30,000 mile service worth it?

[Justintoxicated]

Hi so far I have avoided spending a couple $1000 by not taking my truck to the dealer to have it serviced every 7000 miles.

My truck now how 29k on it and i'm wondering if I should do the 30,000 mile service (it's about $350 I don't remember the exact amount).

I took my truck in because the parking brake was not functioning and they said it was not covered under warranty because I don't take my truck in every 7,500 miles to have the brakes inspected....

So anyways I just recently (about 25-26k) Changed the engine oil, Front differential oil, (rear diff seal was replaced so I assume they replaced the oil), and transfer case.

I know I need to replace my coolant as well but I'm not sure how critical that is (it still looks ok) but I have a gallon of undiluted Volkswagon coolant (Same as Pentosin?) I suppose I could do it myself? Is it difficult and will a 5 gallon bucket hold it all?

However I'm not too keen on brake inspections or anything else.

The dealer said they could deduct some money since I already took care of a few things.

Should I have this service done before I am out of warranty? Am I missing anything else besides brakes and coolant?

Thanks in advance.

[bestatchess]

I would: inspect the brakes & adjust the parking brake myself. I would have the dealer w/flush machine flush the ATF if not previously done. I would also have the dealer flush the coolant as just draining the coolant doesn't flush, used coolant is toxic and presents a disposal problem.

Not sure what else the dealer has in mind, but in any event I would get a specific itemized list of what they propose to do and what they propose to charge.

[walleeme]

J,
Coolant can be tested with a cheap azz tester from autozone.
It has to be good, in regard to temp managemnet and also lubricating properties. IF coolant tests good on temps, which the cheapie tester will show, leave it alone for another few thousand miles. When it gets discolored, and flunks the temp test, it's finished.

W

[Justintoxicated]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

I would: inspect the brakes & adjust the parking brake myself. I would have the dealer w/flush machine flush the ATF if not previously done. I would also have the dealer flush the coolant as just draining the coolant doesn't flush, used coolant is toxic and presents a disposal problem.

Not sure what else the dealer has in mind, but in any event I would get a specific itemized list of what they propose to do and what they propose to charge.

ATF flush is not part of the 30k on the titan, they won't do that for another 20k I believe? I could have them do that as well, but it won't be cheap. How hard would it be to do this myself?

I'll look into the tester. I don't want any gunk plugging up my radiator / cooling system.

I believe you can dispose of coolant at Autozone as well.

I do have a pump (MIGHTYVAC) for bleeding brakes oil etc? Would that work on the coolant system as well? What is required to do this?

I'm broke right now so yea, I'm trying to save money if it is reasonable to do so. I know nothing about brakes so I would have to learn how to inspect them I'm sure (no idea what to look for other than worn pads) or how the 4WD comes apart etc, I know I could not figure it out on my old truck, and I friggin hate TOXIC brake dust......Not sure I'm keen on taking apart the 4WD to get to them either...Parking brake adjustment I read was just a nut they tighten and charged me $45 to do so (PISSED).

Looking for service manual now...

[bestatchess]

The ATF is not part of 30K, but a new tranny is expensive. I have always flushed at 30K intervals and put 250,000 miles on several auto trannys w/o problems. What I don't understand is what else they are proposing to do for $350?

Brakes: just look at the lines, pads, rotors & fluid reservoir.

Parking brake: there are adjusters in the rear at the shoes

Cooling system: dunno about mightyvac. When I was less ecologically conscious, I would drain the coolant, then use the hose fitting kit to flush with the garden hose. Perhaps the manual would shed light.

"How the 4WD comes apart" I'm not sure what you mean. You don't have to take anything related to the 4WD apart to service the brakes. The service manual will clarify this for you.

[Justintoxicated]

So when you say inspect the brakes you don't mean to take them apart? Just look them over? I can do that LOL. But Nissan wants $100 every 7500 miles to do this + oil change. Crazy...

Yes I need to get a service manual......I thoguth on 4x4's you always had to take apart the hubs to get to the brakes....

[mario]

man go to pep boys or midas free break sysem check invent something dumb like how much would it cost me to replace my pads theyll check them and if they need replacement it will be cheaper if not its free the coolant part go to any pepboys as well or any firestone auto care center pretty good service ase mechanics u know theres alot of techs at nissan dealerhsips that do side jobs i happen to know one

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by Justintoxicated

So when you say inspect the brakes you don't mean to take them apart? Just look them over? I can do that LOL. But Nissan wants $100 every 7500 miles to do this + oil change. Crazy...

Yes I need to get a service manual......I thoguth on 4x4's you always had to take apart the hubs to get to the brakes....

Yeah, just look them over. I do it when rotating the tires.

No messing with the hubs, which I believe are an integral unit not subject to dissassembly (probably cost alot of $$ to replace). You do need an impact wrench or a big breaker bar to change the front rotors due to some nasty thread locker Nissan uses on some big bolts, but not a big deal really.

[mario]

well the guide says replace cvt fluid dont know what that is anyone pls? ...differential oil.... engine air filter most of us have intake systems ....coolant pep boys cheaper..... replace engine drive belts those are covered for 36000 under warrenty so bs if they want 2 charge you............. cabin microfilter they make a big deal about that but my xe dint even come with one so if it was such a huge thing they would have put one in from the assembly line... manual transmission oil dont know bout that one..... radiator cap theres a recall on that just say its leaking theyll replace it for free....... and last the flush atf (optioanal) might as well do it its there for a reason not just a reminder and the inspection part isnt it when u go to the dealer for lets say an oil change according to ur milage they inspect all this for u ?even top ur fuels>?

[mario]

man that brake **** did u ever get ur brakes switched for the judder or squeaks while backing under warrenty or go in for any service to them to the point where they replaced them? take the work order nissan parts have warrenty on them 2 cant void ur brake warrenty if they did im pretty sure u with 29 k u were there atleast twice u gotta fight these people dealers are privately owned try different ones for exaple cerritos nissan on all their work orders theres a 90 bucks estimate in case warrenty dosent cover their work rate is covered universal city its free u go in tell ur prob they check it out if something need correcting out of warrenty they call u up tell u what it is and the cost u say yes or no only sh!t is they take a fu(ken long time

[Lurchdubious]

i had just about the whole 30K service done at my dealer a couple months ago, mainly cuz my truck was just over 2yrs old~only had 18,000 miles at time of service. i was a lil' paranoid after reading how some of you guys change those fluids much more frequently. i spent about $270 as i declined the oil change & cabin filter replacement. i had them do all the other fluids tho, (plus i got a free timing advance...), all in all i'm glad i did it.

[Justintoxicated]

Originally Posted by mario

man that brake **** did u ever get ur brakes switched for the judder or squeaks while backing under warrenty or go in for any service to them to the point where they replaced them? take the work order nissan parts have warrenty on them 2 cant void ur brake warrenty if they did im pretty sure u with 29 k u were there atleast twice u gotta fight these people dealers are privately owned try different ones for exaple cerritos nissan on all their work orders theres a 90 bucks estimate in case warrenty dosent cover their work rate is covered universal city its free u go in tell ur prob they check it out if something need correcting out of warrenty they call u up tell u what it is and the cost u say yes or no only sh!t is they take a fu(ken long time

Yea I had the brake fix done, but according tot hem they clean the brakes and adjust the parking brake every 7500 miles so it is normal maintanence.... Problem is I can't just drop my truck off at any dealership, because I have to catch a ride back home to work (when allowed to work from home). I don't have time to sit there and wait for repairs for hours. Hell I'm there every month as it is, let alone having to wait on my truck a few days every month at the dealership.

So sounds like I should
1) get a new radiator cap
2) have the coolant flushed as soon as I get some funds. (I already have the coolant though
3) cabin filter, I'll do that myself, it's 4 screws behind the glovebox...
4) Air filter (I'll take the money I saved and get an AEM this time around) I do need to change it though...
5) Timing advance, (not sure if I need this since my truck is stock..but I willa sk them if it is free

bestatchess, I have an impact and need to pickup a breaker bar anyways, no big deal, the problem is I don't have a Jack (other than the one in the truck ) so I usualy don't rotate my own tires. Unles I happen to be at my dad's house, but then there is no where level in his driveway anymore with the new trailer...

[bestatchess]

Clean the brakes? Don't think that is on the mainteance schedule. I assume that entails spraying a can of brake cleaner in the general direction of the brakes.

The OEM jack sucks. I think I threw mine away.

[Justintoxicated]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Clean the brakes? Don't think that is on the mainteance schedule. I assume that entails spraying a can of brake cleaner in the general direction of the brakes.

The OEM jack sucks. I think I threw mine away.

Yea thats what I was thining LOL probably a can of brake cleaner...Oh well I'm out the $45 I'll just move on and do it myself from now on..

What did you repalce the stock Jack with?

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by Justintoxicated

What did you repalce the stock Jack with?

A 12-ton bottle jack. I also have a few pieces of wood in case I need more height.