So what is maintenance like?

[SanDust]

Depends on where you go for the brake fluid flush and I'm sure we can have it done every two years, not every year, which would be ludicrous, especially when some of us hardly use the brakes. I don't know what kind of ICE car you have that you only change the oil every two years, but that's just asking for major damage. It used to be every 6mos/3000m., but now it's about every 7500m regardless of how many months. I know some people use synthetic oil which can extend it to 10K miles, but that isn't what comes with most ICEs.

With the advent of synthetics you're looking at 15K even for fairly aggressive driving, considerably more if the driving is less aggressive. In both the BMW and the Acura you would never bother to track the oil life. Both have sensors that tell you when you need to replace the oil. (I don't know but I'm assuming this is standard on all cars.) That interval turned out to be about two years. I haven't driven the BMW recently so I don't have a number but I do know that after over five years the oil has been replaced twice.

Current ICE vehicles just don't require much annual maintenance until you start getting to 50K+ miles. FWIW Consumer Reports says its quote for the brake flush was $291.91, not too different from what I remember, and that it should be done every 15K miles. Oil changes would seem to be cheaper.

The air cabin filter is probably exorbitantly expensive, and that's supposed to be changed every 7.5K miles. For sure you can do that yourself. I think cabin filters were invented so the dealers could make some money when they do the tire rotations.

 

[DarkStar]

The air cabin filter is probably exorbitantly expensive, and that's supposed to be changed every 7.5K miles. For sure you can do that yourself. I think cabin filters were invented so the dealers could make some money when they do the tire rotations.

Last I checked, the air filter was $22... Hardly a deal-breaker.

 

[DeaneG]

My experience is that brake fluid flushes are not that expensive, and have been recommended every two years for the cars I've owned to date. Brake fluid absorbs water through the caliper and reservoir seals and eventually corrodes the brake system from the inside out. The absorbed water also lowers the boiling point of the fluid. You don't want the fluid boiling in a front caliper on a long winding downhill road.

 

[SanDust]

Last I checked, the air filter was $22... Hardly a deal-breaker.

Usually you can't get away for less than $75. The markup for the manufacturer has to be at least 300%. The dealer adds another 50% and charges for a half hour for a two minute job. Even if you're not handy this is a good candidate for a DIY.

My experience is that brake fluid flushes are not that expensive, and have been recommended every two years for the cars I've owned to date. Brake fluid absorbs water through the caliper and reservoir seals and eventually corrodes the brake system from the inside out. The absorbed water also lowers the boiling point of the fluid. You don't want the fluid boiling in a front caliper on a long winding downhill road.

I've seen it recommended at three years but never two and certainly not every year.

 

[malloryk]

I wanted to share my experience at Santa Monica Nissan today. I received an email from Nissan Corp a couple weeks ago to schedule my 6-month service for my Leaf (I've had mine for 9). This service includes a tire rotation and a complimentary inspection. Today I went to SM Nissan for this service and was told that their regular Leaf service includes a "battery check, diagnostics check, inspection and tire rotation." For $99. I was expecting to only pay $20 for the rotation. The guy tried to convince me that I needed this $99 service, which all seemed pretty vague and was not in the maintenance schedule. I told him I would only pay for the rotation and I expected the free inspection that was in my email and that is detailed in the maintenance booklet. That is what ended up happening. I showed him the email I had received and he chuckled and said "good ol Nissan. They tell you this to get you in here and then we have to tell you the bad news." I'm sure there will be people who fall for this and it seems that their angle is to scare people into going along with it because it's a "new" technology. Like many others, I purchased a Leaf for the decreased maintenance cost but it seems that the dealership service dept. is expecting to scam people out of their money for needless maintenance. I will not return to a Nissan dealership for service in the future. Only for the free annual battery check.

 

[DeaneG]

I called Sunnyvale Nissan a few days ago about 6-month service. They pretty much laughed and said that the first service is 7500 miles (I'm at 4500). I asked if there was anything I should do at 6 months, and they said to check that the windshield washer had fluid, and that the tires were at the correct pressure.

They seem like my kind of service shop. I drove over the next day and bought four factory rubber floor mats from their parts department.

 

[surfingslovak]

They seem like my kind of service shop. I drove over the next day and bought four factory rubber floor mats from their parts department.

+1

I had nothing but good experience with Sunnyvale Nissan and plan to have my Leaf serviced there as well.

 

[Nekota]

They seem like my kind of service shop. I drove over the next day and bought four factory rubber floor mats from their parts department.

+1

I had nothing but good experience with Sunnyvale Nissan and plan to have my Leaf serviced there as well.

+2

And their LEAF specialist Dennis is first rate too!

 

[LEAFer]

Very Happy with Nissan of Elk Grove, CA

On July 1, 2011 at 7,362 miles (163 days since delivery) performed the following. And because of the length of service expected (item C) also received a free Nissan Altima Hybrid loaner (got 41mpg out of it) !

---- Start of Service Paperwork ----

A. NTB11-038 (Recall P1213 LEAF VCM) -- Perform recall reprogrammed VCM

B. "Customer states middle seat belt button fell off" 
   -- Retrieved Broken Clip/Button reattached to rear center belt.

C. Perform and install special ordered charging unit sent by Nissan. 
   Cause: replace on-board charging unit (part # 999MP-L25500P) 
   -- Replaced Charger 

D. "Customer states top clock running fast is there a calibration for the 2 clocks" 
   -- Cause: called Nissan --No fix at this time

E. Perform Tire Rotation, adjust air pressure and inspect treadwear.  
   -- Rotate wheels.

F. Check tire inflation and set to proper specs as per mfg ......  
   -- 35 psi

G. Courtesy multi-point inspection. Customer copy attached to final invoice 

H. Tires are 7/32 or better tread.


---- End of Service Paperwork ----

Notes:
Item G.: The "Customer copy attached to final invoice" ... it was not ... I never asked about it.

Item C. was paid for by Nissan and VERY expensive and complex (first one and requires cooling lines to be removed/recharged/reinstalled), and caused the pickup to be delayed to the following day, but the free loaner had been arranged beforehand.

I believe among the many Service Coupons provided by Nissan of EG to the Purchaser at time of buying the car ... is a complimentary tire rotation, some free oil changes and many other "goodies".

So ... was it the fact that Nissan paid enough for Item C. or is it due to SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE that the TOTAL PAID WAS $ 0

 

[LEAFfan]

F. Check tire inflation and set to proper specs as per mfg ......
-- 35 psi

Interesting, wonder why they say '35' is specs when it says '36' on our doors?

 

[DarkStar]

C. Perform and install special ordered charging unit sent by Nissan. 
   Cause: replace on-board charging unit (part # 999MP-L25500P) 
   -- Replaced Charger

I'm trying to figure out exactly what this is as EverythingNissan.com lists it as "NISSAN LONG LIF" for $16.24... :roll:

 

[mwalsh]

D. "Customer states top clock running fast is there a calibration for the 2 clocks"
-- Cause: called Nissan --No fix at this time

IMO, should replaced under warranty. Come on Nissan, step up on this one!

 

[Herm]

Item C. was paid for by Nissan and VERY expensive and complex (first one and requires cooling lines to be removed/recharged/reinstalled), and caused the pickup to be delayed to the following day, but the free loaner had been arranged beforehand.

Sounds like a higher efficiency air cooled charger might save Nissan some money, no reason (besides $$) that you cant get these things into the 92% range and even 95%-98% with a bit more cash... and put it under the hood please.

 

[smkettner]

I wanted to share my experience at Santa Monica Nissan today. I received an email from Nissan Corp a couple weeks ago to schedule my 6-month service for my Leaf (I've had mine for 9). This service includes a tire rotation and a complimentary inspection. Today I went to SM Nissan for this service and was told that their regular Leaf service includes a "battery check, diagnostics check, inspection and tire rotation." For $99. I was expecting to only pay $20 for the rotation. The guy tried to convince me that I needed this $99 service, which all seemed pretty vague and was not in the maintenance schedule. I told him I would only pay for the rotation and I expected the free inspection that was in my email and that is detailed in the maintenance booklet. That is what ended up happening. I showed him the email I had received and he chuckled and said "good ol Nissan. They tell you this to get you in here and then we have to tell you the bad news." I'm sure there will be people who fall for this and it seems that their angle is to scare people into going along with it because it's a "new" technology. Like many others, I purchased a Leaf for the decreased maintenance cost but it seems that the dealership service dept. is expecting to scam people out of their money for needless maintenance. I will not return to a Nissan dealership for service in the future. Only for the free annual battery check.

In my experience this is typical for ALL dealers and ALL cars. Fortunately with Leaf there just is not much to do and the whole scam falls apart.

 

[DarkStar]

Today I went to SM Nissan for this service and was told that their regular Leaf service includes a "battery check, diagnostics check, inspection and tire rotation." For $99. I was expecting to only pay $20 for the rotation. The guy tried to convince me that I needed this $99 service, which all seemed pretty vague and was not in the maintenance schedule

Wow, definitely a scam. My dealer has a standard $15 tire rotation fee, but they also do a battery check, software check, full vehicle inspection, and even wash the car for no additional fee.

 

[TomT]

It seems that Santa Monica Nissan is working REAL hard these days on building a miserable reputation... Of course, there IS no "6 month service" for the Leaf... By the way, many tire shops will do the rotation at 7,500 miles for you for free...

I wanted to share my experience at Santa Monica Nissan today. I received an email from Nissan Corp a couple weeks ago to schedule my 6-month service for my Leaf (I've had mine for 9). This service includes a tire rotation and a complimentary inspection. Today I went to SM Nissan for this service and was told that their regular Leaf service includes a "battery check, diagnostics check, inspection and tire rotation." For $99. I was expecting to only pay $20 for the rotation.

 

[LEAFfan]

By the way, many tire shops will do the rotation at 7,500 miles for you for free...

So far, I know only Discount Tire.

 

[TomT]

The actual Leaf braking system is a completely standard hydraulic and ABS system, and should see no more stress than any other such system, EV or not. The only real reason for brake fluid changes in street vehicles is because brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture. Assuming that the system has not been abused and the fluid boiled, we change the fluid every two years or so because of this to prevent the moisture from lowering the boiling point of the fluid and, more importantly, causing corrosion of the brake components.

There is nothing in the design of the brake system in the Leaf that requires a yearly change. I simply see it as a profit mechanism... Plus, any independent shop can do the brake fluid change for you for a fraction of what Nissan charges.

 

[malloryk]

It seems that Santa Monica Nissan is working REAL hard these days on building a miserable reputation... Of course, there IS no "6 month service" for the Leaf... By the way, many tire shops will do the rotation at 7,500 miles for you for free...

I wanted to share my experience at Santa Monica Nissan today. I received an email from Nissan Corp a couple weeks ago to schedule my 6-month service for my Leaf (I've had mine for 9). This service includes a tire rotation and a complimentary inspection. Today I went to SM Nissan for this service and was told that their regular Leaf service includes a "battery check, diagnostics check, inspection and tire rotation." For $99. I was expecting to only pay $20 for the rotation.

The 6-month service email came from Nissan, not the dealership. I've had my Leaf for 9 months so I figured it was time to get the tires rotated and the other stuff inspected that was on the maintenance schedule. Next time I get my car serviced, I'll need that battery check and I think I'm gonna make the drive out to Fontana for that and do some shopping at the outlets out there. Make a day of it. Fontana right now is the only Nissan dealership I'd go to. I don't know how many of you are women, but I suspect they sell a different story to the men than they do to females.

 

[smkettner]

malloryk, I am with you on that. I may well take mine out 65 miles to Fontana for the annual battery service just for these reasons.