90k service due - How much $$ for inspection only?

If your car is running fine, you can just continue with the oil changes and air filter changes until 120k miles. At that time you would have to do more of just "inspections". Save your money until 120k miles.

 

At 120k, a lot of things need to be done.

1. change coolant (inverter and radiator), this is listed at 100k miles but I do it the same time as the other stuff at 120k
2. change spark plugs
3. change brake fluid
4. change transaxle fluid
5. change 12v battery if more than 5 years old
6. oil changes / air filter changes
7. and all the inspections you listed at 90k

 

Recommended service intervals should be tweaked by your driving conditions. Extreme hot or cold, dusty, mountains, stop and go, short trips, etc. put extra wear on components, and therefore dictate service sooner than normal conditions. There is no "one size fits all" for when you car needs service.

 

Unless your are talking oil and filter, brake pad changes, there's nothing else that relates to driving conditions

 

I've long suspected that long list of inspections really doesn't get done, that it's largely included to keep the lawyers happy. Except for the brakes, which really do need periodic, thorough inspection.

 

I actually think they do briefly look over your car and inspect it for further repair opportunities.

 

$400 for checking stuff?

At the dealer, oil change + tire rotation + fluid top offs + checking everything will run about $80

 

It totally depends on what the inspection entails, and that could run the gamut. If for example, they did an in-depth 4 wheel brake inspection, plus a quick look-over other items, $400 would be reasonable.

 

Exactly. They are serving themselves, and you, if convenient. Because it's a business. Don't look for altruism.

 

The 90K service usually includes changing the engine and cabin air filters. My spouse had the dealer do this until I smartened up, read up here and do it myself (really a less than 10 minutes each job). The billed amount of these were about $75 each. Filters cost arounf $15-18 each.

Now I just take my car in for oil changes and they always do the inspections and fluids for free. After all, if they actually find something to that needs servicing, that is really to their advantage since they'll make the money. If they don't look, they will never make money.

And because they are reasonable, I am the one who asked for the PCV valve to be changed (105K - didn't need it, returned part looked pretty clean, could have waited b/c we have decent gas), transaxel fluid (@100K) change hybrid system & engine coolant fluid changed 100K (the fluids were not pink but was not black/dark grey either). I think I could have waited another 10K. (I think also the brake fluids too - I'd have to check my files, no - I didn't, so next visit I'll get it done).

I am waiting until I **need*** the spark plugs changed instead of doing it specifically at 120K.

 

If it has not been changed already, you should change out the transaxle fluid. It's an easy DIY job, and should not be very expensive for a dealership/private garage to do it, as it is a simple drain & fill procedure.