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Terry JacksonCar maintenance schedule

Dear Terry,
When I took delivery of my new car the dealer gave me a printed schedule for maintenance that is different than what my owner's manual says. When I took the car in at 3,000 miles and asked the service adviser about this, he said the printed sheet is the dealer's recommendation for "the best performance.'' Using the dealer's service guideline, my 3,000 mile service cost me $175. What's up?
-- Borden

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Dear Borden,
What's up is that the dealer is trying to pad his profits. The manufacturer's recommended service schedule in your owner's manual is the one you should follow, and you can get the work done at any service center or oil change place. Just keep the receipts.


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If you have a question for Terry, e-mail him at Driving for Dollars.

Bankrate.com's corrections policy-- Posted: April 7, 2007
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