2003 TLS with 104K miles original owner. Into dealer for my usual lifetime free oil change and was told catalytic cover rusted and should be replaced ($39.) Also the fuel and throttle body should be serviced ie cleaner every 60K miles ($165.). Car has no noise or rattle, engine performs fine. Declined both services. Agree or disagree?

 

I would replace the cat cover if its rusted. Easy to do yourself.

Paying the dealer $165 to spray a cleaner into the throttle body is a no go with me! You can do that for $5.

To properly service and clean the TB, you need to remove it. Extremely easy job, 2 bolts and 2 nuts and a gasket. You need to remove the IACV valve on it too and thoroughly clean that as well and replace its gasket. You need to lube the butterfly hinges of the TB when done. Will cost you less than $15 to do this "proper" job yourself.

The fuel system is serviced by pouring a whole Seafoam bottle into a half tank of gas and drive as usual until empty.

 

If you're not mechanically inclined, just put some cleaner in your fuel tank. Definitely don't pay $165 for something as simple as that, especially if they are just suggesting it by mileage.

Cat cover is just a cover, replace it if you want to. Not gonna make a difference either way.

 

Ya gotta be careful with those "free oil changes" , as the dealer just wants to get ya on bigger repairs for more profit after ya go to pay. The Cat's shield is a way for them to give ya a call and tell ya that they need to do something else.....maybe like replace the entire Cat and mounting bolts ????? Mercy !

 

^^Damn! I thought they lost money on each one, but made it back in volume.

 

They get a pretty darned good return on a $20 investment !

 

Like said, "free oil change", will not free after all. Do they charge you the oil filter at full price. darn. I would not use their 'free oil change' even if they give me 100 bucks, include the 'free 104 points inspection'. Sorry to say, but I am having hard time finding honest shops out there, including stealerships.

 

The dealer that sold us our TL does free lifetime oil changes for any vehicle they sell. Once I got a job near home (which is 27 miles from the dealership) the "free" oil changes became a PITA but I would still go because it was free.

Then one day I went to change the oil by myself and couldnt get the filter off......used all methods and still wouldnt budge so I ended up stabbing it with a screwdriver to spin it off. Since then I vowed no dealer will touch my cars unless absolutely necessary.

My 7 yr old son could probably change oil better than a place giving me a free oil change.