Car at 16k miles. Have been doing oil changes myself, do I need to bring it in?
 

Hi!

I have a 2018 BRZ with 16k miles. I have been changing the oil and brake fluid myself. Do I need to bring it in for some (useless it seems) stealership check up to maintain warranty? Or could I just do the rundown myself (air filter, cabin air filter...etc)

Thanks!

As long as you keep accurate maintenance records, you shouldn't need to

How many brake fluid changes in 16k miles? Track use? Any issues with the car?

Just keep receipts, if anything goes wrong bring the receipts and let them figure it out. Don't volunteer any info they may want to use against you. Some dealers are good some are bad.

I have done every single item the maintenance schedule call out for. Minus the fuel pump.

As mentioned if you keep records aka receipts of what parts you buy it's the same as dealer service history.

The only thing that might affect it, is if you trade it in or some picky buyer wants a Carfax report. But any knowledgeable person or mechanic can know the difference from a neglected and a proper serviced car.

I have the carfax app and it lets you put in DIY service records. I also keep the receipts. But I don't know if the DIY service shows in the official report. In any case, a picky buyer will be able to tell if you maintained your car well and if your receipts are legit.

In think you're good. 20k or so is rear diff fluid change.

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Last time I had my car at the Subaru dealer (other than to buy the odd part from the Parts Dept) was the day I bought it new in June 2014. During my "check-out" with the salesman, I was told the car had "Subaru's award-winning AWD" and that I could count on it to keep me safe on the road. Needless-to-say, my faith in Subaru-trained employees took a significant dive that day.

Coupled with two separate incidents at two other Subaru dealers where the respective Parts Managers tried to sell me blue OEM oil filters for their EZ36D engines, arguing with me that the BRZ has an "H6" engine, I have since given up and order most everything online using the same parts fiches that apparently greatly befuddle the actual, trained employees of this company.

All of this is to say, at least in the Midwestern US, you'll be better off taking care of your own car, probably even for warranty work.

No, read your warranty documentation in the glove box.

The only reason would be if you plan to sell your car in the future, people like to see maintenance records on the Carfax reports.

I personally don't think you need to,
Just do everything yourself as required in the owners manual.
I bought the car at 19k miles, after the last free oil change, I either take it outside or do it myself. Saved a lot of $$.

I oil change every 3-5k miles. (beside track days)
I change brake/clutch fluid every year.
I change trans/diff fluid every year.
I change cabin filter/air filter every year.

It's a very simple reminder and maintenance.

Yes this. It's what I do. Otherwise do it yourself if you want

Unless you track your vehicle, annual brake fluid (and esp rear diff fluid) changes are highly unnecessary.

And so are 3,000 mile oil changes. The set schedule gives plenty of margin and shortening the interval for a street driven car is just wasteful with zero benefits.

^what he said

Diff has no replacement interval. It is only inspect every 30k and replace as needed. If you only daily then fluid will look almost new at 30k miles (except on your first change, that shit will be gross).

If you track with good fluid you shouldn't need to replace fluid more then once a year basically (unless your pedal gets soft, then bleed and maybe think about new fluid). Otherwise it's every 30k miles.