Car maintenance price

[sleepingsheep]

Hello, could anyone advise me?

I am a new car owner (owning my first car for 7 months) who has no knowledge about cars, and I have no idea where to go for checkup. I did first maintenance by the dealer on 5 months just before 10,000km. So I guess my car must be fine now.

I am going on long drive soon (1500km) so I would like to check the car before going on such a long trip. Is there any place I can bring the car for quick check up such as engines, air in tires etc? And what is the price like? Or I should not worry that much because the car was in service just 2 months ago? I have never checked air by myself and I don't know how!

Thanks!

[steve187]

a quick check of air, oil and water levels are all that is required. a tip of 50 - 100 baht would be about right

[sleepingsheep]

Thanks steve!

But where shall I go for check up? I really have no idea... I see in the parking area at shopping malls has the car washing shop but they do check up as well? Or to the dealer? I've heared the shop call cockpit do they do this kind of quick check up?

[sappersrest]

Cockpit will do this for you not sure of the charge they are ok ,I take my car there for service.

.

[trainman34014]

If the car is only a few months old there should be nothing to worry about but it is normally best to return to the main dealership that you bought the car from as after all, the car should still be under warranty and getting it serviced elsewhere could affect said warranty. There will be a standard service labour charge plus the cost of any materials, which at this stage of the cars life should be pretty much zero.

Generally speaking car maintenance is a lot cheaper in Thailand than in the West.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

If the car is only a few months old there should be nothing to worry about but it is normally best to return to the main dealership that you bought the car from as after all, the car should still be under warranty and getting it serviced elsewhere could affect said warranty.

No it won't. Maybe for work that swaps out entire parts, but most definitely not for regular service such as changing the oil and cleaning or replacing some filters.

How many kms since your dealer service? If you're less than 2000 kms off from the next scheduled oil change then I wouldn't even bother getting anything done other than checking tire pressure and engine oil level.

But if it is close-ish to when your next oil change is due then you can just get that done. Either at the dealer if you enjoy the waiting time and paying a bit extra, or just about any larger gas station that also has a service station. They'll change the engine oil, possibly engine oil filter, clean the air filter and generally check the levels of all liquids. This will come in under 1000 Baht. (Actual price depends on the type of oil you select.)

[slapout]

Some auto manufactors. subsquently the dealer will void a warrenty if service is performed by anyone other than a authorized dealer. Has the OP read the manuel that came with the new car? If not, I would suggest he/she do so. If you do not know how to check tire air pressure, battery fluid and coolent level, oil level etc, It may behove you to hire a driver and task him with this as additional duties.

I have no idea how, where or when the op first learned to drive a motorized vehicle, but I can imagine that was quite a scary experience for those involved then and it might still be a daily experience for other drivers on the roads near where he parks his car.

[sleepingsheep]

About 2 months, 1500km since the last dealer service, and 5 months/9500km to the next service.

I have the manual came with the car but I remember it was in Thai (or maybe there were English version...). I should really know how to check the air, oil and water... I'll bring the car to the dealershop and ask them to teach me how to check it.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

In that case you're good to go. Check tire pressure and off you go.

[sleepingsheep]

Thanks everybody, I just went to the dealershop, the checked air, oil and something else (I don't know what they checked...) for free. I didn't think of going to dealershop somehow, so it was really good to have your advises. Thank you very much!

[ktm jeff]

Whle in warranty it may be best to return to the dealership if you recieve good service. Sounds like you did. Small checks are often free. Giveing a tip is nice. If you have a knowlegable friend , get them to show you the basics on maintanence ,tire pressures , oil/water levles , screen wash level etc , its not hard. You may be wise to buy your own air pump with digital gauge.

[mesquite]

Check your gas gage before and after the visit. You may not want to give a tip as they may have already taken it in the form of fuel drained from your tank.

[transam]

The only thing you NEVER trust anyone in LOS with is tyre pressures. Buy a cheap gauge at Tesco's and do it yourself. You will not need a pump cos for sure they will be over inflated.

[kaptainrob]

The only thing you NEVER trust anyone in LOS with is tyre pressures. Buy a cheap gauge at Tesco's and do it yourself. You will not need a pump cos for sure they will be over inflated.

De ja vu?

I counter your claim with the opposite, under-inflation is more common.

I agree that a DIY gauge is essential and suggest adding +4PSI to manufacturers recommendations for your safety and tyre longevity.