Car Servicing

All Hyundai cars, SUVs and light commercials are eligible for a new lifetime capped price servicing scheme. Hyundai Australia has announced a Lifetime Capped Price Servicing program which caps the prices of all scheduled services for the entire life of every Hyundai vehicle in Australia. Amazingly, even Hyundais sold new in 1986, when the South Korean company first began operating in Australia, are covered by the servicing program.All Hyundai vehicles; cars, SUVs and light commercials are eligible.Hyundai Australia's chief operating officer, John Elsworth, said, “We hope our Lifetime Capped Price Servicing program will give customers even more peace of mind and confidence in our after sales service going forward.”Any vehicle that was previously part of Hyundai's three-year capped price service arrangement will remain with that program, at no cost penalty to the customer. Once their three years are over they will be able to take advantage of the lifetime capped price program.No matter what the age of the vehicle, or the number of kilometres it has covered, customers can check online the maximum price they will pay for a scheduled service at a participating dealer. That published maximum price will be the same across the country.Hyundai advises that its Lifetime Capped Price Servicing is integrated with an online booking system that has yet to be completed. It will be rolled out in the next few months. Logging onto a dealer-specific website, customers will be able to choose a time, book a replacement car - even choose their preferred service advisor. Hyundai's Roadside Assist service has been extended from seven to ten years as part of the introduction of the Lifetime Capped Price Servicing.Hyundai's capped price program isn't just there because they want to be nice to people. Its aim is to pull owners away from aftermarket servicing; either by individual mechanics or by companies that provide mobile servicing. It's also smart for Hyundai to get existing owners into the dealership once or twice a year to have a chat to them, possibly over a coffee, while their cars are being serviced. Perhaps sell them another car down the track. More and more car makers are providing capped price servicing for these reasons. Prices of services are generally lower than in the past, often significantly so, which also attracts car owners to make return visits. The lower costs are thought to be subsidised by the car makers, importers and dealers on a roughly equal three-way split. Naturally, they won't confirm this - which is fair enough, business is business. Anyway, the customer is better off as a result and that's what counts.Will other car makers follow? The answer is likely to be yes, Hyundai has established it's self as a major player in Australia and year to date 2014 is in a close third position behind Holden and comfortably ahead of Ford (Toyota remains miles out in front). Anyone who doesn't keep a close eye on what the South Korean maker is doing risks being left behind in the sales race.

Hyundai has become the first car brand in Australia to offer lifetime fixed-price servicing for every model, old and new.Hyundai has set a new benchmark for certainty in servicing costs.It has become the first car maker in Australia to offer capped price servicing on all its cars for the lifetime of the vehicle - and has even back-dated the program to include all models sold since the brand arrived Down Under in 1986.It means the guesswork has been taken out of servicing costs for more than 1.1 million Hyundai drivers across Australia.Hyundai's new servicing prices come into effect on September 1, 2014, and irons out the sudden jump in prices from service to service.Previously, Hyundai's capped price servicing deal ran out after three years (even though the warranty lasted for five) and hit customers with a double whammy: uncapped pricing on some of the dearest services in the car's life.Under the old system, owners of Hyundai small cars would pay $189 for each of the first three visits, then be met with a bill for close to $500 for the fourth visit, which is a more comprehensive service and not subsidised by Hyundai Australia.The new system means that customers will pay more for the first three services on a Hyundai small car ($229 for each visit), but the fourth one only jumps to $329 (instead of almost $500) and returns to $229 for the subsequent service.The new program still puts Hyundai among the top three brands for servicing affordability, along with Holden and Toyota. Each service on a Toyota small car is only $130, but dealer visits are required every six months instead of every 12 for the Hyundai -- and the Toyota offer runs out after three years.Holden charges $189 for each of the first four services on a small car, hedging its bets and requiring a dealer visit every nine months.Nissan and Ford also offer capped price servicing on older models and on new cars for up to six years, but their prices are dearer.Toyota was the first company to introduce capped price servicing in Australia in 2008 but now all Top 10 brands, and some European marques, have followed.WHY IT'S WORTH COMPARING CAPPED PRICE SERVICING DEALSNot all capped price servicing deals are created equally, so it pays to compare before you buy a new car.Some brands require a dealer visit every six months while others are happy to see the car once a year for routine maintenance.But be aware many service departments are trying to sell add-ons that you rarely need, such as an "air-conditioning flush" and other unnecessary extras.Be sure to ask for the regular logbook service covered under the capped price servicing deal, and nothing else.Worn out tyres and brakes are not covered, and nor is a wheel alignment, but oil and filter changes and safety checks are all part of the capped price package.One other handy hint: no matter what you are told, you are not obliged to have the car serviced from the dealership you bought the car from.We've received a number of complaints from new-car buyers in recent weeks asking why the dealer has told them they can't get their car serviced closer to home. You can.You can also get your car serviced at an independent workshop providing they have qualified mechanics and follow the logbook instructions.But our advice would be to stay within the dealer network, at least while the car is under warranty, because that way you can be sure the car is getting genuine parts and any minor updates that don't quite qualify as a recall.Car companies are also more inclined to help you with an out-of-warranty claim if they can see you've had every service done at one of its dealerships.

Every morning when I take my 2013 Toyota Corolla Sports hatch out of my garage there is a squeaking noise coming from the brakes, which is getting louder. The dealer first told me the new brake pads needed settling in, next I was told the rotors might need machining, then the rotors might be pitted. The car has only done 16,000 km. What do I do to get this matter fixed?

 

We found an oil leak between the engine and auto gearbox on our 2013 Ford Focus, which had done 30,000 km. The dealer repair lasted 60 km before the leak reappeared; a second attempt lasted 120 km. Both times we were given courtesy cars, both similar Focuses, and both showed signs of the same leak. We're very disappointed with Ford's quality and the inability of the dealer to rectify the problem.

I was told there was a minor oil leak from the head when I put my 2013 Hyundai ix35 in for its 15,000 km service. They said they would replace the affected part. I would like to know if I am able to ask Hyundai for a replacement vehicle as the car is less then 12 months old and I feel that this problem should have been picked up at the intermittent service at 7500 km. What is your advice?

Our 1998 Holden Commodore is lucky to get 450 km out of a full tank of fuel even after I did the leads, plugs and filters. I’ve just done an oil change and fuel filter, I’ve replaced the middle and rear exhaust, and I’ve fitted new tyres. What am I missing? It is rough at times when starting?

You might remember my story about a noise coming from the front suspension of my 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara. As you suggested I approached Suzuki in February this year and they agreed to pay for the parts, I just needed to pay for the labour. I have only just got around to calling them now to book the vehicle in as I have been quite busy with a newborn, and trying to get someone to look after the baby while I take the car down is hard. The dealer has now told me that the claim I put in was only valid for 30 days, however no one told me that, so I now have to fix this problem myself. I am now going to ring a mobile mechanic I know and ask him to come out and look at the problem and see if he is able to fix it. Is there anything more I can do?

I've owned my 2007 Holden Astra since new and it has  done 56,000km. Could you please advise if it would be wise or appropriate to replace the front brake pads, disc rotors or timing belt to avoid future problems? I have not experienced any problems with the handling of the car.

I find it really amusing that some car owners can quibble over the cost of changing oil more often than the time or distance stated in their log book. Thirty odd years ago I invested in ramps, oil filter and sump plug tools and a basin — about $50. Buying medium quality oil on special I was, and still am, able to change the oil and filter on our cars for about $24 plus 40 minutes of my time, every 5000km or so. As a consequence, my work vehicles — one Holden and three Falcon wagons — all achieved 400,000km-plus with rust setting in long before any engine problems arose. Of course not everyone has the time, place or ability to do their own changes and replacing the filter on many modern cars is a hazardous occupation.

I recently bought a 2009 Golf GTI and I’m very happy with it. As it’s done about 65,000km, should I get the front and rear shock absorbers replaced? As far as I am aware they are still the original ones. Can you suggest a brand of shock absorbers or should I just get replacements from my VW dealer?