Dealer Maintenance & Tires

I have a 2000 Outback and I've let the dealership do the regular
maintenance so far. But I've lately become disenchanted with them,
since they have raised their labor rates to $80/hr. That's too much to
pay someone to do an oil change and rotate the tires. Also, last time
I was there for maintenance I told them that the check engine light had
lit up for a couple of hours a month or so ago, and and asked them to
download the electronic code that should be stored in the car's
computer. They informed me there would be an additional $80 charge for
downloading the code. I thought those codes were there for the service
mechanics catch problems, not just to soak the customer for another $80
just to find out if there is a problem or not. What should I look for
in a repair shop to do my regular maintenance? I'm approaching my 60k
maintenance and want to be sure everything gets done properly.

Also, the OEM tires are going to need replacing pretty soon. They are
the Bridgestone Wilderness ones and I've currently got about 55K miles
on them. I've been satisfied with the way they ride & handle, and they
aren't very expensive, so I thought I'd just replace them with the
same. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks.

dwebbbusiness DeleteThis @earthlink.net wrote:
 > I have a 2000 Outback and I've let the dealership do the regular
 > maintenance so far. But I've lately become disenchanted with them,
 > since they have raised their labor rates to $80/hr. That's too much to
 > pay someone to do an oil change and rotate the tires. Also, last time
 > I was there for maintenance I told them that the check engine light had
 > lit up for a couple of hours a month or so ago, and and asked them to
 > download the electronic code that should be stored in the car's
 > computer. They informed me there would be an additional $80 charge for
 > downloading the code. I thought those codes were there for the service
 > mechanics catch problems, not just to soak the customer for another $80
 > just to find out if there is a problem or not. What should I look for
 > in a repair shop to do my regular maintenance? I'm approaching my 60k
 > maintenance and want to be sure everything gets done properly.
 >
 > Also, the OEM tires are going to need replacing pretty soon. They are
 > the Bridgestone Wilderness ones and I've currently got about 55K miles
 > on them. I've been satisfied with the way they ride & handle, and they
 > aren't very expensive, so I thought I'd just replace them with the
 > same. Any thoughts on this?

Can you learn to do your own oil
changes? The Outback is the easiest
car in the world to change the oil
and filter on. All you need is a
17mm 1/2" drive socket and a 1/2"
breaker bar for the drain plug. You
*might* need an oil filter wrench,
though I've never needed one.

That and a drain pan. Buy the filters
and crush washers from Auburn Subaru
4 or 6 at a time and keep most of your
money in your pocket.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->