Recommended maintenance?
 

So I brought my 08 FEH into the stealership for an oil change and tire rotation last week and had them also do the 100,000 km inspection (I just hit 95,000 km)

Turns out the differential fluid needs to be changed as per the recommended maintenance. They flagged it as a caution to be done shortly but not critical. Further to this, they recommended that I get the following done:

1) Cooling system flush
2) Fuel injector service (i'm just tempted to dump in some Red Line)
3) Alignment
4) Tuneup
5) Brake system flush

The thing runs great other than being a gas guzzler in the winter (so long fuel savings!!) and I've had no issues with the vehicle at all. What is everyone's opinion on this?

According to the stealership, all this will cost me about $1800. Lucky for me all my vehicle costs are write-offs at the end of the tax year. Yay for being a consultant!!

Re: Recommended maintenance?
 

1. I understand the radiator is filled with coolant that is designed for 5 years and/or 100,000 miles---not 60,000 miles/100,000km
2. Isn't needed unless you are having problems
3. I can't speak for the 08 model, but the 05-07 were designed with a "toe-in" alignment. This will wear the inner portions of your front tires. I would have an independent shop check for a "neutral" alignment when you think it is needed.
4. Not needed unless you are having problems. Cheaper to just DIY change the spark plugs in the future.
5. Unlikely to need this work at your mileage.

Stealership is this dealership.

Gas guzzler in the winter is related to cold temperatures and the hybrid battery not "accepting or releasing" as it does when normal temperature. There are discussions on this site about this issue.

Re: Recommended maintenance?
 

I ran my 06 FEH ( 75k ) through the local Ford Dealer
a couple months ago and got pricing on the same list
you presented. Here are the costs estimated:

1) Cooling system flush - $150
2) Fuel injector service -$150
3) Alignment - $89
4) Tuneup - $101 ( replace four spark plugs )
5) Brake system flush ( no estimate )

They did flush the cooling system. The Hybrid Tech
said the fuel injectors do not need servicing until
100k, if at all. Tire wear was normal so alignment
was not needed. A tuneup consists of replacing the
four platinum plugs. Not recommended until 100k and
at that time the cost is $101. The brakes tested ok
and needed no servicing. Brake pads all round had
more then 70% left and work just fine. The pads and
rotors were original.

IMO the FEH is a very low maintenance vehicle with
a very small risk of a VERY BIG repair bill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeuRkoLuY5U

These things are being used at Taxi's in Manhattan.
This project has been going on since 05. If the FEH
was an expensive vehicle to maintain this project
would have been shut down years ago. Go to:

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/

and watch them go by one after the other.

Re: Recommended maintenance?
 

So basically tell the stealership to shove it... All this so I can keep the extended warranty valid, oi veh. I'll do the plugs myself. I'll dump in a bottle of Red Line into the tank to take care of the injectors. I'll let them do the differential flush, my brakes check out fine so why flush the fluid, and my coolant is still good to -35c. Should it get that cold (and it has), i'd be a down right idiot to not plug it in overnight anyway and deserve to have the thing freeze up on me overnight.

Decision made, they can do the differential but thats the extent of it for now.

Re: Recommended maintenance?
 

The fuel injector in your FEH are self cleaning so don't add anything to your fuel. In fact, Ford says in the manual not to add anything to your gas or oil in your FEH.

GaryG

Re: Recommended maintenance?
 

Interesting... and they want me to pay for an injector service.... I smell a money grab

Re: Recommended maintenance?
 

Anyone have a copy of the service manual in PDF format for the 08 FEH? I'm interested to see what it says about this stuff. I'm going to take care of the "tune-up" aka "cash grab because all we're doing is changing your plugs" and swap my plugs and just need to get the torque specs for the plugs and coil pack bolts.

Re: Recommended maintenance?
 

Mine is at 6 years old and ~124,000 miles.
Thought I had bad rear brakes, but was fooled by noise just by excessive rust due to my gentle driving and sometimes parking for 3 weeks. Dealer said I have 7mm of meat on the front pads, and 9mm of meat on the rear pads.
These pads look to indeed last the life of the vehicle.

I did however approve a brake fluid flush and change-out.
My stock fluid was 6 years old, a little dirty looking, and was on the acceptible, but low mark on the reservoir.

Cost for brake system flush was $99 at a Ford Dealer. That was parts and labor and disposal fee all inclusive. Took 1 hour.

Re: Recommended maintenance?
 

"differential". Please define. Is your FEH an AWD?
If you really mean the transmission ( flush ), the eCVT
transmission on a FEH is sealed and does not need
to be flushed nor adjusted. At least that's what I was
told by my Ford Dealer for an 06 FEH.

Re: Recommended maintenance?
 

Its an AWD. They tell me the front and rear differential fluid needs to be done.