Should I bring my 2001 VW Jetta to the dealer for service?

Question

I bought this car used with 21000 miles on it. And the dealer had given it new breaks, tires, etc. But my manual says the care should be serviced at 40000 miles which it has now. Should I be bringing it to the VW dealer for authorized (expensive) service? Or ride it out? Or ask the advice of my regular mechanic?

Answer 1

i would bring it to the dealer, most mechanics do not have the proper diagnostic equipment to deal with volkswagen engine management systems. your owners manual will outline what service is due at specific milage. regular oil changes and the likes i would not hesitate to have your regular mechanic perform, but i dont think they will be much cheaper than the dealer. items like timing belt and waterpump service should be done at the dealer. you can always call the dealer for a quote on what the individual services will cost, and compare that to your regular mechanic. keep in mind that your regular mechanic will not be able to access most of the ecm programs.
you should get a user id for vwvortex.com and browes the forums for mkvi jettas, a wealth of knowledgeable people who would be more than helpful.....just be sure to use the search function.

Answer 2

The purpose of the service manual is to show you when service needs to be done. Whether you do it or they do it, it doesn't matter....the car needs it to ensure troublefree driving. It may be just a filter and oil and belt and hose change....Something lasts only so long.
Oil changes are every 3000 miles on all cars, ignition tune ups and plug changes at least every 12000miles, etc with other stuff.
It is amazing how many of you drivers think -"all I need to do is put in gas". Doing the little maintenace things will keep you out of the mechanics shop with a big repair bill.

You don't ride it out. You do it yourself(most of it is inspecting, anyways. It is either an adjustment or a replacement. And any local garage can do that.
This service stuff goes with every car, US made or foreign made.

Answer 3

An independent shop can be just as good as the dealership's technicians. some people are good at what they do no matter where they work.

but, a dealership has the ability to perform other factory only type work such as recalls or warranty work. not only that, the dealership usually gives a pretty good warranty on thier work and parts. you may even get a car wash if you ask for it!

of course you will probably pay more at a dealership, but sometimes you can find coupons that they send out or have in the phone book or something.

but, you should do your service no matter what. take a look at the book and figure out what is required at your mileage interval. if money is a problem, at least get the oil changed and minor inspections (brakes, tires, air filter, cv boots, general once over)
and do the other stuff when you can afford it.

if you take care of that car it will be really good to you.

Answer 4

Depends on how much you love your car.

With my newer cars, especially nowadays since they're crammed full of gadgetry, I always take them to the dealership and I prepare myself for that, mentally, when even considering the purchase of the car.

My older cars, VW or otherwise, usually get the treatment of a regular garage or mechanic. On occasion, the older rides will get treated to the proper dealership, but I save a lot of money by having the routine maintenance performed at a mechanic's garage instead of the dealership.

I take my newest car in for all service at the dealership, except for oil changes and tires. A lot of specific maintenance, at required intervals, is taken care of at those times specified in the owner's manual.

*ONLY THE DEALERSHIP* knows fully what your car needs, and when, and also knows of the exact trouble-spots that a particular car or engine has, and can also tackle any safety or recall issues. This is obvious since the dealership specializes in YOUR car. A garage mechanic cannot do any of that for you or your car - only what you ask of him, nothing more.

You get what you pay for. A mechanic will "rip you off" much quicker than a dealership will, especially a VW dealership since they're held to a higher standard from the corporate office.

Good luck~

Answer 5

First of all, the oil pan is aluminum and these cars are notorious for the threads getting damaged. It is NOT the fault of the place where you went for an oil change. They told you what you needed to do. I would take the advice of the dealer and replace the pan. It sounds like you dont have the money to get the pan replaced so you want someone to guarantee that the plug will last forever. It's a gamble, maybe it will, maybe it wont. Replace the pan and have a piece of mind.

Answer 6

At work I have the Mitchell & Alldata Automotive references online manuals. If your mechanic can look up all the checks and services the are to be done at the 40k mi service them by all means go to your mechanic. If not then go to one that can. Services that are mileage based or based upon the life expectancy of parts that wear. And often their are a number of checks designed to specifically check these parts for wear and to replace when nessescary, examples are CV joints, ball joints & tie rod ends, timming belts, etc. VWs ar ebuilt very good but are sensitive to proper maintenance. Don't save a dime to pay a dollar.

Answer 7

I woundn't take it to the dealer. It's a big rip off. A good mechanic would take care of it, for i would say half the price of what would dealer charge.

Answer 8

take it to your regular mechanic for a tune up which consist of new spark plugs maybe wires, oil change and filter. and air filter. the dealer will rip you off.

Answer 9

go to a normal mech. all they will be doing is changing the fluids in teh car and checking levels nothing major with such little miles

Answer 10

go to your regular mechanic it is a hole lot cheaper.