Have you ever noticed how dealerships seem to always recommend costly maintenance services and accessories? Their focus goes beyond providing optimal care for your vehicle, as it also includes managing their business. While dealerships are crucial in the servicing of the vehicles, their business model is designed in a way that is unfavorable for vehicle owners.

What if there was a way to be able to control the expenditure of maintaining your car and do a relatively good job at it? With this, we will discuss 7 secrets most automobile dealerships do not want you to know. By the end, you’ll be well informed to maintain your vehicle in a cost-efficient way.

1. Engine Oil Change Timing Is Often Overstated

In fact, most dealerships operate under the presumption that cars should receive an oil change at around 5000 km, or even less, but this is not true due to advances in high-quality synthetic oils and engines.

• In fact: Many car manufacturers now suggest oil changes at 10,000 kilometers to 15,000 kilometers, depending on driving conditions and oil type.
• The Reason: More oil changes equate to more visits in-store. This means more revenue for the company.
• What You Should Be Doing: Avoid taking the dealer’s advice at face value: instead, check your vehicle’s manual for suggested oil change intervals from the manufacturer.

2. Premium Fuel Is Not Always Necessary

If your vehicle runs well on regular petrol, do not fall prey to the dealer’s insistence on using premium fuel.

• Reality: The majority of vehicles are constructed to operate smoothly with regular fuel. Only high-performance vehicles or those with turbochargers need premium petrol.
• Why They Do It: Premium fuel has a higher cost, but with low performance engines, it fails to offer significant perks.
• What You Should Do: Look into the owner’s manual. If premium fuel is not specifically stated, it is safe to assume that the costs towards it will just be a waste of money.

3. Dealership Extended Warranties Aren’t Always a Good Deal

These extended warranties In fact, sound like a good safety net, but at times come along with concealed limitations or unnecessary expenses.

• Reality: A majority of cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which covers a lot of the essential repairs. Lower priced services are available to you by many third party mechanics after the warranty expires.
• Why They Do It: These extended warranties are in fact a profit swimming pool product that rarely gets fully utilized.
• What You Should Do: Before considering extended warranties, examine what these warranties entail and match your findings with independent service centers.

4. Cabin Air Filters Are Overpriced at Dealerships

The cost of your cabin air filter at the dealership will often range between ₹1,500 to ₹3,000. However, did you know you can replace the filter yourself at a cost of ₹300 to ₹800?

• For Your Information: The glove box has a compartment that is capable of housing the air filter and can be replaced in under 10 minutes.
• Why They Do It: No skillful equipment is required, so they make larger profits by doing less than their tools allow for.
• What You Need Is: An educational video on YouTube alongside a purchase of an aftermarket air filter will teach you how to put it on. It is one of the most simplistic types of machinery maintenance.

5. Wheel Alignment and Balancing Shouldn’t Be Done Too Often

Constantly, a good number of car dealerships offer regular wheel alignment and balancing as standard maintenance services every few weeks or months, which is not true for people experiencing uneven tire wear or steering problems.

• For Your Information: Alignment on the most of vehicles is required after every ten to fifteen kilometers, or after collisions like running into a pothole.
• Why They Do It: These aligners are, for some reason, more expensive compared to their counterparts, hence the abundance of customers who utilize the services.
• What You Should Do Is: It is probably alright if the tire tread pattern is worn evenly.

6. You Don’t Have to Use Dealerships for Routine Maintenance

Perhaps one of the oldest myths ever propagated is that servicing a vehicle with a dealership is the only way to protect its warranty.

• Reality: You can have your vehicle serviced by any reputable mechanic without the warranty getting voided, provided you comply with the manufacturer’s service schedule and utilize approved parts.
• Why They Do It: Restricting you to their dealership services allow them to control their profit margins and maintenance costs.
• What You Should Do: You should check the pricing from authorized service centers and independent mechanics because more often than not, you’ll be saving a ton.

7. Many Expensive Repairs Can Be Prevented with Simple Maintenance

Many costly repairs arise from the more mundane aspects of maintenance not being undertaken, something that dealerships love to ignore because of how much profit they would lose if they prevented problems.

• Reality: Simple actions such as coolant levels and tire pressure checks, along with battery health assessments, can save a lot of money due to breakdowns.
• Why They Do It: Dealers and service centers doors always welcome customers at their major repairs and maintenance, specifically when minor maintenance is deliberately ignored.
• What You Should Do: Avoid unnecessary visits to the workshop by sticking to a basic monthly maintenance checklist.

Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Car’s Maintenance

Car dealerships can be helpful at times but always try to squeeze profit out of every service. With these newfound knowledge, you can now spend more wisely while achieving effective results in keeping your car in good shape.Are you searching for low-cost accessories and maintenance tools for your car? You can effortlessly maintain your car with the help of affordable cleaning kits, covers, and even seat covers from Mecarnic. Don’t wait any longer! Visit Mecarnic and take charge of your vehicle maintenance.