I dropped my Dodge Caliber at my dealer this morning for the regular maintenance. My car is 2 - 1/2 y/o. (25,000 miles on the car). I have no problem what so ever with this car.
Before looking at my car the guy tells me I will need these extra:
Break fluid changed $64.95
Steering fluid changed: $89.95
Breaks verified: $42.95
Alignment: $64.95
Is this really all necessary?|||Brake fluid change is not a bad idea because brake fluid is designed to absorb moisture. After a couple cold winters there MAY be some condensation.
Power steering is not something which is indicated at 25,000 miles.
$ 42.95 is an exorbitant amount to check brakes.
Alignment? It may be worth it if you suspected that it was out.
Did you hit a hole or a curb?
Did it pull or vibrate?
Did they ask these questions?
From first blush, it sounds like they are giving you a hose job.
I would compare these suggestions to the factory schedule of maintenance.
You are looking at a $ 300+ bill which should be in the range of $200 for the work performed. Of course that figure is in Ohio dollars and not yours.
To me this looks like scare tactics to get you to do a lot of quick high dollar unnecessary inspections.
The brakes verified should have been done during the alignment if all they did was look.
This invoice really improved the margin for that day.
It was nice for you to offset the cost of some really tough jobs where it is tough to make rate.
As it is they charged you about 4 hours for about 2 hours work.|||You can do all this yourself for probably 3 times less of what they are asking, shop around, ask someone else for advice|||Brake fluid changed=good idea; Steering fluid changed=bad idea-wait until 7 years or 50k miles; brakes checked = ok, but they shouldn%26#039;t charge you anything if it%26#039;s getting other services done, especially the fluid change;Alignment is not a maintenance item unless you are complaining of the car pulling to one side or the other or the tires are wearing badly. You should get a tire rotation though. Not a total ripoff, but no bargain. Skip the alignment and Power Steering juice.|||Brake fluid flush = every 30k miles (nothing wrong with doing it a little early, if only for peace of mind... keep the receipt!!!)
Power steering fluid flush = usually only if dirty or discolored, probably not necessary
Brakes verified = take it elsewhere, should be free, done as a courtesy
Alignment = price is OK for 4-wheel alignment... can%26#039;t say from over the computer whether it%26#039;s %26quot;needed%26quot; or not.
Good luck!
Oh yeah, good tip on the tire rotation!!! Pay no more than about $20 for this.|||If your car run good it can wait!
