Service costs

[BobZoom]

My better half brought her 2012 Genesis Sedan to a local dealer for diagnostics. It's been hesitating sometimes when the accelerator is pressed. It has about 50k miles on it.
This is the list of service work they recommended, and the charges for each service. I cannot help but wonder how all of these 'services' are suddenly needed all at the same time. But beyond that, the charges for each of these appears outrageous to me. I drive a 2013 Acura I take to a Honda dealer because the Acura charges are so inflated. But even the Acura charges are tame compared to what the Genesis dealer is quoting.
Is this reasonable, am I out of line?

Tune-up $498.15
Fuel Service $211.95
Coolant Service $148.35
Brake fluid service $132.45
Wheel alignment $95.35

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[Gunkk]

Tune up - without knowing what this includes, I would recommend skipping it. There isn't a lot of stuff that's necessary at 50k. But it often includes:

• You can do your own cabin filter (glovebox) and engine air filter in about 3 minutes combined after watching a youtube vid or two. Buy them from your favorite online retailer for maybe $30 for both.
• Change the fuel filter every 37.5kmi (1st one due at 37.5k mi so do now if not already done).
• Change engine Oil and filter.

Fuel Service - Is almost always just adding a bottle of fuel treatment to the gas tank, so buy a $15 bottle of techron fuel treatment (make sure it contains polyetheramine*) from a local auto parts shop. If you have a 3.8 or 5.0 engine, then this should be done once per oil change unless you're regularly using premium top-tier fuel. And it doesn't hurt to do it even if you do. If you have a 4.6 engine, this is not necessary if you are using top-tier fuel. From the manual: "If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is not available, one bottle of HYUNDAI Fuel System Cleaner* Plus is recommended. They are available from your authorized HYUNDAI dealer along with information on how to use them. Do not mix other additives."
* Hyundai uses polyetheramine aka Techron

Coolant - not needed at 50k miles unless the coolant is obviously dirty (rusty).

Brake fluid service - manual only requires "inspection" every 30k miles. But if your brake fluid reservoir contains dark brown fluid, then have this done by the dealer or a mechanic with a computer than can purge the HECU. Purging the HECU requires a computer and must be done to change the brake fluid completely.

Wheel alignment - up to you. If the car doesn't drive funny and tires don't wear badly, then skip it.

 

[BobZoom]

My wife said the service advisor claimed the spark plugs were worn out and weren't firing. That's a red flag to me.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated.

 

[EdP]

My wife said the service advisor claimed the spark plugs were worn out and weren't firing. That's a red flag to me.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated.

Well. maybe. Given the age and miles, it is possible the plugs are not in best shape or, the wires are deteriorated. Yes, plugs are usually good for much longer but that still is a possibility.

The rundown that Gunkk gave is a good one. The tune-up is an old term (points, rotor, etc) and can often be used to make a car run better but can also be used to drain your wallet. Find out exactly what is needed and included in that quote. Ask them to show you how they came to the conclusion on the spark plugs. They should be able to show you something on the test equipment.

I'd also consider a good independent shop, especially for plugs.

 

[BobZoom]

I'm now looking into finding someone independent to get another opinion. Thanks much for the feedback.

 

[Bill K]

Sounds a little fishy to me.....

 

[EdP]

I'm now looking into finding someone independent to get another opinion. Thanks much for the feedback.

Good. I wonder how many people just say "OK, when will it be ready. Here's my credit card"

 

[Bill K]

It used to be that dealers would try to take advantage of women when they brought their car in.......Maybe some still do...
I buy my gas from Shell (top tier), but I still add a can of techron fuel treatment, every other year....I'll need a fuel filter in another 5,000 miles.....but that might take me 2 years to accomplish. (only 32,000 miles in 8 years)

 

[EdP]

It used to be that dealers would try to take advantage of women when they brought their car in.......Maybe some still do...
I buy my gas from Shell (top tier), but I still add a can of techron fuel treatment, every other year....I'll need a fuel filter in another 5,000 miles.....but that might take me 2 years to accomplish. (only 32,000 miles in 8 years)

A few years back I was getting my Sonata service and a woman came in the waiting are and sat down. I asked her what she had and normal small talk of cars. She said she really liked the car but the service was expensive. The dealer had their own Service Menu and they had her following it. I told her to forget it and check the manual.

I forget the detail but it was the usual dealer crap like dust the hubcaps, wash the muffler sort of crap in there.

 

[Gunkk]

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[toxicavenger70]

• Change the fuel filter every 37.5kmi (1st one due at 37.5k mi so do now if not already done).

Are you talking about fuel air filter? Not the fuel pump filter, correct?

 

[Bill K]

Are you talking about fuel air filter? Not the fuel pump filter, correct?

At 37.5K miles, the fuel filter is tagged for replacement. My dealer told me that they never change the fuel air filter. I believe that is part of the evap system.

 

[toxicavenger70]

At 37.5K miles, the fuel filter is tagged for replacement. My dealer told me that they never change the fuel air filter. I believe that is part of the evap system.

From what I have read here is most dealers (including mine) does not recommend change the fuel filter. I will do the one on my wife's car soon anyway.

I have already changed out the fuel air filter. Which I believe is recommended to be changed at 30k.

 

[toxicavenger70]

A few years back I was getting my Sonata service and a woman came in the waiting are and sat down. I asked her what she had and normal small talk of cars. She said she really liked the car but the service was expensive. The dealer had their own Service Menu and they had her following it. I told her to forget it and check the manual.

I forget the detail but it was the usual dealer crap like dust the hubcaps, wash the muffler sort of crap in there.

This is common at a lot of dealers. When I was a service manager it was the same all across the board, it was not gender based.

 

[Gunkk]

Are you talking about fuel air filter? Not the fuel pump filter, correct?

No, the fuel filter per the manual.

 

[toxicavenger70]

No, the fuel filter per the manual.
View attachment 39585

It also mentions the Tank Air Filter at 30k needing to be changed.