Average cost of fluid changes

[ray1933]

Just had the front & rear differential plus transfer case changed at the Local 5 Star dealer.



They must be making up for lack of sales in service charges. I would have figured out some way to do it myself if had known the cost,, $266. 00 which included a EPA charge of $10. 00,



I know I know, I should have asked but never figured it would be that much

but is that in line with dealers in your local area.

 

[AWise]

Sounds about right. When I had my last "free" oil change done at the dealer, the service manager asked if I needed the diffs serviced. Quoted me a "special" price of $250 for front and rear, I laughed and said no thanks. I ordered a case of Amsoil for $120 and did it myself.



The reusable gaskets make it cheaper and easier. It was the first time I had done this truck so I wasnt sure what to expect, but its about the easiest maintenance next to an oil change you can do.

 

[Grizzly]

Always ask first. That price sounds outrageous. Also compare prices with other dealers and independent service shops, such as Pep-Boys, Firestone, Wal-Mart and many others.



Last Saturday I took my wife's 03 Toyota Camry to Firestone to have the auto transmission flushed for $100. The two Toyota dealers in town wanted $165 and $152 to do the same thing. Firestone used the same fluid as Toyota would have.

 

[ray1933]

Sounds about right. When I had my last "free" oil change done at the dealer, the service manager asked if I needed the diffs serviced. Quoted me a "special" price of $250 for front and rear, I laughed and said no thanks. I ordered a case of Amsoil for $120 and did it myself.



The reusable gaskets make it cheaper and easier. It was the first time I had done this truck so I wasnt sure what to expect, but its about the easiest maintenance next to an oil change you can do.

AWise How much would it have been if they had done the transfer case also ?

 

[scootergmc]

I did everything at my last service, diffs, transmission, tcase. I have a hard enough time paying for all the synthetic fluids, let alone paying someone else to do it for me. :{ :-laf It's really not hard to do it yourself- especially when you have mag-hytec covers/pans with drain holes! But then again, how long before I recover the costs of the covers over the labor costs? Catch-22!

 

[AWise]

AWise How much would it have been if they had done the transfer case also ?

Not sure, he also quoted me a price to service all of the fluids (Diffs, Oil, transmission, xfer Case, radiator flush, blinker fluid, muffler bearings, etc... :-laf). I think it was $750 for all of it. Which is odd because all of these items have vastly different service intervals so how often would this be used? Basically they will package any specific services you need done at that time and knock a little off of the regular price. From my experience the only thing they will do reasonably cheap is the oil change. That is the "door buster" price to get people in the door to sell them the other over priced services.

 

[fkovalski]

With these new o-ring gaskets, the diff maintenance is so easy!

 

[DBentley]

Dealers are rough on pricing but fluids are so expensive for these trucks.
Atf 4 is over 6. 00 per qt.
Syn gear oil is 15. 00-20. 00 per qt.
All this synthetic stuff the trucks come with is big bucks and im wondering if its worth it?

 

[raksasa]

My dealer quoted $400. 00. I bought PML diff covers and some amsoil for less. Next change will take 1/2 hour and cost $80. 00.

 

[scootergmc]

Dealers are rough on pricing but fluids are so expensive for these trucks.

Atf 4 is over 6. 00 per qt.

Syn gear oil is 15. 00-20. 00 per qt.

All this synthetic stuff the trucks come with is big bucks and im wondering if its worth it?

Are you citing dealer pricing because holy gonads that's expensive. I went to my local Napa (which is the most expensive auto parts store ever) and bought Valvoline gear lube for about $10/quart. ATF+4 was around $4/quart. I only went to Napa because Wal*Mart didn't have anything in stock.

 

[DBentley]

No dealer visits for me only if i have to.
Napa,autozone,advance auto are my sources.
I am refering to full synthetic prices.
Last weekend atf 4 full syn at auto zone was 6. 00 per qt.
I bought 8 qts and forked over 5. 98 each + tax
Last time i bought mobile 1 gear full syn it was priced like gold.

 

[scootergmc]

I am refering to full synthetic prices.

As was I...

 

[wcjp]

Are you citing dealer pricing because holy gonads that's expensive. I went to my local Napa (which is the most expensive auto parts store ever) and bought Valvoline gear lube for about $10/quart. ATF+4 was around $4/quart. I only went to Napa because Wal*Mart didn't have anything in stock.

When I go to Napa I always try to buy the Napa brand name fluids. It's cheaper rebadged Valvoline. Look at the manufacturer location next time you're in the store.

 

[scootergmc]

When I go to Napa I always try to buy the Napa brand name fluids. It's cheaper rebadged Valvoline. Look at the manufacturer location next time you're in the store.

Yes, I'm aware. My local Napa is rather small. They had none of those items in stock. I work near another Napa which carries more inventory. Still, it's never cheaper than Wal*Mart...

 

[KIKER]

I bought a 5 gallon bucket of Mobil 75w90 synthetic gear lube for $110 at a local wholesale fuel distributor for my front and rear diffs and Wally ATF+4. I will have enough gear lube for several changes. One of the local dealers quoted $750 to change all the fluids and the local truck oil change business quoted $450. I did let one dealer flush my auto transmission.