Hi,
First post here and had to write about my astonishing vehicle maintenance costs.
6 months ago changed my VZ Wagon to Dual fuel. Title speaks for itself. Wondering if this is usual for a general service and a gas service.
It makes me wonder why I converted to Gas in the first place. Works out to nearly $40 a month for ongoing costs based on getting it serviced once a year.
Really need to know how to service my own vehicle rather than take it to someone and charge me an arm and a leg.
heres the problem
mechanics who do gas know not ever mechanics can do it
the guys i use charge more for it
Wondering if this is usual for a general service
Not sure what you mean by a general service. If you follow the manufacturers recommendations then each service will have different requirements and cost. e.g. If they replaced the spark plugs then that's more expensive on a VZ compared to some other cars. They have to remove the inlet manifold to replace the plugs. Means more labour and parts are required. Fortunately only needs to be done every 120,000km
Without knowing what they did for your "general" service, it is hard to say if the price was fair. Did they give you an itemised account. Post up what they actually did.
There isn' t any extra service for LPG (usually).
Fibbs is right, the service charge should be based on the mileage. For example, at 200k km, my timing belt and water pump were due for replacement, at a cost of $1500. The 210k service was $140 for oil, filter and a pink slip. So it all depends.
The servicing of LPG cars can only be done by licensed LPG mechanics and therfore the higher charge.
Vehicle economy is something miscalculated by many, most just look at the k's/100lt "quoted" figure and decide that is economical motoring. Not so at all.
Real econimical motoring is the total cost of owning and using that vehicle, from purchase until disposal.
Factors to consider…
Purchase price.
Servicing cost.
Reliability and durability.
Spares availability and price of those spares.
Depreciation.
A good example is with diesel cars… they cost more to buy, the fuel is more expensive, the servicing can be very expensive and quite often they are not very popular on the used car market.
LPG cars can offset their own savings as well. LPG should be a lot cheaper in Aust and would make a great alternative but the powers that be think otherwise regretfully.
Over the life of ownership of the vechicle all the costs must be considered to determine what is the most econimical for your personal use. Sometimes the petrol version can deliver the best economy.
The choice is yours?… choose carefully.
This is misleading. LPG repairs can only be done by a certified mechanic, and at registration time the LPG system must be checked by a certified tester (this is for NSW, don't know about elsewhere).
We have had a dual fuel car for 5 years and needed no repairs. I've used my regular mechanic the whole time. I used to get my rego pink slip from the gas specialists, but my regular mechanic can do that now too.
You only need to visit the gas specialist for LPG specific problems.
Regular services are fine at any mechanic.
Also, the LPG price is benchmarked out of Saudi Arabia, and is pretty much the same globally. Local LPG production is very small.
Perhaps when you are saying gas should be a lot cheaper you are mixing up LPG (which is almost exclusively propane) and methane (natural gas, as used in houses and a few buses)?
The suggestion about you serving your own car is something that definitely can be done.
There are mechanic workshops that do run these tutorial introductions on doing your own servicing, pay a bit extra and they'll go over your own car and teach you the basics, and a bit more of the technical side.
It may cost a bit. But you'll save a lot more! Worth researching…