About to get a ton of work done... help me decide which things to do at dealer

cruze2012owner said:

Hey guys, I have a 2012 Cruze LTZ (gas) with 112k miles. I really haven't taken it in to the dealer very often. It has some recall work done that fixed one issue I had, and then I had a small leak that was cheap to fix right after my 100k warranty was up. Other than that nothing is done except oil changes and some air filter changes. I'm about to get new tires, detailing, and I'm going to get it up to date on all maintenance. The service manual suggests:

Inspect evaporate control system
Replace timing belt
Drain, flush, and refill engine cooling system
Change auto transmission fluid, filter if equipped (is it equipped?)
Replace spark plugs and wires

and I'm going to need to have my alignment checked out also as my 4th tire is a different age than the other 3 and it might be off slightly.
I've driven it in harsh conditions, snow, mud, dusty dirt roads, etc. so any other things you would recommend would be great.

My main question is... which of these should be done at the dealership, and which at an independent shop?
I want this thing to run smoothly for 5 more years 100k more miles so I'm thinking I save money by doing the basic stuff at a small shop and take it to the dealer for the big stuff and they would spot any mistakes made by the smaller shop.

Any ideas? What is this going to cost me?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

No timing belt.....1.8 only so nothing required on your 1.4.
No plug wires......you don't have any.
No trans filter maint. required......you would have to disassemble the unit to get to it.....this is a 'life of trans' filter.
Inspect evap system....No.....if there is a problem a SES light will set.

Coolant change? Yes.
Trans drain and fill (avoid flushing) Yes.
Consider flush/fill brake fluid.......these newer cars with lots of aluminum brake parts are easily damaged by moisture laden old fluid.
Plugs.....Yes.

DO NOT use the phrase 'Tune Up'.........otherwise your wallet will get 'tuned up'.......

You only want the specific services I just put Yes next to.

Play your cards well and you should come out in the $300.00 or less range........do not buy any services from a service menu (the signboard over the service writers head).....those are price inflated, nothing being done services....known as a wallet flush....beware!

Rob

More and more dealers around here are getting into tires to help pay the rent, make sure yours has an alignment capability.

Been dealing with a local Goodyear tire shop, been pretty good so far, while they charge 25 bucks to install a tire, also give free rotation, flat repair, and tire balance for the life of the tire. Have to shop around and do have alignment equipment. Also sells a whole range of different tire brands and promises to beat tirerack.com prices.

While BMW states with ABS, should flush your brake system once a year, feel three years is sufficient, did this last year on my Cruze. Just use my oil changing ramps on the rear, and use a vacuum system, fronts I can get at by turning the steering wheel to the far left or right. Do the RR first, LF, LR, and the RF last. Pump until it comes out clean, but make sure the master cylinder is kept full or will get air into the system.

Takes me a bit longer changing the drive belt, typically around 80 K miles, like to pop the seals off the alternator, tensioner, AC idler pulley bearings, clean those up and put in new Wolf's high temperature red bearing grease, this stuff last for years. Of course I check the races and balls for any pits, but that OE grease dries up. Never cared for a single drive belt system, can leave you stranded if just one limited lubricated bearing decides to seize up, stupid. Alternator can always use new brushes.

I refuse to purchase any AT vehicle that does not have a dipstick, if the rest of the world was like me, we would all have dipsticks.