Thread: Service Opinions

Originally Posted by Loubrey

Pat,

Non official "advice" from LRA is 12000km for vehicles in WA due to obvious distances and conditions. Mines got a 12,000km/6 month sticker inside the windscreen. Not sure if the other states are sticking to the 20,000km in the book.

I'm lucky with corporate service, so they are welcome to see it as often as they like. My kilometers are so low though that the 6 months come up quicker than the maximum kilometers. I've got a trip planned in November to Broome to have the 90 serviced at the Ford Dealership (closest authorised service centre) and a few days extra for a bit of touring.

I have corporate also, and they have it in every 10k, and that's what they put on the sticker, if no corporate then they would only see it when they needed to as so far would have been up for around $5000 in services in 2 years. 3 services left before the I hit the 100k, then it will be going in at my leisure..

The question you haven't asked (yet) is "what constitutes a service?"

I bought a 2010 Defender. It's first service (according to the dealer's sticker on the windscreen) was at 12,000 km
Unfortunately due to "driver error" compounded by insurance company "risk management", Rocky III never saw it's 12,000km service.

So the nice insurance company buys me Rocky IV (a 2011 Defender) from the same dealer. It's first service (according to the dealer's sticker on the windscreen) was at 10,000 km. I think "that's interesting", but life goes on and Rocky IV makes it to the 10,000 service without any "insurance issues" (yeah!)
I'm curious, so when I pick up said 2011 Defender from the 10,000 km service at the dealer,
I ask: "did you change the diff oil?" they say "No"
I ask: "did you change the gearbox oil?" they say "No"
I ask: "did you change the engine oil?" they say "No"
I ask: "did you change the oil filter?" they say "No"
I ask: "how about the air filter?" they say "No"
Baffled, I ask: "so what did you do?" they say "We did some checks and adjustments"
I ask: "like what?" they say "to make sure that everything's OK"

So I book Rocky IV in immediately to have the fluids and filters changed and I'm happy.
Both Defenders were on the corporate plan.

My plan is to have a comprehensive, professionally conducted service every 10,000 km, even if I have to pay extra. Maybe It's overkill, but I want to be sure that the car is properly taken care of.

The point is, that you need to be aware of what it is that they do on each service - a 10,000 km service may be very different to a 12,000km service and different again to a 20,000km service. Once you know what they are going to do then you can decide if that is satisfactory or if you want more done (at your own expense).

12K for a first oil change and check is insufficient when you dicover a LOT of pre delivery stuff is sometimes not performed adequately.

I would change the engine oil and filter first time at no more than 5000km with a THOROUGH underbody tighten and check, then 10K intervals therafter.
After 40K I would flush brake fluid, change all drivetrain oils, and Main Gearbox at 60K MAX.

Wheel bearing inspection/ service (and hub seal upgrade to real ones - RTC3511) at the 40K if LOTS of offroad use, or 80K if occasional use.

Obviously grease shafts etc at every service.

One thing i am never tired of doing, is tightening all the antiroll bar links, radius rod and trailing arm bolts and upper A frame and panhard rod bolts. you'd be very surprised just how loose I have seen some of these on 'new' vehicles. 1 even lost a sway bar link bolt and the panhard rod came very loose after only 15K.

JC

Im glad this thread come up.
My 2011 has the 20k sticker for first service.
I have already done 10k.
I was going to drop the oil and filters myself now then take it in at 20k.
I to have corperate deal but the problem is they are 1600 km away.
I wonder why there is so much confussion on the service times?
Thats right we drive Landrovers

I'm very anal about maintenance on my vehicles, this is how I've handled the servicing on the puma so far.

- 35km Car up on stands and check all oil levels, then straight to the rust proofers for Mine spec level rust proofing.

- 1500km Change all oils, Engine, diffs, gearbox, transfer.

- 7000km Change oil filter, engine oil, fuel filter, air filter

- 14000km Change oil filter, engine oil, fuel filter

- 20000km Change all oils, engine, diffs, gearbox, transfer, oil filter and fuel filter

I take the puma to Land Rover every second service to keep in good with LR, it works for me, other service is under taken by myself, this offsets the cost of Land Rover service costs.

IMHO I believe even 12000km to be to long for service intervals.

Smaller service intervals has always worked for me on passed vehicles as I can see what's needed before it becomes a problem 90% of the time.

We all know that if you keep on top of the problems they never really become problems, do they!!

Pilbara130,

Trying to get a straight answer out of Shinju Motors (Ford Dealer, Broome) if they'll honour Land Rover Corporate. According to LRA they are our closest "dealer" and all associated work can and need be done there. Initially I got a straight "yes" when I asked, but since I've been booking my service early November I've been getting the "We'll get back to you". Allmine (Karratha) did some warranty work on behalf of LRA for one of the chaps here recently and I'm working hard to establish if LRA will allow them to do servicing as well.

Regardless, I'll rather visit Broome (837km for me, 1008km for you) than Perth (1544km for me, 1470km for you) asuming you are in Tom Price itself!

Originally Posted by Loubrey

Pilbara130,

Trying to get a straight answer out of Shinju Motors (Ford Dealer, Broome) if they'll honour Land Rover Corporate. According to LRA they are our closest "dealer" and all associated work can and need be done there. Initially I got a straight "yes" when I asked, but since I've been booking my service early November I've been getting the "We'll get back to you". Allmine (Karratha) did some warranty work on behalf of LRA for one of the chaps here recently and I'm working hard to establish if LRA will allow them to do servicing as well.

Regardless, I'll rather visit Broome (837km for me, 1008km for you) than Perth (1544km for me, 1470km for you) asuming you are in Tom Price itself!

That would be ideal if Allmine could do the services.

Pheonix 12, interesting you talk about sway bar links. I have just lost one at 30,000 km, so the sway bar is totally disconnected from the axel. LR said there is no warranty on missing parts, so I have to pay for the 2 rubber bushes, the bolt and nut - all about $25.00. Can you believe this aint covered under warranty??

Yep good advice to tighten everything up, cause if it falls off it aint covered!