Why are HT leads not a service item?
Had the Mondeo (1999, 50k miles) serviced on Saturday and mentioned to the man at the garage that starting on wet, cold mornings has been a bit hesitant. He changed the leads and it's different altogether. Runs smoother and picks up better as well.
They were obviously well due for a change, so why aren't they scheduled for, say, 40k miles or 3 years?
Any thoughts?
Andy
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Hi Andy,
I suspect the main reason is that the car manufacturers are paranoid about servicing costs, and try to keep scheduled items to an absolute minimum in order to win the "our cars cost less to run" race. Extended service intervals are another example of this, the sales people having just as much influence as the engineers. Allegedly !
Regards, Adam
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Hmmm.
Customers are damn sensitive to service costs and doing the job properly can cause them to grumble as to why anything more than oil and filter are required.
I've a guy with a property worth £500,000 who grumbles if I fit a new wiper for £5 at a service. He'd go mad at a new set of plug leads on some modern vehicles at £30-£60 unless the thing had virtually broken down.
I ask folks about how their cars are going when they come in and anything that is less than 100% will alert a thought about plug leads once the mileage rises above 40-50,000. I do try and get permission to change them in any case over 60-80,000mls or 5yrs.
MM
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Thanks Adam, MM:
Your well-informed comments gratefully received. Thought about as much myself and am now struggling to think who benefits from the obsession with keeping down the headline service cost.
Manufacturers - doesn't help their chances of achieving a repeat sale (incl. lease) if their 3 or 4 year old cars run like bags of spanners
Owners - doesn't help in long term if such things are neglected - fule economy, Cats...
Environment, well!
I suppose it all shows the benefit of taking a bit of interest and finding someone honest and knowledgable to do your servicing. I think I have, finally, so must put in a mention to the Good Garage Guide.
Andy
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I am also extremely glad I don't own one of these!
www.boddice.co.uk/bpic655.htm
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Extended service intervals keep servicing costs down for the fleet owners who are the car maunuactures main customers not for ordinary punters.
Mal.
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My 1995 Grand Cherokee driver's handbook states HT leads should be changed every 60k miles.
CMark
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