MN GLR 15000km service advice

[Tritonchad]

hi everyone,
i have a 2011 MN GLR and its 15000km service is almost due. i would just like to get some advice on the the servicing and how i can get the cheapest possible price.
my car came with the capped price servicing and from memory i think that my first service is capped at $250.00
my car runs very well and economy is great. continuosly getting 750km to a tank before the refill light goes on.

a few things i would like to know;
*are there any hidden costs that i would not normally be aware of?
* could i ask the dealer not do the wheel alighnment so i can get it done at a place i have always gone to? (Bridgestone Tyre Centre in Box Hill)
*Am i allowed to use my own oil? i do believe i can but not 100% sure.
*what are some things that i can get at a better price elsewhere? ie; tyres rotated at a bridgestone tyre centre.

i appreciate any advice you can give me.
thanks in advance

[Cowboy Dave]

*are there any hidden costs that i would not normally be aware of?

Shouldn't be. The items in the service are specified in advance and should be covered.

* could i ask the dealer not do the wheel alignment so i can get it done at a place i have always gone to? (Bridgestone Tyre Centre in Box Hill)

Wheel alignment isn't part of the 15k service (or any book service for that matter) so you'd have to pay extra to have them do it - so no problem telling them you'll get your own.

*Am i allowed to use my own oil? i do believe i can but not 100% sure.

Yes of course, it is your vehicle after all, just make sure you supply oil that meets the manufacturer's specifications. We have a whole thread all about oil... I doubt the dealer will reduce the price of the service by the cost of the oil they were going to supply but it can't hurt to ask.

*what are some things that i can get at a better price elsewhere? ie; tyres rotated at a bridgestone tyre centre.

Tyre rotation isn't in the service as far as I can recall either. You don't get much for your $250, which is why it's so cheap in the first place. Oil change, filters a few quick checks on bits and pieces and maybe hook it up to the computer to check on updates for the ECU. I can't honestly see the point of going anywhere else when you have the capped price and it's still fairly low.

Also have a look at this thread which is all about the 15,000 service http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=4592

I might move these posts over to that thread later.

[Lee-thal]

CD And Tritonchad,

A tyre rotation IS part of any service since 2010 when they changed the service guidelines,

U could definately supply your own oil, Dealer shoudl reduce cost accordingly,

Cheers Lee

[sm60089]

"A tyre rotation IS part of any service since 2010 when they changed the service guidelines"

That is interesting. Last service mine had they tried to charge me $35 for a rotation (Which I thought was a little pricey seeing as how they had to check the brakes anyway...)

[Cowboy Dave]

Ah bugger, sorry about that. Pretty sure they've never done that on my 09 model. Sounds like it will be in the price then.

[Lee-thal]

Yeah any model prior to 09 it is not included in the standard labour time, so prob wouldnt get done,

I would prefer to balance mine on a rotate though so u always pay extra for that,

[Cowboy Dave]

I rotate mine every time I get home from a trip and take the muddies back off. Also get an alignment after every trip just in case. Makes it much more regular than 15k service intervals My dealer outsources the alignments and stuff to the tyre shop anyway so I go straight to the source.

[Lee-thal]

Best way to go CD, You really want it done by someone that knows what they are doing,
My tyre guy has been doing tyres and ALignments for 10 years so i know he gets it right!! That i i check his work from time to time.

[Cowboy Dave]

Yep totally agree. Tyres and brakes are two things I am super careful about.

[theblueweapon]

Call the dealer and demand a good price...Worked for me for a 15K service....wanted 560 but negotiated two something from memory.

[Joe]

Call the dealer and demand a good price...Worked for me for a 15K service....wanted 560 but negotiated two something from memory.

He's on capped price servicing for $250. Pretty hard to beat that.

[odie602r]

I too am looking for advice re the 15k service. MN currently done 13700kms. Holiday period potential KMs are estimated to be about 1600-1700 KMs.

Would you recommend:
1. Get it done now (1300kms before due)
2. Get it done after the Hols (when at about 15400 ish KMs.

I'm leaning towards 2.

Car is generally running fine, oil and filter changed at 7500. If anything not right it seems to have increased its fuel consumption and be giving a puff of smoke on take off that it didn't used to (cleaned MAF sensor in weekend just in case it was that - but didn't stop the smoke puff)

And yes tuff troop you'll be getting honours of servicing it!

[Cowboy Dave]

I nearly always go with a service before a trip (and an alignment again afterwards). Having said that your KMs are pretty low and your oil isn't real old. I wouldn't be worried about going 400 over, I left one of mine about 2,000 over (I'd done an intermediate oil change much like you).

I guess for me it would depend on where you are travelling. If you're doing a run across a desert or something I'd get the service. If it's all highway miles and no towing, maybe not.

[odie602r]

Thanks CD - pretty much all highway then pottering around town. No planned rough stuff etc. There will be some towing for 500kms return, but only a 7x4 trailer with not much weight (less than 750kgs).

I'm thinking I might just wait ....