15K Maintenance

Thomas Rogers · Dec 16, 2005

Okay, I stopped by the dealer today that sold me my 2004 ST and waited while they changed the oil (yeah, I know).

They wanted to do a 15K maintenance, to the tune of $289.

I told them to only do the oil change and lube as almost EVERYTHING with the exception of a front-end alignment, and replacement of the air and fuel fliter is provided gratis with an oil change (things like check and fill fluids, lube doors, check tire pressure and wear, check brake pads, check air filter, etc.).

Everything came back on their "scorecard" as okay with no maintenance required.

I will check the air filter myself and replace if and when needed. The truck is running great and the tires are wearing properly. Should I worry about the fuel filter or the alignment at this time?

TJR

Fer Echegaray · Dec 16, 2005

Fuel filter is sceduled at 30k miles IIRC.

Thomas Rogers · Dec 16, 2005

Yeah, 15K seemed a little early for the fuel filter to me, too. I am going to take a look at the owner's manual. The scheduled services "pamphlet" the service manager used was one made up by the dealer, not Ford, and was generic. It seemed like they were trying to sell me a whole lot of nothing for almost $300.

This site continues to save me money!

Deleted deleted · Dec 16, 2005

Unless you don't value your money, never, ever let the dealer do 'recommended services' on your vehicles.

The only thing I ever take my car to a dealer for is warranty-related work.

Michael Cacioppo · Dec 16, 2005

15K maintenance.......isn't that when you are suppose to wash the Trac?

Dreman · Dec 16, 2005

That's cheap for a ripoff dealer maintenance. Tomball Ford wanted $450!

Read your owner's manual, especially the recommended maintenance section. Then you will know what they are supposed to do, and can tell them so. Better yet, print off the maintenance list from Ford's website, and take it in with you. Then if they say "This is the updated list", you can show them the latest list, printed off from Ford that same day!

Johnny O · Dec 17, 2005

At 15k maybe a brake inspection, but really for the first 30k all that's required is an oil change and tire rotation every 5000 miles. At 30k you're due for some other stuff like a tranny flush (yes I know newer Tracs don't call for that but do it anyway), fuel and air filters The transfer case does not call to be changed until 60k but do yourself and your truck a favor and change it every 30k. It will be real cruddy by then, trust me. Coolant flush at 45k and every 30k after.