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30k mile service recommendations

19K views 20 replies 14 participants last post by  NissLover  
#1 ·
Hello...

My '08 is coming up for its 30k mile service, its about a $500 hit from the dealer. I was looking over what they do and basically besides "checking" over the entire vehicle, they change the serpentine belt and flush the radiator and change the oil. I bought the vehicle brand new and have done all oil changes religiously at the 3,700 mile mark.

I was considering bypassing the 30k mile and waiting until the 45k-60k mark to get the belt changed and radiator flushed. The vehicle is not even two years old, I have never heard of flushing the radiator at 30k miles, and most belts on all my vehicles can easily go 50-60k before needing changed out.

Anyone thoughts?

Thanks for the feedback.
 
#4 ·
It seems like you should be following schedule 2 for maintenance intervals (schedule 1 is for short distance driving with no time for engine to warm up or other hard conditions on the engine such as towing). For schedule 2, per Nissan maintenance guide, the only items needing replacement at 30,000 miles ( or 24 months) are the engine oil/filter, engine air filter, and cabin air filter. The engine coolant is meant to be replaced the first time at 60,000 miles (or 48 months). I don't see any scheduled replacement of engine belts: just an inspection at 60,000 miles (or 48 months).

I am looking at the 2010 Nissan Sevice and Maintenance Guide. Am sure that the recommendations in the 2008 version are not that different.
 
#5 ·
I will have to check my service manual again, last oil change I took it in for the service writer made a comment "Get ready for the big 30k mile service coming up". This is where he explained the belt, radiator, etc... personally, I dont care for dealerships, I think they are scammers and get people to do maintenance on there cars that are not necessary.
 
#7 ·
I will have to check my service manual again, last oil change I took it in for the service writer made a comment "Get ready for the big 30k mile service coming up". This is where he explained the belt, radiator, etc... personally, I dont care for dealerships, I think they are scammers and get people to do maintenance on there cars that are not necessary.
So if Nissan (the manufacturer) rec these services be done at a certain mileage, how does that make Nissan (the dealer) scammers? They are just implementing the service schedule that is written by the manufacturer of the vehicle. Same as if you went to a private garage that did the same thing.
 
#8 ·
Nissan recommends different schedules for maintenance depending on the type of driving. For most (say about 90%) of the people, schedule 2 of maintenance interval is appropriate. Schedule 1 of maintenance interval is for short distance driving with no time for engine to warm up or other hard conditions on the engine (such as towing) and requires twice the number of trips to the dealer (or an independent shop). If money is no object, Nissan recommends also a premium maintenance option to do more maintenance items.

Not all dealers are scams. The dealer scamming part comes when the dealer suggests schedule 1 or premium maintenance items even to people whose vehicle requirement will be completely satisfied by schedule 2.
Personally, I follow schedule 2 on my cars with a slight modification. I follow the time schedule (6 months etc) for replacing fluids (engine oil, coolant etc). For items such as air filter, cabin air filter etc whose replacement is more a function of driven-miles rather than time (and perhaps even more importantly nothing is going to fail because there is a delay in replacing those), I follow the suggested miles schedule (15000 miles, 30000 miles etc).

If one is tight on money, the free check-ups offered by many places (dealers and independent shops) at the time of oil/filter replacement are obviously a good deal. But like everything else, one has to take the resulting recommendations, if any, with a questioning mind and not just follow them blindly.
 
#10 ·
I should clarify one of the statements I made earlier today in the 2:59 PM posting.
The slight variation to Schedule 2 (for myself) which I mentioned there makes sense only because I typically drive about 10000 miles per year. If one drives 13000 or higher miles per year, then such a modification to schedule 2 will not make sense.
 
#11 ·
Good thread OP cause my 09 has is on 38k now :crying: and im totally dreading that maintenance check up that was due a while ago lol. I jus get my oil changed at the dealership and getting a "coupon" in the mail for 10% off $400, is still not gonna get me in there any time soon. Good to hear its not life or death check up for the car

oh isnt Hybrid maintenance different from regular cars???
 
#12 ·
Open your owner's manual. Look for the Periodic Maintenance Schedules 1 and 2. Pick the one that most describes the type of driving you do. READ IT. Nissan recommendations are different from Nissan DEALERS recommendations, because Nissan makes automobiles; DEALERS make MONEY selling cars and "service". If you know what your car really needs, the dealer might just stop treating you like an easy mark. If he doesn't, find an honest mechanic. Maintenance does not have to be done by the dealer. Your warrantee will not be voided.
 
#13 ·
john52 hit the nail on the head..LISTEN to your manual, not your dealer. maintenance schedule #2 is the majority of people on here.
 
#14 ·
getting the radiator flush at 30k is a good idea. but, I'd go somewhere else for it as the dealership will way overcharge you. a normal flush and fill shouldn't run more than $100. as for the belt, I wouldn't worry about it. you know when it needs replaced as you'll start to hear it.
 
#15 ·
Modern vehicles generally can go 100k miles with oil changes only no problem, with the exception of possible faulty parts.

I personally know a dozen ignorant careless people who purchased a new car in the last five years and that have done absolutely nothing to their cars other than occasional oil changes, or fixing a specific part after it's been an actual problem that caught the owner's attention. It's amazing how these peoples' cars look and drive for the most part like new. Even with over 100k miles.

If you want to put a quarter million miles on your car, different story.
 
#16 ·
Its total BS

When I bought our 2, 2007 Altimas I asked the dealer what was required to maintain the warranty. I was told to change the Engine oil and filter every 5000 kms. For the last 3 years that’s what I have done. "I" will change the "Long Life" coolant at 4 years or 60,000 Kms. The CVT Transmission fluid is changed when the consult 3 scanner records it should be, but in most cases the fluid is good for the life of the car. The Transmission oil change can be done yourself even though the fluid is expensive.

Most of the service plans are designed by the dealer so the dealer is able to make more profit. The owner can do most of the stuff that the dealer performs by checking their own car. When you have the car in to have the tires rotated at the tire store ask then can you take a quick look under the car. Most of them will let you. Most of the times the dealer service department will only do a casual look over the car any way - that’s their idea of checking. I have warranty work performed on our cars with no problems for the dealer.
 
#17 ·
though it's true that you don't "have" to have the maintanence done, you deffinitly should. This kind of stuff has never made sense to me. people will go out and spend between 20k-30k on their car. they'll then spend thousands on stereo's, wheels, tires and modifications. they'll spend thousands of dollars to insure it.

and where is the one and only place they try to save money? on the maintenance that will keep it running well, and on gas.

It just blows my mind. Sure, I'll drop 30k on my car, spend 3k a year to insure it, put 5k worth of mods into it, but I'll be god damn if I'm going to spend $70 on some damn radiator flush every 3 years, or $30 on some stupid belt. I mean, you gota draw the line somewhere, right? :crazy:
 
#18 ·
^Agreed/

I always love the saying, "If you can't afford the maintenance, you shouldn't buy the car."

I have a record at the dealership I bought my car from. I've had the 7500k (just to make sure my $30k investment was wearing appropriately), 15k and 30k mile premium maintenance done when they were needed and I get a $1.95 oil change from the dealership every 3750 miles. Those guys have all of the record in there computer and I have them in my glove box. If anything goes wrong with the car, I have somebody to blame, the dealership because if they didn't catch it 3-4 months prior how is a problem now???

Looks to me you bought a used Altima. I would say get the 30k and 60k service and skip the 45k. This is the last big service before the bumper to bumper warranty expires.
 
#19 ·
I have been religious on my oil changes, every 3700 miles. I am going to hold off on the 30k mile service only because I feel the belt and radiator can easily go to 50k miles with no long term problems resulting from this. I believe oil changes are the most important part about vehicle maintenance, radiators are cheap to replace, especially when they want $150 to flush one out.

I believe some people go way over the top on vehicle maintenace, waisting thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicle for unnecessary maintenance. Again, change the oil every 3500-4000 miles, that is the key to engine longevity.

Just my .02....
 
#20 ·
radiators are cheap to replace, especially when they want $150 to flush one out.



....
first off, you can get it done for $80 bucks easy. but "radiator flush" is a bit of a misnomer. your flushing the the entire engine block. but it's one of those things you just never know about. I've seen blocks flushed at 60k and the liquid coming out is the perfect light green color of the proper water/antifreeze mix. I've also seen engines flushed at 30k where the water coming out is brown. you just never know.

but considering your 30k maintenance is about $200, I'd say your looking at about a $600 over each decade, (maybe a thousand if you do the power steering) flushes, brake flushes ect you own the car. that doesn't seem bad to me. doesn't seem bad to me.