Service guides: what's due, and what it should cost
Shops sell a lot of work the manufacturer never asked for. Each guide answers one question from the makers' own schedules, with typical national prices and a calm question to ask at the counter.
Services shops commonly sell
- Is a transmission flush necessary?Usually not. Manufacturers that schedule transmission service call for a fluid change, often at high mileage or only under severe use, and some say no service at all under normal driving.
- How often should brake fluid be changed?Many manufacturers do schedule it, usually by time: every 2 to 5 years depending on the maker. Some, like Toyota on the Camry, only inspect it. It's worth doing when your schedule says it's due.
- Is a coolant flush necessary?Not early. Modern long-life coolant is first replaced at about 100,000 to 200,000 miles or 5 to 11 years, depending on the maker. A coolant flush on a newer car is usually not in the schedule unless its time limit has passed.
- Is a power steering flush necessary?Rarely. None of the manufacturer schedules checked call for replacing power steering fluid, and cars with electric power steering have no fluid to flush.
- Is fuel injector cleaning necessary?Usually not. Fuel injector or fuel system cleaning isn't in the manufacturer schedules we checked. A car that runs fine doesn't need it; a fuel additive is listed only in special cases.
- Is throttle body cleaning necessary?Not as routine maintenance. No manufacturer schedule we checked lists it. It can fix a symptom like a rough idle, so it makes sense only when there is one.
- How often should an engine air filter be replaced?Commonly about every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty conditions. It's a real scheduled item, and on most cars an easy one to do yourself.
- How often should a cabin air filter be changed?Roughly every 10,000 to 22,500 miles or about once a year or two, depending on the maker. It's a real item, and usually an easy one to do yourself behind the glove box.
- How often do you need a wheel alignment?There's no manufacturer mileage for it in the schedules we checked. Get it checked when the car pulls, the steering wheel is off center, tires wear unevenly, or after tire or suspension work.
- How often should tires be rotated?Manufacturers schedule it, usually every 5,000 to 7,500 miles and often with the oil change. It's a real maintenance item.
- When should spark plugs be replaced?On most current engines, at about 60,000 to 120,000 miles, depending on the maker and engine; some turbo engines sooner. Check the interval for your exact engine before agreeing to them early.
- How often should differential fluid be changed?It varies widely. Many schedules only inspect it under normal driving and replace it for towing or severe use, and a front-wheel-drive car may have nothing to service at all.
Mileage services by make
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