Do You Get Your Vehicles Serviced at Dealerships?

[2Jeeps&PatriotX1]

Warranty work = yes
Oil changes, tire rotations, etc. = I do it myself, even new vehicles

Even though the wife received 2 free oil changes per year with her jeep, after the 1st experience of them dumping the oil cartridge in the engine bay covering the skid plate and then just coming out with a hose to rinse the oil off, I do them myself now.

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[jaruss01]

We live in the tri state area and put limited miles on our cars (3-7k/yr each) and lease like almost everyone else. Given ease of public transpo to NYC. The Bronco I am buying long term. Frankly it may be the only car I purchase in my lifetime. Unlike my other leased cars which just get basic oil and tire rotation independently once a year (given our mileage and they are all leases) I plan on strictly using dealerships to service the Bronco for many years and strictly go by the book. One of the great things is that it’s a Ford. Even stealership costs shouldn’t be so bad. We were on the fence about buying, not leasing, a Defender. But the maintenance costs scared me. I have no issues paying dealer service charges if it’s thru Ford. I want this to last as long as possible. This is the type of car that could get demoted to the weekender car in the future (rather than being replaced) so I could see it staying in the family for as long as it’s willing to last.

 

[Gman90]

I’m a mehanic at a dealer ? I’m doing it myself for free but writing it up to provide records. Not sure where I fit in the poll

 

[Rogues Gambit]

Im planning on getting jacks and tools

Meantime, unless its oil changes, gonna do indy shops and the body shop next door, more because it'll hardly remain stock

 

[Toccoa]

Independent shops can show up in your vehicle history as well. It’s not a dealership thing.

 

[Troy13]

Dealership so I can keep a record of what's needed/what's been done. I've started doing small maintenance myself and have enjoyed doing more and more.

 

[Bronc-O]

I do the easy things like air filter, wiper blades, cabin air filter and let my dealer do the rest which is mostly oil changes and tire rotation. I trade fairly often and haven't had anything break in a long time. Next vehicle could be a long time keeper, so things could change.

 

[Jchetty]

Dealerships are usually priced more than an indy shop. For most parts I want genuine oem. Most Indy shops don’t use genuine oem parts unless the local parts store doesn’t carry it and the shop has no choice.

That is a big, but not only, part of it. Sure I will opt for a Stant radiator cap, Koyo radiator, or some Denso spark plugs over OEM. But it is an OEM brand or better. Indy guys save a lot on your bill by using a non-oem part.

Not to say the repair can’t be as good- but that has a huge affect on price. For bigs jobs like steering racks, tie rods, ball joints, alternators, water pumps/timing belts-know the brand of parts that is being put on. Moogs ball joints or Gates water pump- no big deal.

Most ppl won’t put a no name battery in their car. But they have no idea what ball joints, tie rods, or water pump they have installed.

I am lucky enough to have the skills, garage, and other resources to perform complex, arduous repairs. For those that don’t, build a relationship with a local Indy. Use the internet,find one with good reviews and let them handle the small repairs. That way you know they won’t screw you on the big repairs.

For the ppl that take it to just any person- things are gonna get interesting if the bash plates have to come off. Stripped bolts, missing bolts, and damaged threads will occur. Please choose your tech carefully. Not the shop....but the actual tech working on your vehicle. Toss them a tip and build a relationship. Tip doesn’t have to be money.

 

[AleYeah]

I'm not real handy. Bulb replacements and bolt-on mods I handle myself. For pretty much anything else I take it to the dealer.

 

[Brokennose]

Seeing as this is a brand new vehicle, I'll be having all service performed at the dealership simply for record purposes.

I see warranties voided all the time due to no maintenance records on file. I'll not be providing Ford an escape angle should I actually need the warranty.

 

[Bison]

Dealers have the most incompetent mechanics around. There are very few that are good and your lucky if your car makes it to that guy. I worked in a lot of dealerships and found those good mechanics and had them work on my vehicles on the side. Now they are retired and I have no mechanic. I am out of luck as I don’t work around the industry anymore. It may also be the service managers fault as I have seen a few of those Guys doing shady stuff as well. It’s really sad they could do a lot of business if they just put customers first and take care of them. Small town where I come from still has reputable dealerships and reputable people.

 

[elmystico]

Dealers have the most incompetent mechanics around. There are very few that are good and your lucky if your car makes it to that guy. I worked in a lot of dealerships and found those good mechanics and had them work on my vehicles on the side. Now they are retired and I have no mechanic. I am out of luck as I don’t work around the industry anymore. It may also be the service managers fault as I have seen a few of those Guys doing shady stuff as well. It’s really sad they could do a lot of business if they just put customers first and take care of them. Small town where I come from still has reputable dealerships and reputable people.

Agreed. I got reeeeeally lucky at my Toyota dealer in Seattle. They had a service tech who was a Toyota truck geek and my service rep was really good friends with him. My rep would always give the older trucks, like my 1990 pickup, to this guy when they needed non-maintenance work. He really knew his sh!t. Worth his weight in platinum.

 

[Java9]

When the vehicle is under warranty, I have the dealership do everything. The day after the warranty ends - I pick my battles but attempt to do everything myself. Things I'm not comfortable with, I'll usually find a local shop before going to a dealership just because of the price mark ups.

Though cars are getting fancier so my shade tree days may be numbered outside of my 93 Bronco.

 

[TheRealJyushi]

Simple stuff like replacing filters, sync updates and whatnot I do myself. Anything more mechanically involved I have my dealership work on. Either way, employee discounts really help out!

 

[Bronco4lyfe85]

Warranty work = yes
Oil changes, tire rotations, etc. = I do it myself, even new vehicles

Even though the wife received 2 free oil changes per year with her jeep, after the 1st experience of them dumping the oil cartridge in the engine bay covering the skid plate and then just coming out with a hose to rinse the oil off, I do them myself now.

Sounds like my experience at Prestige Dodge.

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