Ford 15,000 mile maintenance

[labjr1]

2023 Powerboost F-150 Platinum, I took my truck to my dealership for its 15k maintenance. I authorized them to perform any maintenance needed. I was a bit surprised by some of the charges. I need to know if my dealership was acting in good faith. Brake Fluid Service $189.95, Fuel Injection Service $328.79 (includes $140.83 for PM-30-K additive) this one seems excessive. Throttle Body service $129.95, plus oil change, filters,...$897.52 for a 15k mile service. Any thoughts. I don't mind paying for service if needed. However I don't want to be overcharged and I suspect I was.

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[Sapphire]

Unless your truck had some abnormal need, sounds like you got scammed. Ford has it in the FordPass app:

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS AT YOUR 20,000 MILES CHECKUP

• Replace cabin air filter, if equipped.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses and parking brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system level, strength and hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system and heat shields.
• Inspect front axle and U-joints. Lubricate if equipped with grease fittings.
• Inspect half-shaft boots.
• Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod ends, drive shaft and U-joints. Lubricate if equipped with grease fittings.
• Inspect the automatic transmission fluid level (if equipped with a dipstick). Consult your dealer for requirements.
• Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag.
• Perform multi-point inspection.
• Rotate the tires, inspect tire wear and measure tread depth

My 10k service was $80ish. So was my 20k. I don’t even see a 15k routine service.

 

[labjr1]

Thanks, I should have checked. New ownership at the dealer and they have lost me as a customer forever.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

2023 Powerboost F-150 Platinum, I took my truck to my dealership for its 15k maintenance. I authorized them to perform any maintenance needed. I was a bit surprised by some of the charges. I need to know if my dealership was acting in good faith. Brake Fluid Service $189.95, Fuel Injection Service $328.79 (includes $140.83 for PM-30-K additive) this one seems excessive. Throttle Body service $129.95, plus oil change, filters,...$897.52 for a 15k mile service. Any thoughts. I don't mind paying for service if needed. However I don't want to be overcharged and I suspect I was.

Reject all that shit. I might consider that at 30k but not at 15. They completely screwed you. There’s no need for that stuff this early. I would raise hell I wouldn’t pay that additional services.

Have the service manager show you where it’s a requirement or where it’s needed as pertaining to the maintenance schedule published by Ford.

You may want to also consider never authorizing “as needed” services

 

[wz00r2]

15K maintenance should be tire rotation and an oil change at the most. Thats only if you're doing 5000-mile oil change intervals, if not, then it should have only been a tire rotation.

 

[Calson]

Dealers make half their profit from service work and parts so if you bend over they are going to take advantage. Numerous times I have had their service sales people try to sell me on fluid replacement that was not needed.

I started making a summary sheet of all the maintainance needed at various mileage amounts and keep that inside the vehicle. No need to have the manual as the single page sheet covers all that is needed on one page.

It is well worth the effort to do this and have the information all on one piece of paper. I spend less than an hour using a PDF version of the owner manuual and need do this only once for a vehicle.

There are some fluids that should be changed after XX months regardless of miles driven as with coolant and brake fluid and even motor oil (at least once every 12 months).

 

[Bobcatou]

Dealers make half their profit from service work and parts so if you bend over they are going to take advantage. Numerous times I have had their service sales people try to sell me on fluid replacement that was not needed.

I started making a summary sheet of all the maintainance needed at various mileage amounts and keep that inside the vehicle. No need to have the manual as the single page sheet covers all that is needed on one page.

It is well worth the effort to do this and have the information all on one piece of paper. I spend less than an hour using a PDF version of the owner manuual and need do this only once for a vehicle.

There are some fluids that should be changed after XX months regardless of miles driven as with coolant and brake fluid and even motor oil (at least once every 12 months).

I'm saving this...thanks. So much of the stuff seems to be "Inspect" (Taking 5 seconds per item) Much of that I can inspect myself too.

 

[Chili]

Unless your truck had some abnormal need, sounds like you got scammed. Ford has it in the FordPass app:

My 10k service was $80ish. So was my 20k. I don’t even see a 15k routine service.

Outside the cabin air filter...are they suggesting we pay to have things that are under warranty, inspected? or is the 20k service free?

 

[HammaMan]

LOL -- give a blank check to a dealer and they'll spend as much as possible. Curious if they actually give the tech appropriate time to perform such or they just give him a tiny bit of the time and claim the rest as done.

All of the fluid inspection should be done at oil changes, same for driveline. Rarely do they actually fully inspect everything, possibly a quick glance around things and a hurried check, check, check on the inspection sheet. Service brake fluid w/ the brakes.

 

[Buyer2021]

I'm saving this...thanks. So much of the stuff seems to be "Inspect" (Taking 5 seconds per item) Much of that I can inspect myself too.

Just FYI, it's all in the PDF Owner's Manual which can be downloaded free. Attached is the full section from my 2022 Owner's Manual, which includes adjustments for "special operating conditions".

 

[Sig Oris]

Thanks, I should have checked. New ownership at the dealer and they have lost me as a customer forever.

You were scammed. Just looked at my paper owners manual and there is NO defined 15K service. There are things done at intervals, Normal - Severe - Extreme, and then also items to do at 20k, 30k, 40k….

i suggest going back and requesting a refund since you asked for 15k service and non of these EXTRAS are in the owners manual

if the service writer refuses, go talk to the service manager. If he’s no help tell him you’ll see him in Small Claims Court.

FWIW, I had something similar happen with a new service writer on my wife’s BS. I asked what’s a 15k cost now and I got a telephone number size quote. I asked why an oil change and tire rotation was so expensive. She then proceeded to tell me about the extras you mentioned. I said so me that in the owners manual. She then proceeded to say it’ something we do.

im retired so i have the luxury of fighting things on principle.

 

[Ronin1973]

You got scammed. Wow.

 

[Buyer2021]

i suggest going back and requesting a refund since you asked for 15k service and non of these EXTRAS are in the owners manual

I suggest avoiding the hassles and certain confrontational stress, write it off as a lesson learned (and apply the lesson).

One of the lessons learned is to always ask for an estimate of total charges when leaving a vehicle for service of any sort. Then write bold on the service authorization "Call customer for authorization before exceeding $(stated estimated dollar amount)", circle that note and point that out to the service writer when you do it. I've gotten a glaring glance but never a refusal with that habit.

The OP acknowledged he basically gave the dealer an open authorization when he signed the service authorization. Many (most?) dealers post placards and advertise 15k mile service, distinctly apart from what's in the Owner's Manual, as a revenue scheme even though not strictly required or recommended by Ford Corporate. Nothing that was done was harmful to the vehicle.

Nothing the OP does is gonna 'teach the dealer a lesson' or change their practices. Move on, there's more fruitful things in life for expending energy and wasting stress.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Unless they informed you of what their 15,000 mile servicing consisted of... They did unnecessary work. The fact of your open season words does not give them license to do something not part of a routine 15,000 mile checkup. The purpose was simply to puff up their billings with a veneer of legitimacy. This is dishonest. You may or may not be abe to legally go after them... But you can make sure that organizations such as the Better Business BUreau are aware of this stuff. Keep it factual. You can also ensure people that you know understand the facts. The best place to get even is "on the scoreboard" (IE hit'em in their pocketbook/reputation).

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

While the dealer’s service advisor pulled some shady crap, the truck owner DID “authorized them to perform any maintenance needed”.

Never……ever, give a shop the ok to do what ever they feel is needed.

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