Leased vehicles, do they require servicing?

[spinedoc777]

I'm going to check my contract work of course when I get home, but I was just curious while I'm eating lunch. I have a leased 2016 Genny and I am servicing it, but not as much as the service schedule says to.

So my question is, do leased vehicles require servicing? I don't plan on it, but could I be a bum and never service the car in my lease period? If I don't follow their service schedule to the letter/mile will I get a penalty when I turn the car in?

 

[balfor]

Yes, leased cars require maintenance. Your lease will say that you agree to "maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer's scheduled maintenance requirements" or something to that effect.

Now as a practical matter, can they tell when you return the car if you have not replaced air filters when scheduled, or that you stretched oil changes out? Probably not, but best to do at least the minimum requirements to keep the warranty and fulfill the lease requirements.

 

[spinedoc777]

Yes, leased cars require maintenance. Your lease will say that you agree to "maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer's scheduled maintenance requirements" or something to that effect.

Now as a practical matter, can they tell when you return the car if you have not replaced air filters when scheduled, or that you stretched oil changes out? Probably not, but best to do at least the minimum requirements to keep the warranty and fulfill the lease requirements.

Yeah I'm trying to keep up with the oil changes and tire rotations at least, but some of those very expensive services just kind of annoy me. I dealt with that crap when I had a Mercedes, grossly overpriced services. I've been meaning to take it to my local mechanic and just have him do them at probably half the price.

 

[Mark_888]

Yeah I'm trying to keep up with the oil changes and tire rotations at least, but some of those very expensive services just kind of annoy me. I dealt with that crap when I had a Mercedes, grossly overpriced services. I've been meaning to take it to my local mechanic and just have him do them at probably half the price.

What expensive services are you talking about?

You need to do oil changes, engine air filter changes, and cabin filter changes. The filter changes can be easily done yourself with parts purchased from the dealer parts department.

Most dealers will do the inspections for free when they do the other stuff, or just ignore the inspections. Do not sign up for dealer "15K mile service packages" etc.

 

[srobak]

They might be "expensive" - but they are far cheaper than the same regular services vs. the Mercedes. Either way - all mechanical devices need regular maintenance. From the cheapest car to the most expensive. If you don't perform these scheduled tasks (listed in your manual) then you will not only get dinged when you turn in the car at the end of the lease - but if something does break, you will end up on the hook for it instead of the dealer or the factory. Choose wisely.

My neighbor is a 20 year trans tech for Lexus... he says I would be amazed at how many people bring in their busted car because they didn't do maintenance... as simple as an oil change, even. Their dumbstruck response when the situation (and cost) is explained to them? "but... it's a Lexus!!! It doesn't need that!"

Idiots. We are surrounded by idiots. They share the road with you, they make decisions in life which can impact you and they vote. Never forget these facts. Prepare accordingly.

 

[PMCErnie]

Some devil-may-care folks are even physicians.

 

[jarred52]

Yeah I'm trying to keep up with the oil changes and tire rotations at least, but some of those very expensive services just kind of annoy me. I dealt with that crap when I had a Mercedes, grossly overpriced services. I've been meaning to take it to my local mechanic and just have him do them at probably half the price.

I hope you treat your patients better than you treat your car.

 

[kn5owa]

A nasty little factoid about leasing is that when you turn in the car, they will ream you anyway they can.

 

[srobak]

I hope you treat your patients better than you treat your car.

Now that's not nice...

A nasty little factoid about leasing is that when you turn in the car, they will ream you anyway they can.

Not always true. My ex has had very good luck with Honda lease returns at 2 different dealers in 2 different states. Both of my nephews each had good luck and no hassle at 2 different vw dealers and my co-worker turned in his Sonata with no problems. I was present for all 5 of these transactions and everything was above board.

 

[danygenesis]

I've leased many cars (around 10) and never was asked for maintenence log or any other maintenence proof at time of lease end even though I always follow the factory maintenance schedule on all of them.

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[spinedoc777]

What expensive services are you talking about?

You need to do oil changes, engine air filter changes, and cabin filter changes. The filter changes can be easily done yourself with parts purchased from the dealer parts department.

Most dealers will do the inspections for free when they do the other stuff, or just ignore the inspections. Do not sign up for dealer "15K mile service packages" etc.

The dealer gave me a little booklet with services to be performed at intervals. Some of them are $600+. It's not that I can't afford it, but I'm mechanically inclined enough to look down the list and see that I'm being ripped off.

 

[spinedoc777]

They might be "expensive" - but they are far cheaper than the same regular services vs. the Mercedes. Either way - all mechanical devices need regular maintenance. From the cheapest car to the most expensive. If you don't perform these scheduled tasks (listed in your manual) then you will not only get dinged when you turn in the car at the end of the lease - but if something does break, you will end up on the hook for it instead of the dealer or the factory. Choose wisely.

My neighbor is a 20 year trans tech for Lexus... he says I would be amazed at how many people bring in their busted car because they didn't do maintenance... as simple as an oil change, even. Their dumbstruck response when the situation (and cost) is explained to them? "but... it's a Lexus!!! It doesn't need that!"

Idiots. We are surrounded by idiots. They share the road with you, they make decisions in life which can impact you and they vote. Never forget these facts. Prepare accordingly.

You say I will get dinged, what does that mean? Does that mean the dealer will ask for proof that I serviced the vehicle according to the manufacturer suggested schedule? What will I get dinged for? The cost of the services? The value the car dropped without the services?

I have enough common sense to know that it's my fault if the engine blows up because it has no oil in it, but that's not my question or concern. If I hand the car in at the end of the lease in pristine condition, but didn't do all the services, that's my concern.

 

[spinedoc777]

I hope you treat your patients better than you treat your car.

It's not my car, and I don't lease my patients.

 

[spinedoc777]

I've leased many cars (around 10) and never was asked for maintenence log or any other maintenence proof at time of lease end even though I always follow the factory maintenance schedule on all of them.

Thanks, that's the kind of info I was looking for, but I wasn't too surprised at the lectures lol. It's not like I plan on doing no services, I thought I was quite clear on that in my initial post. I'll definitely change the oil and oil/cabin/air filters and rotate tires at the intervals, or as close as I can get to them.

 

[Mark_888]

The dealer gave me a little booklet with services to be performed at intervals. Some of them are $600+. It's not that I can't afford it, but I'm mechanically inclined enough to look down the list and see that I'm being ripped off.

You should completely ignore that. Look in the owners manual for required maintenance.

For the first 100K miles, these are the only things needed:

• Replace engine oil and oil filter - Once every year or 7500 miles which ever comes first. Make sure you have documentation if not done by a Hyundai dealer.
• Engine Air Filter (DIY job) - Once every 2 years or 30K miles
• Cabin Air Filter (DIY job) - Once a year or 12K miles
• Rotate Tires - once every 7500 miles. This is optional, since I assume that leased car can be returned with tires that need replacement. However, it is recommended to make your tires last longer.
• You can visually inspect the engine coolant and brake fluid level, but dealer will inspect for free if they do any service on your car.

Do not pay any attention to the service stuff in the booklet. It is from the dealer, not the manufacturer. In fact, throw it away right now.

 

[spinedoc777]

You should completely ignore that. Look in the owners manual for required maintenance.

For the first 100K miles, these are the only things needed:

• Replace engine oil and oil filter - Once every year or 7500 miles which ever comes first. Make sure you have documentation if not done by a Hyundai dealer.
• Engine Air Filter (DIY job) - Once every 2 years or 30K miles
• Cabin Air Filter (DIY job) - Once a year or 12K miles
• Rotate Tires - once every 7500 miles. This is optional, since I assume that leased car can be returned with tires that need replacement. However, it is recommended to make your tires last longer.
• You can visually inspect the engine coolant and brake fluid level, but dealer will inspect for free if they do any service on your car.

Do not pay any attention to the service stuff in the booklet. It is from the dealer, not the manufacturer. In fact, throw it away right now.

Perfect, thank you for the advise.

 

[PMCErnie]

I'd love to know what services cost $600 during a lease. I've owned my Genesis for almost 5 years and haven't paid that amount IN TOTAL for service during that time. This excludes a new set of tires that I bought last year.

 

[spinedoc777]

I'd love to know what services cost $600 during a lease. I've owned my Genesis for almost 5 years and haven't paid that amount IN TOTAL for service during that time. This excludes a new set of tires that I bought last year.

I took a look and $600 was too high, but there are a few $500+ services. One example below.

 

[Mark_888]

I took a look and $600 was too high, but there are a few $500+ services. One example below.

That 60K service in that image you posted is generic that they use for all Hyundai's. It is not specific for the Genesis per the owner's manual, and I doubt they would even do most of things on the list even if you paid them the $508.95.

For example:

• Because the Genesis uses synthetic transmission fluid, there is no requirement to replace the fluid at 60K miles. In fact, there is no requirement to ever change the transmission fluid unless driving under severe conditions.
• The first coolant change is at 120,000 miles or 120 months, and then every 30,000 miles or 24 months after that.
• There is no need to pay for inspections if you can check the brake fluid and coolant level yourself (all you need is a flashlight to see through the clear plastic). The dealer will check most things for free during normal service (oil changes, recalls, etc).

Figure out what specific items you need service and ask for those only. The dealers try and sell the 60K service packages, etc, because they know there are always some suckers who will go for it.

 

[jsmit86]

I'd love to know what services cost $600 during a lease. I've owned my Genesis for almost 5 years and haven't paid that amount IN TOTAL for service during that time. This excludes a new set of tires that I bought last year.

I need to know what tires you used for $600. Most G2 tires are ~$1K for the set of 4. This info could come in pretty handy if my Conti DWS need to be swapped before turn in.