I'll be coming up on the 15K service level in a couple of months and the car is only a year old. For now, I am inclined to just have the oil changed and tires rotated along with a brake inspection that I suspect will bring bad news. However, all of the other "inspections", the cabin filter, etc.; why do I need those at this time? I have another vehicle that doesn't start all of the really in depth maintenance until at least 30K. Has anyone just done some regular maintenance at 15K and intend to put off the rest of it until 30K. Any other car I have had doesn't begin to require as much scheduled maintenance as this one. Also, my dealer wants close to $400 for the 15K check up. Your comments are appreciated.

 

First of all, are you going by Schedule 1 or Schedule 2? A lot of those items aren't necessary until 30k mi for Schedule 2. However, some of them show up at 15k on both schedules, indicating that it doesn't matter how you drive, such as the in-cabin microfilter.

Let's take a look at these items:

Oil/Oil Filter - get it changed.
Air cleaner filter -- good for 30k mi, unless you're in a dusty climate
EVAP vapor lines/Fuel lines - Inspect at 30k recommended, but not required to maintain warranty, this is mainly for emissions control.
Drive belts - Good for another year before you have to start inspecting
Engine coolant - Also good for another year
Spark plugs - 100k mi here
Fuel filter - in-tank maintanence free item
Intake/exhaust valve clearance - only inspect if you hear valve noises from the engine
Brake lines & cables/Brake pads & rotors - 15k mi inspection recommended for both maint. schedules, and stopping your car is kind of important, so do this.
MT/AT tranny fluid - Since our cars don't have a tranny dipstick, the dealership has to check the level. Bummer.
Steering gear & linkage, axle/susp. parts - interesting, 7.5k mi inspect on schedule 1, but 30k mi inspect on schedule 2. I'd say if the car is driving fine with no funny noises, it can wait 'till 30k.
Rotate tires - they like to charge an arm and a leg for this simple procedure. I do it myself. Won't void your warranty, though you may be buying tires sooner if you skip.
Exhaust system - If the exhaust doesn't sound funny and has no holes in it, it's fine. That's about the extent of this inspection.
In-cabin microfilter - Replace every 15k or 24 months it says on both schedules. I'd say if you don't have any odor/allergy problems, you can stretch it to 24 months.

Also, pay attention to what the dealership is offering to do to your car. Many times, they pad the service with extra work that isn't listed in either maintainence schedule in the manual. You could argue that the extra work takes better car of the car, but you could also argue that it isn't necessary and just pads the dealer's pocketbook. Plus, if you feel your driving style matches schedule 2 instead of schedule 1, make sure to tell them that.. for their own profit, they'll probably go schedule 1 unless you say otherwise.

The short answer to "Is it all necessary?" would be, "Yes, but." It's necessary, but it's not all necessary now and it's not necessary to have the dealer do it.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

They told you $400 before they even looked at your car?

<font color=blue>2003 G35 BS Sedan AT - St. Louis, MO
Premium, Winter, Xenon w/Silverstar Fogs
35% Tint All Around - Clear Corners
MB Quart / Eclipse Stereo System
PIAA Extreme Whites - K&N Drop-In</font color=blue>

 

Yeah, they said it would be in the upper $300's plus supplies, tax, etc., I just was figuring around $400. Maybe it would be lower later on but I doubt it since it already costs me almost $60 just for an oil change.

 

Damn, $60 for an oil change? My dealer is just $45, includes the loaner and a wash!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan

 

I routinely get coupons for $29.99 oil changes from my dealership. (I think it's 34.99 or 39.99 normally.)

You need to have them tell you what they do to the car, because it sounds like they are A) overpriced, and B) ready to do more to the car than it needs.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Yea, when I take my car in for my 30k service in a few months, I'm going to tell them to rotate the tires, flush the tranny and radiator fluid, and anything beyond that they better call first. I'm putting my own new rotors and braken on in a couple thousand miles.

<font color=blue>2003 G35 BS Sedan AT - St. Louis, MO
Premium, Winter, Xenon w/Silverstar Fogs
35% Tint All Around - Clear Corners
MB Quart / Eclipse Stereo System
PIAA Extreme Whites - K&N Drop-In</font color=blue>

 

How hard are the rotors to do? I can do the pads, but have never ventured into changing out the rotors.

 

Hey guys. It takes me about 5 or 6 months to get 3000 miles because I only drive to work and back and thats about 15 miles both ways. On the weekend we used my wife's car to get places so I don't put too many miles on the G. My ? is: Should I change my oil at 3000 miles or 3 months intervals? I only have about 5000 miles right now and I have my car since March...

 

Totally agree, routine checks by dealer is free profit for them, visiual checking for a new car means no need to do anything,
Too much maintainance by dlears may not necessarily good, they may screw up something which is in good shape. I learn that from my bro-in-law, his fullly dealer-maintained Accord died much sooner than my diy Max. bottom line is you need to know what/why needs to be done.

Silver/Graphite/Premium/Sports/Winter

 

I didn't think Accord's ever died?[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan

 

Why pay $30 - $60 for an oil change? I have my changed for $15.

If the G35 is such a good car then it should requires minimum maintenance. Right?

 

I refuse to use these "cheap" oil change places, or even a Jiffy Lube, they are very careless, I have had paint scratched, oil on the seat, etc, etc, etc.!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

I refuse to use these "cheap" oil change places, or even a Jiffy Lube....

<hr></blockquote>

LOL! "cheap OR Jiffy Lube" -- that's a good one. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter