Dodge Dealer

Had some warranty work completed on my 2002 caravan today. Seeing that
there was no charge, the service manager tried to dig up some other
maintenance that they could charge me for. He said I was do for "fuel
induction service"(About $130). What in the world is this? I told
him, not today thank you. Can someone clue me in? Thanks.

 

Alternate name is "wallet reduction service".

How many miles on the vehicle?

See:

http://www.acdelco.com/html/bn_fuel_induction.htm

http://www.cheap-auto-car-insurance-quotes.com/Mechanical/fuel_system_cleaning.htm

http://www.precisiontune.com/services/fuel.html

Interesting that a Deja (google) newsgroup search for the phrase "fuel
induction service" turns up only about 6 threads. The last of which
was posted in Jan/2000. In rec.autos.makers.chrysler.

A quote from that thread:

"This particular service at the dealership involves more than just the
44K gas-tank cleaner, but rather a machine that hooks up to the fuel
rail. I believe it is a 3-step process, or so they say."

I would think that there needs to be some real evidence of a fuel
delivery problem before this service is performed.

 

That is a service devised to remove $130 from your wallet to help the
dealer buy fuel. My best advice on maintenance is to follow the
severe duty schedule in your owners manual.

Steve B.

 

I wish someone would help me get over my morbid fear of my Chrysler car
dealer. It's no different than my fear of all the other car dealers I've
had to put up with over the past 45 years, but I'm getting older and it
seems they are more able to talk circles around me. Yes, I'm checking the
manual and asking questions, but when I'm confronting the guys in the white
coats, my mind goes for a vacation. I find visiting the dealership for
maintenance in the same league as going to a hospital emergency
room......troublesome. The "service advisors" are like doctors when they
attempt to explain why the interior of your engine has to be shampooed, your
air intake vacuumed, and the air in your tires changed, or, God forbid, you
may end up stranded on some lonely highway somewhere and could die. I
suppose all of this makes me more grateful for a newsgroup and the internet
for all the opinions and info I can get. Unfortunately, I don't always have
a computer when I'm standing in front of their cash register and have to
make a decision.

 

Well you do have a owners manual with you! If a dealer says you need
a maintenance service that isn't listed under the severe duty service
schedule in that manual I would refuse said service until I had a
couple of sources that tell me it is worthwhile.

Steve B.

 

| Had some warranty work completed on my 2002 caravan today. Seeing that
| there was no charge, the service manager tried to dig up some other
| maintenance that they could charge me for. He said I was do for "fuel
| induction service"(About $130). What in the world is this? I told
| him, not today thank you. Can someone clue me in? Thanks.

Ask the service adviser to show you where in the owners manual this service is
required. If he can't show you, then say forget it. Eventually, they'll stop
trying to push unnecessary stuff on you. I'm fortunate that I have a excellent
Dodge dealer I use. They seem to understand that their best interest in to NOT
alienate the customer and they win in the log run with return business as a
result.

 

Easy. Stop going to car dealers for service on vehicles that aren't
covered by a manufacturer's warranty. Dealerships are overpriced,
frequently dishonest, and typically over-patronized to the point where
you're just another repair order to them...not a valued customer.

Find a local mechanic, preferably not a chain-operated shop, that has
been recommended by two or three people who have used that shop for
non-trivial repairs. Try it! You'll like it!

....and the moment you feel you're being flim-flammed by anyone...walk
out!

--Geoff