My 10K checkup and oil change

[unicycle]

I took my smartie in for its 10,000-mile checkup and oil change today (actually, 9500 miles, but there ya go). My dealership (41st St and 11th Ave, NYC) charged $225.72 for this work:
1. 10,000-mile/1-year checkup: $170.02
2. Oil filter: $12.60
3. Washer concentrate: $1.99
4. Seal ring: $2.70
5. 3 qts 5W-40 Mobil1 oil: $20.97

They topped off all fluids, reset the gauges, checked the tires, yadda x 3.

They also checked and fixed my headlights, which were blinding oncoming cars, tho they did NOT fix the flicker in my brights -- I may have to do that one myself. And when I got into the car later today, sho'nuff the door wouldn't close till I did the inside-handle trick.

I forgot to ask the state of the oil, but I will call to check -- it's possible that I may wait till 25,000 miles before I return for another oil change since I drive so conservatively.

I wonder what YOU paid for your annual/10-K checkup/oil change. And did you have a good experience? I did. I love my dealership.

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by unicycle

I took my smartie in for its 10,000-mile checkup and oil change today (actually, 9500 miles, but there ya go). My dealership (41st St and 11th Ave, NYC) charged $225.72 for this work:
1. 10,000-mile/1-year checkup: $170.02
2. Oil filter: $12.60
3. Washer concentrate: $1.99
4. Seal ring: $2.70
5. 3 qts 5W-40 Mobil1 oil: $20.97

They topped off all fluids, reset the gauges, checked the tires, yadda x 3.

They also checked and fixed my headlights, which were blinding oncoming cars, tho they did NOT fix the flicker in my brights -- I may have to do that one myself. And when I got into the car later today, sho'nuff the door wouldn't close till I did the inside-handle trick.

I forgot to ask the state of the oil, but I will call to check -- it's possible that I may wait till 25,000 miles before I return for another oil change since I drive so conservatively.

I wonder what YOU paid for your annual/10-K checkup/oil change. And did you have a good experience? I did. I love my dealership.

Good grief!!! did they include a bottle of lube?

[unicycle]

Yes, actually, I think they did. I beleive that goes uner the 'ASERV,' meaning the 1st service for the car. They lubed the latches, etc.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by unicycle

... it's possible that I may wait till 25,000 miles (ed. ??!!) before I return for another oil change since I drive so conservatively. ...

How do you define "conservatively?"

[deaconpark]

Unicycle
I thought that I might have to sell my firstborn to pay for my 10K checkup but was pleasantly surprised when I called my dealer and they said it would be $165.92. I don't know if that included the shave and haircut or anything else, but I feel better. I guess if you look at how most other cars require 3-3500 mile interval maintenance, that price is not too bad. IMO
Russ

[unicycle]

Originally Posted by Old smart

How do you define "conservatively?"

I never push the accel pedal more than a few inches down. I rarely exceed 70 mph and usually average 55 (believe it or not). I drive like the average hypermiler, if that helps. I use the car less harshly than the grandma who only takes her car to church on Sundays....

[unicycle]

Originally Posted by deaconpark

I guess if you look at how most other cars require 3-3500 mile interval maintenance, that price is not too bad. IMO

My thoughts exactly. In my old car, I'd have to change the oil 3-4 times more often and would have needed more frequent maintenance. It's still more with the smart, but not unreasonably so. Also, it should be cheaper at 20,000 than at 10,000; I think the next checkup is really just an oil change, filter change, and fluid update. It would be about $50, based on today's bill.

[amad1972]

Looking in the owner's manual at what is called for, it looks like it would be really easy to do all that stuff myself. The oil filter and drain plug is one of the easiest I've ever seen to get to.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by unicycle

I never push the accel pedal more than a few inches down. I rarely exceed 70 mph and usually average 55 (believe it or not). I drive like the average hypermiler, if that helps. I use the car less harshly than the grandma who only takes her car to church on Sundays....

That doesn't have much to do with oil management, and certainly no reason to exceed the mfg's optimistic recommendation. If Grandma drives in IDEAL conditions (frequent extended distances involving enough time to evaporate the inevitable condensation in the engine sump, and in a dust and pollen-free environment, and avoids high engine stresses) then OK, maybe 1 yr/10K miles will do. If it takes Grandma two years to do 10K, even in ideal conditions, that won't do - go for the year at the most. If Grammy is making a lot of short trips wherein the engine does not come to operating temperarture long enough to evaporate the condensation, no matter how conseratively, that is considered severe service, and the oil change interval should be about halved (maybe 5K/6 months) or nearly so.

[nemo1]

I have the same dealership. Thanks for the heads-up. Now I know what to expect (I'm at 3000 miles now). I couldn't resist and already changed my oil and filter at 2000 miles. I used Mobil 1 0-40 and mobil 1 M108 filter. It was easy to do. They only charged you for 3 qts but everyone says it takes 3.5 qts. I guess they gave you a break ;). I'm going to look at what else I can do myself. Smart Life is good