Dealers today do "inspections." They charge you a few hundred bucks and look at your car. Well, if you're lucky. Most likely, you paid a ton for an oil and filter, and they "inspected" it by driving it back into the lot. Scam? Yes.
I do fluids, filters, belts and look for wear on known trouble spots. So, when I swap the tires on the Scoob, I check the axles. The front units are known weak spots on the Forester. Sure enough, this fall, the driver's side front was done for. I'll check the struts for weeping when the wheels are off too.
Occasionally, depending on the vehicle, plugs will be swapped out.
So, what gets done? Periodically, depending on mileage...coolant, engine oil/filter, transmission fluid/filter, front diff fluid, rear diff fluid, power steering fluid (yes, I change it), brake fluid, engine air filter, cabin air filter, serpentine belt and spark plugs.
My typical schedule is to do the transmission fluid/filter and engine coolant every other spring. Plugs every other fall. (Forester does not have long life plugs) Engine oil and filter every 8000km. (synthetic) Diff fluids, brake fluid and power steering fluid every third spring, unless the brakes have been replaced, and then three springs after that or if appears dirty. Engine air filter every spring. Serpentine belt as soon as wear shows.
Today's vehicles have computerized FI and ignition systems. No need, or ability, to change mixtures or timing. Plug wires will wear out eventually, plugs need to be replaced occasionally, and other than that, it's all about fluids and filters.
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