Oil Change and 10K costs.

[jefferios]

I was talking to our lead tech at Smart Center Bloomington (Minnesota) and from what I understand they are charging $90 for an oil change and $198 for the 10K service. So be ready to have $300 from each service (every 10K) So it seems like we are stuck paying it or, do we really need service?

Are people here going to go in for the 10K service intervals or take their smart elsewhere to get service?

[SmartDigger]

I will do it myself

[SuperGeek]

I was under the impression that any car's annual service costs in the 200-400 neighborhood because they check/change filters, fluids, etc.

The local Jiffy Lube charges $60 for an oil change with Mobil 1 in the Explorer. An exra 30 bucks at the dealer isn't that bad. $200 for annual whatever-they're-doing is probably pretty reasonable. Depends what they're doing, though... did the tech say what's involved?

[Turbo42]

i did my oil myself the other day and the oil and filter cost me $38 so i will definatly be doing my own service

[mdfortwoguy]

I'll be doing my own... I don't like my vehicles being touched by anyone else.

Warranty work is the only exception - and then it gets watched like a hawk. I worked in a dealer service department for 4 years during college... I know what can go on there.

[aslusers]

at 1000 miles we paid our indianapolis dealership $87 to change our oil. It is a lot, but we arent handy with cars.

Holly

[WickedMessenger]

At the 10,000 mi service they change the oil and filter and change the charcoal cabin filter. All other items are checks of things you should be checking anyway, such as fluid levels, tire pressure, horn, lights, windshield wiper condition, etc. They also supposedly check "tightness" of hoses and look for damage to the underside of the vehicle. Since most of those "tightness" issues will also manifest in leaks or performance problems you will already be aware of such problems if you have them, so this is a load of crap. This vehicle is probably the easiest car in history to change the oil and filter, I will be opting to do it myself. $38 or $300. That extra $260 can buy a lot of gas.

[Old smart]

Due to short trip, urban driving, I will be into a 6-month (ignoring mileage) oil change routine which I will handle myself. With my usage I may not hit 10,000 for a year and a half, and will be well into the 6-month regimen. I forsee only one "warranty-protecting" dealer service before the 24 months are up.

I will plan on presenting my oil and filter receipts when it goes in for service and request that they leave the oil alone. I can as easily change the charcoal filter myself at 12 months; that has little to do with "severe service," short trip driving. It makes sense to change it annually at the end of the heavy Spring pollen season here. I'll make sure that that receipt is presented too. Maybe even keep date stamped digitals of the procedures.

[Flashman]

The 'other' thing that taking it to your dealer every 10K or so will assist with, is it will give them an opportunity to check if any recalls or service bulletins have been issued against the car.

[Old smart]

I would certainly hope that if a recall or service/safety bulletin is issued they would notify me right away and not allow me to wait until a service check which may be many months off.

There are other things further along at 20K/30K/etc. that should either be dealer-done or by an independant (if M-B/smart ever busts loose with the tech info).

To me, the smart maintenance schedule is too perfunctory and one-size-fits-all.