2008 RL Service
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2008 RL Service
Hello,
I have a question regarding service. Under normal driving conditions when would you recommend the following for a 2008 RL. The Maintenance Minder tells me one thing and the service advisor tells me another.
Rear Differential Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Transfer Case Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Brake Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Power Steering Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Automatic Transmission Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Thank you.
I have a question regarding service. Under normal driving conditions when would you recommend the following for a 2008 RL. The Maintenance Minder tells me one thing and the service advisor tells me another.
Rear Differential Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Transfer Case Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Brake Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Power Steering Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Automatic Transmission Fluid Change? (Miles or years?)
Thank you.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 20,067
Likes: 4,698
From: Cleveland area, OH
First, welcome to AZ!
Second, one of your service advisor's jobs is to bring income to the dealership. This includes service recommendations, many of which favor them, and not you. Therefore, you need to use the MID, that's what it's for. Read the manual to learn what the codes mean. When you take the car to the dealer for service, ask for the services that the car tells you to have.....but spell it out...go ala carte. That's what I did when I owned my RL, and it saved me money. Don't just tell the service advisor that your car shows a "1 6", some dealers have "standard" service for that too that costs you more than you should be paying.
Starts at page 349 of my 2006 owner's manual, should be similar in yours.
HTH!
Second, one of your service advisor's jobs is to bring income to the dealership. This includes service recommendations, many of which favor them, and not you. Therefore, you need to use the MID, that's what it's for. Read the manual to learn what the codes mean. When you take the car to the dealer for service, ask for the services that the car tells you to have.....but spell it out...go ala carte. That's what I did when I owned my RL, and it saved me money. Don't just tell the service advisor that your car shows a "1 6", some dealers have "standard" service for that too that costs you more than you should be paying.
Starts at page 349 of my 2006 owner's manual, should be similar in yours.
HTH!
RL owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 711
Likes: 13
All those things should be changed by 50.000 km's except the brake fluid you can bleed and top up. Do the convertions im in canada metric. oil does have a shelf life also so just because you have new oil in 2007 with 30.000km doesnt mean its still good in2010 with 40.000km. If you think changing your oil hurts your car your wrong. PM me if you have any concerns .
Last edited by rtr; Jun 27, 2010 at 02:38 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 12
From: Granite State
The owner's manual mentions also about having the transmission and differential fluids changed at shorter intervals than what is programmed into the MID if you drive on mountainous terrain or pull a trailer.
If I lived in the south, I would just go by MID. Living in the northeast with the frigid winters, pot holes, frost heaves and mountains, I do have extra service done on occasion just for peace of mind.
If I lived in the south, I would just go by MID. Living in the northeast with the frigid winters, pot holes, frost heaves and mountains, I do have extra service done on occasion just for peace of mind.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,920
Likes: 421
I just got the Advisor "upsell". Took my car in for A15 service. This was my first service following the 105K Big service (timing belt, plugs, etc.)
Picked up the car and thought the cost was somewhat high. I should have reviewed the estimate more closely - my bad. I noticed that they changed the coolant. Also noticed that they broke the "not an ash tray" - as it now will not close.
By coincidence, they called me to ask how the Service was. I told them I was not happy as they broke the non-ash tray, so they transferred me to Service Mgr. I asked him if they changed the coolant at the 105K service, and if so, why were they changing again, less than 10K miles later. Also, asked why they would even look in the non-ash tray.
He claims that they have to remove this to plug in diagnostic computer - is this true?
Anyway, they are going to fix it and also credit back the coolant change.
Picked up the car and thought the cost was somewhat high. I should have reviewed the estimate more closely - my bad. I noticed that they changed the coolant. Also noticed that they broke the "not an ash tray" - as it now will not close.
By coincidence, they called me to ask how the Service was. I told them I was not happy as they broke the non-ash tray, so they transferred me to Service Mgr. I asked him if they changed the coolant at the 105K service, and if so, why were they changing again, less than 10K miles later. Also, asked why they would even look in the non-ash tray.
He claims that they have to remove this to plug in diagnostic computer - is this true?
Anyway, they are going to fix it and also credit back the coolant change.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 46
I just got the Advisor "upsell". Took my car in for A15 service. This was my first service following the 105K Big service (timing belt, plugs, etc.)
Picked up the car and thought the cost was somewhat high. I should have reviewed the estimate more closely - my bad. I noticed that they changed the coolant. Also noticed that they broke the "not an ash tray" - as it now will not close.
By coincidence, they called me to ask how the Service was. I told them I was not happy as they broke the non-ash tray, so they transferred me to Service Mgr. I asked him if they changed the coolant at the 105K service, and if so, why were they changing again, less than 10K miles later. Also, asked why they would even look in the non-ash tray.
He claims that they have to remove this to plug in diagnostic computer - is this true?
Anyway, they are going to fix it and also credit back the coolant change.
Picked up the car and thought the cost was somewhat high. I should have reviewed the estimate more closely - my bad. I noticed that they changed the coolant. Also noticed that they broke the "not an ash tray" - as it now will not close.
By coincidence, they called me to ask how the Service was. I told them I was not happy as they broke the non-ash tray, so they transferred me to Service Mgr. I asked him if they changed the coolant at the 105K service, and if so, why were they changing again, less than 10K miles later. Also, asked why they would even look in the non-ash tray.
He claims that they have to remove this to plug in diagnostic computer - is this true?
Anyway, they are going to fix it and also credit back the coolant change.
HAHAHAHAHA That's a good one -- no, there is no diagnostic plug under the "Not An Ashtray" area.
Chris
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 39
From: Northern VA
Just out of curiosity, where is the plug? I have always heard that it has to be within three feet of the steering column, and we can buy something called a scan tool and hook it up to the port.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 12
From: Granite State
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Park, TX
Just had oil, break fluid, air filter service done a dealer for the first time here in Austin. Very happy with the service and the price.
The window sticker had me scratching my head until I realized they had written "15%" on it. This dealer actually goes by the MID for service!
The window sticker had me scratching my head until I realized they had written "15%" on it. This dealer actually goes by the MID for service!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,920
Likes: 421
I have had several heated discussions with their Service "Advisors". I asked one of them whether they were up to date on the TSBs for the RL. He said he never reads them. How can he be a Service "Advisor" if he does not read the monthly Service Bullitens?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,920
Likes: 421
Update - dropped car off so they can fix the non-ash tray.
Good news is that they gave me a ZDX as a loaner. Its a stiffer ride compared to the RL and definitely feels slower. Other than that, it is a pretty cool car or crossover or whatever.
The view out the rear window via mirror is kind of wierd.
Good news is that they gave me a ZDX as a loaner. Its a stiffer ride compared to the RL and definitely feels slower. Other than that, it is a pretty cool car or crossover or whatever.
The view out the rear window via mirror is kind of wierd.
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