Had some warranty work completed on my 2002 caravan today. Seeing that there was no charge, the service manager tried to dig up some other maintenance that they could charge me for. He said I was do for "fuel induction service"(About $130). What in the world is this? I told him, not today thank you. Can someone clue me in? Thanks.
Alternate name is "wallet reduction service".
How many miles on the vehicle?
See:
A quote from that thread:
"This particular service at the dealership involves more than just the
44K gas-tank cleaner, but rather a machine that hooks up to the fuel rail. I believe it is a 3-step process, or so they say."I would think that there needs to be some real evidence of a fuel delivery problem before this service is performed.
That is a service devised to remove $130 from your wallet to help the dealer buy fuel. My best advice on maintenance is to follow the severe duty schedule in your owners manual.
Steve B.
I wish someone would help me get over my morbid fear of my Chrysler car dealer. It's no different than my fear of all the other car dealers I've had to put up with over the past 45 years, but I'm getting older and it seems they are more able to talk circles around me. Yes, I'm checking the manual and asking questions, but when I'm confronting the guys in the white coats, my mind goes for a vacation. I find visiting the dealership for maintenance in the same league as going to a hospital emergency room......troublesome. The "service advisors" are like doctors when they attempt to explain why the interior of your engine has to be shampooed, your air intake vacuumed, and the air in your tires changed, or, God forbid, you may end up stranded on some lonely highway somewhere and could die. I suppose all of this makes me more grateful for a newsgroup and the internet for all the opinions and info I can get. Unfortunately, I don't always have a computer when I'm standing in front of their cash register and have to make a decision.
Well you do have a owners manual with you! If a dealer says you need a maintenance service that isn't listed under the severe duty service schedule in that manual I would refuse said service until I had a couple of sources that tell me it is worthwhile.
Steve B.
Ask the service adviser to show you where in the owners manual this service is required. If he can't show you, then say forget it. Eventually, they'll stop trying to push unnecessary stuff on you. I'm fortunate that I have a excellent Dodge dealer I use. They seem to understand that their best interest in to NOT alienate the customer and they win in the log run with return business as a result.
Easy. Stop going to car dealers for service on vehicles that aren't covered by a manufacturer's warranty. Dealerships are overpriced, frequently dishonest, and typically over-patronized to the point where you're just another repair order to them...not a valued customer.
Find a local mechanic, preferably not a chain-operated shop, that has been recommended by two or three people who have used that shop for non-trivial repairs. Try it! You'll like it!
...and the moment you feel you're being flim-flammed by anyone...walk out!
--Geoff
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