I have a 2006 Nissan Xterra with 30k miles. In the maintenance guide it lists a ton of services that need to be done for the 30k tune up. I called Nissan and they said it would be $399 (plus 120 for fuel injection). I know this is a huge ripoff, but I was just curious as to what I really need to do besides an oil change, tire rotation, and air filter at 30k. Here's some of what the manual says:

replace: auto transmission fluid, differential oil, engine air filter, engine coolant (flush system), engine drive belts, radiator cap, transfer case oil, and lubricate locks and hinges

precision auto can do all the above for $199 (without fuel injection)

any suggestions on what to do?

6/11/2008 9:33:49 PM

Tranny and Transfer case are the only remotely difficult things on that list. You could probably do it all for less than 100 if you did it yourself. Most of it would only require basic tools. Buy the shop manuals, and whatever small tools you need, and I bet you still come out well below 300, possibly below 200 if you have tools already.

Thats assuming its check belts though. They're tricky to change on some cars. But unless they have cracks or other signs of wear, I probably wouldn't replace them anyway.

6/11/2008 9:48:36 PM

Definitely shop around for the stuff you can't do, but most of that stuff is pretty easy. The Ford place in Wilmington tried to get me to spend 500 dollars one time for a transmission flush (they claimed the fluid was burnt), a power steering flush, and a bunch of crap I can't remember on a truck with 31,000 miles. When I laughed at the woman and asked her why they were trying to get me to pay for stuff that the manufacturer didn't recommend at that mileage, she just said that they changed the service intervals, but she could tell I didn't believe her. I guess they take advantage of a lot of people who don't know any better. I just told them to do the warranty work and nothing else and I haven't been back.

6/11/2008 11:39:28 PM

ha, the worst i remember is when i went to a jeep dealer one time to get a pigtail for a burned out taillight (the local discount stores were sold out).

they were like "yep, got it in stock. it'll be $1200."

(i'm making up the price, but it was something on that order)


turns out that they would only sell you an entire wiring harness, haha.

6/12/2008 12:32:07 AM

would go somewhere else to get that done void your warranty?

6/12/2008 6:46:36 AM

nope, as long as you have proof it was done, you can do it yourself, its against federal law for the manufacturer to require you to have the scheduled maintenance done at a dealer to honor the warranty, but most people dont know that and they definately will not tell you that

6/12/2008 10:52:12 AM

I love how they charge extra for fuel injection. Pretty sure there hasn't been a new car or truck sold in over 15 yrs that was still carbuerated.

6/12/2008 11:38:04 AM

Even at my old shop:
Auto Trans flush: 70
Differential flush: 40
Oil change: 25
air filter: 20
coolant flush: 60
Serp Belts: 100
radiator cap: 12
Fuel Inj service: 60

Total: $387

None of the stuff it terribly difficult. Having a lift/ area to work would make everything exponentially easier. Almost all of that stuff is important to do if you plan on having your car run for a long time, and not cost more in the long run.

6/12/2008 11:53:17 AM

thanks for all the advice. yeah i'm definitely not going to nissan for the work. i might shop around for some cheap tune ups. i'm not big into the do-it-yourself car tuneups. all i've ever done is change my tires..

i might try out precision auto tune at 199. any complaints about them? they seem much better than jiffy lube. but that's probably not saying much

[Edited on June 12, 2008 at 6:20 PM. Reason : ]

6/12/2008 6:19:48 PM

honestly i dont see anything there that needs to be done before 50k, besides the oil change,belts when they wear out/crack only, tranny at 50k, diff radiator cap and coolant at 100k, and a filter whenever it needs it, you dont need to do shit to the fuel system other than change the filter every 75-100k or so

6/12/2008 8:09:30 PM

if you do a lot of city-stop/go driving, getting your t-fluid changed at 30-40k is just right.

esp. if you don't have a good tranny cooler, like most hondas.

you def. don't need new coolant at least until 5yrs-100k.

6/13/2008 3:05:26 AM