Ever since I got my car I take it to the Ford dealership twice a year for the "Works" package, oil change, rotate tires, check fluids, tires, etc. If you are familiar with their form, the last time they checked two red boxes. It indicated immediate attention was needed for fluid levels and "axle issues such as drive shaft boots, cvboots, u-joints, transmission linkage". I asked the service advisor why. The cars drives and sounds fine. I have a 2012 with 35000 miles on it.
I was told the Ford rep who visits them said their customer vehicles should be on a severe service schedule. The engine coolant should be changed at 30,000 miles and the fuel injectors cleaned to prevent carbon buildup. I asked if that was because it is a direct injection engine. He said it is to improve fuel economy. I then asked what axle issues were the problem. He said they would have to put it on a lift to see what the tech saw. He did say drive shaft boots are the most common problem ( it was the first on the list of problems ).
I told them I would get back to them on an appointment to take care of these issues. At home I checked the owners manual that came with the car. It does not include a maintenance schedule for severe use. The regular schedule says to change the fluid at 100,000 miles and says NOTHING about cleaning the fuel injectors. My gas mileage is fine by the way.
My baloney meter says the dealership is trying to generate service revenue. But maybe my meter needs to be recalibrated. Where can I find a severe use maintenance schedule? Is suburban driving in the Chicago area considered severe use by Ford? Most driving is between 5 and 50 miles mph. Some stop and go driving but nothing like if I lived in the city of Chicago. Would I know if boots or joints were going bad? How common a problem is this for the Focus?
I use to think very highly of the service department at this dealership. Now I am not so sure.
Should I follow their recommendations to keep my 5 year/60 month powertrain warranty in force? I asked how much cv-boots cost. He said $400/boot parts and labor. He said they are not covered under warranty. I checked my warranty guide it says Front Wheel Drive cars have universal and constant velocity joints covered. Does that not include the boot?
I have had two clutch replacements done for free at this dealership. Is it now trying to recover lost money from those repairs? I thought Ford reimbursed the dealerships fully in those instances.
I was told the Ford rep who visits them said their customer vehicles should be on a severe service schedule. The engine coolant should be changed at 30,000 miles and the fuel injectors cleaned to prevent carbon buildup. I asked if that was because it is a direct injection engine. He said it is to improve fuel economy. I then asked what axle issues were the problem. He said they would have to put it on a lift to see what the tech saw. He did say drive shaft boots are the most common problem ( it was the first on the list of problems ).
I told them I would get back to them on an appointment to take care of these issues. At home I checked the owners manual that came with the car. It does not include a maintenance schedule for severe use. The regular schedule says to change the fluid at 100,000 miles and says NOTHING about cleaning the fuel injectors. My gas mileage is fine by the way.
My baloney meter says the dealership is trying to generate service revenue. But maybe my meter needs to be recalibrated. Where can I find a severe use maintenance schedule? Is suburban driving in the Chicago area considered severe use by Ford? Most driving is between 5 and 50 miles mph. Some stop and go driving but nothing like if I lived in the city of Chicago. Would I know if boots or joints were going bad? How common a problem is this for the Focus?
I use to think very highly of the service department at this dealership. Now I am not so sure.
Should I follow their recommendations to keep my 5 year/60 month powertrain warranty in force? I asked how much cv-boots cost. He said $400/boot parts and labor. He said they are not covered under warranty. I checked my warranty guide it says Front Wheel Drive cars have universal and constant velocity joints covered. Does that not include the boot?
I have had two clutch replacements done for free at this dealership. Is it now trying to recover lost money from those repairs? I thought Ford reimbursed the dealerships fully in those instances.
