I just reached the 16,000 mile maintenance point for my 2023 K5. I made an appointment and contacted the Kia dealership for a price quote, and they sent me this. Is $800 really what I should expect? Is there any of this I can do myself and still keep my warranty? It feels odd since my 8,000 mile maintenance with an oil change only cost me less than $100.
The cabin air filter is about $5.
You can get a wheel alignment done at any shop for much cheaper, around $80.
You can rotate your tires yourself for free.
No need to balance unless you are getting new tires.
Wiper blades don’t need replacing at 15,000 miles from the dealer.
Skip the premium engine MAX treatment.
That dealer sounds like they’re just trying to take your money.
Engine induction service? Don’t fall for that.
@Windsor
Thanks a lot! I’m 20 and trying to figure out adulting, so your comments are super helpful. I’m definitely going to do as much as I can myself.
Dex said:
@Windsor
Thanks a lot! I’m 20 and trying to figure out adulting, so your comments are super helpful. I’m definitely going to do as much as I can myself.
About the wipers, it’s a personal thing. I changed mine around 15k since they started leaving streaks. If yours are working fine, you can keep them. Any wiper can do the job, but if you want the Kia brand, check their parts shop. I found theirs cheaper than local stores. The dealer’s price includes installation; they charge for the time it takes, which can be pretty high, around $120 an hour (the tech doesn’t take home that much).
Most of this could be done cheaper elsewhere. Always keep your paperwork and avoid those cheap oil change places that make mistakes with oil or assembly. That paperwork is crucial for warranty claims, as I have a folder for my old Honda and one for my Kia.
Dex said:
@Windsor
Thanks a lot! I’m 20 and trying to figure out adulting, so your comments are super helpful. I’m definitely going to do as much as I can myself.
By the way, putting on wipers is really easy. Just check your manual – some cars let you flip the wiper up to change it. My Niro has a ‘service’ mode that makes it easier. Just pop off the old ones and snap the new ones on. There are lots of YouTube videos if you need help.
@Windsor
Even at parts shops, a cabin filter is usually more than $5.
If you’re considering an $80 alignment, chances are it only does the front wheels.
Not everyone has a jack and jack stands.
You should really get your tires balanced. The tread wears off and messes up the original balance.
Wiper blades don’t care about mileage.
Fuel induction is often seen as preventive care. It’s not a must, but it won’t hurt.
@Wilder
You don’t need to balance your tires. Rotating them will do the trick. When you replace your tires in few years, they’ll balance them.
An $80 alignment usually covers all four wheels.
You can find an $8 cabin air filter at RockAuto for the K5; buying in bulk can save you even more.
@Windsor
As your tire tread gets worn down, the balance might get off. Having less weight means the original weights might not fit anymore, even if it’s not a big difference that most notice.
Wilder said:
@Windsor
As your tire tread gets worn down, the balance might get off. Having less weight means the original weights might not fit anymore, even if it’s not a big difference that most notice.
You can defend the dealership’s suggestion if you want, but it isn’t needed and won’t really affect your tires or car.
Wilder said:
@Windsor
As your tire tread gets worn down, the balance might get off. Having less weight means the original weights might not fit anymore, even if it’s not a big difference that most notice.
That’s a good point. No need to rebalance if there aren’t any vibrations. Why pay to rebalance when you could save that money for new tires? Balancing costs a lot.
@Zaden
While it may seem small over a tire’s life, it’s good to keep in mind that the weights you need might change after mounting and balancing.
@Windsor
Really? Change that at 15k? That’d be the last thing I would replace. Is it really that necessary? It’s just air.
@Wilder
Don’t forget about the MOA engine treatment. It’s preventive maintenance and helps keep your engine clean over time. It’s not critical but worth considering.
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Vern said:
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Not even half, I got my cabin filter on Amazon for $10.
LOL!!! WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP GOING TO DEALERSHIPS FOR MAINTENANCE?
You literally just need an oil change!
Morgan said:
LOL!!! WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP GOING TO DEALERSHIPS FOR MAINTENANCE?
You literally just need an oil change!
The Kia alert had maintenance scheduled, and I got an email from the dealership about what they said I needed. They made it sound like I had to do all that to keep my warranty. I wasn’t about to pay so much without checking the facts myself.
@Dex
Is this your first new car? DON’T BE FOOLED BY THEM!
Cars nowadays are very reliable. Just look at your maintenance book—it’s what the car’s engineer set up for you. Follow what it says.
Dealerships aren’t KIA; they are independent businesses, and they often upsell on services you might not need.
READ YOUR MAINTENANCE BOOK!
@Morgan
Thanks! My first new car was a 2022 Civic, but it got totaled by a drunk driver before I could even do an oil change. Before that, I had an older Cadillac CTS, and I did a lot of work on it. Now at 20, I just want to keep this car good without being ripped off. I’ll make sure to read my maintenance book and check out some YouTube videos too!
@Dex
Search for ChrisFix; he has awesome tips.