Hello,

I joined this forum in the hopes that some of you people knowledgeable in car maintance can give some kind of direction as I don't know a lot about cars.
Here it goes - I live in Ottawa Canada, I have a 2007 Outlander XLS 4WD, it has 58,000KM on it. The mitsubishi dealer has been hounding me since back in October of last year to do the following - Transmission Flush, Coolant Flush, Power Steering Fluid, Brake Fluid, and Cabin Air Filter.
I asked how much I could expect to spend with taxes and everything and they said approximately $800.00, I was speechless by this.

My question(s) would be:
1) Is it necessary to have this done to the car now with this many kilometres?
2) Is the price that they are saying altogether for this right? I undestand that every city is different but I would like to have an idea if they are not trying to pull something here.
3)Out of all of the things, what are the most important things that need to be done right away? I'll probably do two at a time as I can't afford all of them at once. I still need to get new tires for the car as well.
4) This is probably pushing it a bit but if you guys happen to know a good/honest place where this can be done for a cheaper fee, would you let me now?

I really appreciate all the advice you can provide.

Thanks!

 

Hi, I'm no expert but here's my two cents

The dealer will always be the most expensive choice for probably 80-90% of the items. Those times when the dealer is cheaper than say Canadian Tire, is when there is a unique part available only at the dealer and CT has to buy it from them and sell it to you with a mark up.

You are under "severe schedule" and everything that you need to do is laid out in the manual. Of what I saw, for 58000 k, by the book you have to change the transition fluid. I don't see anything mentioned about changing coolant, power steering fluid or brake fluid. <--- dealer trying to steal money.

Also the air filter is something that you should change on regular basis. That I'd do even if the dealer doesn't say anything.

3. If you want to do some of these things, I'd say the coolant is the first. Transmition fluid, brake fluid, ps fluid are all meant to last longer. Matter of fact I used to drive a 9 years old Toyota and never did change those things. Of course I'm not saying don't change the fluids on a new car but these fluids can last longer so you can change them say one per year.

This is my suggestion but there is one thing that worries me and I've asked this question before but I think only the dealer has the answer for it, if you don't follow the maintenance by the book, do you lose your car warranty. So that is something that you might want to think about.

Finding honest mechanics is like going hunting for zebras in Yellowknife. What it comes down to is finding one that will steal less from you. I don't trust CT, and I don't trust the dealer (for honesty). I found good service at a Midas in the area but as soon as the owner changed I caught the new owner lying about something and since then I don't go there any more.

Best is to find a small shop by referral. See if someone close to you knows somebody. For regular maintenance like changing the coolant, I'd go a small place with some decent work environment, equipment etc. Then of course for something major, the dealer is the place to go, of course not by choice.

 

Does anyone know how, where, how much I can add blutooth to my 07 outlander awd?

 

Thank you very much for your comment Oj83. I really felt like all the stuff they told me was not really necessary to do. I'll shop around for prices and go from there. I guess i'll do the coolant and transmission fluid first as you suggested.
By the way, have you done business at all with Mr Lube?
I'll go and check out Midas.

Thanks Again.

 

Hi Calvario. I live in the Ottawa region too and do business with Bank street Mitsubishi don't know if it's the same dealer as me but just wondering if it's the scheduling department that's trying to push that on you talk to the service manager is name is barrie and he will let you know what need's to be done referring to the Mitsubishi Maintenance as the scheduling department have no clue and are just trying to make you pay for stuff you don't need and that could wait.

At the same time drop by www.mitsubishiottawa.ca its are local mitsu club full of info on local stuff with free membership and dealer discount for service and parts

 

Calvario, if you'd like, I can PM you a link to the service manual.

I am cheap and know how to turn a wrench, so I try to do everything myself.
- Dealer quoted me $300 to do a transmission flush. At least for now, make sure you use the right fluid. The correct fluid is DiaQueeen ATF-J2. There are no other aftermarket lubrication companies that I know of that is compatible. The service manual shows how to do this, it doesn't really sound that hard to do. My dealership quoted me $6 a quart...and I'll be picking up 11-12 quarts to make sure I have enough on hand. I plan on doing this this summer. My dealer also said that the tranny fluid generally runs about 45-50k miles (72k-80k km). I had them check it at 45k and he said next oil change or two will be fine. On a 5k mile oil change, that's 50k-55k miles.
- I haven't gone into coolant flushes. Green stuff usually lasts 3-5 years. This is what the service manual says about coolant fluid:
I've sent a message into Peak about what coolant can be used. All their stuff contains ethylene glycol which I thought had alcohol, but their page said it was safe for aluminum components. I'll be due for one as well. Parts stores will have flush kits.
- Manual says to use Mitsubishi power steering fluid. I probably would at least during the warranty period. To change it, jack the front end up, disconnect the fluid return hose and set it in a bucket. Turn the wheels left to right - right to left multiple times until it is all out. Connect your hose. Pour the fluid in and turn left to right - right to left until it pretty much stops consuming oil. Start the car (in park w/ parking brake on) and go left to right - right to left until it stops whining and the steering wheel stops bucking. The manual says to disconnect the ignition coils on the spark plugs and turn the motor over while draining and refilling.
- You can order a brake bleeder vacuum system to change your brake fluid...this is a whole lot easier and safer with two people. Mitsubishi says to use their brake fluid "Super 4". You should go furthest wheel to closest wheel from the reservoir. There is a bleeder vale that looks like a nut a fluid nipple on top. Put your vacuum hose on that nipple, start a vacuum, and turn the nut to open the valve. Have the 2nd person watch the reservoir to make sure it doesn't go dry and suck air into the lines. Stop when the fluid color changes to the color of the new fluid by tightening the nut.

I bet you'd spend about $200 for all fluids...just a guess though. Brake bleeder may be around $50, but then you own it and can do other vehicles. Charge your buddies 15 bucks to change theirs!

 

I heard back from Peak already. They said their global product as well as extended life should work well for our engines. I bet if we asked for the MSDS of the Mitsubishi anti-freeze, we can get a good idea of what they use.

 

Thank you roach and ccernst for your replies.
The dealer that I am dealing with is the Donnelly Mitsubishi in Kanata. Do you think I can go to the one on bank and ask there for assistance CCernest?

Roach - yes, if you can please send me the link to the service manual, I would really appreciate it. I would love to be able to do this things myself, however, I don't feel really comfortable touching this stuff in a car when I know it can be very serious if not left back like it was in the first place. Plus, here in Ottawa, you only have from May till September to work in a car outside your home, the rest of the time is impossible due to the weather.

I'll probably get this done during the summer months.

 

I think any dealership will do the work for you. Sounds like Roach has had a decent experience, so worth a shot. I've got two dealerships in the area as well and the one we bought ours from, I just don't like the service manager...something about him just looks and acts like a shiester. If you do decide to do all that work, I imagine they'll quote you a similar price.

 

Calvario Bank street Mitsubishi will be more then happy to have you as a client I’m pretty sure your not the first person I know that purchase their car at Donnelly Mitsubishi in Kanata and got it service at Bank street. I have few members from my club that did the switch with no problem and are extremely happy now!

Calvario Bank street Mitsubishi will be more then happy to have you as a client I’m pretty sure your not the first person I know that purchase their car at Donnelly Mitsubishi in Kanata and got it service at Bank street. I have few members from my club that did the switch with no problem and are extremely happy now!

Ccernst are you talking about that link for the service manual (http://out-club.ru/Manual/Outlander_...7/index_M1.htm) because I know that link is for the UK diesel version. Or it’s another one for the US/Canada gas Model ?