$650 for new fluids at 36k miles?

[phileaglesfan]

So I took my 09 Yukon XL Denali in for an oil change and tire rotation. Service manager comes out and shows me the fluids on a board suggesting I change everything except the brake fluid (he didn't mention that one) for $650ish plus tax. He said the axle fluids were black (they looked dark). Isn't axle fluid dark to start with? His clear axle fluid was almost clear. I asked why does GM say they are good for life, something must be wrong if they are that much color change. He said nothing is wrong with the axles. I denied the repair and he mentioned "I'll write down that you denied recommended service."

Question for the GM rep, can they deny a power train claim in the future? If so then why don't they change the fluids for free if they are that bad at around 70% life on the tranny/transfer case and when GM doesn't even recommend changing the axle fluids or power steering.

Question for everyone else, what is normal for the axle fluid. Everything else was slightly darker than new fluid if my fluid was actually on the sample.

I usually change non engine drive train fluid at the 45k mark or so. Then they tried to say synthetic oil costs about $80 more. They did give me a $40 credit or so for that when I complained.

 

[GreatWhite]

Total scam - at least you know they're a place to avoid. Remember that "service managers" are commisioned sales persons (who know nothing about cars) and treat their comments accordingly. The only honest recommendation you are going to get is in your owner's manual - trust it.

 

[sheldoncooper]

Really? $650 dollars just for that? The place is a total ripoff!

 

[jdpber]

please say you did not give them a dime

 

[GM Customer Service]

phileaglesfan,

I am not entirely sure. I will look into this for you and get back with you.


Thank you,

Elizabeth, GM Customer Service

 

[carcrz]

phileaglesfan,

I am not entirely sure. I will look into this for you and get back with you.


Thank you,

Elizabeth, GM Customer Service

well i cant wait for this answer this should be interesting

 

[vserduchka]

What a ripoff. This is exactly the type of thing I'm always trying to make people aware of on this forum. Who sticks up for us "normal" working guys and gals? No one!

And when you try to stick up for yourself you're labeled as cheap, or "the cause of the problem," or even worse, the reason a warranty claim is denied.

Just don't give that shop your business anymore.

Better yet, could you tell us what shop it was and where? That way the rest of us know not to go there either.

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

 

[fubar]

I've had that done before with my wife's car. It was back in 2009 and the car was an 07 Edge. Jiffy Lube came back with a list of things it needed and bill was like 400+
I said, no and all i need is the oil changed. He said I was gonna have problems with the axle and transmission in a few months, And after I said NO like 10 times the so called manager had a completely different face and attitude towards me and walked away an tossed away the estimate sheet LOL. F**k them I said.

That same 07 Edge is now 4yrs old and never done anything but oil changes to it and nothing this guy ever mentioned went wrong.

 

[skippy737]

thats disappointing to hear. i drive 3500-4000 miles per year-- its hilarious when they try to tell me the same crap you guys get- i look at them like they have two heads--- a 2010 yukon denali with 6500 miles needs those kinds of services. i think not.

 

[phileaglesfan]

I paid them for the oil change and rotating the tires (which they tried to overcharge me for) and that was it. When I stated I know what the owner's manual says about maintenance intervals he said "It changes every day." I told him to prove it and he walked away.

I'm seriously thinking about writing to the owner of the dealership. This was the first time in about 6 years of going there that they tried to pull this crap and I knew it was crap as soon as he brought out the fluids. They did get another guy to fall for it though and is having all of his fluids changed Monday. Go in for a stupid oil change and end up paying 10 times as much for maintenance that is not required.

Elizabeth,
Thank you for researching it and I'm looking forward to your answer. This is one "sales" tactic that needs to end though. I'm not exactly new to owning cars, especially GM cars as this is probably around my 8-10th GM vehicle in about 15 years. (I have 3 in my garage right now). They don't take a rocket scientist to figure out maintenance intervals and such. Actually with this dealership I'm glad my Denali is so reliable as I question about them fixing anything. I know darn well I wouldn't get something fixed out of warranty thru them because of their sky high charges.

 

[jdskycaster]

I know it would have been tough to do but these types of dealerships should have been wiped out during the restructuring of GM. Hate to say it but some smaller dealers with excellent service departments got the axe instead. I know of one in my area that is gone.

JD

 

[phileaglesfan]

I agree, this one pretty much sells Buicks/GMCs but in the same area they sell Hondas also. I guess they are finally remodeling the place. Even big dealers can be real bad though. There is one in this area that I would not take my Chevys to no matter what.

 

[Zed 71]

How many miles on the Yukon? Yes that is way to much to charge. Stick to the manual recommended intervals.

As far as the differential fluids (assuming becase you referred to axle fluids) being good for life, I have not seen that and would not expect that to be the case for any vehicle.

BTW the Yukon Denali is AWD and does not have a transfer case. At 50k my fluids needed to be changed out. They weren't that bad, but I do take it off-road (wet conditions) and live in a winter climate zone. I changed the diff and transfer case fluids for well under $100. Mobile 1 synthetic for the diffs and OEM fluid for the transfer case.

 

[Ben]

Acutally went to the dealer today to get an oil change the guy tried to talk me into getting all my fluids changed.... 120 just to change the power steering fluid...

 

[phileaglesfan]

It has 36k miles on it right now. I thought all 4WD/AWD vehicles had some kind of transfer case (to get the power to the front wheels). I would look at my Denali right now but my wife has it at work. If it doesn't have one then I'm going to be real pissed since I can assume what they showed me was not oil from my transfer case. I remember they showed me axle (or dif) fluid x 2, auto tranny, transfer case and power steering. I knew $650 was steep since the first 4 should be around $400 or so max. PS, I was guessing about $60 which I never had changed before on any vehicle.

I do change my axle fluids every 40-45k or so on all of my vehicles. Auto tranny and transfer case (I had an Envoy before this) about 40-50k. Brake fluid about every 3 years since it absorbs moisture.

Here is what my owner's manual says for both axles.

When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check front axle fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A fluid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.

I'm beginning to wonder if the black axle fluid he showed me was actually my fluid. He also showed me some crap in fluid that was supposedly in my Power Steering fluid. I start questioning him that if there is crap in the fluid what needs to be repaired under warranty, same thing for the axle fluid being black. He didn't answer me. I looked at the PS fluid afterwards and it looked normal. Of course I couldn't check the other ones. I'm really going to light up the dealer if it doesn't have a transfer case since it is AWD.

This guy seemed like he was real new as a service adviser. I have never seen him before and they seem to change out often anyways.

 

[phileaglesfan]

I looked under my Denali this morning and the transfer case is about 2 feet inboard of the driver's door, so yes AWD does have a transfer case. I'm sure it is slightly different that a 4WD version since there is no driver input.

I just got an email from the service manager asking me about what I thought about the service. I plan on responding.

 

[metal4all6]

I can confirm that the Denali does in fact have a transfer case . I changed all my fluids with Amsoil a few weeks ago at 42k miles (except for the tranny - will do that at 50k).

 

[Zed 71]

Typical AWD systems uses a center differential to provide power to the axles, they do not use a transfer case.

4WD systems uses a transfer case to send power. Transfer cases have two gear sets and require different lubrication (type and volume). They provide high and low 4WD power - there is no automatic high/low transfer case. The auto function for the Tahoe is to swtich between 2WD and 4WD (high) modes.

BTW, to me the below quote mainly stipulates when to check diff fluids. The manual should have a schedule when to change the diff fluid.

"When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check front axle fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A fluid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired."

Just my 2 cents.

 

[phileaglesfan]

phileaglesfan,

I am not entirely sure. I will look into this for you and get back with you.


Thank you,

Elizabeth, GM Customer Service

Elizabeth,
Were you able to find out if they can deny a power train claim if I don't change the fluids recommended by the dealer but well with GM's specs in the owner's manual?

Thank you.

 

[Kman]

This dealership was trying to steal hard earned money from you, plan and simple.

Change the fluids based on what it says in the owners manual.