Its time for my 30K maintenance. They want to do the full gamut of things.
Check adjust emergency brake (hmmm methinks its fine)
Drain/replace tranny fliud (AT), once again shifts fine....never replaced it on my BMW and it had 150K when I sold it.
Plugs (its only 30K miles???)
Clean adjust Throttle body......(once again working fine).

Then the things that make sense are oil/filter, rotate tires/air filter.
BUT if I do all theses myself undocumented would it void my warranty (I have a 50K mile warranty). I dont feel like ponying up $300 if I dont need to. I switched to synthetic anyway and dont want to flip flop.

Anyone know if I tell em to shove it will it void my warranty in any way??

 

Check the manual that came with your box.

I'm looking at the scheduled maintenance log for 30k service:

-Replace engine oil and oil filter (duh)
-rotate tires
-replace engine air filter
-replace spark plugs
-inspect the following:
Ball Joints & dust covers; brakes, drive shaft boots; coolant; exhaust pipes and mountings; front differential oil, fuel lines connections, full tank bands, fule tank vapor vent hoses; fule tank cap gasket; radiator core and condensor; steering gear box; steering linkage and boots; transmission fluid/oil

Note, it says to inspect, not neccesarily replace/fix. Check the tranny fluid yourself. It should be an almost pink/red hue. If it's closer to a rust or brown, then you'd better get it changed. Your auto-tranny is one of the most complicated things mankind has ever built. The fluid that runs in it is like the oil in your engine.

As far as the synthetic oil goes, replace on that timetable, not a natural's schedule.

 

Do the things the manual says you need to do and do them yourself . . . and DOCUMENT them! Keep receipts for the supplies you buy and write all the details of what you did and when -- mileage and dates -- you did them. Now you've covered any warranty requirements. Like this little red button says when I press it: "That was easy!"

 

If you're not comfortable doing it yourself (or don't have the space or equipment) do NOT get it done at the dealer$hip... find a local independent mechanic that you like and take it there! For our Subaru, the dealerships were quoting $600 for our 30k, and like the xB it was just mainly inspections and a few fluids. I did the air filter and oil myself, and it only cost $200 for everything else with our mechanic.

 

That is absolutely correct. You don't have to let the dealer do it, but you do need to be able to show that somebody did it. That means keeping receipts for the oil and such.

The other thing to consider is that the manual usually requires a lot less work than the dealer "suggestions". The dealer is going to suggest more work to be done that is required by the warranty. That doesn't mean the dealer is ripping you off, but it does mean you have some decisions to make. Personally, I like a bit of extra maintenance for a car I'm going to keep long term, but you may not feel the same way. The only things you MUST do are those things listed in the maintenance guide that came with the car.

 

100% correct.

My dealer tried to pull that $300 service crap, but half of the stuff they do is not required maintenance. They caved when I showed them the owners manual and did only what's required for $59.99

-THE DON

 

Thanks for the replies. I figured it wouldnt void the warranty. And yes I have the space, knowhow, and def the tools to do all that, etc. My main concern was the warranty issue. Thanks cliffy1 for the "keeping reciepts/document thing"!! I will def do that and keep it safe in case there is a warranty issue.

 

the 30k "service" is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest scams of all stealerships out there, this is with every car make. People pay HUNDREDS of dollars for what is pretty much an oil change, fill-up on the bug juice, and an "inspection" of everything else.

they might as well put a knife up to your neck and take your money the easy way. its a legal robbery

 

I'm not cliffy1, but I'll chime in here with a hearty "You're welcome!" 'cause I believe I'm the one who first suggested the "keeping reciepts/document thing" as you put it . . . .

-Don (seeking credit where it's due ;^)

 

I did all of it myself.. I would change the plugs and go to platinum or irridium

 

Can not performing scheduled maintenance effect a warranty claim down the road? Certainly. Does this mean a dealership has to do it? No.

As was said above, have it performed by the person of your choosing....BUT HAVE IT DOCUMENTED!

 

I'm not for it. Spend and ordatious amount of time and just do them all yourself. Shopping for fluids, hand tools and proper installation references.

 

i'm approaching 30k fast so thanks for info

 

my car is also aproaching the 30K mark
its currently at 28K

i do my own maintenance like oil changes
and tire rotation
i hate takin my car to the dealer unless i have no other choice

so the service is mostly just an inspection and sum fluids???
i dont want to pay $300 for that!!!!

 

only go with iridium plugs, they are the best you can get. if you get platinum, they are a step down from iridium and might cause problems...also on your engine head it tells you to only replace them with iridium...they aren't cheap, but they are required. also, don't try to gap them, you'll break the tip off, they come pre-gapped (but maybe check it to be certain)

as for the 30k service, don't forget to check your brake pads and rotors and also the brake fluid. if you drive 5 speed, your fluid will probably be lower than an auto, because you use the brake fluid for your hydraulic clutch, just fill it up with some fresh fluid and don't get any water in the container (ie: don't do it in the rain)

i figure i will change my oil, use synthetic (why do we still use dino oil anyways? it breaks down too easily)
check my brakes and fluid, maybe check the power steering fluid also
id like to change my tranny fluid to redline mt90, i had a few grinds in the begining of getting my car (i'm waiting for a DIY walkthru of this first though)
change my plugs
change my air filter
rotate tires (should be doing it about every 7k anyways)
maybe i'll add a little seafoam to the gas tank to clean the fuel injectors
i'll check the coolant also, but i'm sure it will still be pink
most of all, don't forget to add enough washer fluid...your car won't run without it and it voids you warranty if you run out, beware! ha

 

I noticed my fuel mileage dropped at around 30K. I just replace my spark plugs (which manual says to at 30K), and it picked back up. I replace with the irridiums.

I replaced the gear lube in my xB manual trans myself. If you'd like some tips, let me know. It's very easy...bout like changing your engine oil. I perform all maintenance myself.

Clay
www.lubedealer.com/lubetexas
change your mind...not your oil

 

Since i'll be doing my soon..I was thinking of swapping out my spark plugs to NGK Iridium...I want to know should I change my Wires too or leave it alone..if I have to change it..what would you guys recommend that will work best with the Iridium Plugs

 

I would not worry about wires at this time. They usually last longer that plugs. I will probably do mine at 100K. Plus, the "coils" are attached to the wires, so I'm sure they'll be costly. Just my opinion.

I also used the NGK...they are good plugs, plus they are the one's that are called for in the manual.

Clay
www.lubedealer.com/lubetexas
change your mind...not your oil

 

Unless you have a strong preference for NGK, consider the Denso iridiums - finer electrodes, slighter better material, works with wider gap.

 

Well I am at 35K now and all is well. Did the full workup and have all the receipts neatly stored in the toolbox.....course it doesnt really matter cause in a week or so the warranty will run out.....but I do have the good ol extended warranty to 50K. Thanks again for all the replies to reassure me I was doing the right thing.