We have a 2022 Tahoe with 38k miles in very good shape (no off-roading or towing) that just went in for service, and I can't tell for the life of me what service is recommended by GM at this point, and what the dealer is just trying to add on. I just can't crosswalk what I see in the owner's manual with the dealer's recommended service items. For example:

- The dealer wants to change the transfer case fluid, for $263. I see this as a maintenance item in the manual, but not until 97k (!) miles. So this sounds like aggressive dealer upselling
- The dealer wants to open the transmission, change a filter, and change transmission fluid, and charge us $1,026. This service is not included at all in the owner's manual, at any mileage. Is the dealer just making this up?
- Same with a "fuel induction service" for $297 the dealer is pushing - not listed in the manual at all

I called Chevrolet customer service to see if there is a more comprehensive service schedule than the one included in the owner's manual, and they claimed there wasn't, which I find hard to believe.

We love the car, and want to take good care of it, preferably by an authorized dealer. But I don't feel I can trust the dealer to tell me what the car is actually due for, and and I can't seem to get that information out of Chevrolet either. What's a non-mechanic to do?

Any advice much appreciated,

-Markus

 

Get the oil and filter change. Then take your vehicle to another dealer. This is a hassle I'm sure but you need fresh eyes on your vehicle for your sanity and you don't need a dealer eyeing you as a cash cow.

In over 3 years, our 2020 hasn't needed transmission service or to have the transfer case fluid replaced and we've exclusively used a dealer.

 

I will say that you really SHOULD consider changing the transfer case (only present for 4WD, and its in the front), rear differential AND transmission filter and fluid at some point, but I would call around and get quotes for that service somewhere OTHER than the dealer, even if it is some kind of oil-change only place, that is service they can do. The main cause of failing transmissions or differentials (rear or front) is lack of maintenance or fluid changes. And I read a LOT about failed GM transmissions on vehicles made since they went bankrupt in 2009 and quality went kaput afterwards.

No clue what a fuel induction service is. Never heard of it, but here is what the Internet says about it:

https://www.testingautos.com/car_car...n-service.html

Back to the fluid and filter on the transmission, and the differential and transfer case service. My 2006 Silverado manual puts transmission fluid and filter changes at 50,000 mile intervals for "severe" service, and 100,000 miles for "normal" service. I recommend following the severe service schedule even if you do not tow or haul, as around town driving with lots of starts and stops is actually considered severe service, and is much harder on the transmission and drive components than highway mileage. The 2006 Silverado manual puts the transfer case and differential fluid changes at 50,000 mile intervals, regardless of service.

 

I will add something here.

I have a 2012 Subaru Impreza, and the owners manual AND Subaru Japan say to change the CVT (transmission) fluid at 60,000 mile intervals. CVT *America* says the CVT fluid is "lifetime" and should not be changed, and will argue with you if you ask them to change it. If you never change the transmission fluid, that fluid is in fact GUARANTEED to be a *lifetime* fluid. And your transmission lifetime will be MUCH MUCH less than if you changed it as recommended by Subaru Japan. I experienced a CVT failure that I attribute to this. Fortunately, I was able to remove the valve body, replace a failed solenoid for $50, drain and refill the transmission (8 quarts of expensive CVT fluid about $20 a quart), and get back on the road. The Subaru dealer wanted $5000. I no longer go to that Subaru dealer, and won't buy another one.

What the consensus is from 3rd parties that work on Subarus is that Subaru America wants to LIE about the total cost of ownership of the cars, by saying you do not need service, gambling that most folks get rid of cars before they hit 100,000 miles, and will never see the issues that arise from not performing maintenance that the guys in Japan says is required.

I feel that GM is doing the same thing here by telling you not to service the transmission until 97,000 miles. Take it from me, having had to pay to rebuild a 2003 Yukon transmission at 130,000 miles because I didn't get the fluid changed - get that fluid changed every 50,000 at least.

 

Find a good independant not a dealer mechanic. They should be able to print out service items/intervals needed for you vehicle. I have had dealers try the same stuff on my wife's car; will only use them now for warrany work if not availab le at my trusted mechanic

 

It does sound like some of those recommendations are earlier than what the manual suggests, especially the transfer case and transmission services. Dealers sometimes push preventive work, but it’s smart to follow the manufacturer's schedule unless there are specific issues. Getting a second opinion from a trusted shop can help. For convenience during service visits, some people also look into options like FS Premier Transport.

 

Last week I took my 2020 6.2L in for a temperature sensor malfunction which was covered under warranty. I was planning to bring the truck in for an oil change in May (the oil change indicator showed it was at 30%) but the dealer gave me a list of things that they were recommending while they had it: Transfer case service, rear differential service, and the oil change. I agreed. They offered two other services that I will get done elsewhere: Fuel system service and brake fluid exchange.

After 6 years of running great I considered these preventative maintenance and went ahead with them. My dealer offers a shuttle service that takes you home and picks you up so you're not required to sit in the waiting area.

 

THIS !!! Use an independent ASE certified shop; ask neighbors, read reviews for advice.

I'd say automatic transmission service about every 50-60K miles (we just had that and transfer case, and front and rear differentials serviced on our 2014 Yukon all-wheel-drive); wasn't cheap, but all seem to take different fluids. Over the years, we've had only two experiences with dealership:
1. Intermittent non-closing sunroof on 2005 Yukon; dealer could NOT fix after numerous tries, refunded $$$. But the $1700 laundry list of upsell stuff was generated without even opening the hood, and was all B.S. ! I eventually took out the sunroof fuse once sunroof miraculously did close.
2. Air bag recall; again, $1700 laundry list.
$1700 must be their magic number for upsell list.

 

Dealer make more than half their profit on vehicle servicing. With any new vehicle I make a cheat sheet that has the miles at which items need to be serviced or replaced and then have this in the glove box. When a service rep tells me that something needs to be done I will refer to that sheet. Makes it simple to avoid dealer ripoffs.

 

Simpler way is to use a trusted independent ASE shop rather than dealer, unless it's an under-warranty issue.