Thread: how often is too often (servicing) - some questions

I don't have the answers but agree with your logic. I've been following the "Arduous" schedule (13,000 intervals) but still getting it dealer serviced and generally I've been under the 13k in reality. I'm doing that as a form of insurance in the case of a major failure in say year 4, 5 or 6. This is based on feedback that LRA have come to the party in some cases with financial assistance on major out-of-warranty failures (eg engine replacement) where the owner has demonstrated dealer servicing history. Not fair or right for all the reasons you state but lots of things in life are not fair. One thought, what about dealer servicing at the official 26k interval and intermediate services by someone else? Either way, I have no idea if it's feasible to get non-dealer servicing onto the official on-line record.

You will get a range of opinions with the fuel filter too. I'm replacing it every 20-30,000 almost by default because it's replaced after outback trips. Having said that, so far I've had zero fuel issues. My view is you'd be unlucky to strike water contamination and the most important thing is to carry a spare fuel filter when remote.

Cheers,
Scott

Hmmm. You can't over-service it, but you can be literally pouring good money away
Oil quality and machining tolerances have improved dramatically over the last 20 years to allow vehicles to run extended intervals to no detriment. Finer machining leads to less wear, as well as better surface treatment techniques. Overall, the vehicles will be fine if the service schedule is followed.

The cost of changing your oil and filter every 10,000ks or even 5,000ks if mainly off road and dusty conditions is nothing compared to an engine failure.
Also when doing this service you normally have a real good look around your truck and you can usually spot a problem and fix it before it becomes a major drama.
As far as I am concerned preventative maintenance is a Fantastic idea and if it is a case of throwing out some half decent oil every now and then So be it

I'd recommend doing dealer services as recommended for the history if there is a problem. You can then also do extra yourself and have the best of both. I think filters should be changed as frequently as the fluids they are filtering.

Does your mate's KMart have an Auto store? If you get him to stamp the book I can't see there being a problem, warranty wise. Pretty much any accredited workshop can do book services, AFAIK. A few manufacturers have found this out, over the years.

Originally Posted by LRD414

Either way, I have no idea if it's feasible to get non-dealer servicing onto the official on-line record.

Cheers,
Scott

Hi.

I do mainly short, as in 6km, trips and have followed the Arduous Schedule scenario too. The dealer has done three 6 month safety checks which include oil and filter change at my request plus the regular three annual services. Mine are time based as I don't do enough kilometres (just passed 24k after 42 months) The dealer said that they cannot enter the 6 month checks into the system so I can't see them putting in a non dealer service. Now that mine's past the mandatory 3 year warranty, I am getting a well regarded LR Indy to do the 6 month safety check and the dealer will do the final 2 annual services until the extended warranty expires. The LR Indy said he could not update the LR online records. He did give me a service book though so I've got a record plus all the service invoices from LR and him.

Martin

Anyone that knows me, as one of my customers / friend /relative etc, know I tend to recommend almost parrot like fashion....
10,000km service intervals on any common rail turbo diesel engine, which includes engine oil, oil filter, air filter AND fuel filter.

*Service intervals are typically set by bean counters that work for large corporations, less waste oil/products from a model meet better environmental standards / credits etc.
*Yes modern engine oils are so far advanced from oils of old, thats all very nice. back in the real world its common place to pull down engines that have had "recommended servicing" to find them full of sludge.
*Modern engine machining tolerances are finer..... Well from an engineering point, machining may have got better, BUT a modern engine especially a diesel have far larger clearances than engines of old to reduce internal friction which is by far the biggest hurdle a internal combustion engine must overcome to be more efficient.
*The off set of the above is seen in "modern engines" consume more oil than grandpa's old Land Cruiser (or his old diesel series land Rover).
*Most manufacturers overcome this with increased oil capacity so they dont run out of oil between servicing or rather so oil consumption isnt noticed by owners.
*Oil consumption, in the content of the above isnt a bad thing.
*Cut open a fuel filter after that scary 40K recommended service interval, a fuel filter or numerous fuel filters are well cheaper than just about all parts on the fuel system.
*Fuel quality, regardless of all the safe guards put in place, filters, handling, procedures etc etc is always going to be a variable.... refinery, tanker (rail or otherwise), storage depot, tanker, local fuel station, finally ending up in your tank.

*As it was pointed out to me by someone the other day, the more vehicles that have only manufacturers recommended servicing during that oh so important first 100,000km, (typically 3 oil changes) once out of warranty should lead to more repair work later on.

One can only lead an owner to clean engine oil and filters, ya cant make them drink it.....

Regards
Daz

Originally Posted by letherm

The dealer said that they cannot enter the 6 month checks into the system so I can't see them putting in a non dealer service.

Martin, that sounds odd. I was sure that my interim ones completed by dealer are in the system but can't seem to figure out how to look this up in Topix.

Scott