My dealer said that i should get a 15,000 mile service done.
The charge is $321 dollars and it includes a long list of items. The Mazda 3 manual doesn't mention any thing really about getting serviced from dealerships so i want your advice.

Did any of you get a 15,000 mile service done? Do you think that paying $321 is too much for service at this point in the car's life ( 15,000 miles)?

Any help and comments is appreciated

 

what's on the list

 

15000 should just be be the basics, check everything, fluid levels and such, change oil and filter. I have no idea what would cost $321, for a 15k service.

Just as a precaution you may want to look into recalls on the car

 

I know when we do a 15k service, we flush the oil + use an additive, lube up all the locks/hinges, flush/bleed the brake system, flush the injectors, clean the intake system, intake valves, and throttle body. We also service the battery, add felt washers, and spray corrosion inhibitor on the battery posts. If their car is dirty we will wash it for them too. There may be a few other things that I am forgetting, oh yeah and usually the cabin air filter is replaced as well, if equiped.

So their service may be somewhat a little beyond your normal oil change/check everything over. They should be checking everything over anyways, every oil change. That's what the Full Circle report card is for, it shows what checks out, and what doesnt, and they are supposed to inspect it when it's in for anything (even a burnt out lightbulb), and everything warranty related.

As far as recalls go, they are supposed to check for recalls everytime your car is in for service. Also they are supposed to check the status on your warranty and emmisions sticker.

 

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for responding. I didnt get a chance to reply earlier due to no access to the internet. I got a list of what the $321 15,000 mile service pays for:

Engine Tune-up
Oil and Filter Change
Check Electrical Charging System
Change Manual Transmission Fluid / Change Rear Differential Fluid
Pressue Test Cooling System and Check anti freeze
Inspect and adjust drive belts
inspect hoses and tighten clamps
check all fluid levels
inspect steering linkage
inspect ball joint and tie rods ends
inspect exhaust system
inspect emission control systems
rotate balance and adjust tire pressures
check and adjust brakes
check hydraulic braking system
tighten chassis nuts and bolts
road test

Is the 321 worth it in your opinion? I really appreciate any responses?

 

If they actually perform all that is listed, I would say that it's a decent deal. Assuming that you don't know how to check alot of these things yourself. Much of the service is inspections.

 

I stay away from dealers as much as possible...routinely run my cars over 150,000 miles and have had very little trouble.

 

Yes, unfortunetely some dealerships have caused the rest to look bad.

 

Not that dealerships look bad, it's just their "expertise" on specific makes causes their services to be simply over-priced.

 

Could you have done most of the checks with a factory service manual and some friends?

 

I think its too much.
Haven't been to dealer since 600 mile service on my B2300 pick up (except to get seat fixed under warranty, which is the reason I stopped going here- why bother when you have to fix it yourself anyway?))
Stopped taking Protege at about same time. They both get by just fine with oil and filter changes and I know enough to check everything else that needs checking. Got to do cam belt on wifes car soon as its got almost 80,000 miles on it from new.
PJ

 

Do not bother with a 15k service. I'm a toyota tech, and in my opinion, this service is not needed and is a huge waste of money. Ours cost $150 and I think they are a waste.

Looking at the list, here is what 99% of all techs would do.

test drive
top off washer fluid
Oil change
check the cabin and engine air filter
balance and rotate tires
change manual tranny fluid- drain and refill, very easy
do a general look over. check for leaks, obvious problems and recalls that are worth doing


That's it. There are no tune ups on newer cars, and at 15k-everything is still new.

Follow your owner's manual for recomended services, not the dealers.

The remaining items on the list are just fill. It makes the customers think that more is being done. When we test drive the cars, almost all the checks on that list are eliminated if we don't sense a problem.

 

"Yes, unfortunetely some dealerships have caused the rest to look bad."

It's sad, but the majority of dealers are bad, out of the 7 that I have used to service my varying makes and model vehicles over the years, only one has been decent - and even then I knew the service manager.

I just hit 15K today, took to valvaline, did an oil change, checked fluids, and checked filters...$32. In my area, the filters last a bit longer, guy at valvaline said he didn't think it needed changed yet. He showed me the filter, it was barely discolored.

Last week I had the summer tires mounted on the car, so the tires were rotated, tie rods, etc, checked then.

 

I think the most expensive service I had my car in for was the 20K a few weeks ago, which cost me about $60. I think my 15K was about $40. The only thing I didn't have them do was rotate the tires, which I think costs a few extra $. Unless they're not doing something to my car they should be, I don't see why it should cost you so much more.

 

I would say tthat for $60.00 your only getting a very expensive oil change and some air in he tyres. Maybe hey check the washer bottle but I wouldn't count on it.
( or is the labour rate only $18.50 an hour?)