Service Charges

[xxdjspotxx]

I didn't notice how expensive service charges were until recently when I went in and Sewell Cadillac quoted me for work I needed done when all I wanted was an oil change. How often do you guys get your throttle body cleaned? also they said I need my filters changed. Engine, Cabin, and Fuel. How often do you guys get those changed? I'm planning to purchase the filters myself and change them myself, it shouldn't be too hard right? Also they said I needed a fuel induction and transmission service which sounds right since I'm reaching 60K. Any alternatives that you guys can think of cutting down on cost? And is getting your oil change at a Cadillac dealership any different from doing it yourself? I've always taken it to the dealership because I'm assuming there's some association with the car having a sensor for oil life? HELP!

[ILLMATIK]

Don't believe anything the dealership tells you. Any work they do will be extremely overpriced. Be especially wary of anything having to do with cleaning or "standard" maintenance.

I recently had my wiper motor replaced (wipers wouldn't turn off). The dealer wanted over $400 for the part and another $200 for labor.

I purchased the part on ebay for $75 and my mechanic charged me $20 to put it on. It took him 15 minutes.

[Spyke]

If you follow your maintenance that is written in the owners manual, its a pretty easy DIY job.

When the OLM calls for an oil change, I do maintenance number 1. On the next OLM oil change notice, I do maintenance 2.

Everytime I do an oil change on my car (I do it myself and it takes 20 minutes to do it, dont even need to jack the car (search in the forum and you'll have step by step instruction and check on youtube, someone posted a video on how to do your oil change and oil filter change)). Next, I check the air filter (takes 5 minutes to take the filter, inspect, clean if needed or change it and put it back on).

Usually, every 2 oil change, I change the air filter. Every spring, I change the cabin air filter. For the transmission, go to your dealer for that (my opinion). For the fuel filter, wait until you reach 100k miles and my suggestion is again the dealer for that if you dont want any mess in your garage.

For the throttle body, I clean it at maintenance number 2 so once every 2 oil changes, thats it. For the fuel induction, if the car is running great, dont do it. I have an 05 with 112k + miles on the odo and never did the fuel stuff and it still runs great!

All the rest is visual inspection (hoses and stuff). Lube what you need to lube by reading the owner manual.

You'll save plenty of money and you can by yourself a case of beers and cheers my friend!

[Kingoftypos]

As for the Oil Life Manager or whatever you want to call it that is on your radio. All you need to do is scroll the the oil life indicator and press and hold the "Clear" button. After about 5 or more seconds it's cleared back to 100%. There is no changing a sensor or whatever, just a simple pressing of a button.

KOT

[xxdjspotxx]

Thanks guys! now I'm assuming the fuel filter is the same as an oil filter correct? I just found it out because I use to own a Maxima and they always changed the oil filter every time I got an oil change.

[Sammy Z]

No, the fuel filter is in the rear of the car on the right coming off the gas tank. It does not have to be changed as often as the oil filter, maybe every 50k miles.

[Spyke]

djspot, read the owner manual and you'll see that the fuel filter change is part of a 100k maintenance only!

[z06bigbird]

Sewell has a reputation for assisting its service writers in making their boat and house payments. That is why I use Cavender. (Sewell owns Ken Batchelor Cadillac.)

[cdudeman]

Dealers always overcharge. They charged me 95.00 to deactivate the theftlock on my factory nav.