Car makers ripping of Australians

[Transporter]

It could also have something to do with how long the people keep the car for. Our roads are full of the cars that are very old, so some should be greatful that by servicing it every 6 months they stay safer for longer.

Oh and if you'd read the owners manual, they also mention when driving under the severe driving condition
the car should be serviced more often . But, by any means if you preffer to buy a new car every 3 years (that's what car manufacturers really want), then I'm sure the car would go that distance even without the servicing, of course you most likely will need to pay for the repairs if the car breakes down in that time.

For those who care, want to look after their cars best and keep them for a long time, I still recomment to change the engine oil and the oil filter as the part of 6 monts or 7,500-10,000km service (which ever comes first).

I hope that helps.

[brad]

AVerage age of the Australian light vehicle fleet is 10 years & has been on a gradual decline since it peaked in 1995 at 11 years. Interesting that 15 years before that it was only ~7 years. Maybe the avg fleet age in SA is a bit higher due to slightly lower economic factors?

How does 10 years compare to other developed countries?

[THE_EGG]

Citroen recently changed their servicing interval to a compulsory 12month instead of a compulsory 6month (compulsory to keep the warranty valid). I still choose to get mine serviced every 4-6months depending on how many times I go to the track. Citroen charge me about $250-$300 per service and that includes a free courtesy car for the day or however long they need my car for. Peugeot being the same policy.

[Tobes_WIR35]

I think time-based servicing is, for the most part, a crock. I mean sure, your fluids and filters are going to degrade a little bit over time, but over 6 or 12 months it's going to be negligible. It's running the engine and driving that causes the wear and tear. For me it's not really a problem because I do enough kilometres to beat the time based system, but my fiancee does hardly any kilometres, so for her to do time based servicing, she'd be getting it serviced every few thousand kilometres, which is ridiculous.

[tigger73]

I think time-based servicing is, for the most part, a crock. I mean sure, your fluids and filters are going to degrade a little bit over time, but over 6 or 12 months it's going to be negligible. It's running the engine and driving that causes the wear and tear. For me it's not really a problem because I do enough kilometres to beat the time based system, but my fiancee does hardly any kilometres, so for her to do time based servicing, she'd be getting it serviced every few thousand kilometres, which is ridiculous.

Actually the low km cars can be some of the worst. Our second car is a Mazda 3 which my wife uses for school runs mostly. The engine wouldn't even get up to temp by the time it is back in the driveway. She would be lucky to do 2,000-3,000km a year but it's some of the most wearing km as the engine/lubricants are never at good working temps.

I "borrow" it occasionally to do some country runs just to put some km's on it. Still get it serviced every 6 months to keep up the warranty.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Yeah fair point, but I was more referring to people who might only drive to work one or two days a week, or only drives on weekends. The fluids and filters aren't being degraded by sitting in the garage.

[tigger73]

Yeah, though as a manufacturer you'd have to base you service schedule on the worst case scenario. So everyone else has to pay for the manufacturers level of risk aversion (or level of wanting to fill up their dealers service centres).

[Bug_racer]

Yeah fair point, but I was more referring to people who might only drive to work one or two days a week, or only drives on weekends. The fluids and filters aren't being degraded by sitting in the garage.

Yes they are , you'll find some fluids absorb water .
Filters like air and pollen can get ants nets in them over time ...

[Tobes_WIR35]

Ok, I'll be more specific for those who took my comments to the enth degree. They're not *significantly* deteriorating by sitting in the garage. Maybe if you left it sit there for a couple of years, sure. But if you left it an extra couple of months past your 6 monthly schedule, there would be no measurable deterioration, es essentially what I am saying. The oil would still look like honey (Note: that was not meant to be taken literally).

I think some manufacturers are taking the piss a bit with 6 month intervals. It's just to fill up service centres and sell genuine parts. But who's going to risk it if their warranty depends on taking their car in every 6 months?

12 months is reasonable, 6 months is taking the piss in my opinion.

[Stuwey]

Those of us who know about, and pay attention to our cars, are the minority.

How many cars do you see with bald tyres, and hear the hissing of backing-plate on rotor as they meander down the road? These clowns have NO IDEA. The only reason their car EVER gets any attention is when the 'ripoff' service advisor says it needs it. Brake light globes? Tyre pressures? Wheel align? Wiper blades? People these days think a car is this metal box which has a seat to sit on whilst they're half asleep, it plays their iPod and just happens to get them safely to work, faultlessly.

The cars need to be cared for by somebody, because it sure isn't the owners.

Time-based intervals are just as relevant as mileage. Brake fluid, coolant especially.

Try working at the front desk of your local dealership, you'll see things very differently.