2010 MDX Adv, that I bought in June. Brought it to this dealer for the inspection sticker.

Just brought it in for an oil change.
Service tech tells me it's asking for tire rotation, charging system test, oil/filter, and check suspension components.

Me: "it was here 2 months ago, don't you have to check suspension for an inspection sticker?"

Dealer: "yes"

Me: "and you test the battery"

Dealer: "well not for a sticker"
Yet I got a print out of them testing everything.

Me: "Tires are new, so they don't need to be balanced again. So how much is the rest of the recommended maintenance?"

Dealer: "$140 or $40 for just the oil"



So I've tested my charging system on bikes. We basically put a multimeter on the battery and rev it to 5k to verify the voltage. What's involved on testing it on cars, so I don't pay them $100 to plug in a fancy gadget for 10 seconds and say it's testing fine?

 

even better, when i go to get the car back from the oil change.

dealer: "your air filter is dirty"
me: "no it isnt. i bought the car 2 months ago and it was new. i brought it here for an inspection sticker"
dealer: "well it was noted last time it was here"
me: "you mean 2 months ago, when i came for an inspection sticker, because i just bought it. you dont check air filters for that."
dealer: "oh. then it was the cabin filter that's dirty"
me: "really, because i replaced it 3 weeks ago"
dealer: "well they can get dirty"
me: "not that dirty on my 40 mile highway commute to work"

 

with the vehicle off, the battery should display 12.4-12.6 volts, with a multimeter

with the engine on, the battery should display 13.7-14.6 volts with a multimeter

 

pay the $40 and get the heck outta there!
they are obviously fishing for dummies

 

exactly what i did.
i'm planning on replacing the OEM air filter with a K&N because i'm sponsored for them. but i know it's not dirty yet.

 

its one thing to hook a dummy; bait, line, and sinker....
but you obviously know what you're speaking about!

I liked the "oh you mean, when you checked 2 months ago" line.

 

i declined the "B" service because the tires are new and i didnt want to pay an extra $100 for them to test the charging system and check my suspension.
they hand me the keys back and say my rear struts are starting to leak....so they wanted to charge me for something they were checking anyways?

and i find it hard to believe that a reputable Acura dealer sold me leaky rear struts when they replaced a front strut (on my Advanced MDX) two months ago at the time of purchase.


i feel bad for the people that dont know better. they must just shovel that dealership money

 

well, its like plumbing or any other skill that "normal" people wouldnt have.
I can spot and fix things on vehicles, but ask me to construct some PVC piping and I'll gladly pay the $500 or whatever insane prices plumbers ask for.