WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR BRZ TODAY?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Those leaves would burn about as well as the bright green grass over which they lay. That is in no way a tinderbox.

That is probably exactly what dad said to mom.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by joro2

(Cross posted from an older thread on trans/diff fluid changes, apologies for any duplicates.)

Had a routine oil change yesterday @ 21K on my 2017 BRZ (MT base Premium).

The dealer mentioned ("recommended") a few additional items needing service, some which made sense and others not so much.
- Battery failed load test; reasonable, given that the BRZ is 66 months old and still on the original battery; ACCEPTED i.e. went for the new battery (it was competitively priced).
- New tires; yeah, they're 5.5. years old and have 21K miles, but I feel confident I can safely go one more oil change interval before shopping tires (another topic, i.e. new tires) I DECLINED.

Then came these suggestions:
1) "Alignment and fuel induction service"
I didn't find these in the factory maintenance schedule, what are they? Did they mean a standard wheel alignment AND some kind of fuel service? Or is "alignment" part of the fuel service? I DECLINED.

2) Was told I should (or did the service manager say "recommended" again?) replace the manual transmission fluid and the rear diff fluid. I found ambiguous factory info on this, some say 30K miles, other text entries say every 4 years (regardless of mileage) for the diff, which is it? Couldn't find anything on the transmission fluid except "inspect". Since there's no dipstick on either I assume "inspect" means the tech drives it and decides if they don't like the way it's shifting.
I feel as though I foolishly ACCEPTED.
Looks like they also did a rear diff BG flush.
From new the BRZ was notchy, for the first ~5-7K sometimes finicky until warmed up. And remained notchy, once in a while not slipping as smoothly into gear as I'd like, but still always one of the better manuals I've ever owned.
Short story I said yes to both (diff and trans fluid change). Immediately was feeling remorse, as only at 21K, never tracked, etc. But do admit shifting was definitely noticeably "smoother" (maybe slightly heavier? less mechanical clunks) after the service. Not sure yet which I liked better, before or after the fluid changes. Either way I feel like Steve Jobs felt about opening up iPhones, once cracked open RUINED!

So, feeling ripped off! I know better but somehow (because I'm an IDIOT) dropped my guard.
I know, I know -- dealer is always a ripoff (although as I said these services all were competitively priced).
What say you re: the trans/diff fluid change at 5.5 years/21K miles? And what is that "alignment and fuel induction service"? Feel free to call me an IDIOT, I've done the same for the past 24 hours.

PS They also gave me a "free wash" at the dealer. something I forgot to decline, I always hand wash the car and have since new. Dealer has a cheap toy car wash set up. All in all, what was a simple service turned into a pricey bad BRZ day, really my first in 5.5 years of ownership.

And that's what I did to my BRZ (yesterday). Thanks for reading my whine.

If it drives fine and tires are not wearing in a weird way, I would have skipped the alignment. Are you sure he didn't mean fuel injection service? Either way, would have skipped.

I would recommend changing trans/diff fluid by the first oil change. It is well documented here that changing it makes a significant improvement in feel, especially using a better fluid. You would also be pretty surprised how dirty the trans oil gets though it clears up pretty well after a couple changes. I do mine yearly though I beat on my car pretty hard.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

That is probably exactly what dad said to mom.

Look at your example photo carefully.
brown=tinder
red=photo op

[joro2]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I would recommend changing trans/diff fluid by the first oil change. It is well documented here that changing it makes a significant improvement in feel, especially using a better fluid. You would also be pretty surprised how dirty the trans oil gets though it clears up pretty well after a couple changes. I do mine yearly though I beat on my car pretty hard.

Thanks to you and @Tcoat, feeling better about the decision

As for the "alignment and fuel induction service", see attached scan.
Looks like maybe they meant wheel alignment (which maybe I'd look into after replacing tires at next oil change interval) HOWEVER the "fuel induction service" still seems suspicious. As you speculated, I'm guessing they just meant running some injection cleaner through the system.

Regarding the transmission/rear differential fluid changes.
Thoughts as to why the factory maintenance schedule says "inspect" only for the transmission fluid? I did find (as you point out) many threads here suggesting that both (rear diff AND transmission) fluids be changed. Again, thank you guys both.

[dragoontwo]

Originally Posted by joro2

Thanks to you and @Tcoat, feeling better about the decision

As for the "alignment and fuel induction service", see attached scan.
Looks like maybe they meant wheel alignment (which maybe I'd look into after replacing tires at next oil change interval) HOWEVER the "fuel induction service" still seems suspicious. As you speculated, I'm guessing they just meant running some injection cleaner through the system.

Regarding the transmission/rear differential fluid changes.
Thoughts as to why the factory maintenance schedule says "inspect" only for the transmission fluid? I did find (as you point out) many threads here suggesting that both (rear diff AND transmission) fluids be changed. Again, thank you guys both.

From a random Subaru dealer page:

Fuel Induction Service Explained
Fuel induction service introduces a pressurized mist of cleaning agents into your fuel system that works its way through the injectors, throttle body, air intake, and valve surfaces of the engine. The carbon deposits are broken down and are exhausted through your tailpipe. The service takes about 20 minutes and is often performed during your routine oil change. The proper tools and equipment used by our technicians speed up the process instead of taking hours in your own garage.

Clogged Injectors and Carbon Build Up Lead to Burned Pistons
Every time your engine combusts the gasoline, impurities that are left behind settle onto the surfaces of intakes, valves, and other moving parts. It is recommended that your Subaru receive a fuel induction service about every 30,000 miles to ensure that your engine continues to run smoothly for many more thousands of miles. Should you skip the service, you can end up having to replace seals, valves, throttle components and injectors which can cost significantly more than the simple maintenance task.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by joro2

Thanks to you and @Tcoat, feeling better about the decision

As for the "alignment and fuel induction service", see attached scan.
Looks like maybe they meant wheel alignment (which maybe I'd look into after replacing tires at next oil change interval) HOWEVER the "fuel induction service" still seems suspicious. As you speculated, I'm guessing they just meant running some injection cleaner through the system.

Regarding the transmission/rear differential fluid changes.
Thoughts as to why the factory maintenance schedule says "inspect" only for the transmission fluid? I did find (as you point out) many threads here suggesting that both (rear diff AND transmission) fluids be changed. Again, thank you guys both.

They say "inspect" more for levels than condition. Just looking at a fluid is pretty difficult to say it is good or bad. Unless of course it is really, really, really bad!

I am a strong believer in not over changing fluids. Many people seem to just do it because they can and it makes them feel better. Tranny and diff oils though can certainly stand to be changed a little more often than the others. This is especially true in places that see temperature extremes of heat or cold. Not saying run out every year and change them unless tracking or very heavy use but that is a different discussion.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by dragoontwo

From a random Subaru dealer page:

There are indeed cars that can benefit from such a service but the Twins double injection (direct and port) really does a pretty good job of blowing carbon off on it's own.
Could get pretty much the same results as dumping a $7 bottle of cleaner in the fuel tank anyway.

[dragoontwo]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

There are indeed cars that can benefit from such a service but the Twins double injection (direct and port) really does a pretty good job of blowing carbon off on it's own.
Could get pretty much the same results as dumping a $7 bottle of cleaner in the fuel tank anyway.

Correct. The service dept. is geared towards higher volume stuff, and trying to upsell anything even if the car doesn't need it. Not sure if the service desk jockeys even know that the BRZ has dual injection where most newer Subarus don't.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by dragoontwo

Correct. The service dept. is geared towards higher volume stuff, and trying to upsell anything even if the car doesn't need it. Not sure if the service desk jockeys even know that the BRZ has dual injection where most newer Subarus don't.

I bet there are at least a few that strongly believe it is AWD and turboed so there is little doubt they will not have a clue that it has the Toyota DS4 injection system on it.

[Ultramaroon]

this "fuel induction service" is a load of BS. It's not a fuel additive, so it's a lie to say it "works its way through the injectors."

It's sprayed into the intake upstream of the throttle body.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

this "fuel induction service" is a load of BS. It's not a fuel additive, so it's a lie to say it "works its way through the injectors."

It's sprayed into the intake upstream of the throttle body.

Oh that's right. Isn't that where they take the can of cleaner and pour/spray it into one of the PCV ports on the back of the intake manifold? Waste of time with D4S.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

this "fuel induction service" is a load of BS. It's not a fuel additive, so it's a lie to say it "works its way through the injectors."

It's sprayed into the intake upstream of the throttle body.

I thought they put the car in a mist filled room with the gas cap off and that is how it manages to clean both the intake AND the injectors. Then it all meets in the middle through the throttle body and flush's off the valves.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

this "fuel induction service" is a load of BS. It's not a fuel additive, so it's a lie to say it "works its way through the injectors."

It's sprayed into the intake upstream of the throttle body.

so they seafoam the motor.

literally takes a screwdriver and 20 minutes to do yourself, but i'd never do it on a car with less than 150,000 miles, and only if it's got a funky idle.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by soundman98

...only if it's got a funky idle.

Like James Brown funky? Papa don't take no mess.