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#1
03-29-2007, 12:37 PM
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Question about Car - 30,000 mile maintenance
My car is getting it's 30,000 maintenance checkup at the dealer where I bought it. They just called me recommending I replace the transmission fluid, which they say is dirty. They recommend a "total fluid exchange" which is $190. They recommend something similar for the brake fluid, $119. I like my dealer, and have trusted them so far, but this just struck me as sounding a little absurd. Then again, I don't know much about cars.
How standard does this sound to you? Advice appreciated. 
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#2
03-29-2007, 12:39 PM
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Re: Question about Car - 30,000 mile maintenance
I don't know squat about cars, but I'm gonna put it at 90% that it's BS. I'd say "Thanks for the suggestion. Please do the work I approved earlier only please."
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#5
03-29-2007, 12:50 PM
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Re: Question about Car - 30,000 mile maintenance
If it's a manual transmission, they are really screwing you (manuals don't have tranny fluid).
If it's an automatic, I doubt it's necessary. You're not in a dry, dusty climate and with most highway miles, the car isn't shifting gears as much as with city driving. I can't imagine you would need the brake fluid changed yet. If you can afford the work and you plan on keeping that car for a long time, it can't hurt. If money is tight and/or it's a lease, I wouldn't bother. I'm not a mechanic though...
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#6
03-29-2007, 12:53 PM
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Re: Question about Car - 30,000 mile maintenance
Mine's an automatic. I'm reading an article now that says it's normal to do the transmission fluid at 30,000, but says that brake fluid normally shouldn't need to be done unless your factory manual calls for it.
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#7
03-29-2007, 01:04 PM
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Re: Question about Car - 30,000 mile maintenance
[ QUOTE ]
If it's a manual transmission, they are really screwing you (manuals don't have tranny fluid). [/ QUOTE ] Yes they do, most use the same hypoid oil that a differential uses. Some transmissions will use a closed system without oil exchange, if it's a front wheel drive the transmission and differential are linked and they'll use the same oil. But this is an automatic. Personally I wouldn't mind changing the automatic transmission fluid but I'd never have a dealer do something this stupid. Changing brake fluid is retarded. Keep in mind dealers make their money by a roughly 100% markup on services any car place will provide. They do a "checkup" on the car and although they do a very thorough inspection and will find problems a shop likely wouldn't, they also are very likely to find "problems" that cost you a lot and don't make much difference as to how long the car will last. ie, doing a $2500 axle swap on an 80k mile vehicle that will need a new clutch and transmission in another 30k miles or little stuff like this.
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#8
03-29-2007, 12:51 PM
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Re: Question about Car - 30,000 mile maintenance
Pulled this off a Canadian Mazda dealer website:
This is the 48,000 Km maintenance schedule. I think your dealer is trying to screw you. Schedule 3 Replace engine oil Replace oil filter Inspect function of all lights Inspect brake and clutch fluid, power steering fluid, washer fluid and coolant level Inspect tire inflation and tire wear Lubricate all locks and hinges Inspect disc brakes (front and rear) and lubricate caliper slide pins/rails Inspect A/C operation Inspect cooling system, pressure test cap and system for leaks Inspect fuel lines and hoses Inspect brake lines, hoses and connections Inspect steering operation and linkage Inspect suspension components front and rear including ball joints and driveshafts Inspect driveshaft dust boots Schedule 4 Replace engine oil Replace oil filter Inspect function of all lights Inspect brake and clutch fluid, power steering fluid, washer fluid and coolant level Inspect tire inflation and tire wear Lubricate all locks and hinges Inspect disc brakes (front and rear) and lubricate caliper slide pins/rails Inspect A/C operation Inspect cooling system, pressure test cap and system for leaks Inspect fuel lines and hoses Inspect brake lines, hoses and connections Inspect steering operation and linkage Inspect suspension components front and rear including ball joints and driveshafts Inspect driveshaft dust boots Inspect emission hoses and tubes Additional operations Every 56,000 km: Inspect drive belts tension Every 56,000 km: Replace air cleaner element Every 60 months / 72,000 km: Inspect exhaust system and heat shields 48 months / 96,000 km then every 24 months thereafter: Replace engine coolant Every 120,000 km: Inspect valve clearance audibly, adjust if noisy
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#9
03-29-2007, 01:41 PM
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Re: Question about Car - 30,000 mile maintenance
[ QUOTE ]
Pulled this off a Canadian Mazda dealer website: This is the 48,000 Km maintenance schedule. I think your dealer is trying to screw you. Schedule 3 Replace engine oil Replace oil filter Inspect function of all lights Inspect brake and clutch fluid, power steering fluid, washer fluid and coolant level Inspect tire inflation and tire wear Lubricate all locks and hinges Inspect disc brakes (front and rear) and lubricate caliper slide pins/rails Inspect A/C operation Inspect cooling system, pressure test cap and system for leaks Inspect fuel lines and hoses Inspect brake lines, hoses and connections Inspect steering operation and linkage Inspect suspension components front and rear including ball joints and driveshafts Inspect driveshaft dust boots Schedule 4 Replace engine oil Replace oil filter Inspect function of all lights Inspect brake and clutch fluid, power steering fluid, washer fluid and coolant level Inspect tire inflation and tire wear Lubricate all locks and hinges Inspect disc brakes (front and rear) and lubricate caliper slide pins/rails Inspect A/C operation Inspect cooling system, pressure test cap and system for leaks Inspect fuel lines and hoses Inspect brake lines, hoses and connections Inspect steering operation and linkage Inspect suspension components front and rear including ball joints and driveshafts Inspect driveshaft dust boots Inspect emission hoses and tubes Additional operations Every 56,000 km: Inspect drive belts tension Every 56,000 km: Replace air cleaner element Every 60 months / 72,000 km: Inspect exhaust system and heat shields 48 months / 96,000 km then every 24 months thereafter: Replace engine coolant Every 120,000 km: Inspect valve clearance audibly, adjust if noisy [/ QUOTE ] Thanks I was able to find a manual online that had similarly different schedules - the non North American schedule suggests replacing the brake fluid, but the North American schedule "1" that would seem most applicable to me doesn't even list it. Schedule 2 has it listed for inspecting the level. I wound up telling the dealer to go ahead with the transmission fluid exchange but to skip the brake fluid.
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