did i get taken by the dealer?

elantra 05.
i went to dealer to get oil change and air filter change. i ended up
paying $71. is that normal? i didn't want to
go to the franchise shops like midas or meineke.

 

What services did you actually receive?
What's the labor rate at the dealer?
How many miles on the vehicle?

 

Taken? Probably not in that all dealers charge more than independent shops.
My dealer is $40 for an oil change, my local guy is $30. I don't know what
the cost of the air filter is, but filter and labor to change it out is
probably in the $30 range.

I personally avoid dealers because of the price structure, but they usually
have the most knowledge on their brand of car. Good and bad mechanics can
be found everywhere. I was fortunate to find a good one and I stick with
him.

 

Unless there were other VALID services included (not unnecessary fluff),
you got screwed.

 

-------------- TRY PURCHASING A NEW BATTERY ! --------------------

ELANTRA BATTERIES ARE "SPECIAL," AND THEY'RE almost impossible to
replace and service!

Hyundai DOESN'T want you even try to:

1) Check the fluid level in the cells.

2) Check the body and terminals for corrosion.

3) Remove the old battery and install a new one.

These tasks are almost impossible for the average motorist BECAUSE THE
BATTERY SITS IN AN ENCLOSED, SEALED CASE! You can't see much less
inspect the cell fluid levels. And half of the bolts under the hood
on the driver's side have to be removed to free-up the battery.

See, Hyundai wants you to go to a HYUNDAI DEALER, where a battery
costs $90, plus up to $50 more to install it. And at most Hyundai
dealers I know, you have to leave your car for an entire day -- then
hope it's ready when you return in the late afternoon or early
evening.

"Aw, we're sorry, but you see we got real busy and couldn't get to
yours. But tomorrow!"

AdvanceAuto Parts, AutoZone, Olympic Auto Parts, and Batteries Plus
sell the same battery for $52 to $69, some including free
installation.

Only problem? They can't get a sufficient supply of them to keep 'em
in stock!

And that's what your conniving, inscrutable Hyundai folks want -- to
force you to spend more on a new battery than a normal car owner would
expect. Parts companies list the Elantra batteries as "special." And
that they are!

Additionally, the OWNER'S MANUAL has neither a diagram or instructions
for accessing and servicing your Hyundai Elantra battery. Just a one-
paragraph entry that says, in effect, Be careful when servicing the
battery."

I've had my 2004 Elantra GLS for 3 years and the battery is already
shot. Needless to say, with problems also with the air bags, brakes,
power locks, and engine noise and vibration, I've bought my last
Hyundai product!

My advice to Hyundai? Hold up on building those factories in the
U.S. Too many one-time customers could make for sluggish, then
anemic, sales.

---------------------

 

Reply to message from Brian Nystrom <> (Sun, 05
Aug 2007 15:50:12) about "Re: did i get taken by the dealer?":


BN> Unless there were other VALID services included (not unnecessary
BN> fluff), you got screwed.

Not necessarily. Many dealerships have hourly rates of $80 and up and if
they changed both filters that is at least 1/2 hour work. Add to that parts
and taxes and could see how he was charged the $71.

Question is - why go to a dealership for these items? One could easily do
it for cheaper one's self.

Regards
Wayne Moses <> Sat, 18 Aug 2007 23:58:26 -0500

=== Posted with Qusnetsoft NewsReader 3.3

 

I didn't notice the air filter change in the original post. Considering
the cost of the filter and the extra time involved (really only 5
minutes or so), the price he paid is not outrageous, but still somewhat
high.

 

The air filter cost from the dealer is abouyt 25 dollars and the actual
time to raise and lower the hood and install the air filter is 38 seconds
(if you have changed one before) The most ridiculous of all is the $2.50
for a aluminum gasket for the oil drain plug. The $10.00 oil filter. (A
mobile one filter is $10.00 and is designed for at least a 10,000 mile oil
change.

My answer is that anytime you take the car to a Hyuindai dealer for routine
(unspecialized) service you are getting a good hosing without the courtesy
of a reach around.

 

Evidently, YOU haven't done one before, as changing the air filter takes
a lot longer than 38 seconds. You have to remove the heat shield, loosen
the intake tube clamp, disconnect the intake tube, unlatch the filter
box cover, remove the filter, then reverse the process. I'd love to see
you do it in under five minutes.

The gasket is copper, not aluminum, but you're right, that price is
high. Most dealers sell it for under a buck.

Again, that's high by about $4.00

Perhaps, but the oil isn't and Hyundai requires oil changes every 7500
miles in order to maintain the warranty.

That's not true at all. Unfortunately, service varies from one dealer to
the next. Luckily, my dealer is honest and their prices are very fair,
though I generally just buy parts from them and do my own work.

 

2002 XG350 3.5 litre v/6. You do have to undo all those things but you can
definitely do it in less than one minute. It takes a lot longer to change
the transmission fluid and oil and filter than it does the air filter.
Taking off the plastic shield in order to get to the oil filter and
jacking up the car to get my fat ass under it takes a lot longer too. I
change my oil and filter every 2,000 miles or 6 months whichever comes
first. In my case that is six months. The one that was sold to me was
aluminum and was $2.58 . The parts for routine maintainance are
ridiculously high and the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty does not require
all Hyundai parts according to their contact on the phone.
Especially oil filter, air filter, transmission fluid, and anti freeze if
they meet Hyundai specs. A copy of the specs can be got from the company.
You are fortunate as to having a dealer you can reust. The SOB we have here
is nothing but a bandit and although charges a fortune, treat their
mechanics like dirt. Like I said, when it comes time for a timing belt
change, I'll drive to Kansas City, Saint Louis, Columbia, or even Tulsa Ok.
before I have it done in Springfield Mo. at Reliable Imports. I'm sure that
Reliable would try for at least 2 grand for anything that required any
skill at all.

 

'The air filter cost from the dealer is abouyt 25 dollars and the actual
time to raise and lower the hood and install the air filter is 38
seconds (if you have changed one before) The most ridiculous of all is
the $2.50 for a aluminum gasket for the oil drain plug. The $10.00 oil
filter. (A mobile one filter is $10.00 and is designed for at least a
10,000 mile oil change.
 
My answer is that anytime you take the car to a Hyuindai dealer for
routine (unspecialized) service you are getting a good hosing without
the courtesy of a reach around
'

REPLY: They have a high markup on parts due to their enormous overhead
and expenses. I dont know why more owners dont do the simple
maintainence routines themselves ; its a rewarding experience knowing
it was done by yourself and one right.

 

... sorry... that should read :" and DONE right" .

 

I used to do all my service. Now, when the temperature is 2 degrees and
there is a foot of snow and three inches of ice on the ground, I'm quite
willing spend the extra $15 to have the oil changed. If is very rewarding
to sit with a hot cup of coffee and the newspaper while my car is on the
lift.

If you enjoy that time of bonding with your automobile, fine by me.

 

The original poster has an Elantra.

Apparently, you measure time differently than the rest of us.

No kidding.

Again, different car.

Perhaps where you are, but that's not a universal situation.

That's per federal law, the Moss-Magnussen Warranty Act.