Nissan service department tries to charge $902.96 for a service that their slop description outright says doesn't exist.

[u/ztorgo]

We took our car in to investigate an electrical issue, and this was one of the service items their service department proposed.

[u/Route_US66]

It's correct. Nowadays, cars tune themselves automatically. Tune-ups were needed in carbureted engines of the past. If the car isn't able to tune itself, there's a repair to be made. But the shop/dealer must specify what repair should be done, not a generic and inexistent "tune-up"

[u/ztorgo → u/Route_US66]

The thing is, we never asked for or mentioned "tune up" at any point (cause we know modern cars don't need them). That's why this was so from the moon; they proposing a $900 service we didn't ask about and their slop text even says isn't actually a thing.

[u/t001_t1m3 → u/ztorgo]

Their slop text said the quiet thing out loud.

[u/ZhaozhouCongshen → u/Route_US66]

Sort of, coils, wires and plugs can go bad but its not that common any more.

[u/koolman2 → u/ZhaozhouCongshen]

Sure but that's not a tune-up. A tune-up involves tuning parameters in the engine such as timing and fuel mixture. Stuff going bad is simply a repair.

[u/Tool_of_Society → u/koolman2]

Odd my experience with the term "tune up" since the 80s was along the lines of cleaning, inspecting and routine maintenance in one go. You know replace plugs/cap/rotor/coil/filters while inspecting belts, hoses, fluids, and such.

I never considered the adjustment of my carb's mixture for winter/summer weather to be part of a "tune up".

When I made adjustments to timing, jetting and such at the track it was referred to as "tuning" not a "tune up".

Is this a regional thing?

[u/blessedbymortarion → u/Tool_of_Society]

I’m in the same boat, tune up means plugs at minimum.

[u/Few_Move_4594 → u/Tool_of_Society]

Yeah I remember doing a tune up on my first car which involved replacing the spark plugs for which the originals were worn down to nothing. It had electronic fuel injection too.

[u/ToastSpangler → u/koolman2]

technically tune ups still exist, but it requires buying or writing modified ECU code to bypass whatever bullshit the manufacturer did. driving4answers had a pretty cool video where he upgraded his car (significantly) doing this, although the process is obviously not easy since manufacturers are assholes

[u/RainbowSalmon → u/Route_US66]

I feel stupid because I always thought tune up was just a figure of speech, I had no idea cars literally needing to be tuned was ever a thing.

[u/Route_US66 → u/RainbowSalmon]

Back in the day you had to tune the ignition timing every time you replaced the points and tune idle speed and mixture every time you cleaned the carburetor. So yes, tune-up was a thing in the past.

[u/YourAverageNutcase → u/RainbowSalmon]

Boy do I have the video for you! https://youtu.be/0KoeY54M5VA Tldw engine computers take care of the timing management now, you used to need to take it to a mechanic to manually adjust engine timing periodically

[u/forzaguy125 → u/Route_US66]

Unless its a 4cyl Honda, those use solid lifters that need valve adjustment every 100k

[u/Weekly-Industry7771 → u/forzaguy125]

The 6cyl Honda j-series also needs a periodic valve adjustment.

[u/forzaguy125 → u/Weekly-Industry7771]

Yep, that they do, they also are the only current honda engines that use timing belts

[u/sonofaresiii → u/Route_US66]

I don't think the issue is that they're identifying a tune up as not necessary

I think the issue is their AI service is describing it as unnecessary while they are trying to charge $900 for it and saying it requires immediate attention

They're fucking lying, basically, and are so lazy they missed that their system is ratting them out

[u/Conscious_Candle2598]

Years ago. Guy comes into the shop, Asks for an Oil change and a "Tune up" and slams a bottle of "Tune up" down. 

I ask wtf is this shit. he proceeded to tell me "Tune Ups now come in a can. Its cheaper than what you guys charge"

I proceeded not to argue and throw whatever the fuck that was into the tank.

sometimes, It aint worth the argument 

[u/nanneryeeter → u/Conscious_Candle2598]

Tune-ups come in a can, they were put there by a man , in a shop in some... downtown.

[u/SirSkot72 → u/nanneryeeter]

tune ups for me? tune ups for free?

[u/AppleToastBed → u/nanneryeeter]

Factory downtown*

[u/Economy-Flower-6443 → u/Conscious_Candle2598]

LOL that’s just an overpriced can of injector cleaner gas additive

[u/The-Master-Reaper → u/Economy-Flower-6443]

If even that

[u/ToBadImNotClever]

And then techs and service advisors are fucking flabbergasted when people don’t trust them when they say they need something 😂

The fucking auto industry man 😂

[u/gigayoink]

Better than lying I guess

[u/HalfBlindKing → u/gigayoink]

Accidentally telling the truth through AI 😂 maybe the service advisor is so shitty they don’t even know what it’s saying.

[u/DetonexBestProduct]

Rant: How the FAQ have people gotten this lazy and stupid within such a short time?
It would have taken close to zero effort to either
a) Come up with a better text that actually makes sense or
b) At least proof-read the AI generated slop and realising it completely useless for what you are trying to achieve.

But no, someone just entered some rubbish into an AI prompt and copy-pasted the (equally rubbish) result into their software, without hesitating even a moment to think "Should I check to see if this AI generated text actually represents the information I am trying to convey".
Great job.

[u/Xenvar → u/DetonexBestProduct]

We are so cooked.

[u/rob_wilco → u/DetonexBestProduct]

The quality of the AI text used for the recommended service summary aligns perfectly with the quality of Nissan's CVT design.

[u/FearlessAd324 → u/rob_wilco]

The good old continously varying troubles

[u/ZhaozhouCongshen]

AI for the win.

What was the electrical issue and was their diag solution?

[u/ztorgo → u/ZhaozhouCongshen]

While driving, the entire electric system shut off momentarily, then came back on. Happened twice within a few minutes. No check engine light; however, their tech claimed the check engine light was on and diagnosed it as code P1800: Variable Intake Air System Control Solenoid Valve Circuit. They quoted over $1000 to replace both associated solenoids, which sell for about $20 each on Amazon and are easy to replace. I asked the service rep how a solenoid could cause the electrical issue we experienced, and they offered a bewildering explanation, then said they couldn't guarantee that it would fix the issue. Needless to say, we're taking it elsewhere.

[u/CVGPi → u/ztorgo]

Oh I have a L32 V6 Altima with the same fault. It's not VIAS, it might also come up with other ABS or electrical faults. It's 100% dead or dying alternator and maybe a dying battery too due to that

[u/ZhaozhouCongshen → u/ztorgo]

Sorry for the slow reply.

The electrical issue would not have been solved by what they told you. I would have checked the grounds at the battery, frame and block for any rust on the connector and for any loose bolts. Would have also load tested the battery, checked the electrical load at start up then checked the voltages at alternator under and out of a load.

You don't want less than 9.6v at battery or 13.6v on alternator.

[u/sonofaresiii → u/ztorgo]

Get a reader and check the code yourself. Everyone should have one anyway.

[u/Dernomyte]

I'm a parts manager at a Nissan dealership. The "tune up" is literally just replacing the spark plugs. Unfortunately Nissan makes that very time consuming. The throttle body is removed from the Intake Manifold so the tech doesn't have to bleed the coolant system as Nissan runs coolant lines to the Throttle Body. Most models also need the Intake Manifold to be removed due to it covering the plugs. So now your paying for plugs, Throttle Body gasket and Intake gaskets plus at least two hours of labor

[u/FinancialSentence126]

Another dealership gouging.

[u/skankhunt1738 → u/FinancialSentence126]

Friends Subaru/chevy dealer just upped diagnostic labor to $325/h and to get in the door you’re required to pay for 2h minimum.

Have a low pressure tire, or a fuse blown. $650 out the door minimum.

Stop going to dealers if you don’t have a warranty. 😂

[u/tsunx4]

I would request a breakdown of actions a tech must perform to complete 900 bucks "tune up" in a modern electronic controlled vehicle.

If they have the audacity to blatantly rip off the customers, it is morally acceptable to fuck with them.

[u/BrianLevre]

The sad thing is most people just pay whatever the service advisor suggests.

The majority of people are very stupid. I know people want to say there is a bell curve with standard deviations regarding intelligence, but the reality is that nearly all people are stupid and maybe 10% have brains.

[u/Economy-Flower-6443 → u/BrianLevre]

The majority of people just lack the education for it. It’s not difficult to know a thing or two without ever touching a single wrench or bolt. Even a doctor could fall victim to this. If basic car knowledge was in school systems decades ago this would be less of an issue.

[u/MrRuck1]

I get coupons for inexpensive or free oil change. They always try to get more out of you. I asked how do they know I need a new cabin air filter. Since I just changed it. I asked if they just go by mileage. They said yes. They don’t check.

[u/HalfBlindKing → u/MrRuck1]

The best one is when they take the filter out for a photo, put it back, then ask if you’d like it replaced.

[u/Biocockspeedrunner]

And it's AI written.

[u/wd26 → u/Biocockspeedrunner]

Yeah that’s the whole point of the post dog, he knows. That’s why OP called it a slop description.

[u/HalfBlindKing → u/wd26]

The funny thing is that the slop is more knowledgeable than the service advisor.

[u/Mrwrongthinker]

Maintenance, the word is maintenance. "Service" is just marketing crap.

[u/SoldatShC]

Nissan, 2005. It was peak times. This isn't that...

[u/violent-artist82 → u/SoldatShC]

Nissan of the 80s and 90s was amazing. They chose to go rental car and volume sales and are a shell of a company. No wonder they keep trying to merge with other Japanese manufacturers.

[u/Economy-Flower-6443 → u/violent-artist82]

The Altima is on a generational run though. There’s a good reason why the body panels get smashed before the engine seizes from never changing the oil. Honestly bulletproof

[u/violent-artist82 → u/Economy-Flower-6443]

lol. I call them Japanese Chrysler. Just a notch above Hyundai and Kia.

[u/The-Master-Reaper → u/SoldatShC]

Dealerships has always been stealerships

[u/I_am_just_here11]

Rare AI “W” I guess.

[u/HalfBlindKing]

I wonder what they’re selling for $900, a spark plug replacement that should be an hour or less, plus a bottle of additive in the gas tank?

[u/creamycolslaw]

Literally never do the service the dealership suggests. It’s all a scam.