I'm not condoning this business, but certain things required routine maintenance if we keep car long enough. basiclly if you know nothing about whats required need to read the owners manual, weigh the outcome, and inquire cost before you sign allowing them to do the work. Lets face it cars are not cheap and paying for maintenance not either.
have the following SAFETY items done, Brake System Flush, Power Steering System Flush, Transmission System Flush, Coolant System Flush, Complete 4 wheel allignment and recommended Premium Synthetic Oil ChangeI wouldn't consider them safety items unless the levels were low and the car was pulling severely left or right.
If you read in the owners manuals of most cars fluid changes are mileage and by months changes if you don't put enough miles on in certain amount of time, then there are the conditions you drive in which may make the intervals less. now days computer will signal when something required
Even though the car only had 20K miles it was 9 years old, course we think of oil changes on regular basis but antifreeze is just as important to prevent head gasket, water pump, radiator and hose failure problems after four years or so, 9 years is stretch IMO. Basiclly it breaks down and starts eating seals, and plugging radiators so 9 years on orginal anti-freeze is asking for trouble IMO.
Break fluid may absorb water from condensation usually worse in colder climates further north. With the cost of anti-lock brake controller and system conponents I can't say it's not overdue.
As for power steering fluid flushing every few years may prevent pump failure or leaks notice I said may?
I never alow maintenance to be done without inquiring how much it will cost. I agree in this case outragous over priced, Maybe they think their so good worth $500. hourly rate? I think if you goggle hourly rates you may be just as shocked, they have alot of expenses that added into the rate. Rent may be one?
usually the dealer has specials on fluid changes or trusted non-dealership business Which they post in paper or sale adds, Just make sure you read the FINE print for additional charges
Just cause Car has low miles don't mean it don't need servicing routinely. IMO that's why most stay away from the dealer after the warrenty runs out cause they want to change all this stuff also. Just need to find out how much they are charging for the service IMO before you let them do the work.
Most people don't keep cars long enough for things to go sour or south from lack of routine servicing requirements. IMO that's why they trade every two or three years? If you do nothing cars now days will last that long IMO of course.
About the alignment, if you bang (hit) curve or pull in too hard and you bang the tire stops it might knock the front end out of alignment especially if you notice tire wear not even. Now days front wheel drive cars have all four wheels aligned, not like the old 68 impala or F100 truck where you could bang the curb and may not knock anything out of alignment. parts are lighter now days JMO others may disagree. way too long but I'm not doing nothing at the monment.
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