Dealer Recommended Services
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Dealer Recommended Services
2006 Convertible, 26k miles, garaged, owned since new, faithfully dealer serviced. This car is not a daily driver, the miles are mostly highway including a coast to coast trip. Anyway, this week I dropped the car off at the dealer for PA state inspection, oil & filters. This was the first visit back to the dealer off the 3/36k warranty. As soon as I got down the street, the phone rang from the service desk recommending Brake, Coolant and Fuel Injection cleaner flushes. Now, I am all for regular maintenance but are other owners following these "recommended services" to the law? Do you really think this is necessary at this point? Occasional "spirited driving" maybe but I don't drag race or autocross the car. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
2006 Convertible, 26k miles, garaged, owned since new, faithfully dealer serviced. This car is not a daily driver, the miles are mostly highway including a coast to coast trip. Anyway, this week I dropped the car off at the dealer for PA state inspection, oil & filters. This was the first visit back to the dealer off the 3/36k warranty. As soon as I got down the street, the phone rang from the service desk recommending Brake, Coolant and Fuel Injection cleaner flushes. Now, I am all for regular maintenance but are other owners following these "recommended services" to the law? Do you really think this is necessary at this point? Occasional "spirited driving" maybe but I don't drag race or autocross the car. Thanks.
Maybe at 5 years or 50K miles. Especially without racing the car.
But I tend to leave well enough alone, and try to avoid all those little accidents that can happen with service.
Including dirt, busted rocker panels, scratches and seat tears.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,822
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The coolant doesn't need to be changed until you have 5 years on the car or 150K miles. I never bother with fuel injection cleaners. If you have never flushed the brake fluid that should be done. Brake fluid should be flushed every 2 years. Was at the track on Monday and a novice student with a Mustang lost his brakes. The car was 8 years old and the brake fluid had never been changed so he boiled the fluid with a little hard use.
Bill
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I agree with Bill on changing out the brake fluid. I would make sure they change it out with DOT 4. That would include the clutch system fluid too if you have a manual. I would also want to make sure the brake pads had life lift in them as well. The other flushes are not needed in my opinion. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
if it's an '06, it may have been built in '05 which means the car is reaching the 5 year or whatever miles for coolant change. the brake fluid is good to change at least once every two years.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,822
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I agree with Bill on changing out the brake fluid. I would make sure they change it out with DOT 4. That would include the clutch system fluid too if you have a manual. I would also want to make sure the brake pads had life lift in them as well. The other flushes are not needed in my opinion.
The problem with flushing the clutch fluid is the labor charge may get pretty high when the dealer does it. They are going to follow the SM which prescribes dropping the exhaust and the tunnel plate to get to the bleeder. I owned two C5s for six years each and never touched the clutch fluid and never had a clutch problem in many laps around a track. Been running my 08 hard since August and no clutch issues with it either.
Bill
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