How do I arrange for routine car maintenance?

[v]

My car is approaching its first oil change.  It also tells me that it is overdue for tire rotation (not a big deal that it's overdue, right? I'll get that done with the oil change).  Also, I got something in the mail recently saying that there is an update for the infotainment system that only a dealer can do -- and they're doing it for free so I assume this is because there's a known issue with it.

At any rate, I will get all of this stuff done in the next few weeks.

The dealer is about 15 minutes from my office or 45 minutes (or longer, plus $15 in tolls) from my apartment so I'd like to get it done during the work week.  I'll have to drop the car off.

My questions (please bear with me if these are stupid -- I've never had a car before!):

1.  I should call ahead to make an appointment, right?  How far ahead might I need to schedule this?

2a.  How long will this service take?  (Trying to figure out if it is a lunchtime errand)

2b.  If answer to 2a is is longer than a half an hour can I expect the dealer to give me a loaner overnight?  (I got something in the mail saying that they give free loaners for all dealer-recommended service -- this counts, right?)   Please tell me that if I drop it off at lunch I don't have to go back there to get it back that night.  I imagine that traffic in that area will be atrocious during rush hour.

3.  How much might an oil change/tire rotation cost at a Mazda dealership?

[mich1]

1. It's a good idea to call, but I used to drop in at the dealership regularly for an oil change. Normally a day or so.

2. With an oil change, around 30 min or so, no more than an hour. Normally they won't give you a loaner for an oil change, but if you got something in the mail saying they will, then you can try. However, I suspect they are talking about the 30/60/90K services which tend to be longer (and MUCH more expensive). Many dealerships will give you a ride to work and pick you up if it's longer.

3. I used to get mine done at the Subaru dealership while it was under warranty. Oil changes used to cost around $30 and tire rotation another $20 or so.

[Susie]

Yes, make an app't. We usually get appointments with a week to 10 days, but I'm sure this is highly dealership specific.

With new cars, sometimes some of that stuff is free/covered under warranty. We just got our 10k mile service (rotation, oil change, fluid check, etc.) done for free, we just had to take it to a VW dealer. Ask when you make the app't.

Most non-luxury car dealers here don't do loaners, but many have courtesy shuttles/rides to facilitate drop off/pick up.  They also usually ask me when making the app't if I'm dropping off or waiting for it, I'm guessing to appropriately place it in the priority queue for that morning/afternoon/day.

[drloretta]

Yes, I would call. You can probably do it this week

Oil change and rotation shouldn't take more than an hour

It's more likely they'll offer to drop you off and pick you up at your office, but it doesn't hurt to ask

Oil change is around $20-30. I think rotation is similar. Very reasonable

[mtngirl]

1. Yes, but a lot of dealerships also have online scheduling available, that is what I do.  I never have done more than a week or so in advance and there is always plenty of availability, but imagine this is very dealer dependent. 

2. not sure. My dealer has a shuttle, but small town. Maybe you could drop car off on way to work, pick up at lunch?

3. Dealers are known for being more expensive for routine maintenance, but they seem to run specials a lot (and I still like going there for consistency's sake.)  I imagine you can check their website for prices/any specials they are running.
I would expect around $60 for oil change (some places its as low as $30, but I imagine your car uses synthetic oil, which runs slightly pricier)  
and less than $50 for tire rotation (I think last time I paid for tire rotation it was $35)

[CrazyLucky]

Definitely make an appointment. Usually a week is plenty of time.
How often does your manual recommend oil changes? New cars are typically at least 5k miles. I have a Toyota and it's 10k miles. The tires are supposed to be rotated every 5k. It's not a big deal like the safety of your car is in danger if you go over on rotation, it just makes the tires wear faster and be replaced more often ($$$).

How long the service takes depends on the dealership. I took my car in for an oil change and tire rotation when I had a two month old. I can do that myself at home in one hour, using hand jacks and all manual tools. They told me it would be three hours. Then I switched to a different place. It takes them about an hour each time.

Another option besides a loaner is a drop off pick up service. A lot of places will drive you to work, then pick you back up when your car is done.

I don't know what the cost is at a Mazda dealership. It costs me about $70 for a oil change/tire rotation/check it out. That's in rural NC, and I don't know how regional it is.

ETA: Oil change price also depends on type of oil.  If you need full synthetic, it's a lot more than if you don't.  My price is for full synthetic.

[audette]

Yep, make an appointment.

At a dealership, the oil change and tire rotation could take a couple hours. I'd drop it off before going in to work (most dealerships should be open early enough to do this), and pick it up at lunch or after work.

Many dealerships have a shuttle that can drop you off and pick you up within a reasonable radius - I'd guess 15 minutes to the office is within that, but confirm when you book the appointment. Loaners are sometimes offered for free, but not always, so if they typically do a loaner they'll mention it when you ask about a shuttle. Or just outright ask about a loaner.

The oil change and rotation usually costs more at a dealer, but a mazda shouldn't be horrible. I'd guess $60-$80.

[gt7301b]

Maybe I have horrible experiences when it comes to dealing with dealerships, but I feel like it is all a major shot in the dark.  Sure, it should only take 30 minutes, but if you drop it off at lunch and plan to be back at the office in an hour it is not happening.

I've found the best thing to do is to just drop the car off in the morning and get the dealership to either give you a loaner or drop you off at work via the shuttle.

[v]

Dropping off in the morning isn't impossible, but is way less desireable than picking up at night because I'm a baby about having to wake up early. But it would also add easily 45 minutes to my morning commute, which is already way earlier than I want!!! So if I'm doing same day, let's assume lunch drop off and after work pickup.

My car has 7000 miles on it. Tire rotation warning came on at 6000, but oil change indicator is still at 50%. I want to be conservative (and want the infotainment update) so I would like to do this soon.

Routine maintenance is not included in my warranty as far as I know.

I guess I'll call them and ask about a shuttle or a loaner. Shuttle sounds terrible because I imagine the stops on the way would be way out of the way, but take what you can get I guess.

This will all be much easier when the car is off warranty and I can drop it off at the shop on my block!

[mich1]

Sept 2, 2015 12:21:29 GMT -5 v said:

Dropping off in the morning isn't impossible, but is way less desireable than picking up at night because I'm a baby about having to wake up early. But it would also add easily 45 minutes to my morning commute, which is already way earlier than I want!!! So if I'm doing same day, let's assume lunch drop off and after work pickup.

My car has 7000 miles on it. Tire rotation warning came on at 6000, but oil change indicator is still at 50%. I want to be conservative (and want the infotainment update) so I would like to do this soon.

Routine maintenance is not included in my warranty as far as I know.

I guess I'll call them and ask about a shuttle or a loaner. Shuttle sounds terrible because I imagine the stops on the way would be way out of the way, but take what you can get I guess.

This will all be much easier when the car is off warranty and I can drop it off at the shop on my block!

You don't have to take it to the dealer for oil changes and tire rotations.  

[agnes]

Really, the answers will depend on how the service department is run.

Typically, you can just drop your car off anytime for an oil change and tire rotation. It could take anywhere from less than half an hour to a couple hours depending on how busy it is. But with the added update it depends on what kind of update. Best to call ahead and make an appointment, the Service Advisor will better answer the questions.

I would never expect a loaner for this unless the update turned in to an all day event. Even then, sometimes a loaner is not available. Most dealerships have shuttles and sometimes they run on a specific schedule.

signed, 
Ex-Service Cashier

[Deleted]

On a new car, tire rotation is not an emergency. You'll want to keep up with it rotating them because if they wear unevenly they will need to be replaced sooner than if they were rotated often, but it's not an emergency. Tire rotation is only urgent when they're old, high mileage tires in bad shape which can blow out and cause accidents.

Ditto all PPs on expect to get an appointment within a week or so, and expect to pay $30ish for oil change and $20ish for tire rotation.

This is not a lunchtime errand since dealerships are SLOW. This is likely a 2 hour appointment (counting the infotainment update). When you go to a drive-thru quick lube place for an oil change, that's a 15 minute lunchtime errand.

[v]

Sept 2, 2015 12:36:32 GMT -5 mich1 said:

Sept 2, 2015 12:21:29 GMT -5 v said:

Dropping off in the morning isn't impossible, but is way less desireable than picking up at night because I'm a baby about having to wake up early. But it would also add easily 45 minutes to my morning commute, which is already way earlier than I want!!! So if I'm doing same day, let's assume lunch drop off and after work pickup.

My car has 7000 miles on it. Tire rotation warning came on at 6000, but oil change indicator is still at 50%. I want to be conservative (and want the infotainment update) so I would like to do this soon.

Routine maintenance is not included in my warranty as far as I know.

I guess I'll call them and ask about a shuttle or a loaner. Shuttle sounds terrible because I imagine the stops on the way would be way out of the way, but take what you can get I guess.

This will all be much easier when the car is off warranty and I can drop it off at the shop on my block!

You don't have to take it to the dealer for oil changes and tire rotations.  

I know, I know but my father (who is super into cars but also super MM and, for example, is appalled that I take the car to a car wash instead of driving an hour each way to have him wash it for free) has drilled it into my head that when the car is under warranty, I should get it done at a dealer so the dealer can't try to blame future problems on Meineke/my dad and disclaim the warranty.

I tried to get my dad and my coworker (who loves cars as much as my dad) to do it for free, but they both gave me that advice   I do have a standing offer for department car wash/barbecue party at coworker's house (around the corner from our office) any time we can all make it.

[v]

Sept 2, 2015 12:39:30 GMT -5 agnes said:

Really, the answers will depend on how the service department is run.

Typically, you can just drop your car off anytime for an oil change and tire rotation. It could take anywhere from less than half an hour to a couple hours depending on how busy it is. But with the added update it depends on what kind of update. Best to call ahead and make an appointment, the Service Advisor will better answer the questions.

I would never expect a loaner for this unless the update turned in to an all day event. Even then, sometimes a loaner is not available. Most dealerships have shuttles and sometimes they run on a specific schedule.

signed, 
Ex-Service Cashier

Dammit -- was hoping that the infotainment update turned this into a "dealer-recommended maintenance" thing!

Guess I should have bought a car from the Aston Martin dealership across the street from my office after all...

[agnes]

Sept 2, 2015 12:54:10 GMT -5 v said:

Sept 2, 2015 12:39:30 GMT -5 agnes said:

Really, the answers will depend on how the service department is run.

Typically, you can just drop your car off anytime for an oil change and tire rotation. It could take anywhere from less than half an hour to a couple hours depending on how busy it is. But with the added update it depends on what kind of update. Best to call ahead and make an appointment, the Service Advisor will better answer the questions.

I would never expect a loaner for this unless the update turned in to an all day event. Even then, sometimes a loaner is not available. Most dealerships have shuttles and sometimes they run on a specific schedule.

signed, 
Ex-Service Cashier

Dammit -- was hoping that the infotainment update turned this into a "dealer-recommended maintenance" thing!

Guess I should have bought a car from the Aston Martin dealership across the street from my office after all...

Hey, some less fancy dealers do set up delivery.  They'll pick up your car and bring it back to you.  It really just depends on the dealership. 

[agnes]

Oh and ask them if they have any coupons or discounts before the paperwork is done. IME, it's more convenient for everyone. Sometimes they won't be able change the paperwork because the cashier will not have authorization to add the discount or they're lazy and don't give a shit.

Or if you have an expired coupon or competitor coupon, most of the time they'll take it.

[Deleted]

You need an appointment.

Depending on what needs fixed, it can take over an hour. Ask if they have a loaner or a courtesy driver.

An oil change and tire rotation at my Mazda dealership is around $50, Mazda is always sending me out coupons. I bought a groupon for Jiffy Lube and it ended up costing me $97!

[v]

Sept 2, 2015 20:32:04 GMT -5 @dixiedarling said:

The infotainment update will only take a few minutes. They just plug in a flash drive. I wouldn't consider that a super pressing matter because they've already fixed part of the problem remotely.

How do I know if that's happened to my car?  I've noticed no improvements and my infotainment has always kind of been shit.

Can I do this myself the SD card in my car and the toolbox program for my computer?  I'd be more than happy to save myself a trip.

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2015 20:48:09 GMT -5 v said:

Sept 2, 2015 20:32:04 GMT -5 @dixiedarling said:

The infotainment update will only take a few minutes. They just plug in a flash drive. I wouldn't consider that a super pressing matter because they've already fixed part of the problem remotely.

How do I know if that's happened to my car?  I've noticed no improvements and my infotainment has always kind of been shit.

Can I do this myself the SD card in my car and the toolbox program for my computer?  I'd be more than happy to save myself a trip.

While it does only take minutes (it's essentially a computer update) this could take hours at the dealership if they're backed up.

Our Mitsubishi infotainment system had to be updated at the dealership (and not for free!) but the Ford one downloaded/updated automatically. Google the name of your system and you should find a car forum for it, although, I'm guessing you'll need to go in if you were told to. Your car manual may also describe how to update the system.

[ESF]

Is this what happens when people get grown up cars?

Because I just grab my dog and drive my piece of shit car to Jiffy Lube, get out, drop off the car, walk the dog, and come back to a freshly oiled car.

[LoveTrains]

What does your manual say about an oil change? I get mine changed every 5,000 miles.

[v]

Sept 2, 2015 21:06:07 GMT -5 @dixiedarling said:

Sept 2, 2015 20:48:09 GMT -5 v said:

How do I know if that's happened to my car?  I've noticed no improvements and my infotainment has always kind of been shit.

Can I do this myself the SD card in my car and the toolbox program for my computer?  I'd be more than happy to save myself a trip.

You wouldn't know. It's not to improve the function of the infotainment system it's to fix a security flaw. Unfortunately, you can't fix it yourself.

ETA: Assuming your car has a UConnect infotainment system.

Googled UConnect -- no, that isn't the system my car has.  The problem I'm talking about is with the Mazda infotainment system.

ESF -- I don't know what counts as a "grown up car" but this is what happens I guess when you're scared of doing something that will fuck up the warranty.  But also, it isn't like there's a Jiffy Lube in Manhattan so there'd be an annoyance factor with going that route too.  I think the annoyance really is owning a car in a city that (with very good reason) is hostile to the concept of car ownership.  

After it's off warranty, oil changes and tire rotation will be done by my dad.  He's efficient, the price is right, and I'll get a free home-grilled meal with purchase

[v]

Sept 2, 2015 21:52:45 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

What does your manual say about an oil change? I get mine changed every 5,000 miles.

Mine says 6 months or every 7500 miles, whichever comes first.

Hit 6 months on Sunday but I'm not really concerned out being precise about the days.  7500 will come in the next few weeks.

The car computer says that my oil is at 50% 

[gt7301b]

Sept 2, 2015 21:01:11 GMT -5 ESF said:

Is this what happens when people get grown up cars?

Because I just grab my dog and drive my piece of shit car to Jiffy Lube, get out, drop off the car, walk the dog, and come back to a freshly oiled car.

I just take my car to the shop across the street from my office cause dealing with the dealership is a big pain in the ass. I'm not worried at all about the three oil changes I have to get while it is under warranty.

[v]

Sept 3, 2015 6:54:12 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

Sept 2, 2015 21:01:11 GMT -5 ESF said:

Is this what happens when people get grown up cars?

Because I just grab my dog and drive my piece of shit car to Jiffy Lube, get out, drop off the car, walk the dog, and come back to a freshly oiled car.

I just take my car to the shop across the street from my office cause dealing with the dealership is a big pain in the ass. I'm not worried at all about the three oil changes I have to get while it is under warranty.

To be fair, I'd like to get the car computer/infotainment system fixed too.  Right now the system crashes all the time, the indexing of stuff that comes from my phone is all messed up (so maybe 1/5 of my music and podcasts can actually be accessed, and the podcasts I can access are all indexed under the wrong names), podcasts and music has recently started playing at 2x their speed which means I can't actually listen to them, and nothing can be accessed by Bluetooth.  That's a big quality of life issue when you spend 2 hours a day in a car!  So that gets me to the dealer anyway (unless I can figure out how to get the update on my car myself), and might as well get the other stuff taken care of when I'm there.

[gt7301b]

Sept 3, 2015 8:14:28 GMT -5 v said:

Sept 3, 2015 6:54:12 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I just take my car to the shop across the street from my office cause dealing with the dealership is a big pain in the ass. I'm not worried at all about the three oil changes I have to get while it is under warranty.

To be fair, I'd like to get the car computer/infotainment system fixed too.  Right now the system crashes all the time, the indexing of stuff that comes from my phone is all messed up (so maybe 1/5 of my music and podcasts can actually be accessed, and the podcasts I can access are all indexed under the wrong names), podcasts and music has recently started playing at 2x their speed which means I can't actually listen to them, and nothing can be accessed by Bluetooth.  That's a big quality of life issue when you spend 2 hours a day in a car!  So that gets me to the dealer anyway (unless I can figure out how to get the update on my car myself), and might as well get the other stuff taken care of when I'm there.

Understood, I'd take it to the dealer this time, but for future service I'd use a local place

[LoveTrains]

Sept 3, 2015 5:55:19 GMT -5 v said:

Sept 2, 2015 21:52:45 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

What does your manual say about an oil change? I get mine changed every 5,000 miles.

Mine says 6 months or every 7500 miles, whichever comes first.

Hit 6 months on Sunday but I'm not really concerned out being precise about the days.  7500 will come in the next few weeks.

The car computer says that my oil is at 50% 

Ok yeah I would disregard the computer - does 50% mean you need to add oil? My car is a 2006 so I'm not familiar with all the bells and whistles these days.

But I would get twitchy and try to change by six months if you are over 7000 miles. What kind of car did you get again?

[v]

Sept 3, 2015 11:37:58 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Sept 3, 2015 5:55:19 GMT -5 v said:

Mine says 6 months or every 7500 miles, whichever comes first.

Hit 6 months on Sunday but I'm not really concerned out being precise about the days.  7500 will come in the next few weeks.

The car computer says that my oil is at 50% 

Ok yeah I would disregard the computer - does 50% mean you need to add oil? My car is a 2006 so I'm not familiar with all the bells and whistles these days.

But I would get twitchy and try to change by six months if you are over 7000 miles. What kind of car did you get again?

Not quite at 7000, but yeah, agreed about twitchiness -- I'll be taking care of this in the next week or two.

Got a Mazda3

[LoveTrains]

Are you happy with it? I'm trying to convince my H he doesn't need a crossover/small SUV and like the Mazda3.

[v]

Sept 3, 2015 15:54:06 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Are you happy with it? I'm trying to convince my H he doesn't need a crossover/small SUV and like the Mazda3.

Oh yes -- it is a great little car. I LOVE the size for street parking and it is pretty zippy for that price point. Infotainment could use some improvements but it is a big upgrade over the tape deck in the car it replaced!

I went into my car search thinking I wanted an Accord, but Accords now look comically long to me . Very happy with our choice! (Not so happy with the dearth of NY area Mazda dealers)