Dealer 10k service-- I got got, help me understand how badly

[Tim d]

I know precious little about cars, but I'm trying to learn. I have a 2024 Maverick Hybrid with 9200 mi and I wanted to use my experience today as a learning experience if you would be so kind as to weigh in.

Today I went to the dealer for my 10k mile service. Oil change, tire rotation, checks, the usual. When I got there the guy mentioned that part of the 10k service is a Fuel/Air induction service. I was juggling a work meeting at the time and just said "yeah, ok". I didn't say "Um... at 10k miles?" or "I don't see that in the service plan in the app", just "ok". Ok, strike 1.

Then when it came time to square up I was in another meeting (lesson learned, next time I take the morning off) and so when he said it would be $424.01 I had some sticker shock but I paid and left. Strike 2.

When I got home and looked at the invoice I saw:

• A - Oil change, etc - $107.58
• B - Fuel/Air Induction Service - $261.95
• C - Multi point inspection - $0.00

Page 2 showed:

• Labor amount - $178.90
• Parts amount - $190.63
• Misc. charges - $32.20
• Total charges - $22.28
• Please pay - $424.01

I was also told that my brake pad thicknesses were 8, 8, 6, and 6. He said that in a few months I'll likely need to have the brake pads replaced to avoid wear on the rotors.

My questions:

1. Is there any universe where the Fuel/Air induction service was necessary, or was I 100% had?
2. Are those "Misc Charges" BS?
3. That level of brake pad wear on a hybrid with 9200 miles!? Aren't hybrids supposed to go upwards of 60k without brake changes? For reference 3k of those are long highway trips and the rest is primarily in-city highway driving (and my braking is usually between 90 and 100% according to brake coach). Am I being had here too?
4. How outraged should I be about all this?

I think you got taken...unless hybrids are alot different. The 10k service on my 23 ecoboost, at the Ford dealer, was 67 bucks. For an oil change.

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[HeyBales]

I think you got taken...unless hybrids are alot different. The 10k service on my 23 ecoboost, at the Ford dealer, was 67 bucks. For an oil change.

Did they actually inspect all the other things in the service list, and log a work order it was done, for the warranty confirm if needed?

Coolant for one is to have a strength test.
Brake fluid inspected which sounds like a moisture test.
With tire rotation at 10K, easy for brakes to be inspected, but was that commented on, and tire tread depth, ect?

While the free checks many times done with auto in shop for something else, is merely a means to upsell finding things - these checks as part of warranty I could see costing a tad more if done properly.

 

[Tim d]

Did they actually inspect all the other things in the service list, and log a work order it was done, for the warranty confirm if needed?

Coolant for one is to have a strength test.
Brake fluid inspected which sounds like a moisture test.
With tire rotation at 10K, easy for brakes to be inspected, but was that commented on, and tire tread depth, ect?

While the free checks many times done with auto in shop for something else, is merely a means to upsell finding things - these checks as part of warranty I could see costing a tad more if done properly.
[/QQUOTE. Hope i dont come off to boomerish lol. But I dont do tire rotations.the front and rear factory forestone tires on my 16 year old ram look the same at 41,000 miles, as do the factory continentals on my 23 maverick at 32,000 miles. Unless you have a faulty suspension, tire rotations are a waste of money,imo. Brake fluid flush? I have a 54 year old antique Plymouth cuda. The brake fluid was bled ( not flushed) once in those 54 years and the brakes work fine.as far as coolant i typically change that every 10 years or so. Lots if money grabs going on here.

 

[HeyBales]

Hope i dont come off to boomerish lol. But I dont do tire rotations.the front and rear factory forestone tires on my 16 year old ram look the same at 41,000 miles, as do the factory continentals on my 23 maverick at 32,000 miles. Unless you have a faulty suspension, tire rotations are a waste of money,imo. Brake fluid flush? I have a 54 year old antique Plymouth cuda. The brake fluid was bled ( not flushed) once in those 54 years and the brakes work fine.as far as coolant i typically change that every 10 years or so. Lots if money grabs going on here.

Brake fluid inspect. Not flush.
Coolant test - maybe could go longer, may need shorter.
Ya - no one is likely to attempt to return tires for warranty replacement even if it all goes badly.

While they are easy checks, and could be easy money grab attempts - they are also how issues are found earlier than later.
I've only seen 2 posts about failure to do the inspections led to some problem not covered under warranty because the service checks weren't done to discover it before something was damaged.

So you didn't really have a 10k service then for $67 - you had an oil change. Still a good deal compared to others.

Actually this is easier than explaining what I mean, obviously a bunch of stuff anyone could do, just is it logged just in case, especially the items not in these manual lists, but in the linked Service Interval list:

Scheduled Maintenance Service Intervals
For your scheduled maintenance service intervals, visit https://www.ford.com/support/maintenance-schedule.

Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basic maintenance checks and inspections every month or at six-month intervals.

Check Every Month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires, including spare, for wear and proper pressure.
Windshield washer fluid level.

Check Every Six Months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary.
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary.
Parking brake for proper operation.
Seatbelts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and seatbelt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.

Multi-Point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right, it is important to have the systems on your vehicle checked regularly. This can help identify potential issues and prevent major problems. We recommend having the following multi-point inspection performed at every scheduled maintenance interval to help make sure your vehicle keeps running great.

Multi-Point Inspection
Accessory drive belt(s)	Hazard warning system operation
Battery performance (HA!)	Horn operation
Engine air filter	Radiator, cooler, heater and air conditioning hoses
Exhaust system	Suspension components for leaks or damage
Exterior lamps operation	Steering and linkage
Fluid levels 1; fill if necessary	Tires, including spare, for wear and proper pressure 2
For oil and fluid leaks	Windshield for cracks, chips or pits
Half-shaft dust boots (!)	Washer spray and wiper operation

1 Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, automatic transmission and window washer.

 

[Oscarcat]

I know precious little about cars, but I'm trying to learn. I have a 2024 Maverick Hybrid with 9200 mi and I wanted to use my experience today as a learning experience if you would be so kind as to weigh in.

Today I went to the dealer for my 10k mile service. Oil change, tire rotation, checks, the usual. When I got there the guy mentioned that part of the 10k service is a Fuel/Air induction service. I was juggling a work meeting at the time and just said "yeah, ok". I didn't say "Um... at 10k miles?" or "I don't see that in the service plan in the app", just "ok". Ok, strike 1.

Then when it came time to square up I was in another meeting (lesson learned, next time I take the morning off) and so when he said it would be $424.01 I had some sticker shock but I paid and left. Strike 2.

When I got home and looked at the invoice I saw:

• A - Oil change, etc - $107.58
• B - Fuel/Air Induction Service - $261.95
• C - Multi point inspection - $0.00

Page 2 showed:

• Labor amount - $178.90
• Parts amount - $190.63
• Misc. charges - $32.20
• Total charges - $22.28
• Please pay - $424.01

I was also told that my brake pad thicknesses were 8, 8, 6, and 6. He said that in a few months I'll likely need to have the brake pads replaced to avoid wear on the rotors.

My questions:

1. Is there any universe where the Fuel/Air induction service was necessary, or was I 100% had?
2. Are those "Misc Charges" BS?
3. That level of brake pad wear on a hybrid with 9200 miles!? Aren't hybrids supposed to go upwards of 60k without brake changes? For reference 3k of those are long highway trips and the rest is primarily in-city highway driving (and my braking is usually between 90 and 100% according to brake coach). Am I being had here too?
4. How outraged should I be about all this?

Hi Greasy - My experience is here in SoCal. But your experience is not unusual and goes on here. And the reason dealers have a bad name.

From my knowledge, your hybrid 2.5 L engine doesn't need fuel induction service at 10k miles under normal circumstances. What you described sounds like normal circumstances. Maybe in a 2.0 EB but not the hybrid.

I would NOT take any vehicle to a quickie lube place. Check various Ford dealers online websites and look for "Service Specials". Frequently there are oil/filter change specials. Here they cost $69.00. They do this for just what you experienced, to get customers in and upsell them. Frequently they use a synthetic oil blend but that is not the end of the world. At least they are less likely to use a cheapo filter and overtighten things, but that is not a given. Quickie lube places have been sued for ruining engines due to loose drain plugs and oil filters so their techs are told to make 'em tight.

It is common to see a charge, usually identified as such, for hazardous waste disposal of used oil and filter. It appears the dealer tacked on a percentage of the bill as that fee.

Next time, don't try to multi-task. Make time to ask questions. I would not waste any more time on this event, learn from it and move on.

 

[Road Raging]

Well, I just got a $1700 bill for a 30k service. Sticker shock sure, but the worst was that they forgot to re-tighten a tension bar nut to factory specs. (finger tight only). I had to take a 400 mile trip to some property in to the mountains. Front driver wheel was making such a horrible racket that I took it to a Chevy dealer for inspection. He found the problem and only charged me $80 to re-tighten everything on the suspension. Lesson learned, Ford Dealers Service Departments are crooks. Send a nasty letter to Ford, waiting for a response.

 

[North Coast Joe]

I said potentially. Waiting 10,000 miles to change the break-in oil on a truck has ruined engines let alone potentially building up gunk & sludge. Don’t be a “10,000 Mile Recommend” sheeple. Talk about misinformation sheesh!

 

[North Coast Joe]

I ask every time, 'Do I need that?! Most of the times I get. Well, we recommend it. THAT means NO I DON"T need it.
And if Ford says it can go 10K on oil IT CAN!

 

[DryHeat]

Waiting 10,000 miles for the first oil change could potentially gunk up your port injectors - so consider the fuel injection cleaning a preventative measure.

How does waiting to change the oil until 10,000 miles (the factory recommendation) gunk up the port injectors? What is the mechanism that causes that to happen?

I ask because I don't really see the connection between a delayed oil change and gunk in the fuel system. Particularly when you are dealing with port injection into the intake manifold and not direct injection into the combustion chamber. These systems seem really separate to me in the absence of a structural failure.

(I'm not trying to get into an argument over this. I sincerely want to understand how this works.)

 

[Chops]

How does waiting to change the oil until 10,000 miles (the factory recommendation) gunk up the port injectors? What is the mechanism that causes that to happen?

I ask because I don't really see the connection between a delayed oil change and gunk in the fuel system. Particularly when you are dealing with port injection into the intake manifold and not direct injection into the combustion chamber. These systems seem really separate to me in the absence of a structural failure.

(I'm not trying to get into an argument over this. I sincerely want to understand how this works.)

An argument would be a total waste of time for both of us

The OP’s engine is doing ok. No harm done. Spending $250 more than necessary could have been a lot worse. It is a happy ending actually.

 

[Tim d]

Well, I just got a $1700 bill for a 30k service. Sticker shock sure, but the worst was that they forgot to re-tighten a tension bar nut to factory specs. (finger tight only). I had to take a 400 mile trip to some property in to the mountains. Front driver wheel was making such a horrible racket that I took it to a Chevy dealer for inspection. He found the problem and only charged me $80 to re-tighten everything on the suspension. Lesson learned, Ford Dealers Service Departments are crooks. Send a nasty letter to Ford, waiting for a response.

Strange, our Ford dealer said nothing about a 30k service when we had our oil changed at 30k.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

An argument would be a total waste of time for both of us

The OP’s engine is doing ok. No harm done. Spending $250 more than necessary could have been a lot worse. It is a happy ending actually.

You know it's funny.

 

[yeahiguessman]

Jesus, my 10k service was $140 total and my 20k service was $150 total. That’s insane.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Jesus, my 10k service was $140 total. That’s insane. My 20k service was $150 total.

Did you take the time to go over the numbers with the service writer before work started?

 

[yeahiguessman]

Did you take the time to go over the numbers with the service writer before work started?

I called around to a few locations in my area as the mileage markers approached and asked for estimates and just made sure the work aligned with what is recommended by Ford and nothing extra. I could just put some work in and do it myself, but I don’t really want to spend my free time doing it. For me, it’s worth the $150. I’ve had good experiences with the dealer who has done my first two. Definitely got some crazy quotes from others though.

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