Performing Maintenance while under extended warrenty

[tom_tucker]

I'm at 3.2yr/48k on 5yr/60k premium maintenance plan with a 8yr/125k premium care extended warranty. When the 60k plan expires, I don't want to pay for dealer maintenance even though I'm pretty happy with it so far. However, my PMP didn't cover the 3 yr brake fluid flush and they tried to sell me the BG Trans flush and both coolant changes. I just paid for the brake flush and declined the rest but they did replace pads and rotors under the plan. Thinking it could be $1000 Dealer bills after my 60k expires.

I need to show I'm upholding my end of the Extended warranty until 8yr/125k. So after 60k, do I buy the parts and fluids at the Dealer and DIY it and/or find an independent mobile mechanic? I don't have cheaper independent shops close by, but I could travel I suppose. I also have to choose an interval for the eCVT fluid and both high and low temp coolant. I'm thinking 60-75k intervals, right between normal and severe.

Sponsored

 

[Ryom]

Follow the maintenance schedule.

Pads for the hybrid after 3 years? That seems quite soon. The rotors are possible if they were very rusty from not braking hard enough to clean them, but then that would make the pad change even more questionable. You didn't pay for them so that's fine, but still seems odd. What were the reasons stated and the quoted measurements of the pads?

Trans fluid INSPECTION isn't due until 10,000 miles and CHANGE DUE at 150,000 miles. Engine coolant change due at 10yr/200,000 miles. There are tools for measuring contamination of fluids such as a coolant hygrometer, if they claim that they need replaced early I'd ask to see the report showing that it's necessary or how they came to that conclusion.

 

[Tim d]

I'm at 3.2yr/48k on 5yr/60k premium maintenance plan with a 8yr/125k premium care extended warranty. When the 60k plan expires, I don't want to pay for dealer maintenance even though I'm pretty happy with it so far. However, my PMP didn't cover the 3 yr brake fluid flush and they tried to sell me the BG Trans flush and both coolant changes. I just paid for the brake flush and declined the rest but they did replace pads and rotors under the plan. Thinking it could be $1000 Dealer bills after my 60k expires.

I need to show I'm upholding my end of the Extended warranty until 8yr/125k. So after 60k, do I buy the parts and fluids at the Dealer and DIY it and/or find an independent mobile mechanic? I don't have cheaper independent shops close by, but I could travel I suppose. I also have to choose an interval for the eCVT fluid and both high and low temp coolant. I'm thinking 60-75k intervals, right between normal and severe.

Brake fluid flush? Is this a new vehicle thing? I have a antique that hasnt had this done in 35 years and the brakes are fine. I also have 2 other vehicles that are 16 years old and never had the brake fluid flushed. And trans fluid flush is recommended at 100,000 miles.

 

[ListedGuru]

I'm at 3.2yr/48k on 5yr/60k premium maintenance plan with a 8yr/125k premium care extended warranty. When the 60k plan expires, I don't want to pay for dealer maintenance even though I'm pretty happy with it so far. However, my PMP didn't cover the 3 yr brake fluid flush and they tried to sell me the BG Trans flush and both coolant changes. I just paid for the brake flush and declined the rest but they did replace pads and rotors under the plan. Thinking it could be $1000 Dealer bills after my 60k expires.

I need to show I'm upholding my end of the Extended warranty until 8yr/125k. So after 60k, do I buy the parts and fluids at the Dealer and DIY it and/or find an independent mobile mechanic? I don't have cheaper independent shops close by, but I could travel I suppose. I also have to choose an interval for the eCVT fluid and both high and low temp coolant. I'm thinking 60-75k intervals, right between normal and severe.

Curious what price the dealer charged for the brake fluid flush?

 

[okgaz]

I'm at 3.2yr/48k on 5yr/60k premium maintenance plan with a 8yr/125k premium care extended warranty. When the 60k plan expires, I don't want to pay for dealer maintenance even though I'm pretty happy with it so far. However, my PMP didn't cover the 3 yr brake fluid flush and they tried to sell me the BG Trans flush and both coolant changes. I just paid for the brake flush and declined the rest but they did replace pads and rotors under the plan. Thinking it could be $1000 Dealer bills after my 60k expires.

I need to show I'm upholding my end of the Extended warranty until 8yr/125k. So after 60k, do I buy the parts and fluids at the Dealer and DIY it and/or find an independent mobile mechanic? I don't have cheaper independent shops close by, but I could travel I suppose. I also have to choose an interval for the eCVT fluid and both high and low temp coolant. I'm thinking 60-75k intervals, right between normal and severe.

Sounds like you’re doing a bit much. Look at the maintenance schedule.

For your actual question though - no one can tell you that you can’t work on your own truck. Warranty included. It’s a law. Otherwise, dealers would be complete assholes and independent shops would suffer.

The only tiny risk is that they link a part to an issue and deny coverage. I guess in some world, they could argue that non-manufacturer parts could cause damage that isn’t covered.

But this would be incredibly unlikely and hard to prove. Doubt they’d even ask where work was done. If you really worry about it, just spend the extra few bucks on the OME stuff.

 

[nbmav]

Brake fluid flush? Is this a new vehicle thing? I have a antique that hasnt had this done in 35 years and the brakes are fine. I also have 2 other vehicles that are 16 years old and never had the brake fluid flushed. And trans fluid flush is recommended at 100,000 miles.

Hardly, been around way longer than you've had your vehicles. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and over time this can rot your brake lines and get all sorts of crap in the system. Definitely not one of those "lifetime" fluids.

 

[icegradner]

Brake fluid flush? Is this a new vehicle thing? I have a antique that hasnt had this done in 35 years and the brakes are fine. I also have 2 other vehicles that are 16 years old and never had the brake fluid flushed. And trans fluid flush is recommended at 100,000 miles.

Brake fluid should be changed ever 3-4 years, it absorbs moisture from the air. It can rust the brake lines, and cause your brakes to not function, since water has a lower boiling point than brake fluid.

 

[tom_tucker]

Sounds like you’re doing a bit much. Look at the maintenance schedule.

For your actual question though - no one can tell you that you can’t work on your own truck. Warranty included. It’s a law. Otherwise, dealers would be complete assholes and independent shops would suffer.

The only tiny risk is that they link a part to an issue and deny coverage. I guess in some world, they could argue that non-manufacturer parts could cause damage that isn’t covered.

But this would be incredibly unlikely and hard to prove. Doubt they’d even ask where work was done. If you really worry about it, just spend the extra few bucks on the OME stuff.

All I've done so far in 48k is oil changes, engine air filter and a $325 brake fluid flush at 3 years- "Do not exceed the interval", states the manual.

I said no when they wanted to change the coolant(s) and ATF for about a million dollars.

 

[tom_tucker]

Curious what price the dealer charged for the brake fluid flush?

$322 for the brake flush, including parts, labor and shop fees in a high cost area.

 

[okgaz]

All I've done so far in 48k is oil changes, engine air filter and a $325 brake fluid flush at 3 years- "Do not exceed the interval", states the manual.

I said no when they wanted to change the coolant(s) and ATF for about a million dollars.

Understood.

So yeah - you can go to a local mechanic no problem. Again, if you are a bit worried about it - ask them to use OME parts. But I doubt that is really even something to worry about.

I have a 110K warranty. Currently at 40K.

Other than the first two completed at dealer, I get all my oil changes done at a local guy. Got tyres there too. Put a new, AGM battery in using another local mechanic. This is where I will get brakes done.

Will likely price out the other stuff and make a decision with a lean to the dealer as long as they are within distance of price. That said, won't hesitate to use the local guy for this stuff if the dealer is wildly expensive.

It won't impact my warranty and the same goes for you.

 

[icegradner]

$322 for the brake flush, including parts, labor and shop fees in a high cost area.

Wow, I paid $130 Cdn to do mine, but I didn't do it at a dealership since you don't need to. I also live in a very expensive region, for reference.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Just keep your receipts!

 

[Tim d]

Hardly, been around way longer than you've had your vehicles. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and over time this can rot your brake lines and get all sorts of crap in the system. Definitely not one of those "lifetime" fluids.

Well it hasn't happened in 35 years, so there's that....

 

[Tim d]

Brake fluid should be changed ever 3-4 years, it absorbs moisture from the air. It can rust the brake lines, and cause your brakes to not function, since water has a lower boiling point than brake fluid.

Well it hasn't happened in 35 years, so there's that....

 

[icegradner]

Well it hasn't happened in 35 years, so there's that....

You can do what you want, doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Sponsored