The dealer wants $719.00 for 60k mile service that includes the usual Oil/Filter, Cabin Filter, Engine Filter, Tire Rotation, which combined should cost around $120.00, but they also want to do "Brake Fluid System Check"?, "Top Engine Fuel Induction Service"?, "Spark Plug Replacement" and "Full Vehicle Inspection". Are all these truly necessary and if so, should all this add up to $719.00?
Check your owner's manual and see what the maintenance schedule says. Some services are more in depth than others. At 60k miles those sound right to me, as does the price.
If there's nothing that requires dealer tools you can probably get a better price from a good independent mechanic. There's no law saying you need to have the dealer service the car.
One thing that new car buyers never seem to remember to do is find out what the recommended services cost BEFORE they buy the car. Too late now.
A lot of that (eg, cabin air filter) is super easy DIY.
And CR is on track: plugs are a big part of it. As a rule, Subaru maintenance is very cheap and easy, but the spark plugs are probably the biggest exception. The boxer engine design gives a lower center of gravity, but puts the cylinder heads right against the side wall of the engine bay.
Changing the plugs on a Crosstrek is a huge job. I did my daughter’s 2018 Crosstrek last fall and it took about 4 hours (granted, I was being extremely careful). Some dealers actually loosen the motor mounts and lift the engine with a hoist to get better access.
Going to an independent mechanic will save you a little off that price, but it’s not going to be cheap. If I were you, I would do the 2 air filters and oil myself, and have an independent Subaru shop do the plugs. If you want to do your own spark plugs you’ll probably save $2-300 right there, but you better know what you’re getting into.
Otherwise I’m with modman- their recommendation and estimate is completely reasonable.
sounds early for new plugs, see what the owners manual says
i dont think it is easy to change plugs on a subaru either, i could be wrong
Geeze Louise!
That difficult to change plugs?
Forget Subaru!
I have not changed plugs on a Subaru since their early pushrod models of the 1970s and early 1980s and those were easy. New ones look like a PITA but there are some videos which, if they are to believed, show them to not be quite as awful as they might appear at first blush. (Probably not as bad as changing the rear plugs on a transverse V6 which frequently requires removing the intake manifold.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRs1Fpjoim8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxt6lZ5ynXs
That actually sounds reasonable, however dad2pwd is right. Spark plugs not easy you may be able to find a video on it. My forester it’s doable with just removing a few things and based on the video I found looks like it only takes a half hour or two hours for me… haven’t had to do it yet but I plan on taking Scotty’s advice and putting in Iridium plugs if they have ones that fit for mine so I don’t need to change them again. I’d also say if the car is running fine would it hurt to delay the plug change for another 20k miles? Good luck! https://youtu.be/vS3JziiVsRI
