How much of this is really necessary?

[GTyankee]

Every dealership Service Department will try to Upsell you.
They will try to do it every time, until you inform them that you know how to go to the Internet & know what is best for your vehicle & that you will always try to do things to keep the Warranty intact.
That you also know that they are trying to convince you that your vehicle should follow the same service intervals as a Severe Duty Vehicle, like a Taxi or Police Service Vehicle.

My dealerships Service Advisers, there used to be 7 of them.
Now there are only 2 SAs & the rest are actually just Greeters or Trainees.
This all happened in the last 18 months

Now i have to make them my friends, when i go to see them, i will have 2 Dozen donuts & a smile, of course i will still keep my ears & eyes open

 

[RC Turner]

Like everything else, it depends on a lot of external factors not addressed in your post. On the surface it appears that some service is not necessary at this time. Other parts could make your ownership experience better. Is there something in the truck's history that would cause the dealer to think that the coolant needs to be changed at 30,000 miles? The cabin air filter needs to be replaced if is original. At the cost of labor the price is not out of line. If you do want to change it yourself there is some money to be saved. I find it a little odd that some other things like the air filter are not listed. It cost money to have that dealership there and available to you when you want it. Don't believe that they are all crooks. They are not.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

Like everything else, it depends on a lot of external factors not addressed in your post. On the surface it appears that some service is not necessary at this time. Other parts could make your ownership experience better. Is there something in the truck's history that would cause the dealer to think that the coolant needs to be changed at 30,000 miles? The cabin air filter needs to be replaced if is original. At the cost of labor the price is not out of line. If you do want to change it yourself there is some money to be saved. I find it a little odd that some other things like the air filter are not listed. It cost money to have that dealership there and available to you when you want it. Don't believe that they are all crooks. They are not.

Owns a dealership

 

[utley]

dont ever get services done at the dealership...even if its a dealership service. Its getting very much out of hand...mechanic shops should have access to everything dealerships have, and if they dont then those right to repair laws dont mean anything anymore.

 

[utley]

Like everything else, it depends on a lot of external factors not addressed in your post. On the surface it appears that some service is not necessary at this time. Other parts could make your ownership experience better. Is there something in the truck's history that would cause the dealer to think that the coolant needs to be changed at 30,000 miles? The cabin air filter needs to be replaced if is original. At the cost of labor the price is not out of line. If you do want to change it yourself there is some money to be saved. I find it a little odd that some other things like the air filter are not listed. It cost money to have that dealership there and available to you when you want it. Don't believe that they are all crooks. They are not.

Shouldnt even be the case with the engine coolant. MOPAR uses the 100k mile stuff, so it sounds like they are trying to up sell everything under the sun. The only way the engine coolant needs to be replaced at 30k is if they used the green antifreeze as that stuff actually is every 30k...and thats beyond rare nowadays.

 

[KoboldTaco]

I about spit my coffee on the screen. The cabin air filter is the biggest money grab out there And it’s sad that it is a common overpriced item lurking to attack unknowing customers. Stick to your guns, follow the service maintenance intervals and leave it at that.

 

[Zorin]

The shop owner chimes in now.....

That entire list is ********.

Let's just go down the list -
1. Brake Flush. I DO recommend these. But not on a year old vehicle. I normally tell my customers every 3 years or 36,000 miles on a brake flush.

2. Cabin Air Filter. I charge about half that. I typically do these for no labor, especially when the vehicle is here getting other work done. Basically, cover the part plus a little profit, and we'll handle it. The exception to this is cars that require WAY too much work to change a filter. Ram pickups are not in that category.

3. Coolant Flush. See me in 10 years or 100,000 miles. If you blow a water pump and you're close to that time or mileage, we'll discuss it then as well.

4. Fuel Induction Service. This is the biggest crock. We DO have a very nice EFI cleaning rig. We quit using it when they started putting ethanol in fuel. Alcohol cleans fuel injectors very nicely. The only time we use the rig is when someone brings a car in that has been sitting, and has trashy gas in it. Top tip - fuel injectors nowadays fail from electrical concerns FAR more than every being plugged up.

5. BG Throttle Body Service. So they want to blow some chemical at it instead of removing the throttle body and cleaning it the proper way? When someone wants that, we take the throttle body off, and use carb cleaner and small brushes to actually truly clean the thing. And we don't recommend till at least 80-100K miles.

Here's my recommendation. Change your oil and filter on a reasonable schedule with quality parts. Change your trans fluid and filter every 50 or so thousand miles. Do the axle lubricant at the same time. Throw a set of plugs at it when it hits 100K. Grease and lubricate items spelled out in your owners manual at the interval listed. Anything else is a cash grab.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

The shop owner chimes in now.....

That entire list is ********.

Let's just go down the list -
1. Brake Flush. I DO recommend these. But not on a year old vehicle. I normally tell my customers every 3 years or 36,000 miles on a brake flush.

2. Cabin Air Filter. I charge about half that. I typically do these for no labor, especially when the vehicle is here getting other work done. Basically, cover the part plus a little profit, and we'll handle it. The exception to this is cars that require WAY too much work to change a filter. Ram pickups are not in that category.

3. Coolant Flush. See me in 10 years or 100,000 miles. If you blow a water pump and you're close to that time or mileage, we'll discuss it then as well.

4. Fuel Induction Service. This is the biggest crock. We DO have a very nice EFI cleaning rig. We quit using it when they started putting ethanol in fuel. Alcohol cleans fuel injectors very nicely. The only time we use the rig is when someone brings a car in that has been sitting, and has trashy gas in it. Top tip - fuel injectors nowadays fail from electrical concerns FAR more than every being plugged up.

5. BG Throttle Body Service. So they want to blow some chemical at it instead of removing the throttle body and cleaning it the proper way? When someone wants that, we take the throttle body off, and use carb cleaner and small brushes to actually truly clean the thing. And we don't recommend till at least 80-100K miles.

Here's my recommendation. Change your oil and filter on a reasonable schedule with quality parts. Change your trans fluid and filter every 50 or so thousand miles. Do the axle lubricant at the same time. Throw a set of plugs at it when it hits 100K. Grease and lubricate items spelled out in your owners manual at the interval listed. Anything else is a cash grab.

You're not going to be able to afford that new boat being so nice to customers.

 

[Zorin]

You're not going to be able to afford that new boat being so nice to customers.

I'm not the Car Wizard, you know! HAHAHAAHAHAAH!

 

[69GWC]

Can’t believe that didn’t add in diff service for $800 or so.. lol
That would have been something legitimate.

 

[tricodanny]

Took my truck in for 30,000 mile service last week. When the service writer told me all the stuff they wanted to do I about s**t myself. I told him to only change the oil and give an itemized list, with price of what they wanted to do. I have no problem following the prescribed services, but this seems a little over the top. Is all of this really needed, or are they trying to pay for someones Christmas bonus with my truck? BTW, I did have the tire replaced at my local Discount tire and it was $100 less than the dealership wanted.

View attachment 508468

 

[PaleFlyer]

Seems like regular dealer stuff, cabin air filter is half that cost retail and takes about 5 minutes or so, and the tire could be a concern, are they warrantied anywhere? Take it to Discount Tire and see what they say about it. The rest I wouldn't touch on a 30k truck.

I got it from AutoZone for like $20...

 

[gfviperman]

Last oil change on my HEMI RAM was $90 ... the one befo4ee that was $57 ... 4k miles ago ... be careful ...

 

[FDPDED]

Took my truck in for 30,000 mile service last week. When the service writer told me all the stuff they wanted to do I about s**t myself. I told him to only change the oil and give an itemized list, with price of what they wanted to do. I have no problem following the prescribed services, but this seems a little over the top. Is all of this really needed, or are they trying to pay for someones Christmas bonus with my truck? BTW, I did have the tire replaced at my local Discount tire and it was $100 less than the dealership wanted.

View attachment 508468

I got an email letting me know it was time for the 30K. it didn't have some of these things. like flushing any systems, not included in my list of recommended services.
However I do not go to the dealer unless I MUST.
3 times I took my truck in for routine service, inspection oil change... and left with an undrivable vehicle due to crap alignment or unbalanced wheel.
My rear window frame cracked, made the appointment to have it replaced. showed up, but the guy to do that job wasn't in. Made another appointment, same thing. took 3 trips to get it done despite having scheduled appointments.

 

[Doug Ram]

I have the Ecodiesel and a 100,000 mile warranty, so I use the dealer for critical maintenance. I bring owners manual with me into the service area. Page open to maintenance schedule. We go down the list. I am polite to the advisor but I ignore the upselling bull-. I wait till the car is done. I demand all replaced parts be put in truck's bed. I know the service manager and advisors at this small dealer. They'd never even try what they did here to the OP.

 

[Doug Ram]

I got an email letting me know it was time for the 30K. it didn't have some of these things. like flushing any systems, not included in my list of recommended services.
However I do not go to the dealer unless I MUST.
3 times I took my truck in for routine service, inspection oil change... and left with an undrivable vehicle due to crap alignment or unbalanced wheel.
My rear window frame cracked, made the appointment to have it replaced. showed up, but the guy to do that job wasn't in. Made another appointment, same thing. took 3 trips to get it done despite having scheduled appointments.

Time to start driving to another dealer, even if its further away, it would save time and aggravation. I'd also be on the horn to the Ram Cars folks about this dealer.

 

[Dusty]

I don't think anyone meant to imply that regualr fluid changes and maintenance are not required, the issue is, dealerships trying to get you to do them 2 or 3 times as often as they are actually required. There is ZERO benefit to changing out 2 year old coolant at 30,000 miles when it has a service life of 10 years or 100,000 miles. I don't know how humid it is where the OP is in Texas, but changing brake fluid every couple of years seems excessive too. Only reason it ever needs changing is due to getting water in it.

Dean2's comments are right on.

The coolant that came with the DT Rams, MS-12106, (68163849AB) is the newest type. Unless it's been diluted with tap water or mixed with something else it good for 10-years regardless of miles.

As I recall in my short time in Texas, the humidity is nowhere near what it would be on the east coast. Brake fluid is hydroscopic and absorbs water which can affect internal brake components. However, even around here the dealer would be over recommending a brake fluid flush, and like others is completely unnecessary at this time.

Remember: service writers receive commissions.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 81511 miles

 

[DA Smith]

Everything on the list at 30-k miles is Total BS except the tire and mabe the cabin air filter if you have never changed it! The other stuff is stupid BS, who the hell changes out brake fluid at 30-k and the new coolent now days are good for up to 7 years. This dealership is a crooked bunch of scammers!

 

[CaptQ]

I want to say “Unbelievable” but unfortunately it’s totally believable.

I bring my son’s vehicle in for a simple recall. Dealer says I need a tire rotation and cabin filter for $80. I said the tires are rotated at every oil change and the cabin filter was changed not too long ago.

He put in the service records I denied doing the required tire rotation and cabin filter, like we neglect the vehicle. I didn’t deny it, the car didn’t need it.

 

[KC5TGQ]

They love to gouge women and teens.