$650 for new fluids at 36k miles?

[jdskycaster]

I know it would have been tough to do but these types of dealerships should have been wiped out during the restructuring of GM. Hate to say it but some smaller dealers with excellent service departments got the axe instead. I know of one in my area that is gone.

JD

 

[phileaglesfan]

I agree, this one pretty much sells Buicks/GMCs but in the same area they sell Hondas also. I guess they are finally remodeling the place. Even big dealers can be real bad though. There is one in this area that I would not take my Chevys to no matter what.

 

[Zed 71]

How many miles on the Yukon? Yes that is way to much to charge. Stick to the manual recommended intervals.

As far as the differential fluids (assuming becase you referred to axle fluids) being good for life, I have not seen that and would not expect that to be the case for any vehicle.

BTW the Yukon Denali is AWD and does not have a transfer case. At 50k my fluids needed to be changed out. They weren't that bad, but I do take it off-road (wet conditions) and live in a winter climate zone. I changed the diff and transfer case fluids for well under $100. Mobile 1 synthetic for the diffs and OEM fluid for the transfer case.

 

[Ben]

Acutally went to the dealer today to get an oil change the guy tried to talk me into getting all my fluids changed.... 120 just to change the power steering fluid...

 

[phileaglesfan]

It has 36k miles on it right now. I thought all 4WD/AWD vehicles had some kind of transfer case (to get the power to the front wheels). I would look at my Denali right now but my wife has it at work. If it doesn't have one then I'm going to be real pissed since I can assume what they showed me was not oil from my transfer case. I remember they showed me axle (or dif) fluid x 2, auto tranny, transfer case and power steering. I knew $650 was steep since the first 4 should be around $400 or so max. PS, I was guessing about $60 which I never had changed before on any vehicle.

I do change my axle fluids every 40-45k or so on all of my vehicles. Auto tranny and transfer case (I had an Envoy before this) about 40-50k. Brake fluid about every 3 years since it absorbs moisture.

Here is what my owner's manual says for both axles.

When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check front axle fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A fluid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.

I'm beginning to wonder if the black axle fluid he showed me was actually my fluid. He also showed me some crap in fluid that was supposedly in my Power Steering fluid. I start questioning him that if there is crap in the fluid what needs to be repaired under warranty, same thing for the axle fluid being black. He didn't answer me. I looked at the PS fluid afterwards and it looked normal. Of course I couldn't check the other ones. I'm really going to light up the dealer if it doesn't have a transfer case since it is AWD.

This guy seemed like he was real new as a service adviser. I have never seen him before and they seem to change out often anyways.

 

[phileaglesfan]

I looked under my Denali this morning and the transfer case is about 2 feet inboard of the driver's door, so yes AWD does have a transfer case. I'm sure it is slightly different that a 4WD version since there is no driver input.

I just got an email from the service manager asking me about what I thought about the service. I plan on responding.

 

[metal4all6]

I can confirm that the Denali does in fact have a transfer case . I changed all my fluids with Amsoil a few weeks ago at 42k miles (except for the tranny - will do that at 50k).

 

[Zed 71]

Typical AWD systems uses a center differential to provide power to the axles, they do not use a transfer case.

4WD systems uses a transfer case to send power. Transfer cases have two gear sets and require different lubrication (type and volume). They provide high and low 4WD power - there is no automatic high/low transfer case. The auto function for the Tahoe is to swtich between 2WD and 4WD (high) modes.

BTW, to me the below quote mainly stipulates when to check diff fluids. The manual should have a schedule when to change the diff fluid.

"When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check front axle fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an
unusual noise. A fluid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired."

Just my 2 cents.

 

[phileaglesfan]

phileaglesfan,

I am not entirely sure. I will look into this for you and get back with you.


Thank you,

Elizabeth, GM Customer Service

Elizabeth,
Were you able to find out if they can deny a power train claim if I don't change the fluids recommended by the dealer but well with GM's specs in the owner's manual?

Thank you.

 

[Kman]

This dealership was trying to steal hard earned money from you, plan and simple.

Change the fluids based on what it says in the owners manual.