Went to the dealership

[camarozzzz]

So I went to the dealership today to get my tires rotated and oil changed and was offered a "semi - annual inspection" - they basically told me it includes a tire rotation, fluid level checks, belt checks, and just a general look over. It costs 69.99 they said. Is this worth it?? Or is it just a way of getting me in there to spend more money?

The car I recently purchased has 48 000kms on it, is automatic, 2011 1LT. They said this check should be done twice a year or every 10 000kms. Do you guys do this sort of check?

[mattsfirstSS]

Originally Posted by camarozzzz

So I went to the dealership today to get my tires rotated and oil changed and was offered a "semi - annual inspection" - they basically told me it includes a tire rotation, fluid level checks, belt checks, and just a general look over. It costs 69.99 they said. Is this worth it?? Or is it just a way of getting me in there to spend more money?

The car I recently purchased has 48 000kms on it, is automatic, 2011 1LT. They said this check should be done twice a year or every 10 000kms. Do you guys do this sort of check?

70 bucks to LOOK at fluid and belts? Seems a little ridic to me. I got the service program up front and it includes an oil change, mobil 1 oil, filter, and 27 point inspection but I only payed like 300 bucks for like 6 or 9 i cant remember and the bulk of that is the 50 dollars worth of mobil 1 they put in there. 70 bucks, thats like .7 hours they say it takes...I find that hard to believe.

Having said that if you arent a car guy and dont really check your ouwn fluids and belts and general stuff then, whatever its your money. But im the kind of guy that looks at that stuff on my own anyhow. I'm always doiig something to the car i see the belts and fluids enough...

[SnowVert]

Originally Posted by Comrando

Go to Jiffy Lube. They will do that inspection for free.

And your dealer should too... and that is a bit much to be paying for a tire rotation.

[Rock-It Man]

Go to Jiffy Lube and have them screw up something as simple as an oil change.

[PsychoZL1]

69.99 for a service that you can do in your driveway, except maybe the tire rotation.

BTW, do you have the RS package with the staggered wheels? If so, you don't need a tire rotation.

[HDRDTD]

The $69.99 should be for the oil change, the tire rotation, and the inspection. Quite often that package will be offered for a lower price.

If your car requires Mobil 1, then the price would be higher than that.

[Hercules]

Not sure if I understand. If that price includes an oil change than that's not bad. But if they're only checking the fluids they are taking you over the coals. Being a former mechanic I can say that the belts, fluids, hoses should take no more than about 2 minutes. I agree with PSYCHORS make sure your wheels aren't staggered. Because if they are and they still charge 69.99 they just drove the car where the sun doesn't shine.
You should ask if that also includes balancing of all tires. Now a days you can figure up to about $10 per wheel to balance, maybe more, depending where you go. Some places just rotate. Then when you have a steering wheel shake around 55-60mph they will then sell you balancing. Some places also only balance the ones going to the front. It's a lot harder for you to feel the tires out of balance if they're on the back.

[rocknRllr]

I Am a regular customer at Firestone, they constantly send coupons for oil changes for $20/30 on next visit. The plan I like is the lifetime front end alignment, tire rotation. One pays about $120.00 and for the lifetime of the vehicle (your ownership) every oil change/25 point inspection they rotate the tires/check alignment and do for free.

[bigbob11]

I would never take my car to jiffy lube

[camarozzzz]

Originally Posted by Hercules

Not sure if I understand. If that price includes an oil change than that's not bad. But if they're only checking the fluids they are taking you over the coals. Being a former mechanic I can say that the belts, fluids, hoses should take no more than about 2 minutes. I agree with PSYCHORS make sure your wheels aren't staggered. Because if they are and they still charge 69.99 they just drove the car where the sun doesn't shine.
You should ask if that also includes balancing of all tires. Now a days you can figure up to about $10 per wheel to balance, maybe more, depending where you go. Some places just rotate. Then when you have a steering wheel shake around 55-60mph they will then sell you balancing. Some places also only balance the ones going to the front. It's a lot harder for you to feel the tires out of balance if they're on the back.

That 70$ did not include the oil change...I knew then and there it was a semi-annual bullsh** inspection". It only include a tire rotation and looking over hoses, fluids, belts etc...So I knew he was messing with me on the spot.

Thanks for this! Very useful! I will have to ask them when I go in next week if it include a balancing. If not, I might just tell them forget it, only do the oil change. Do you need to balance the tires every time you rotate them??
I would assume for the cost of 40$ for a tire rotation that balancing would be included...or so I am hoping.

[camarozzzz]

Originally Posted by Comrando

Maybe not but you can tell the dealer that.
The Chevy Service has to realize they need to be competitive.

Every quick-change place will be different. Our local JL did just fine. Since I bought the Camaro though I've been going to the Chevy.

Also my dealer will do the 27 point inspection whenever I want, no charge. But, IIRC, camarozzzz bought his Camaro private party so he may not receive the same treatment.

You are spot on sir. I have noticed that there is simply something about the dealership that I go to. I can't tell if its my age, or if they don't like that I got it private party - but I feel that whenever I get things done there or come in for warranty work they don't seem to be too particularly happy to see me.

Should a 40$ tire rotation include a balance??

[Dizzy82]

Is your car an RS? If so it can't have it's tires rotated. Well, you "can", but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Baba]

Read your OM and "educate" yourself about the maintenance your Camaro requires!

[camarozzzz]

Originally Posted by Dizzy82

Is your car an RS? If so it can't have it's tires rotated. Well, you "can", but I wouldn't recommend it.

No my car does not have the RS option - I do know about not rotating staggered wheels since it doesn't need it.