spedprof

Folks,

Just brought my 2012 TSX for a B12 service with 28,000 miles. Dealer recommended a "Fuel/emission system service" for about $240. Car is on a lease to be returned at 45000 miles or so. They said they do it outside with some special equipment.

Is this necessary or were they "upselling"? Can I do some of it myself with a quality fuel injector cleaner?

Thanks

robpp

iTrader: (2)

bg44k

ceb

The fuel/emission system service and similar offers are also known as wallet lightening services.

There is no need for these services unless you are having an issue. If you are having symptoms then follow robpp's advice and spend $30 on a bottle of bg44k

Simba91102

More to the point, there is really no such thing as a "fuel/emission service". Depending on the brand of gas you use (some are known as top tier) and the type of driving you do (all highway is the best for your car for a variety of reasons), you may or may not benefit from adding a good fuel injector cleaner every once in a great while (every 6 months or so).... But, most of that is snake oil too. Since your car is a rental, I'd suggest just driving it and doing what you have to and leave it at that. Let the warranty protect you from the rest.

nj2pa2nc

the dealer I go to has recommended the fuel/emission service. I turn them down so on my invoice they show it on their list of recommendations.

ceb

Virtually every dealer will recommend junk services.

The service department is the money maker in a dealership and they are always coming up with new ways to fleece the customer with innovative names for unneeded services.

My dealer has the service department open 365 days a year with hours from 0630 to midnight during the week and 7 to 7 on weekends and holidays. You don't need appointments and they have 150+ loaners.

They pay for all that with the junk services they try to sneak in - so "we'll do our recommended A1 service" (which includes an extra $100 of various chemicals, cleaners and checks) is their way of getting you to agree to their attempts to pick your pocket.

Most service writers are also trained to present doom and gloom scenarios to upsell - especially to customers who seem a bit naive about requirements.

There was a study a few years back showing that low income spend about 50% more on routine car maintenance than higher income owners.

Female heads of household owners are more likely to spend the most and are most likely to stick with the dealership.

A consumer educated about requirements is the consumer who saves the most.

The manufacturer has determined what needs to be maintained at what intervals. Stick to that is in the owner's manual and you'll be driving your car 20 years from now.

spedprof

Thank you for your wisdom.. Kinda felt they were upselling... I never take the offer of "you want fries with that?", so why would I take this offer.

Seems like it is hard to get bb44k, although I just looked online at some of the local auto parts stores... Is Seafoam an acceptable alternative?

Thnaks

robpp

iTrader: (2)

Seafoam is PITA

NAPA sells it here. And lots of dealer parts depsrtments too.

Its abkut 25-28 bux plus tax. Or shipping

I use it 1 times a year in all my rides.
My DD jeep has 155k+ all by me and never had any fuel part serviced. Knock wood

ceb

+1

Seafoam was developed ages ago and was intended for carb engines - they updated the instructions but not the product and there are multiple reports of issues. Why bother when BG44K is the only product that actually delivers.

nj2pa2nc

have never used a fuel additive=never had any fuel part fail-knock-on-wood