying.

 

I'm at 101,347 miles on my 00'

 

88k soon on my 01! and this guy is just coming to his 30k. My car triples his car with miles...Thats crazy

 

Well, theres a couple reasons for that.

I didn't buy my 2001 until May of 2001, just before they started selling the 02 models. And I'm lucky enough to only work about 10 miles from home.

 

Any problems?

 

spend the money else where. "F Nissan" only go there to change you oil if u dont want to do it yourself.

 

That's it for a 30K service?!?

Radiator flush FOR SURE at 30K?

I'm at 29,xxx, Jan '01 purchase and 90% hwy miles, but I'm in the AZ desert, so it's probably due, right?

Also, I'd recommend if you don't run Chevron fuel EXCLUSIVELY, you run one of their fuel system cleaners. It's NOT going to do anything drastic and harmful like some overkill cleaners(which Nissan discourages in the Owners' Manual), since it's just an extra strength dose of the additive Techron that's always in their fuel.

Do it every 15K-30K at a minimum to prevent long-term buildup that's a b!tch to get rid of at 60K+. At least, if you intend to keep your car for awhile, otherwise *** it.

 

C, I'll let Fred know you wrote this. Next time you come in, we'll make sure to take "extra good" care of you.