Additives - Fuel, Brakes, Coolant

Hey I just had my Euro serviced in Melb. 40K - $450 but this included $36 of additives. I hate when they include these. The dealer I go to never included these before but suddenly they do. Apparently you have to tell them not to include them - but how can you tell them when you don't know they have changed their policy to include additives with every service. Not happy - made my point with the manager. He didn't give me a refund though. Are additives a waste of time? It used to be just fuel but now they add a brake flush and coolant flush...should you get them? Or are dealers just money grabbing? Interested in your thoughts.

Technical Discussion.... Moved....

They're a little bit of both. Having the coolant flushed isn't a bad thing. Gets any crap out of there before it can clog the pump or radiator. Brake flush might be needed every 50-100k but I only did mine because I put the big brake kit on. It's a closed system so stuff shouldn't get into it and hurt anything unless you have to fill it up a lot. Some additives are there to clean, keep heat down, lubricate the system or stop the break down of the metals. Some are BS and don’t really do anything. If it were $36 out of 450 I would take the additives over not having them. That’s less than 10% of the total cost. If you don’t want additives and don’t know the policy just ask. They will be happy to tell you what is included in the service.

True. I didn't think about it that way. I am just cynical and see the dealers using it it for profiteering but it probaby doesn't hurt to include them every couple of services.

Its not necessarily a bad thing, and $36 isn't the end of the earth when your service costs are up around the $450 mark anyhow. If i was offered the service (additives) i would probably take it. I understand where your coming from though, surprise costs when you get the bill piss me off too. :thumbdwn: