My 04 MCS is two and a half years old and has 10,000 miles. The car has never been back to the dealer because I have had no problems. I do my own maintenance. I'm wondering if I should go for service at least once before the 3 yr period is up. I can't help but think all they can do to the car is screw it up! Any thoughts?...Mike

 

Any thoughts? Since you ask...I think you're a bit paranoid to think all they can do is screw it up. If there is something that should be repaired/ replaced and it is covered under warranty then I think you're foolish for not taking advantage of it. If you're concerned they'll try and do something you either don't want them to do or isn't necessary then just make sure to tell them not to do anything without consulting you first. Then if they do something before asking you won't be liable for paying it.

Just a suggestion, but leave the paranoia at home till you have concrete evidence to suggest otherwise. Not everyone is out to screw you. Luck.

 

Thanks for the reply. My point is there's nothing wrong with the car.

 

That's a tough one, I agree that there is often a high chance of dealer service messing something up.

Well, for the first step maybe call them with your VIN and check to see if there are any recalls or issues you should know about. You can then decide if you want them addressed, since, if there are recalls they will do them without asking you when you bring it in.

 

If it is just for service, then go for it. Have you had the brakes and radiator flushed? Dealership is great for these messy jobs.

 

True, at 2 years the brakes are due to be flushed and I think they should cover it if the warranty is still in effect. Check the manual for anything else time and/or mileage based that should be done and be sure that they will cover it before assuming they will not charge you; the coolant flush is a good one, but I don't think it is covered.

 

Brakes are supposed to be flushed two years after manufacture date according to my manual (I have a 2004 also). Antifreeze is four years.

I had the dealer flush my brakes and it was covered under the service agreement so it was free. Only thing I found was the service writer said that they normally did this two years after delivery, not two years from manufacture.

 

Well I can understand your concern, however there's a few things to keep in mind...

First if there are any TSBs that apply to your car and in 2 and a half years there's probably been a few, the dealer will know about them and will apply them. In theory you should have been notified of any recalls but it is entirely possible that you weren't. Those recalls will also be taken care of for you.

The cheap part of me is also jumping up and down here... The "free" maintenance isn't all that free, the cost of it was built in to the price of the car. You're looking at money that you paid for services that you didn't receive. Most people tend to get very upset when they pay for services that they don't receive, I know I do...

 

Just so you know, TSBs will not automatically be applied to a car, only recalls (and past bumper to bumper warranty they will not do TSBs free). A service bulletin will only be done when a customer makes a complaint that matches what is described on the TSB - even then it may or may not be done, and that is assuming they are even aware of it or look it up correctly. Ask me how I know I'm lucky that I have been able to find them in the past and brought them with me - I've had to fight to have TSBs done.

 

By not going, you threw money away because the oil change, once a year, would be free.

As others pointed out, your brakes should have been already been bled.

I would go ... besides, your first maintenaince should be do about now and that is free. Isn't your countdown near zero about now?

 

If you complain about having "dirty" coolant, they will also do a radiator flush. Had mine done the last time in.