Car repairs & maintenance: Avoid overcharges
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Don't be swayed by services offered beyond the list in the owner's manual.
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Illustration by Bob Eckstein
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These days, new car models seem to come right out of a “Star Wars” movie. Computers may control or monitor dozens of systems,
including the brakes, the engine, and sometimes even the tire pressure.
But that doesn't mean that every foray into the shop for maintenance or repairs has to cost you an astronomical sum. The secret
to saving money is knowing what the owner's manual says needs checking, when to use a dealer, and when to consider an independent
mechanic.
checkups: cutting costs
You don't need a dealer. For maintenance, there's no reason you must rely on a dealership, which might charge more than an independent shop. It rarely
takes a lot of special equipment and know-how to change the oil or flush a cooling system. Federal law gives you the right
to service your vehicle wherever you like without affecting your warranty.
Specify needed services. Use your owner's manual to determine which services need to be performed at specific mileage intervals. Then tell the shop
those services you want performed. Don't be swayed by the extras that a shop might want to throw in, padding the bill. Avoid
using terms such as “tune-up.” You'll only invite a quote for an expensive package.
Blindly following a dealer's recommendations can be a big mistake. That's what Linda Minucci of West Islip, N.Y., discovered
when a Nissan dealer advised her to change the timing belt as part of the 60,000-mile service on her 2000 Pathfinder. Minucci
balked at spending the $429 after noticing that the owner's manual recommended replacing the belt at 105,000 miles.
“Am I supposed to listen to them or am I supposed to listen to my service manual?” she asked, noting that many people probably
don't think to check the manual. The dealer told Minucci that her manual is incorrect. Nissan told us the manual is accurate.
Shop around. You might think that prices for maintenance don't vary much, especially among dealers. You'd be wrong. When we called seven
Nissan dealers in Minucci's area, we were quoted prices for 60,000-mile service from $269 to $1,078. Most dealers went well
beyond the recommendations in the owner's manual. A few added services Nissan advises against, such as putting additives in
the fuel and oil.
When we called the dealers back with the list of the manufacturer's recommended services, the quotes dropped as much as $521.
We had a tougher time getting quotes from the five independent shops we sampled. Most asked us to drop off the vehicle for
an inspection and estimate. One shop charged $384, among the least expensive quotes. Only one offered its own list of items,
including a $100 transmission-fluid service that was not in the owner's manual.
Repairs: Where to go
Under warranty. Go to a dealer if your car is covered by the original warranty and you want the manufacturer to pay for the fix. Use a dealer,
too, if your car has been recalled or is the subject of a “service campaign” in which the automaker offers to correct a defect.
You don't have to use the dealer that sold you the car. If you have an extended warranty, you'll need to check the terms to
see who must perform covered repairs.
For everything else. A reputable independent shop should be able to handle most other repairs. Shops that specialize in your vehicle's brand are
more likely to have the proper training and equipment. A good technician will let you know when a problem warrants a trip
to the dealer or a specialty shop.
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