I am taking my Titan in for service on Friday. It has 32,000 miles. Here is what I plan to get done and some questions I have:

1. Change Engine Oil

2. Change Tranny Oil: Should I change or flush? Service Advisor says just to change.

3. Coolant: Should I change? The service advisor says no need.

4. Drive Belt: Should I change? The service advisor says no need.

5. Transfer Case: Done myself with Mobile 1.

6. Diffs: Done myself with Moble 1. The rear cover looks like it got hot, but the oil did not look real bad and I took the cover off and the gears looked great. I changed it first at 20,000 miles.

7. Dash Squeeks: They drive my crazy and the worst is from the instrument console.

8. Rattles and Squeeks from front end: Dont have a clue but it is very annoying. You can hear this really loud at 20-25 mph and worse with the windows up.

9. Rear End feels and sounds like the shocks are bad. The ride is very bumpy and clunks really lound if you hit a pot hole or bump.

10. Found rust near the end of the bed hidden by the tailgate. It is about a 4 inch strip 1/8 wide that did not get painted from the factory: Will they warranty this?

Thanks.

1. Change Engine Oil
Yes

2. Change Tranny Oil: Should I change or flush? Service Advisor says just to change.
Just change unless you did a lot of towings

3. Coolant: Should I change? The service advisor says no need.
Should go ahead IMO, especially with the hot days to come.

4. Drive Belt: Should I change? The service advisor says no need.
No need at this time.

5. Transfer Case: Done myself with Mobile 1.
You already took care of it I guess.:D

6. Diffs: Done myself with Moble 1. The rear cover looks like it got hot, but the oil did not look real bad and I took the cover off and the gears looked great. I changed it first at 20,000 miles.
Again look like you got it cover yourself.:D

7. Dash Squeeks: They drive my crazy and the worst is from the instrument console.
Have them put some paddings (there might be a TSB on it)

8. Rattles and Squeeks from front end: Dont have a clue but it is very annoying. You can hear this really loud at 20-25 mph and worse with the windows up.
I hate noise.

9. Rear End feels and sounds like the shocks are bad. The ride is very bumpy and clunks really lound if you hit a pot hole or bump.
Grease the axle spring I guess.:D

10. Found rust near the end of the bed hidden by the tailgate. It is about a 4 inch strip 1/8 wide that did not get painted from the factory: Will they warranty this?
If they forgot to paint it they should take care of it for you IMO.

Great answers BBF. Taking mine in Saturday for the 15K service. I'm a sucker when it comes to them saying I need stuff done. I almost ALWAYS do it myself but was told by all the dealerships I was going to trade my car into for a new vehicle that if I had my vehicle serviced by the actual dealership, I would get more money for my trade. Your opinion?

And I was told that you don't need to get all the services done, just the majors. This was by the dealership themselves. I am sure if the service mgr heard this someone would get an *** chewing. Lol

was told by all the dealerships I was going to trade my car into for a new vehicle that if I had my vehicle serviced by the actual dealership, I would get more money for my trade. Your opinion?

1. What is the chance that the sales guys even know how to get into the service department's system to look up you and/or your vehicle?

2. What is the chance that you you'll buy from the same dealership that you get your vehicle serviced at? When I was writing software for car dealerships there was zero coordination between dealerships (even of the same brand) unless the dealerships were owned by the same group and all the dealerships in that group used the same software. Even then, there may not be data sharing between them.

3. What is the chance that you'll buy from the same manufacturer?

Bottom line: In my opinion, they are blowing smoke up your butt.

Having said all that, I do take my vehicles to the dealership for major work because:
a) if they don't know how to fix it how would anyone else?
b) the price is relatively competitive
c) I'm not sure the service technicians at PepBoys ever graduated from elementary school let alone high school. I watched a guy work on a car. The shop manual was sitting on top of the engine as he was trying to start it - for the 8th time.
d) the dealership has a courtesy shuttle
e) the dealership can usually get it fixed faster than anyone else.

I do all my own minor stuff like fluids, filters, brake pads, etc. I like to feel useful and it saves a bit of money.

Thanks baseballfanz. Great reply!!

So folks about the oil change... I had Nissan do it one time Indiana prices for change $42... my price... cost of filter and Mobile 1. If I go to Lube-world they ask about wipers, coolant change, engine flush, tranny flush, silicone spray, on and on...