Brake fluid flush at 42K WTF?

[KO Stradivarius]

I am continually frustrated by my dealer's repeated service recommendations for things that I have already had done. They are one of the biggest dealers in the Phoenix area, and are really pretty good overall.

But for example I had a car with a recall on the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) due to internal corrosion, which mandated replacing the HCU and a fluid change to DOT 4. The recall work was done there. They must've asked me 3-4 times at subsequent service visits to change the brake fluid. Another was for coolant flush and the serpentine belt, which they I had them do and they still keep asking.

In these cases I remind myself of the rule of thumb called "Hanlon's Razor", which famously states: "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity" (or incompetence). I just think their computer system is inadequate. And of course they are always tryin to upsell, so they find any possible suggestion and immediately blurt it out.

Sponsored

 

[pigsareus]

Yeah.... but the real sucker punch is when they go ahead and do it, and then, when you go to pay your bill, they hit you up with all the extras that you never agreed to.... seen that before. Some dealers see them coming and going and figure on getting lucky on those who dont b!tch.

yeah then you tell them thanks for the free service and tell them that if they ever do that again you're going elsewhere and tell them to knock this crap off.

 

[ScottyC]

.....At least the coffee in the waiting room is still free,,,,,

HRG

For now - until they get you to upgrade to the custom grind blend that is only available to those that agree to all our service "suggestions".

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

For now - until they get you to upgrade to the custom grind blend that is only available to those that agree to all our service "suggestions".

Not me man. After nearly 40 years on the road, McDonalds was an upgrade, compared to some of the gas station swill I've drank,,,,,

Hell, I prefer to have breakfast at Wendy's, since the Senior coffee is free.

HRG

 

[ychuck46]

The worst part of the cabin filter issue is the cost. A Motorcraft FP100A is $17.08 @ Rock Auto (+ $6.99 shipping), O'Reilly Auto Parts near me has it for $22.99 (free pickup), the dealer charge is $63.95.

HRG

Just got my most recent one off Amazon for even cheaper than your quotes, and it was pretty high quality. Looks like it is definitely higher quality than the original from Ford. At that price I replace them every year just for fresher air in the cabin.

 

[ychuck46]

Not me man. After nearly 40 years on the road, McDonalds was an upgrade, compared to some of the gas station swill I've drank,,,,,

Hell, I prefer to have breakfast at Wendy's, since the Senior coffee is free.

HRG

McD's Big Breakfast with hotcakes is the best breakfast deal among the fast food chains. And their coffee isn't bad. They had the "99 cent any size/type coffee" deal in the app for some time but that recently went up to $1.29. Still a good price.

 

[Tim d]

Just got the 26C10 Trailer Module recall done, and as expected, the "upsell" continues. I'm at 48K/22 months in-service, they are recommending a new cabin filter (replaced 15K ago), and a brake fluid flush. Mind you, the manual shows the brake fluid at 3 years, no mileage, and when I questioned the need, they claim it should be done every 30K. Also suggested the trans fluid be done at 30K, I told them the trans, PTU & RDU have already been done, and was documented in my FordPass account.

At least the coffee in the waiting room is still free,,,,,

HRG

Interesting. Our 23 was just in to the ford dealer for its 5k oil cange at 45k and they said nothing about a brake fluid flush, RDU or tranny fluid chage. They did guilt me into a cabin filer change at 48 bucks. That wont happen again. Id look for a new dealer.

 

[Tim d]

Same.i have owned a 72 cuda for 34 years and have never changed the brake fluid.

 

[Ecorydr]

yeah then you tell them thanks for the free service and tell them that if they ever do that again you're going elsewhere and tell them to knock this crap off.

Yup. Unfortunately, Its always about the few fish they catch, not the ones that got away.

 

[BillHanna]

When Harley-Davidson went with ABS brakes, they had a problem with them binding up after a few thousand miles. Now they recommend a flush every 2 years using their "special" DOT4 fluid.

 

[Old Young Man]

I see the difference between older vehicles and my maverick when it comes to brake fluid changes. The electrical controls on the brake systems are more touchy now, and fluid contamination is more of a problem. I would hope they actually do a flush and change , not just suck it out the reservoir and replace same. ( although if I was doing it I would do it that way)

 

[pigsareus]

Yup. Unfortunately, Its always about the few fish they catch, not the ones that got away.

yeah what really gets me is the way they treat the ladies - they use the 'fear factor' on them telling them well if we don't do a/b/c that could very well result in some 'big trouble' including the car just conking out without warning on a dark deserted street and, hey, don't you want to avoid being put in that position? Usually they end up...right in the net.

 

[ychuck46]

When Harley-Davidson went with ABS brakes, they had a problem with them binding up after a few thousand miles. Now they recommend a flush every 2 years using their "special" DOT4 fluid.

If people think Ford dealers pricing is outrageous, they haven't seen anything until they go to an H-D dealership. We rode them for 30+ years before hanging them up last year after the wife didn't feel she could handle her Softtail any longer. Miss them but not the costs, even though I did all the routine maintenance myself.

 

[BillHanna]

We rode them for 30+ years before hanging them up last year

Yea, I quit 3 years ago when my balance was not what it used to be. I thought I'd ride till I die, but sometimes you have to realize that there are times to not keep doing something.

 

[Maverick123]

I do a brake fluid change every year, and a caliper flush after every track event

Oh wait, that's another car ...

Sponsored