Hi there everybody,

First post and first F-150.



It's an 06 4.2L (V6) XL. Just hit 45k miles (bought it used at 42k) and well I was checking the service intervals.. Here is what the dealership wants:

Lube, Oil, Filter - $33
Tire Rotation - $21
Air Filter - $32
Fuel Filter - $60

Total - $146

Also recommended at this time:

Alignment - $90
Wipes Blades - $20
Cabin Air Filter - $44
Battery Service - $29
Throttle Body Service - $70

Total - $253 (plus previous total=$399 wow!)

Right now everything seems fine with the car, it does pull a tiny bit to the right. Also it doesn't idle super smoothly but it's not too rough either (it's a bit noticeable).

I could do oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, and cabin air filter myself to save some money. But do I really need the "battery service", "TB service", and "alignment"? Also I'm wondering if I could lube everything up correctly.

I'm basically looking for opinions from other F-150 owners who have been through this themselves... To dealership or not...



PS. I did search for certain terms like "service" and "maintenance".

 

And this is straight from the ford fleet web site..

 

100.00 for TB and Battery cleaning!!!!!! WOW, I am in the WRONG biz... Battery, TB is all stuff you can do for less than 10 bux... Alignment doesn't have to be done at the dealer. As for lubing, are you referring to the chassis? Our newer trucks don't require this anymore.

 

If your truck is pulling...U do need an alingment...but they don't cost $90...sears did mine for $50 What do they do to a battery for $29 ??
The rest you can do yourself...all easy stuff.

 

How much of this could you do? An oil change is simple....and would save you.

At the very least, read those weekly "penny saver" papers tossed into your driveway. They have advertisements from the local auto shops that advertise oil changes, alignment specials, etc.

You can get the services done at other shops for much less than what your dealer charges. One thing to remember is that they sell you a vehicle, and the deal is done; they have to do other services to stay in business, so treat them like you would in any purchase, meaning shop around!

In this economy, I'm sure you shop around for the best deals in food, clothing, etc, right? Do the same with your service on the truck.

If you really want to save, pick up a cheap service manual at your local parts store. Determine if you can do some of these services yourself.

For the record, my local Ford dealership in the Dallas Texas area (Lewisville Ford) puts out a monthly email to it's customers with advertised specials: oil changes using semi-synthetic oil and fomoco filter for $19.95, alignments specials, and flushing (transmission, rearend, radiator) are also advertised every few months.

 

Wow. Sounds like somebody at the dealer has boat payment they're trying to bleed you for. Filter changes are always a good idea, but those prices are robbery...
Oil (6qt x $3)=$18
oil filter $4
air filter (i dont remember) $15?
fuel filter $9?
tire rotation $free, your truck comes with everything you need for this except a jack stand or 2...
wiper blades $20
cabin filter $idk, I've never changed mine
battery service $free, take off the cable and clean around the battery terminal
TB service $7, CRC MAF cleaner
The only thing you can't do at home is an alignment, but prices vary, so shop around.
Total: $73

 

i dont believe the 04-08 f150's have a cabin air filter...

 

I couldn't figure that out either. Previous owner must have been a smoker.

 

So you are saying a TB service is just spraying the MAS? I thought they would have cleaned out the carbon build up in the TB itself.

 

Maybe, I guess it probably is a clean of the throttle body plate too.
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