Full Coverage MotorSports

 

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a maintenance schedule of three basic services repeating throughout the life of the vehicle, a minor, intermediate and major service.   Service intervals can be either based on a 7500 or 5000 mile interval.  It is easiest to think of them like those Russian Matryoshka Dolls, in which one fits inside another...i.e. each progressively larger service contains everything in the smaller service before it.  There are some additional items which are added to these recommended services which have their own service interval, such as long life coolant, some transmission fluids, platinum or iridium spark plugs and certain long life performance air filter systems, and timing belts, to name a few. .  Although most dealership representatives will not tell you this, you are not required to follow the manufactures recommendations, or have what maintenance service you do choose to have performed by the dealer in order to keep your new car manufactures warranty in effect.  Only in the most severe cases of abuse or neglect (or damage such as flood or collision) can your new vehicle warranty be challenged or canceled,  and then only by the manufacturer.  Some extended warranty's have different provisions and your should always read such contracts carefully and know what you are agreeing to!

After over 30 years experience in the new car dealership system we have a different approach, having seen perfectly serviceable filters and fluids and other expensive components discarded simply because the odometer and service schedule said it was time to.  (Don't we all hope our health care providers take a closer look at us when suggesting treatment!)  We start each vehicle maintenance service as a minor service, (tire rotation, brake inspection, oil and filter change, inspection of belts, hoses, tires, exhaust system, shocks/struts, axles and cv joints, top off under hood fluid levels, checking battery condition, operation of ac/heater, interior and exterior lights and wipers, setting tire pressure, etc) and having revealed the condition present, and with an eye to what might be recommended by the vehicle manufacturer at the current mileage...and only then make specific recommendations based upon your vehicles actual condition.  The process gives you better information, greater control of your vehicles condition and saves you money.