Annual servicing

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linw

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#181356 12-Oct-2015 14:09

Looking for a bit of advice, here. My Lancer Hatchback is now six years old and has been serviced every year by the agent.

My question is, should I keep on with these expensive annual services given that I only do about 6,000km per year?

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#1404367 12-Oct-2015 14:30

I probably do similar kms in my car, which is now 8 years old and I get it serviced annually.

Even though you are not hitting the kms, there are plenty of checks that are valuable to ensure the car is safe and running well. I don't get mine serviced at the dealer, which saves a lot of money - and frankly the place I take it to is far more thorough and far less scammy than the dealer anyway.

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UHD

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#1404388 12-Oct-2015 14:32

I'd recommend finding a local mechanic, perhaps someone who specialises in Mitsubishi but not a requirement, and get a service from them regularly. They will charge a lot less than an agent workshop.

wasabi2k

2098 posts

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#1404397 12-Oct-2015 14:36

Where are you? Can recommend someone in West Auckland if that helps (they do our Outlander and guy used to work at a Mitsi Dealer).

Inphinity

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#1404401 12-Oct-2015 14:41

I would, yes.

Jase2985

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#1404442 12-Oct-2015 15:12

most things in the service manual now days are KM based not time based, about the only one time based is break fluid because it adsorbs moisture.

most other things can be put of for a year. oil and filter are fine to do by yearly if you only do about 6000k a year.

my car only gets a dealer service when something big is due, like valve clearance, fuel filter (its hidden under a heap of stuff) and a couple more things. i do the oil/fluid changes my self.

pdath

252 posts

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#1404502 12-Oct-2015 16:42

linw: Looking for a bit of advice, here. My Lancer Hatchback is now six years old and has been serviced every year by the agent.

My question is, should I keep on with these expensive annual services given that I only do about 6,000km per year?

Yes. A service usually has the common consumables replaced, like oil and oil filter. However a service often includes a "general checkup" of the car. Catching a failing component early can be much cheaper than waiting until you are stuck on the side of the road.

I wouldn't worry about going to the actual dealer though. Just find a local mechanic with a good reputation.

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trig42

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#1404503 12-Oct-2015 16:46

If you are in Auckland, there is a 40-point service on Grabone (at Bridgestone Select) for $89. I bought one, cheaper than the AA service I normally get done.

I'd do a service annually, or at 8-10,000km, whichever comes first.

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nakedmolerat

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#1404543 12-Oct-2015 17:47

linw: Looking for a bit of advice, here. My Lancer Hatchback is now six years old and has been serviced every year by the agent.

My question is, should I keep on with these expensive annual services given that I only do about 6,000km per year?

Have you find out how much cheaper it is to service from the workshop? I think you'll be surprised that the difference isn't much at all. In fact i got one of my friend to send her almost 10 year old mitsubishi mirage to one of the dealership after the workshop couldn't find out the fault after a few checks. They find out the issue within an hour or so and the cost of getting sorted isn't much difference. Suffice to say she just go there every year now for servicing.

scuwp

3888 posts

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#1404582 12-Oct-2015 18:46

My vehicles are 10,000 km or annually whichever comes first. Modern fluids just don't break down like the old mineral stuff so I don't think time is overly important now. Once out of warranty have used a local garage I know and trust. I reckon servicing costs have reduced by 50% easily compared to the dealers workshop.

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mattwnz

20181 posts

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#1404586 12-Oct-2015 19:03

Yes, continue to service at least 12 months. Some brands like Mazda require 6 month service intervals, even brand new models being sold in NZ, even though in Oz, they have 12 month service intervals. So you are lucky yours is only 12 months.

alasta

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#1404637 12-Oct-2015 20:54

mattwnz: Yes, continue to service at least 12 months. Some brands like Mazda require 6 month service intervals, even brand new models being sold in NZ, even though in Oz, they have 12 month service intervals. So you are lucky yours is only 12 months.

I was surprised at this when I bought my Mazda - lucky they're picking up the tab for the first three years of servicing. During the six month period over winter I will only do about 3,000km so I wonder what they will actually do when they service it? It would be a bit of a waste to change the oil after such minimal mileage.

Jase2985

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#1404678 12-Oct-2015 21:32

thats why things like oil and filter shouldnt be linked to time period, as time doesnt make them deteriorate much at all (maybe 5 year or so but not over a year) better to go off the km figure. and much better on your pocket.

linw

2850 posts

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#1404705 12-Oct-2015 22:40

Thanks very much for all your answers. Yes, I wondered about time vs mileage. Last time the dealership charged for spark plugs at three times the trademe price so that put me off.

I will take it to a local workshop that I trust. It is closer as well!

PS I am not in Auckland.

Cheers.

Aredwood

3885 posts

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#1404717 13-Oct-2015 00:22

You definitely still need to service your car based on time as well as distance. Short trips are bad for oil life due to combustion byproducts getting into the oil. As well as the engine not getting hot enough to evaporate petrol. Water ect out of the oil. The radiator coolant also needs to be changed as the glycol breaks down into acids that rust the engine from the inside out. If you go to another garage make sure they use the correct oil. There is a big price difference between full synthetic oil and mineral oil. And a 6 year old car is almost certain to require full synthetic oil.

scuwp

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#1404745 13-Oct-2015 07:49

mattwnz: Yes, continue to service at least 12 months. Some brands like Mazda require 6 month service intervals, even brand new models being sold in NZ, even though in Oz, they have 12 month service intervals. So you are lucky yours is only 12 months.

Really? My wife has a 6 year old Mazda, last work car was a Mazda, and looking on-line all references are to the age-old-standard 12 months or 10,000 km. Crikey when we picked up our new work Fords their service interval was 30,000 km! I note my garage is now issuing the reminder stickers for my old beast at 15,000 km, up from 10,000 km. I would be extremely surprised that any car would sell with such a short service interval.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

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