15k scheduled maintenance

[WRatedX]

is this necessary?
is my dealer going to replace my air filter and check my fluids and then charge me $600??

i understand there might be a warranty issue if i dont do it..but from what i understand, with my turboback, my warranty is pretty much void anyways...i dont want to take off the downpipe for maintenance that isnt really necessary

i dont mind going in for the 30k...warranty will pretty much be up anyways, but scheduled maintenance EVERY year? i dont know what it costs, but im guessing not cheap...sounds a little crazy to me

[GV27]

Yes, do get it done or do it yourself.

I've come to the conclusion that ya gotta be a total moron to take your car to a dealership. They're basically in business to rip you off.

I heard the local "Car Guys" talking about this on Saturday morning. The guy was like "I don't know what's with these dealerships, but folks, don't take your cars to them for maintenance and non-warranty service. They'll try to take you to the cleaners every time."

One way to get it down at the dealership is to do part of it yourself (e.g. the air filter - anyone can do it or you could probably get the dude at Autozone or Checker or wherever to do it for you for free w/ purchase) and get them to price out the rest of the service. It'll be a lot cheaper than the "package".

This stuff is important, especially the inspections, but any decent mechanic can do it. Find yourself a reputable independent mechanic, preferably a Subie specialist and get it done.

I know people are often worried that an independent mechanic will try to rip them off, but that is actually an illogical fear. Think about it - an independent relies on establishing long-term relationships with customers. So if they've been in business a long time, odds are they treat people and their cars right. A dealership, on the other hand, has a fairly captive market between factory-paid warranty work and people who fear independant mechanics and they see the service department as a way to make up all the money they discount cars to "move" them out the door. They have an incentive to jack up the prices.

Yeah, there is some chance an independent might rip you off but you can be pretty sure the dealership's gonna try to rip you off every time.

[WRatedX]

i dont mind doing the maintenence myself...i check filters and fluid levels regularly anyways...but since i wont have documentation that it was done by a subaru mechanic wont my warranty be junk?

i understand that my warranty is already void since i have added modifications, but realistically since i have saved all stock parts i could always take modifications off my car if i ever needed warranty work

i dont know what the charge is for 15k service....or what they do, but im sure its not much service for a lot of $

[GV27]

No, you absolutely DO NOT have to have your maintenance done at a Subaru dealership for warranty purposes.

Check the Periodic Maintenance Service Manual excerpt in the sticky at the top of this forum for all the information on what they do and how to do it - inspections and all.

What I do is keep a notebook where I put down notes about all the inspections I do. Then I keep my reciepts and such for documentation purposes.

Service Manual excerpt: Periodic Maintenance

[WRatedX]

EXCELLENT information....thanks