Topic: First service on new car - is it needed now?

[stodge]

I got a call from the dealer today telling me my 08 Sentra was due for it's 3 month/5000km service, or numbers to that effect. I don't think I've even passed 2000km on it yet. To maintain the warranty do I need to do this service now, or when I hit the 5k?

Thanks

[anonymoss]

I believe they go by distance or time whichever comes first.  The newer the vehicle and planned length of ownership would be my determining factors.

[AVToller]

Carefully read your maintenance manual and follow that rather than what your dealer says. Some dealers will tell you 3 months/5k when the manufacturer specifies 6 months/8k for example. On the other hand, in my experience, specifications for service read ___ months, or  ___km whichever comes first.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I personally would wait a bit. However, if you're breaking it in in Ottawa over a harsh Winter, may not be a bad idea to change it before 5,000kms.

Of course, your owner's manual (which can sometimes be incorrect as it's dated) / manufacturer recommendation is the guideline.

[safristi]

  IN OTTAWA the GOV RULES........................................

[random006]

I was always under the impression that the first servicing ought to be early rather than late.  New engines and transmissions used to need a break-in time, during which filters needed to be changed more often.  Don't know if that's still true.

Regardless of whether that is still true, I would definitely err on the side of caution for the first year or so.  Certainly follow the recommended changes as per the manual and yes, it is whichever comes first.

[airbalancer]

I guess it depends on in the first service and cost.
If just an oil change , I go for it

[RunsinLight]

My car only has 20,000 km but I have changed the oil about 6 or 7 times due to 3 months intervals. Overkill? Likely but that's just how some people prefer to do it.

I got a call from the dealer today telling me my 08 Sentra was due for it's 3 month/5000km service, or numbers to that effect. I don't think I've even passed 2000km on it yet. To maintain the warranty do I need to do this service now, or when I hit the 5k?

Thanks

[Zombie]

For the first oil change do it at the correct interval but after that I would use the which ever come second methode (no more then 6 month). Oil these days last longer then the dealers say it will because they don't make as much money if you only come in twice a year. Just make sure that you check the dip few weeks.
I've herd of oils that last as long as 15000+ KM and a year but no dealer or shop would indorse it because they want you coming in for service and the "Ohh by the way your breaks need to be done or we need to grease your nipples" $$

[gotak]

I got a call from the dealer today telling me my 08 Sentra was due for it's 3 month/5000km service, or numbers to that effect. I don't think I've even passed 2000km on it yet. To maintain the warranty do I need to do this service now, or when I hit the 5k?

Thanks

The correct interval is 6000km or 3 months on that car as far as I know. They might be trying to rip you off. If you drive lots of short trips you might consider doing it a bit sooner then 6k or 6 months but 3 months is rather soon especially if you don't drive the car much. I did my first one at 4.5 months and 3000km since I more or less only do short trips.

[Squishy]

Is that the normal or severe service interval?  With most manufacturers, Canada falls into their severe service category.

[gotak]

Updated:

Ok the preferred schedule is 6000 km or 3 months. However, the minimum is 12000 km and 6 months. So you should be ok to wait till it's closer to 6000 km as long as you aren't doing lots of short trips.

The thing to note is they might try to up sell you to synthetic, car comes with dino oil. The problem with that is the filter only lasts 6000km under their recommendation so it's not like some people say where you can go 12k with synth. The confusing part is they do say you can go 12000km and 6 months so it's a bit of a question mark?

[stodge]

I think the numbers quoted above are correct but Walkey's website says that you don't have to follow the schedule to maintain the warranty. I'll double check my manual to make sure.

I mainly use the car for getting to and from work and not much else at the moment.

Oh and the driver's door wouldn't open/close this morning so I guess I'm going to have to go to the dealer anyway. Sometimes I hate cars.

[tpl]

The "first service" on my BMW was at 25,000 kms or 1 year at which point an oil and filter change and a good solid kick of all 4 tires.

the "first service" on the Fit is when the maintenance reminder tells you to... so far that looks like about 8000 Km and, for us, one year.  The owners manual sternly says NOT to do a "first service" before the maintenance reminder says to do it.    I'll note that the first service is an oil change with NO filter change.

I prefer the old days where the shards of steel and bearing material were drained out of the engine at 1000 miles !

[thang]

I got a call from the dealer today telling me my 08 Sentra was due for it's 3 month/5000km service, or numbers to that effect. I don't think I've even passed 2000km on it yet. To maintain the warranty do I need to do this service now, or when I hit the 5k?

Thanks

WASTE MONEY, You can do yourself

PAY SOMEONE LOOK AT YOUR CAR

[safristi]

" I prefer the Olde Daze when whatever woz drained outta tha beejeezus @ 1,000Milometerzzz...... "..I don't 5550 Million LIGHT YEARS wif SYNTHTY is better than butter

[slybry]

There are many people that do not drive 20,000 kms a year.

I think visiting the dealer every 3 months is overkill and helps their cash register much more than your car.

I would change oil & filter faithfully every 5000 or 6000 kms regardless of how long it takes you to get there. If you have warranty issues there is no way you can be denied if you show this was done.

I have 2 cars and due to limited driving I get and oil change on them about every 7 or 8 months. My cars are 8 and 11 years old and run like new. Because I do not do many oil changes do to my limited driving I decided to splurge and run on sythentic oil.

I pamper my cars. Dealers however are expensive and encourage you to over maintain you car. I would highly recommend finding an good honest recommended local mechanic and get away from their BS and pressure to spend more money than needed.

Interesting note: The dealer would have me do a wheel alignment every year or 20,000 kms. I have a 2000 Accord with 75,000 kms. Guess how many wheel alignment I have had done? None, zero, na da........

I drive easy brake before pot holes (not in them) I cannot avoid. Car has never pulled or tracked funny. My tire wear is perfert and I am still running original tires (and original Artic Alpins winters). Hopwever, if I ever did sense a problem I would get it addressed right away.

The answer is get work done when required not based on somebody's clock.

Why do I think I am going to get roasted for this post. Bring it on baby....

[Zombie]

There are many people that do not drive 20,000 kms a year.

I think visiting the dealer every 3 months is overkill and helps their cash register much more than your car.

I would change oil & filter faithfully every 5000 or 6000 kms regardless of how long it takes you to get there. If you have warranty issues there is no way you can be denied if you show this was done.

I have 2 cars and due to limited driving I get and oil change on them about every 7 or 8 months. My cars are 8 and 11 years old and run like new. Because I do not do many oil changes do to my limited driving I decided to splurge and run on sythentic oil.

I pamper my cars. Dealers however are expensive and encourage you to over maintain you car. I would highly recommend finding an good honest recommended local mechanic and get away from their BS and pressure to spend more money than needed.

Interesting note: The dealer would have me do a wheel alignment every year or 20,000 kms. I have a 2000 Accord with 75,000 kms. Guess how many wheel alignment I have had done? None, zero, na da........

I drive easy brake before pot holes (not in them) I cannot avoid. Car has never pulled or tracked funny. My tire wear is perfert and I am still running original tires (and original Artic Alpins winters). Hopwever, if I ever did sense a problem I would get it addressed right away.

The answer is get work done when required not based on somebody's clock.

Why do I think I am going to get roasted for this post. Bring it on baby....

I'm with ya brother!!! 

[Leviathan]

There are many people that do not drive 20,000 kms a year.

I think visiting the dealer every 3 months is overkill and helps their cash register much more than your car.

Hell, I'm below 17,000 kms after 21 months. Currently doing an oil change (Penzoil Platinum) every 6 months while under warranty and then will probably go every 12 months once out of warranty.

[Spheric]

I would go by whatever the manual says...

I just had my second service at the dealership last weekend. When I went to get the car, there was a little window sticker which said 'next service in 8000 kms'. However, according to the Passat manual it says the 3rd scheduled service is after a 16,000 km interval (which I intend to stick to).

When I queried the sticker with the service advisor he said 'just to be on safe side'. Considering syntec oil changes are 100+ dollars a shot, I'll probably pass on that.