subject: How Do I Know If A Dealership Is Ripping Me Off For Regular Maintenance On My Vehicle? [print this page] If you are driving a vehicle that is less than 4 years old, you will most likely bring your vehicle to your original selling dealer for its regular maintenance. Many customers don't bother reading or studying the maintenance schedule and booklet before bringing the vehicle to the dealership. The manufacture suggested service intervals as well as factory specified maintenance will include items such as regular oil change, brake service occasionally, and maybe the flush of transmission and coolant fluids once in a while. This is done usually once every 48000 km or every 4 oil changes, these types of maintenance is considered to be major items and the cost should be in the range of $300 - $400. If your vehicle comes with free regular maintenance, you wouldn't need to worry about any service expense that is within your service parameter. But all the dealers love to have you to repair the brake system, these suggested services will include replacement of brake pads, machine the brake rotors or servicing the front and rear brakes.
Changing your brakes is something dealers love to do, not only these jobs are easy to perform but they are expensive. It is difficult for an inexperienced driver to argue with the dealer if the brake system is safe or not to operate the vehicle. Many people simply take the dealer's suggestion and replace the brake components at triple or quadruple the cost compare to a private mechanic. Things to keep in mind before you replace your brakes are: a) How many km you have on your vehicle, if your car has less than 40,000 km and the dealership is suggesting to replace the brakes you should be suspicious and ask to see the vehicle in the shop right away. b) Does your brake pad squeak when you apply pressure on your brakes? c) Does your vehicle vibrate or shake when you are braking. The point I am trying to make here is that the brake pads today are well designed with plenty of warning signs to tell you when you need replacement. Also don't let the brake surface rust fool you, any exposed brake rotors over time will form rust this even happens on brand new cars.
If you are certain your brake pads and rotors need replacement, you can get that job done at fraction of the cost at your local small repair shop. Since changing the brake pads and rotors on most cars will not require any manufacture specific tools or computer equipment, you can have this job done literally anywhere in the city. So the next time your dealer asks you to replace your brake pads or flush brake fluid, simply ask them to show you the worn out parts and the job can wait for few more days take it to a smaller job to get the repair done.
