Purchase on hold after learning about massive maintenance costs - true?

[hitops]

Was about to pull the trigger on a 3.6 Legacy 2018. Then asked my friend (he has a 2015 forester), and he said to watch out, they charge him over $800 (CAD) for the year-end maintenance. Says this is primarily due to removal and servicing of brakes, which I do see on the schedule. And says it is required to stay under warranty.

 

That seems excessive. Is this really something that must always be done? It does really change the cost calculation.

[inspiredbyhorsepower]

Brakes are normally covered, and last, for the entire duration of the warranty period.

 

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[vtdog]

Was about to pull the trigger on a 3.6 Legacy 2018. Then asked my friend (he has a 2015 forester), and he said to watch out, they charge him over $800 (CAD) for the year-end maintenance. Says this is primarily due to removal and servicing of brakes, which I do see on the schedule. And says it is required to stay under warranty.

 

That seems excessive. Is this really something that must always be done? It does really change the cost calculation.

 

1. What in the world is "removal and service of brakes" for end of year maintenance? I have never heard of that. Brakes normally need service only when they are worn out. Seems odd

2. $800 cost could just be typical dealer screwing customer stuff

[securityguy]

@vtdog...right there with you my friend! Never heard of such a thing. When rotors are warped, you resurface. When pads are worn, you replace. When fluid needs to be changed...you change it. Nothing else you should ever have to do unless it is necessary. I have also found that if this occurs within the warranty period, the dealers will typically" cover the above minus the fluid change.

[Haboob]

Subaru requires you to bring your car in each year for service to remain under warranty?

 

Haven't heard of a company outside of exotics retiring anything like that.

[Pilot1226]

I agree. Follow your service manual. The only thing I could think of regarding the brakes is an inspection of the pad to determine how much is remaining?

 

But, around here, I can almost always find a coupon for a free multi-point inspection with any service. So, bring in your car for an oil change, and get a free inspection, etc.

 

These cars are an absolute delight to do my own maintenance on.

 

Don't confuse a dealer's "recommended" service with the owner's manual for warranty purposes. Follow the book, and you're fine.

 

That being said, you are essentially doing the following:

 

Maintenance Interval for Oil Changes (which includes new oil and filter):

6000 miles (9600 kilometers / 6 months)

Rotate Tires

 

At 12000 miles / 12 months:

Repeat above, plus change cabin air filter.

 

At 30000 miles / 30 months:

Repeat 6000 mile service.

Replace Engine Air Filter

Replace Brake Fluid

Inspect CVT Fluid

Inspect Accessory Belt

 

At 60000 / 60 months: (This is your first "big" service)

Repeat 30k service.

Change Spark Plugs.

Inspect *EVERYTHING*

Consider replacing Accessory Belt.

 

At 137.5k miles or 11 years, change coolant. Next change out is 6y/75k miles.

 

This is right out of the manual. If you drive in "severe" conditions, it's suggested you change your oil and filter at 3 months/3000 miles.

 

 

 

Severe driving is

> Repeated short trips, stop-and-go, extensive idling (basically any urban driving)

> Rough, muddy, dusty, wet, humid, cold, mountainous, salty conditions (basically any coast, country, or winter driving)

> Frequently towing a trailer.

> Racing

 

*NOTES

#1 under severe driving replace oil and filter every 3,000 miles or 3 months whichever comes first

#2 under extremely cold or hot weather replace the filter more often

#3 under severe driving replace every 15,000 miles or 15 months whichever comes first

#4 under severe driving replace the CVT oil should be replaced under severe driving at 24,855 miles

#5 when used in high humidity or mountainous areas replace the brake fluid and clutch fluid every 15,000 miles or 15 months whichever comes first

#6 under severe driving, brake and steering system inspection should be performed every 6000 miles or 6 months whichever comes first

#7 not required to maintain emissions warranty

#8 when used in dusty conditions, the air filter should be replaced more often

#9 a tire should be replaced when the tread wear indicator appears as a solid band across the tread or at .063" tread depth (1.6mm) or less

#10 Subaru Super Coolant. 1st replacement interval is 11years/137,500 miles (220,000 km). 2nd replacement interval is 6 years/ 75,000 miles (120,000 km) after the 1st. If towing replace more often. Use Subaru coolant only, do not mix with other types or it will reduce protection. Always add Subaru cooling system conditioner whenever coolant is replaced.

[securityguy]

hitops needs to find a new "friend" or at last one that knows what he's talking about.....

[waldguy]

Was about to pull the trigger on a 3.6 Legacy 2018. Then asked my friend (he has a 2015 forester), and he said to watch out, they charge him over $800 (CAD) for the year-end maintenance. Says this is primarily due to removal and servicing of brakes, which I do see on the schedule. And says it is required to stay under warranty.

 

That seems excessive. Is this really something that must always be done? It does really change the cost calculation.

 

I'm baffled. Either your friend is mistaken, or he's being duped. In addition, you are mistaken about what you "see on the schedule". The "I" is for inspect and is not the same as replace.

 

My car is still under warranty. I have performed all maintenance myself and not seen the service department at the dealer yet (too far away and inconvenient -- I'll go if I have to). You don't have to use a dealer either if you find a reputable service shop who will do the work -- usually for less.

[Too40gawlf]

I'm baffled. Either your friend is mistaken, or he's being duped. In addition, you are mistaken about what you "see on the schedule". The "I" is for inspect and is not the same as replace.

.

 

OP could just be a good troll.

[TwoTone]

@vtdog...right there with you my friend! Never heard of such a thing. When rotors are warped, you resurface. When pads are worn, you replace. When fluid needs to be changed...you change it. Nothing else you should ever have to do unless it is necessary. I have also found that if this occurs within the warranty period, the dealers will typically" cover the above minus the fluid change.

 

Not all rotors can be resurfaced and sometimes the ones that can are too thin too.

[ehsnils]

Looks like a sneaky dealer there.

 

The only added maintenance on the brakes I can think of is to re-lubricate the guiding pins for the floating calipers since they are prone to stick, especially in salt belt areas.

[hitops]

Thanks for the responses. Maybe it’s just a Canada thing, but it’s right there in the schedule:

 

“Remove, inspect and service front and rear brakes as well as parking brake”

 

https://m.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebPageID=18541

 

My friend was told exactly what everyone is saying here - that it’s completely unnecessary. Yet there it is on their website. Was also told it was as done by Subaru Canada to allow dealerships to make more money.

 

I called the only dealer I could find who was open - they said service B is $600, including the brakes as above.

[capttris]

hitops,

 

Time to find another dealer. I have a couple of terrible dealers close to me and I now go to a dealer about 30 mins away, but it's worth it to me, when I need dealer service for the things I don't do myself.

[Pilot1226]

Is it possible that Canada has some type of law mandating this type of service? Other makes have it too?

[hitops]

Is it possible that Canada has some type of law mandating this type of service? Other makes have it too?

 

Was first thing I checked, but nope not on the schedule for my ATS or my Osyssey. Only ever done on the Odyssey when brakes were worn down, as appropriate.

[Pronto]

Is it possible that Canada has some type of law mandating this type of service? Other makes have it too?

 

No, nothing like that. Its just a dealer trying to convince people that they need to spends money. They quickly add charges for small items. Below is a list of service and what a Canadian Subaru dealer charges for it.... took me a while to type up

 

Type A - $139.95

 

• Replace engine oil and filter
  
• inspect tire condition and adjust all tire pressure including spare tire
  
• inspect and adjust all fluid levels including both diffs
  
• inspect operational of all lights, wipers and washers
  
• inspect and adjust driver belt tension if necessary
  
• service battery
  
• inpsect axle boot conditions
  
• lubricate all latches
  
• inspect under body for damage
  
• road test vehicle
  

 

Type B - $259.95

 

• Replace engine oil and filter
  
• Rotate tires
  
• inspect tire condition and adjust all tire pressure including spare tire
  
• Remove, inspect and service front and rear brakes as well as parking brake
  
• inspect and adjust all fluid levels including both diffs
  
• inspect operational of all lights, wipers and washers
  
• inspect and adjust driver belt tension if necessary
  
• service battery
  
• inpsect axle boot conditions
  
• lubricate all latches
  
• inspect under body for damage
  
• inspect engine & cabin air filter
  
• road test vehicle
  

 

Type C - $699.95

 

• Replace engine oil and filter
  
• Rotate tires
  
• inspect tire condition and adjust all tire pressure including spare tire
  
• Remove, inspect and service front and rear brakes as well as parking brake
  
• inspect and adjust all fluid levels including both diffs
  
• inspect operational of all lights, wipers and washers
  
• inspect and adjust driver belt tension if necessary
  
• Full battery service and test
  
• inspect axle boot conditions
  
• inspect all steering and suspencion components
  
• test coolant, inspect hoses and clamps
  
• replace brake fluid
  
• service fuel injectors
  
• inspect all emission related hoses
  
• inspect PCV - replace if necessary
  
• lubricate all latches
  
• inspect under body for damage
  
• inspect engine & cabin air filter
  
• road test vehicle
  

 

Type D - $999.95

 

• Replace engine oil and filter
  
• inspect tire condition and adjust all tire pressure including spare tire
  
• inspect and adjust all fluid levels including both diffs
  
• inspect operational of all lights, wipers and washers
  
• inspect and adjust driver belt tension if necessary
  
• service battery
  
• inpsect axle boot conditions
  
• lubricate all latches
  
• inspect under body for damage
  
• replace spark plugs
  
• test coolant, inspect hoses and clamps
  
• inspect engine & air cabin filters
  
• replace transmission and diff fluids
  
• road test vehicle
  

[tornichoe]

A lot of those look like they are up sells by the dealer. I got my 30k service done after I bought the car as the previous records did not show that to be done and neither did I know how light or heavy the use of the car was before it was in my possession. The dealer I went to basically said it needs a CVT fluid flush and the PCV valves get replaced along with engine and cabin filters aside from the usual oil change, balance rotate and alignment. And I just wanted to err on the side of caution, so I just had them do it.

 

Brakes are a wear and tear item. mileage varies largely by driving style. you can pretty easily kill a set of rotors in less than 5k miles. I've done this on a tiny little Hyundai back in the day. But this was when I used to drive it like I was going to loose pole position if I didn't take a corner at the maximum possible limit! Got to a point where Sears basically told me that it was the last set they were going to replace in their 1yr 12k warranty after putting 3 new sets in about an 8 month period.

 

If you have the car from new and know your use/abuse you can gauge what needs inspection vs just out right replacement.

[Pilot1226]

If you're concerned about the service or price, skip the service then. The only drawback would be if you had some type of warranty related problem, you would probably expect that they wouldn't repair it for free.

[luv my 3.6]

must be because of the weather up there.....snow/ice and most of all salt!

[hitops]

must be because of the weather up there.....snow/ice and most of all salt!

 

We actually don't use salt here on the prairies. It's a known problem with Ontario and Quebec vehicles, which is why they resell for less and rust earlier.

[waldguy]

We actually don't use salt here on the prairies...

 

Not my experience Hitops. I've lived in two of the three prairie provinces and travel to the third often. When required the salt is applied liberally. It's just not as potent or thick in the East where the temperature hovers around freezing more often.

[Pilot1226]

Interesting. We use a brine solution on roads before a storm and rock salt during. I wonder if there’s anything good to use on the undercarriage as a protectant.

 

I’ve heard of people using a garden sprinkler to clean the undercarriage afterwards but this isn’t practical. If it’s snowing that means the hose is cold enough to freeze.

[securityguy]

Move to FLORIDA and your car will last forever...that is until an 85 year old man rear ends you:lol:

[Pilot1226]

Maybe they’ll come up with RearSight and it’ll automatically accelerate and drive you to safety. Or to a bar.

[DA_MAXX]

hitops.. let me frame my response. So let's say there is a difference between CAD vs. US models with regards to maintenance, for whatever reason. Which I don't agree. We have severe weather locals similar to CAD.

 

If this is a deal breaker. How does Sub Legacy, compare to other models that you are considering with similar maintenance costs in CAD?

 

If you are basing this on dealer cost for suggested maintenance, than I would expect them to be very close is price. Remember this is a well equipped AWD. As other have mentioned there's alternatives on where the maintenance is done.