Last Saturday, May 18, my wife and I bought a white 2010 XLS S-AWC. It has 87,400 km (54,308 miles). We love the vehicle.

I'm in my early sixties and have been maintaining my vehicles ever since I can remember.

Naturally I have a few practical questions about maintaining the vehicle, but before asking them I'd like to say that I want to keep the full force and integrity of the Outlander's remaining bumper to bumper and powertrain warranty.

While doing research on whether the Outlander was right for us, I've already been told point-blank by a Mit service rep. that the dealership must replace the timing belt during the course of the warranty, because if a replaced belt breaks prematurely for say a manufacturing defect, and Mit did not replace the belt, it would be practically impossible to get any resulting enging damage repaired under the powertrain warranty. Therefore, I will get the timing belt and associated parts replaced at Mit. But after being told that, I can't help but wonder if Mit extends this philosophy (let us rip you off now, or you pay for all repairs later) to other items on the maintenance schedule, so now to my questions.

-Can I do my own engine oil changes and will doing that, even if I keep a detailed maintenance log, including receipts for the oil and filter, void any part of the remaining powertrain warranty?

-The same question for the tranny fluid, brake fluid, engine coolant and other fluids. That is, even if the dealership grudgingly grants owners the warranty-supported right to change their own engine oil, does it also extend that same right to other fluid changes?

-In short, is the typical dealer going to "hold it against me" if I do much of the scheduled fluid changes myself, or in this case is there no such thing as a typical dealer and some may allow DIY fluid changes and some may not?

In the end, I can understand that the dealership does not trust customers in the same way that I do not trust dealerships. After all, what guarantee does the dealership have that I actually replaced what I said I replaced? It's a lot easier and cheaper to create a maintenance log than it is to actually buy fluids and put them in the vehicle.

But dealerships should not be allowed to put a gun to the heads of their customers, either. For example, I was quoted $262 for front and rear pads (not including installation) at one of our local Mit dealerships, while at a Florida Mit dealer I can order both sets of pads for $123, plus a little more for shipping, and replace them myself. The same holds true for Dia Queen J3.

Is it fair and acceptable that we be literally held hostage and forced to pay the local gangster for "insurance" or lose the warranty coverage?

 

I have a 2010 XLS as well that I just purchased last week, and I am wondering the same question. I got the wrong filter installed one time by having the dealer do the oil change, and have done my own now for 30 years now...

 

I do most of my own maintenance including oil and filter. In my opinion it's not a big deal to me - I'm not a mechanic by trade but I understand enough to know a timing belt can really destroy an interference engine. That's not a job I'm ready to take on - but some have the ability on this forum for sure.

If you are knowledgeable about cars you'll be able to discuss with the dealer that doing your own oil changes doesn't mean they are off the hook when it comes time to replace a malfunctioning radio (or any other vehicle component not related to engine oil) under warranty.

If you do get unlucky and have engine trouble. Take a large fluid sample (enough for 3 samples) before the dealership can drain the oil servicing the vehicle. If you've done the oil changes as you said the fluid should be fine in testing - which means it isn't oil related. If not it may prove you've neglected the engine - may also point to the problem, fluid analysis is really neat what they can see from bearing/cam wear to coolant and fuel contamination, etc. Doesn't hurt to keep your receipts for the oil & filter for when the dealer asks.

If you have engine trouble and a mechanic opens it up and everything is sludged and clogged. You'll probably have some pushback from the dealer about your "own oil changes" and they will want to see receipts. They do try to wiggle out of everything - it's kind of their job.

Brakes aren't under warranty so don't be shy with those.

Transmission fluid - use what is specified. Someone built it and knows what oil should be run in it and that isn't me. But the array of transmission specs is way more than the simple minimum spec for engine oils (eg. API-SN). It's an exact match, some are backwards compatible but most are not.