What Are the Tricks Behind 4S Stores Offering Free Maintenance?
2 Answers
4S stores offer free maintenance, allowing you to enjoy lifetime vehicle maintenance services. Below is an introduction to vehicle maintenance: 1. Overview: Vehicle maintenance, also known as car servicing, refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, replenishing, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of a vehicle. 2. Coverage: Vehicle maintenance mainly includes servicing the engine system, transmission system, air conditioning system, etc., aiming to keep the vehicle clean, maintain normal technical conditions, eliminate potential hazards, prevent malfunctions, and extend its service life. 3. Details: Minor maintenance generally refers to the routine maintenance tasks performed at the intervals or mileage specified by the manufacturer to ensure vehicle performance. This mainly includes changing the engine oil and oil filter.
When I bought my car, the 4S shop said they would offer free maintenance, and I thought I got a great deal. But when I went there, I got tricked. The basic maintenance they provided only included engine oil and filters. Once at the shop, the technician started pushing various add-on services, saying things like the air filter was too dirty and had to be replaced, or the tires needed balancing checks—all of which cost extra. They even claimed that skipping these services would void the warranty, forcing me to spend hundreds more. Later, a friend told me that these 'free maintenance' deals are often just a trick to get you in and then upsell other services to make up for it. So now, before going to a 4S shop, I always clarify the details of any free offers and check the contract in black and white to avoid being fooled. When it comes to car maintenance, peace of mind is far more important than saving a few bucks—don’t lose sight of the big picture for small gains.