5,000-mile service yet, anyone?

[YuDanJa]

Has anyone reached 5,000 miles yet and received (complimentary) service from the dealership? At this rate, I'll probably reach 5K before I know it.

I've never had a vehicle serviced at a dealership before, but since the salesman keeps telling me "it's free" I'm thinking why not. Plus I need to get my personalized settings done. However, I've always been told when it came to car dealerships the word "complimentary" doesn't mean "free", but to search for any excuse to charge for parts & labor while holding your car hostage.

I'd appreciate it if you could describe your experience.

[audi4t]

I wouldn't call the 5000 mile inspection a service. The oil change for US cars doesn't take place till 10000 miles.
Free should mean free - it has with the BMW's and Audis I've owned.
Even getting free replacement wiper blades during the eligible period.

[Matt_RN]

Well, it's definitely free for the first 5k and 10k. The car shouldn't have ANY problems that would warrant any sort of dealership tricks. Unless you're super particular about your car, I would go for it. I have to get my settings programmed too. Lexus disabled the windows down when you press and hold the unlock button setting on all new Lexuses. Weird.

[KKM]

While they won't change the oil until 10k I would pay the extra to have them change at 5k since you're there because of the break in process might cause small metal shaving floating around. I know they say that tolerance is a lot better on the parts then days of old, but it doesn't cost that much to have that peace of mind.

[CT200Kev]

Sitting at 3000 miles now so not due first service until 10000 miles (must be different in UK) as not read anything about 5000 mile service or being free for that matter.

The windows opening/closing with remote and reverse buzzer are high on the list for dealer to sort.

[Chunky1234]

Sitting at 3000 miles now so not due first service until 10000 miles (must be different in UK) as not read anything about 5000 mile service or being free for that matter.

The windows opening/closing with remote and reverse buzzer are high on the list for dealer to sort.

Yep agreed Ct200Kev, UK got rid of this type of thing a few years ago, they used to use the time to check the vehicle over and make sure nothing had come loose etc. Like you will have to wait for that 10k or the anniversary of purchasing the car, whichever comes first.

[prosperity]

While they won't change the oil until 10k I would pay the extra to have them change at 5k since you're there because of the break in process might cause small metal shaving floating around. I know they say that tolerance is a lot better on the parts then days of old, but it doesn't cost that much to have that peace of mind.

I've always had the engine oil changed at the first service, although I'm sure a new engine today is built much cleaner. You sometimes have to stare the service manager down to have him change it. I sometimes wonder if the first oil change was deleted to make service costs cheaper for fleet buyers.

[audi4t]

I've always had the engine oil changed at the first service, although I'm sure a new engine today is built much cleaner. You sometimes have to stare the service manager down to have him change it. I sometimes wonder if the first oil change was deleted to make service costs cheaper for fleet buyers.

I believe the extended interval oil and fluid changes came about because of a number of things:

The EU wanted to minimize disposal and consumption of oil base products and fluids and pushed manufacturers to extend service intervals.

Modern engines and synthetic motor oils allow extended service intervals.

For years now I have just had the oil changed on Audi's and BMW's only when the service interval light appears, without any problem.

At the moment my BMW's are averaging 16,000 miles between oil changes and burn no oil.

At work, I have the capability of getting a sample of the engine oil analyzed and each time it shows the oil is fully within specification - synthetic oil is a wonderful thing!

[YuDanJa]

I wonder if they'd even rotate/balance your tires in this service. Probably not? So, basically, they'll just look around your vehicle and say "everything looks fine" or "you need to fix the _____"?
Geez...I wonder if they'll even wash the car for you.

[Hybrid Bear]

Just hitting the 5k mark, and the car's message center states that an oil change service is due. My appointment is on Friday. Along with that, I have a dash rattle from the nav screen, and the clear bra is lifting on the headlight edges. I will let you know, how it goes.