I need advice for servicing schedule and pricing of stuff

[Chris M]

I'm due for my 40K oil change and service stuff (normally get the works with a synthetic upgrade). Peoria Ford in Phoenix will be my shop this time around.
I consulted my owner's manual today before calling to schedule. Maintenance schedule in the manual only really seems to point to the brake fluid exchange at this point. Everything else is at or past 100K miles if I read right. So when I called and spoke to the Service Writer, he spit out a bunch of things I should be doing at 40K miles. Transmission fluid, transfer case fluids, differential fluids, brake fluids, HVAC service (which he described as a cleaning). When I asked how much all that would cost me (as I am trying to budget for things needing done) he came up with $2400-ish plus tax. I quickly backed all that down to just the Works plus the brake fluid thing which came out to $305 plus tax. I"m ok with that mostly because I'm not handy like you guys are and I don't want to screw something up.

But back to the Manual for a minute...all that other stuff says there's no need to touch it til after 100K miles unless there's an obvious leak.

Now I read this forum about every day, and have for a long time and am quite familiar with the transmission/drive train problems many of you have. I have been blessed so far not to have that issue, so I'm not seeing why I'd need to have all this stuff done at 40K. I don't off-road, or at least haven't in over a year and a half, and then it was only barely off. Truck is my daily driver, and as I'm fond of saying I drive like an old man because I are one. I'm fairly easy on this truck.

Was I about to be taken for a very long and expensive ride? Should I be finding someone other than Ford to help me with this kind of stuff? Is there a reason NOT to believe the owner's manual about when to service the transmission, differentials, transfer cases, etc? How much SHOULD these things be costing in the non-Ford world? Am I being prejudiced against because I refuse to install a damper???

Thanks for taking the time to consider this.

Chris

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[LawnMM]

What would be included? If I remember correctly the trans service is about $700 by itself at a dealership. Differentials are easy to do yourself but tend to run about $300 a piece at a dealership or shop, same with a transfer case. Brake fluid is a little more work but I'm sure with dealership prices it's still some bucks.

Long and short that laundry list at a dealer probably IS going to run $2k+ but dealers are kind of a rip. You might do a little better at an independent shop but you're still paying out the ass for labor.

It's a hassle buddy but the answer here is learning to do your own work, as much as possible. It's worth the back aches and sore knees so instead of paying $300 an axle for differential service it's like $6/at of fluid and your ratchet to open the plug.

The prices sound about right for a 'stealership'

 

[AzScorpion]

I would do the diff & transfer case fluids. On my '19 I had them done around 25K and they said they were black and nasty. Even though you're not having problems with the transmission it seems like it's still a good idea to do a fluid change and add a bottle of Lube Guard. I wouldn't let Peoria Ford touch my truck after Justin left and always had very good service from Brakes Plus. I know all the guys over at Brakes Plus in Goodyear and can call the manager Johnny if you want to bring it there. They'll give you a way better price and much better service! I've never once had any issues there and they did all my oil changes, level kit, Eibach install and diff/transfer case fluids.

 

[SymChris]

I’ve never heard of an HVAC cleaning service before. I could see a cabin air filter replacement but what else would they do, put a vacuum hose up to the vents? ?

 

[AzScorpion]

I’ve never heard of an HVAC cleaning service before. I could see a cabin air filter replacement but what else would they do, put a vacuum hose up to the vents? ?

Me neither but Peoria Ford loves their add ons. When I bought my '19 from them they already had a huge list of add ons next to the window sticker labeled "Peoria Performance Package".

Look at how proud they are of their pricing!

 

[rang19ca]

Dave, sounds like the bend over package to me, Ha Ha.

 

[AzScorpion]

Dave, sounds like the bend over package to me, Ha Ha.

Chuck, you're right. I hope the "Performance" part was Lube Guard.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Service departments have a lot of “recommended services” that are not in the Owner’s Manual, Chris. If certain things are truly needed, I think the “Phils” of the world would have ensured they were in that document.

I have a feeling these add-on services are no different than nitrogen in the tires, windshield etching, and wheel locks. They are pitched to everybody, regardless of the model.

Diff fluid changes? Maybe.

Brake fluid change? Sure.

Trans fluid changes? Too many stories about transmissions being overfilled by dealers or acting up after the dealer worked on them. Scares the heck outta me.

A/C Service? WTF is that anyway?

My guess is that the seasoned engineers at Ford would have some pretty strong reactions to what Service Advisors are telling customers.

 

[ctechbob]

My guess is that the seasoned engineers at Ford would have some pretty strong reactions to what Service Advisors are telling customers.

Doubt it. They know where the dealership bread is buttered. They also know that they would like to recommend certain things in the manual, but the beancounters won't let them because:

It hurts the 'overall cost of ownership'
'It gets the truck out of warranty, so it's not our problem' (see comment above)

I have also read that the EPA has something to do with extending service intervals, but I've yet to chase that one down. Some form of recommendation or credit the automakers get if their vehicles can require a minimum amount of service for xxxxxxx miles.

Fun fact. It has come out in court documents that GM designed their 8-speed transmission for a 120,000 mile service life (they didn't make it, but that's another story). This was with their 'lifetime' fluid installed (roughly the same advice that Ford gives with our 10r80's). So that's really all the further they expect them to live. After that, they don't care.

When it comes down to it, these manufacturers are not designing vehicles for long term, as long as they make it out of warranty and maybe something like 120k, they don't give a damn.

Me, I keep my vehicles (much) longer, so better maintenance earlier in life should provide a longer life in the end.

 

[Radioman]

Chris:
I pretty much agree with Duke ^. Too many Dealership's Service Departments will try to get services done that are unnecessary just to make your wallet thinner. You live in a warm , dry climate and don't go off road often if at all. I also don't believe that all those services are "required" at 40k miles. Have things done that you feel are necessary but whatever you do, I would not give that dealership my business.

 

[5thranger]

I'm due for my 40K oil change and service stuff (normally get the works with a synthetic upgrade). Peoria Ford in Phoenix will be my shop this time around.
I consulted my owner's manual today before calling to schedule. Maintenance schedule in the manual only really seems to point to the brake fluid exchange at this point. Everything else is at or past 100K miles if I read right. So when I called and spoke to the Service Writer, he spit out a bunch of things I should be doing at 40K miles. Transmission fluid, transfer case fluids, differential fluids, brake fluids, HVAC service (which he described as a cleaning). When I asked how much all that would cost me (as I am trying to budget for things needing done) he came up with $2400-ish plus tax. I quickly backed all that down to just the Works plus the brake fluid thing which came out to $305 plus tax. I"m ok with that mostly because I'm not handy like you guys are and I don't want to screw something up.

But back to the Manual for a minute...all that other stuff says there's no need to touch it til after 100K miles unless there's an obvious leak.

Now I read this forum about every day, and have for a long time and am quite familiar with the transmission/drive train problems many of you have. I have been blessed so far not to have that issue, so I'm not seeing why I'd need to have all this stuff done at 40K. I don't off-road, or at least haven't in over a year and a half, and then it was only barely off. Truck is my daily driver, and as I'm fond of saying I drive like an old man because I are one. I'm fairly easy on this truck.

Was I about to be taken for a very long and expensive ride? Should I be finding someone other than Ford to help me with this kind of stuff? Is there a reason NOT to believe the owner's manual about when to service the transmission, differentials, transfer cases, etc? How much SHOULD these things be costing in the non-Ford world? Am I being prejudiced against because I refuse to install a damper???

Thanks for taking the time to consider this.

Chris

Sounds like they were not planning on any lube either. I would do trans this time, brake fluid next after that, then differentials and transfer case. HVAC service doesn't really need to be done other than cabin filter and blowing out the condenser. Sounds like they want to fulfill their sexual fantasies on you, please run very fast.

 

[LawnMM]

You can seriously do Diffs and Transfer case yourself with relative ease (assuming this is a pre-late 22 that has a rear diff drain plug???) all you need is the fluid, a pump, a 3/8 ratchet, a catch basin, and some thread sealer (not locker!) and that'll likely save you about a thousand dollars right there...

Look at it that way, small amount of effort to save a grand ??‍ cause they're going to charge you about $300+ / per differential and/or the transfer case

You could do all three in an afternoon easily without an issue. Opinions vary but I plan on doing mine every 25k (already did em at 5k after break in).

Break fluid, you might not need it, how old is the truck? I think they say replace that every 3 years because it starts attracting and absorbing water/moisture. Watch a YouTube video about how to check it and what to look for and take a peek and see if it needs changing or they're trying to fleece you.

The trans, well... if you haven't already that's one that's worth a drain and refill at 40k. For $700 id do it myself and there's multiple threads here about how or you could just eat that bill and keep the receipt in case you have an issue later. Your choice and no judgment on that one.

 

[Caver69]

Doubt it. They know where the dealership bread is buttered. They also know that they would like to recommend certain things in the manual, but the beancounters won't let them because:

It hurts the 'overall cost of ownership'
'It gets the truck out of warranty, so it's not our problem' (see comment above)

I have also read that the EPA has something to do with extending service intervals, but I've yet to chase that one down. Some form of recommendation or credit the automakers get if their vehicles can require a minimum amount of service for xxxxxxx miles.

Fun fact. It has come out in court documents that GM designed their 8-speed transmission for a 120,000 mile service life (they didn't make it, but that's another story). This was with their 'lifetime' fluid installed (roughly the same advice that Ford gives with our 10r80's). So that's really all the further they expect them to live. After that, they don't care.

When it comes down to it, these manufacturers are not designing vehicles for long term, as long as they make it out of warranty and maybe something like 120k, they don't give a damn.

Me, I keep my vehicles (much) longer, so better maintenance earlier in life should provide a longer life in the end.

 

[Caver69]

I was thrilled when my service mgr wanted to service my 4x4 system.. I asked if the price included installing it. Mines a 2x4.

 

[JimG_AZ]

Chirs, I think you made the right decision to just do the Works and the brake fluid flush. Sure does sound like Peoria Ford was trying to stick it to you. Like others have said, the diffs and the transfer case are pretty easy to do yourself. I am sure there are YouTube videos on how to service both of those. Otherwise, find a private garage.

I have been using Sanderson Lincoln for my service and so far they have been very good.

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