Maintenance question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
I agree that I probably take more care and make sure everything is done right, but lately I've been letting the dealership do all my fluid changes - the car is under warranty and want no question that it has been fully maintained.
Even though self changing oil or other fluids doesn't (shouldn't) affect your engine/differential/transmission warranty, too many stories of having to prove when and what fluids were used if a problem arises. Documenting purchase and the actual changing of the oil and filter is just not worth the effort to me.
I do my own brakes - saves a lot of money and don't really have to worry about warranty. Plus, I know that I can do a better brake job than most shops.
Carnac
Even though self changing oil or other fluids doesn't (shouldn't) affect your engine/differential/transmission warranty, too many stories of having to prove when and what fluids were used if a problem arises. Documenting purchase and the actual changing of the oil and filter is just not worth the effort to me.
I do my own brakes - saves a lot of money and don't really have to worry about warranty. Plus, I know that I can do a better brake job than most shops.
Carnac
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 939
From: Bonney Lake Washington
envious
Unfortunately I have the mechanical skills of a blind, thumb less, anthropoid; I once got a VW Bug to run backwards and I installed a pre hung screen door upside down...….it only adds to my admiration of those who can move about a tool box and navigate it successfully and how hard I looked to find a mechanic I trust (thanks Mark at Titus-Will in Olympia, WA)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
I've been changing my own oil and filter for many years. I do have a free 500 mile oil change coming up that the dealer will do. On my C6, I changed my own oil and filter, the diff fluid, the coolant and replaced all the end links. I did take it to a dealer to have the oil pan gasket replaced...that is a major job!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 250
I do my own oil changes, brake fluid change at 3 years, and would do brakes and rotors no issue (I used to heavily track my Porsches and honestly once you have a Motive Power Bleeder, brake service is easy, peasy). I do it mostly because I hate sitting around waiting for the dealer or a shop to do it, in my neighborhood the city does curb side hazardous material pick up (i.e., they come get coolant, brake fluid, engine oil etc...) so disposal is super convenient, and invariably when I let someone else do it, too often I end up with greasy paw prints on my interior, that I then have to clean up. And you've never seen me post "and the shop overfilled my Z51 oil".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Three oil changes by dealer made me nervous, but free trumped worry. Picked dealer and tech carefully with no issues, but DIY from now on. Have done M7 fluid (DIY) and differential (dealer) so far. Other routine maintenance probably DIY from here on out.
Do you have the #0105 kit? I'm about two years out from doing this but need to plan ahead and like "easy peasy." Did the pedal-pump method with a helper on my truck with no issues, but that's a PITA.
Anyone use Speed Bleeders?
Do you have the #0105 kit? I'm about two years out from doing this but need to plan ahead and like "easy peasy." Did the pedal-pump method with a helper on my truck with no issues, but that's a PITA.
Anyone use Speed Bleeders?
Last edited by iclick; Jul 13, 2019 at 03:29 PM.
