Preventive Maintenance Questions
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 17
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Preventive Maintenance Questions
My 2013 Vette coupe with a manual transmission is my first Vette. I bought it new and it has 32K miles. I just picked it up from the dealer following a new battery installation. I was told I needed throttle body service ($139.95) despite having the same service done nine months and 6K miles ago, brake system flush ($136.95), and fuel filter ($186.88). I couldn't find any mention of the recommended intervals for these or other services in the owner's manual. Every time I take my car in for service, using one of three different dealers, I come away feeling like my pocket was just picked. The car is garaged every night, is driven carefully with a mix of city and highway miles, and is usually filled up with Top Tier premium fuel.
Any thoughts on what services are needed and when??
Any thoughts on what services are needed and when??
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 1,672
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
Ouch. Glad I avoid dealers.
Getting close to the 5-year coolant drain and fill interval.
If you can do basic stuff.. TB service is removing air intake duct and cleaning with spray solvent. Easy to remove the entire TB unit to clean and wipe.
Don't know of a replaceable fuel filter...maybe '13s do. My 07 has an in-tank screen that doesn't get replaced.
Getting close to the 5-year coolant drain and fill interval.
If you can do basic stuff.. TB service is removing air intake duct and cleaning with spray solvent. Easy to remove the entire TB unit to clean and wipe.
Don't know of a replaceable fuel filter...maybe '13s do. My 07 has an in-tank screen that doesn't get replaced.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,143
Likes: 1,962
From: Morris County New Jersey
To the OP, do yourself a favor and just ignore the requests for service every time you go to the dealer. A lot of those service managers get paid on commission and try to sell you overpriced service to fill there own pockets. After many years I have finally found a decent dealership to service my daily driver Ram pickups. They change my oil every 2 months and never try to sell me any of those bonus services. I worked at a dealership for 1 day many years ago. No exaggeration, I walked out on my second day because I was just appalled by all the scams and stories and bragging about all the people they ripped off or took advantage of.
Last edited by TorchRedFred; Aug 25, 2017 at 04:32 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: West coast CA
What is the name of the dealership?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 192
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From: Lillington NC
you can test your brake/clutch fluid once in a while with a $20 moisture tester off amazon; water is not good for brake fluid so I usually flush mine once every couple years, $20max, unless I do track time then it's more frequent. the other stuff is 
if it runs fine, you're fine
if it runs fine, you're fine
Last edited by TonyFaub; Aug 25, 2017 at 10:59 PM.
Melting Slicks
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From: the island of misfit toys
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Sloatsburg NY
Oldtimer
How dirty does the brake fluid look?
Like Tony said water is your enemy here.
The next thing on their list will be to change the DexCool after 5 years. Leave it if it's still nice and pink looking.
Fuel filter?----That would involve dropping both tanks, labor alone would be in the $1200 - $1500 range. Add a 20 ounce bottle of Techron at your next fill up and don't worry about it.
Like Tony said water is your enemy here.
The next thing on their list will be to change the DexCool after 5 years. Leave it if it's still nice and pink looking.
Fuel filter?----That would involve dropping both tanks, labor alone would be in the $1200 - $1500 range. Add a 20 ounce bottle of Techron at your next fill up and don't worry about it.
Last edited by Sonny71; Aug 26, 2017 at 09:55 AM. Reason: addition
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,509
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From: Sausalito CA
Wow...new fuel filter for under $200.
That would be a deal...maybe an $1800 discount.
Find a new dealer or service advisor or an independent garage.
I'll comment IMO a brake fluid flush every two years is good preventative maintenance.
Good luck.
That would be a deal...maybe an $1800 discount.
Find a new dealer or service advisor or an independent garage.
I'll comment IMO a brake fluid flush every two years is good preventative maintenance.
Good luck.
Last edited by Kenny94945; Aug 26, 2017 at 10:30 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
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YUP.....now you know why they give you free oil changes. It's so they can get you in there and give you that famous 300 PT. inspection and tell you what you need to have done. I swear you could probably turn around right after driving a brand new car off the lot and drive it into the service dept. and they would tell you you need something that will cost about $200-+....
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Snake oil. Especially the last one. The fuel filter is integral to the in-tank fuel pump assembly and is good for the life of the pump. Actually replacing it would cost ten times that amount in parts and labor. They are attempting to defraud you.
What is the name of the dealership?
What is the name of the dealership?
There is no way they can replace a fuel filter, besides giving it to you in the box to take home as a souvenir, for $187. Unless you are using #2 diesel in your tank I can't imagine needing another throttle body service, or maybe they need to positively demonstrate why you need this one, and the first one, too. About the only thing I can agree with is the brake fluid replacement (approx. every 2-3 years).
So, Who Is This Dealer? (so some can avoid it like the plague)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Colorado
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Beware when they say "Based on age and mileage, you need to . . . " That's a sure sign they're trying to hook you. I have a 2010 F-150 truck I bought new. Every time I take it in for service, I'm told my battery failed a test, and I need a new battery. They have been telling me that for 5 years, and I still have the original battery. I had the transmission serviced at 60,000 miles. Six months later they tell me my fluid is dirty and the transmission needs to be serviced. I looked at the guy and said, OK, but first refund me what I paid you six months ago when I had it serviced. The guy blushed and changed the subject.
Last edited by Rky Mtn C6; Aug 26, 2017 at 06:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Texarkana Texas
Just curious, but why in the world would you take your car to a dealership for a battery? 3 minutes to take out, 3 minutes to put in, done. My grandmother can do it, and she's 92. There are things I would take my car to a dealer to have done, and there are things you just do yourself. I would also request to see the old fuel filter. I bet they can't find it. Wonder what they charge to change air in the tires. Air gets stale, so you replace it every other year...$129.95.
Last edited by LMB-Z; Aug 27, 2017 at 04:22 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
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From: Sugarhill Ga
sounds like a rubber stamp
some techs have a rubber stamp, they recommend the same things on every car without lifting the hood 
not really a dealer thing, happens at tire stores also, "everything needs shocks" 
not really a dealer thing, happens at tire stores also, "everything needs shocks"
Safety Car
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: St.Louis MO
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Just follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. All dealers want you to spend more and will recommend items. The 3000 miles oil change is a perfect example, why change until the % oil life is very low?
If you think Corvette dealers are bad for this, try any Lexus dealer. They like to add all kinds of stuff, then they may put " Declined recommended XXXXX service" on the invoice. When that happens, I write " Not a Factory recommended service" on the invoice.
If you think Corvette dealers are bad for this, try any Lexus dealer. They like to add all kinds of stuff, then they may put " Declined recommended XXXXX service" on the invoice. When that happens, I write " Not a Factory recommended service" on the invoice.
