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Dealer's Advice or Owner's Manual?

Pete Candela is a AAA ASE-certified auto expert with over 30 years experience.

By Pete Candela

Question Pete, I recently had my car to the dealer for its normal checkup and oil change, and the service advisor told me I needed this list of recommended services totaling several hundred dollars. In checking my owner’s manual, its recommendations are somewhat different. Which do I go by: the dealer or the owner’s manual?

–Janice B.

AnswerAt minimum, follow the owner’s manual for the recommended service for your vehicle. In some cases, the additional services the dealer is recommending are supplemental services, but by not doing them there is no risk in voiding the warranty. Services such as fuel injection cleaning will keep the vehicle running at its best performance, but other services—such as power steering flushes and nitrogen tire fills—are viewed by many as revenue generators for the dealer. When in doubt, the owner’s manual is your guide!

Question Pete, a few weeks ago I started noticing a “shuddering” when I applied my brakes. While my car was at the dealer for its regular maintenance, they said the brakes looked fine. Are there any other parts you feel may be involved?

–Elmira G.

AnswerMore than likely, the front brake rotors are out of parallelism. Usually, this is not something that can be seen by the naked eye, but rather is measured using a dial indicator. In most cases, machining the rotors will alleviate the problem, but in some cases replacement of the rotors is necessary. Keep in mind that this condition is often caused by sudden changes in the temperature of the metal, such as driving in stop-and-go traffic with normal braking, then running through a puddle. The cool water on the hot rotors is enough to warp them. It is possible for this condition to return should the conditions be replicated.

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