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09-05-2012, 05:57 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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Regular maintenance is A must!
Took the great white to the dealership yesterday for normal maintenance; oil change, fuel filters, check A/C, Transmission flush, front end check, etc… Indeed, it was quite a list I gave them.
After sitting there for half the day I found out I had to leave it overnight. Not complaining just stating the facts. (I wasn’t bored, HJK helped pass the time in “words with friends” using the iphone.) Anyway, sometimes things need to be fixed and they can really pile up on you if you’re not careful.
All 4 rotors & brakes, 1 caliper and the other maintenance that I had them do while they had it, caught up to me in the tune of almost 2K. Wow! Again, I’m not complaining, just glad we didn’t have any trouble while we were gone. With the Great White running as good as it was; it was easy to neglect the little things.
We had just got back from a great weekend of camping. We traveled approximately 2-3 hundred miles overall, without any trouble.
Just thought it would be a good reminder for us all as to how easy the little things can catch up with us!
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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09-05-2012, 06:09 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Cost of normal things is gone way up. Took our Dodge in for it's 30,000 mile checkup and since we tow a heavy load a lot of other things are recommended than normal. Sill, nothing wrong and the bill was $800.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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09-05-2012, 06:47 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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Regular maintenance, when not done regularly, can be expensive. Our TV, a 2007 GMC Sierra, gets regular checkups so we can avoid huge repair bills. But, since we are closing on 100,000 miles, meaning our warranty will expire, I wonder what else I should be looking at. Any suggestions?
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09-06-2012, 12:50 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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It's a whole lot nicer to be able to be parked with the rig when you take the tow vehicle in for maintenance than to be "parked" alongside the highway with the hood raised up. I for one, am much more at ease shelling out a bunch of money for maintenance than I am for repairs found upon breakdown. Spending four hours along I-44 in 112° heat waiting for a tow truck is not my idea of fun. But that's another story.
Orv
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09-06-2012, 01:59 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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Being in the repair business, I agree with keeping up on it.
Michael, I suggest getting the owners manual out, they have a listing of suggested items for your vehicle at every mileage.
How often do folks change the air filter? Mine is around $100.. yikes!
I have read that you just keep an eye on the restriction indicator.
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09-06-2012, 02:19 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Like the old fram ad, pay me now or pay me later.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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09-06-2012, 02:59 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Just to make sure the dealer does everything they should and because we may not be near our "home" dealer when it needs something, I took a rainy afternoon and took the part of the owners manual that applies to our specific truck and converted it to an Excel spread sheet. I'm not handy enough to do anything myself on this new truck, imagine my surprise when the power steering quit and I looked for the fluid reservoir on a truck that shares the fluid with the brakes, so I follow the book to the letter except when even I know better. Cost or not I've had them change an air filter early when we spent the day in the dust storm at white sands.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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09-06-2012, 04:26 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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I'm a strong supporter of preventive maintenance but .... On a note of warning as I've experienced this more than I'd hoped to ... it's just amazing in today's world what a "stealership", quick lube, or tire store can "find" that is just nearly beyond supposed repair ... If you are knowledgable of what they say is at issue make them show you before you open your wallet. I know several of you think I'm always crying "wolf" ... being in the maintenance world today, it just saddens me how much people get ripped and I mean ripped just because the store knows they won't be challenged.
Stepping away from the podium ...............
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09-06-2012, 04:41 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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I agree with what you are saying dieselguy. There might be places like that and that’s why I think it’s good to get to know them where you take your vehicle for service. We do need to keep a watchful eye on things. I also believe you have to build a trust with them.
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09-06-2012, 05:36 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Silverton
Posts: 489
M.O.C. #11144
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Ozz, do you have a special air filter (aka K&N or an AirRaid) on your truck?? The Ford factory filter is "only" $65.89...
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09-06-2012, 05:49 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Cost and convenience are the two main reason why I do my own maintenance. Plus the fact I know what I'm getting for my money.
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09-06-2012, 06:54 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Parts Ed
Ozz, do you have a special air filter (aka K&N or an AirRaid) on your truck?? The Ford factory filter is "only" $65.89...
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Oh, that is a retail price I was quoted.
Thanks for checking on it.
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09-06-2012, 08:03 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Tom S.
Cost and convenience are the two main reason why I do my own maintenance. Plus the fact I know what I'm getting for my money.
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Same here. Plus if something is screwed up, I know right where to find the guy that did it. 
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09-06-2012, 08:12 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Davison
Posts: 786
M.O.C. #12331
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x3 Dieselguy
As a former GM dealership and before that independant tech, I can say I have seen many a repair estimate sent up to the service writer that had many unnecesary items on it(though I never did). My philosophy has always been I make a paycheck repairing cars, not by "upselling" unneeded work. The bottom line-the fault comes back on the tech in most cases. Most but not all service writers have never "wrenched" and couldn't fix a sandwich if they had to.
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09-06-2012, 01:05 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 2,351
M.O.C. #6831
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Dieselguy, I know what you mean. Twice I went to Jiffy Lube for an oil change and they recommended other maintenance than what I went in for. Both times I went to someone else and they said Jiffy Lube's recommendations were not needed. Needless to say I have not gone back to them again and never will.
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09-06-2012, 03:14 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by dieselguy
I'm a strong supporter of preventive maintenance but .... On a note of warning as I've experienced this more than I'd hoped to ... it's just amazing in today's world what a "stealership", quick lube, or tire store can "find" that is just nearly beyond supposed repair ... If you are knowledgable of what they say is at issue make them show you before you open your wallet. I know several of you think I'm always crying "wolf" ... being in the maintenance world today, it just saddens me how much people get ripped and I mean ripped just because the store knows they won't be challenged.
Stepping away from the podium ...............
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I guess I've just been lucky or the good Lord is watching over me because the absolute only place I've ever gone to have any work done where it happened to me is Jiffy Lube. They will always say your wiper blades are bad. This was back in the early '90s just before I retired. Well, I had just replaced the blades two days before going into their place to get my oil changed -- they never saw me again nor will they ever. I go to places where I can put my trust. There's only been one other place I won't go back to and that was because of shoddy workmanship and lack of guts to stand behind their work.
Orv
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09-07-2012, 01:48 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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I see nothing wrong with the fast-oil change places. I think it is a good business model. As in ALL businesses, there are well-run ones and not-so-well-run stores. For a basic oil and filter change, I have always gone to a fast oil change place. I told the local manager if he would enter in a reoccurring 'Coupon' in the computer for my vehicle, I would always come to his store. he did, so I have made his store the go-to store now. I have seen different managers come and go there, the guys are always polite and do suggest wiper blades and premium oil. I wouldn't respect their business ability unless they did. Up-selling is just good business. I just politely decline and all is good. The expensive $95.00 air filter was at Jiffy Lube. I knew I could get it cheaper, so I said no thanks. I got it for $68.00 at a local parts store after telling them I saw it on the Internet cheaper.. (Thanks Parts Ed.)
For fuel filter and a little more involved service, I go to the Ford dealer I bought my truck at. On the road, same deal, but any Ford dealer that is in the town.
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09-07-2012, 04:14 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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They must love to see you coming. 
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Bill-N-Donna
Took the great white to the dealership yesterday for normal maintenance; oil change, fuel filters, check A/C, Transmission flush, front end check, etc… Indeed, it was quite a list I gave them.
After sitting there for half the day I found out I had to leave it overnight. Not complaining just stating the facts. (I wasn’t bored, HJK helped pass the time in “words with friends” using the iphone.) Anyway, sometimes things need to be fixed and they can really pile up on you if you’re not careful.
All 4 rotors & brakes, 1 caliper and the other maintenance that I had them do while they had it, caught up to me in the tune of almost 2K. Wow! Again, I’m not complaining, just glad we didn’t have any trouble while we were gone. With the Great White running as good as it was; it was easy to neglect the little things.
We had just got back from a great weekend of camping. We traveled approximately 2-3 hundred miles overall, without any trouble.
Just thought it would be a good reminder for us all as to how easy the little things can catch up with us!
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__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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