Car service extras

Got a major service this week on my SEAT, when I on-line booked it in I was presented by a host of extras such as an engine flush and air conditioning something. Do I need anything beyond the services?

Not unless the air con isn’t cold or you think it might benefit from a flush as it’s not as ‘good’ as it used to be.

I always flush mine before I change the oil.

However, a bottle of that stuff is a fiver, no idea what a garage charges. Whether it makes any difference or not who knows, but it makes me feel like I’ve done it ‘properly’

I’ve never bothered changing the brake fluid or coolant unless I’ve changed a caliper or a radiator (one of each in nineteen years of having vehicles) and they’ve been fine.

Fuel filter and air filter change every other oil change seems to work, again not paying dealer prices though so about twenty quid to do both.

Engine flush I’m guessing is where they spray some chemicals into the air intake for the engine with the intention to reduce the carbon deposits.

Certainly not necessary but could be helpful.  If it’s an old engine could help it breath a bit better and run a bit better.

It’s a bit like running the bike with a gunky chain.  Works fine and shifts gears fine. But when you take it off the bike and give it a proper wash by dunking it a jar of degreaser and lube it again and put it on the bike everything just works a bit better.

Bollocks to it all – it’s just money-making shit. Only do what you need to do to keep the warranty, otherwise, tell them to do one.

I’ve never bothered changing the brake fluid or coolant unless I’ve changed a caliper or a radiator

Not changing coolant or brake fluid is a bad idea. Both degrade over time and 1) being able to stop safely and 2) not overheat/freeze are pretty important for cars.

I’ve never bothered changing the brake fluid

That’s not an extra its is an essential!

No need for an engine flush if the oil has been changed regularly.  Warm it up, drop the oil/filter – new oil in/filter  No need to complicate a simple procedure.

If the air-con is working fine then no need for a “re-gas”.

+1 for changing the coolant / brake fluid at the recommended time interval as per above.

Lots of manufacturers have a core service schedule, normally oil on a minor service, oil and filters on a major service.

You’ll find that there are lots of optional service items that aren’t included on the core service schedule/plan but are recommended.

Typical example is Aircon re-gas, coolant change (although a lot is “for life” now), brake fluid change. Then there are what I deem as snake oil, like an engine flush.

Example from Skoda here

https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/servicing-maintenance-fixed-price

I’d hazard a guess that it’s because they’ll try and sell you or fleet operators a service plan, or throw in a free service etc. Then add the optional items as cost options.as they aren’t included in the service plan.

For the OP the only thing I’d look at is the Aircon re-gas if it’s not blowing cold. I take mine to the local Aircon guy in autumn as he’s less busy then and normally cheaper. Saying that even in summer he’s cheaper than the garage.

My Skoda dealer suggested a brake fluid change. I pointed out it was changed last year.

That aside they were cheaper than a few indies I got quotes from for a service and MOT and didn’t find anything else. Even the front brake pads/discs which I knew were well worn – (almost 60k miles on originals on a big car) were just noted as 60% worn needing done some point in the future.

They did suggest an aircon service as they always do and I said no as always.

Making for this car 4 years in a row of MOTs with no fails or advisories. Even when I am not aware of any issues with the car MOTs still worry me for some reason. Maybe the years I spent running bangers where there was always something.

Some are nice to have. some are required. Its up to you.

things like brake fluid changes. Yea you can get away with not having it. But keeping the car for a long time? then youll be replacing calipers as the pistons corrode. that kind of thing.

if your not mechanically minded to do the preventative maintenance yourself then i would tick all the options……there are far too many cars out there that are not maintained properly.

Brake fluid, topical as I just had mine changed yesterday.

But not done “just because”. They tested it and it was above whatever the water content limit is supposed to be so I got them to change it. AFAIK it’s the first time it’s been done in 6yrs / 65k miles.

Same with coolant, they checked it and said doesn’t need doing – all good.

Not at a main dealer.

Dealers will most likely try to do it without testing, just because it’s due.

i would tick all the options

Not the air con option though, I feel like that’s a scam just to get £150 out of you. It’s a sealed system and will just keep going unless all the gas falls out (as mine currently has, going to VW to see if they’ll cover it under warranty – not feeling hopeful!)

I would have them check the pressure in the aircon, and re-gas if needed. It can leak and get pretty low before actually stopping working, but it does get less efficient.  They shouldn’t just re-gas automatically. Kwik Fit do a free check, and at least my local one honours it. I went in and asked for a regas, they tested it and said it was fine and sent me home without charging me anything.

Coolant – most stuff is for life (or at least 100k) now.  Needs doing as and when prescribed as your engine is a whole mix of aluminum, copper, bronze and iron just waiting to turn into a fizzing galvanic puddle if you let it.

Brake fluid – every 2 years.

Engine flush – usually just a shot of detergents poured into the oil and allowed to circulate for a few minutes before they drain the oil.  Not really necessary.  Maybe if you do a lot of short journeys and there’s a danger that unburnt fuel and condensed water vapor have accumulated in the oil.   Can do more harm than good though if that sludge just moves and blocks one of the oilways.  Better to just not use a car in ways that turn the engine into a sludgy mess in the first place.

Air-con – regas, if it needs it.

Air-con – cleaning – it’s a £3.99 aerosol from ECP you leave in the car with the windows up and the AC + heat on max.  Kills any legionnaires or other nasties lurking in the pipes.

All of that though you can do DIY though.  The most expensive is a bottle of AC refrigerant which about £80 these days (but my bottle is now ~20 years old because unless you have a leak the losses should be tiny).

Nitrogen filled tyres, definitely worth it.

If the air-con is working fine then no need for a “re-gas”.

The system contains oil and like any oil, it degrades over time/use. You can get away with it for sure, but I service mine every 5 years – assuming no leaks in the interim.

Brake fluid essential and is part of the schedule for most (if not all) VMs. I’ve scrapped a customers car in the past due to corrosion on the ABS modulator valves. Brake fluid never changed, car scrap.

its called upselling

Yes needs regas. Told me 5 minutes before pick up so need to trundle back in sometime.

Snazza frazza rashin’ fashin’ Rick Rastardly