Car Maintenance Pricing

Most routine maintenance visits include basic items you’re probably familiar with: an oil change with new oil filter, checking parts like the brakes for wear, rotating the tires, and hooking the car up to a diagnostic computer to check the internal functions and look for any error codes. On one hand, today’s new cars are more sophisticated than ever before, with electronic systems to track and control everything from safety features to comfort amenities. But routine maintenance on most new vehicles is also simpler and more straightforward than ever before.

If your car is more than 10-15 years old, traditional maintenance schedules apply. But here are a few things that have changed from the “old days” when servicing a newer car.

• Most oil change intervals have gone to 5,000 miles – or even 10,000 for some automakers.
• The traditional “tune up” for engine timing and spark plugs is a thing of the past.
• Lubrication for joints, bearing and other suspension bits is no longer necessary. These moving parts are sealed for life.
• Coolant flushes are still needed, just not as often – only every few years.

Here’s the rule of thumb: Just follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and, most often, your car should continue to run well for years to come.

If you still have questions, read this article to see whether or not your car needs maintenance.

Let’s face it: buying a new car can be a pricy proposition. But here’s some good news. Over the last several years, more and more manufacturers have been including a complimentary maintenance program as a perk. After all, who doesn’t like something for free?

This is a win-win proposition for both the buyer and the manufacturer. You as the buyer get some no-cost services, but the dealer also benefits. They’re hoping that you will get used to relying on their dealership for maintenance and repair. In addition, some luxury manufacturers wrap these services into the overall feeling of a high-end concierge. For these lucky few, all the maintenance details are cared for, so they can focus purely on the joy of driving.

Coverage and duration of these complimentary maintenance programs definitely vary. Some only cover the first inspection and oil change, sort of a small “thank you” for buying. Others try to entice you with all the scheduled maintenance you need up to 6 years and 60,000 miles. And while these national programs are provided by the automaker, certain dealers get in on the act with things like free car washes or complimentary vehicle checks.

These programs do change often, so for the latest information, we’ve created a complimentary maintenance program list you can view to see which auto manufacturers are offering coverage. Even so, the dealer might be the best way to know for sure if that new car you’re considering comes with a complimentary maintenance program.

You’ve just worked out all the details for buying your new car. Now the dealer asks you if you’re interested in a prepaid maintenance plan. That’s where you pay one price up front to cover all the routine services for your vehicle for a particular amount of time.

Is it a good idea? It really depends on what kind of person you are. What drives you most? Convenience or price?

The Pros:

• Lock in the cost of maintenance at today’s rates without worrying about increases.
• You never have to decide where to bring your car for service.
• Your car gets consistent high-quality care while you (and your car) build a relationship with the dealership. If you take your car to “Bob’s Roadside Service Center” just because you’ve got a coupon, you never know what you’re going to get.
• You can negotiate the price of the maintenance contract when you buy.

The Cons:

• If you go through the cost of every service line by line, sometimes the numbers don’t add up. That, of course, depends on what value you place on convenience and what you paid for the plan in the first place.
• If your automaker offers a complimentary maintenance program for your initial term of ownership, you won’t get as much benefit from a pre-paid maintenance program.

So in the end – like so many things in life – it depends on what you’re looking for.