Surprisingly reasonable dealership service charges

[ack154]

Took my car in for a few things today... total: $91.74

• 10K service (basically just a tire rotation) - $16.37
• Key programming - $68.97
• TSB 24-2141

I can do a tire rotation myself at home without issue - but figured I'd get the first official "service interval" done at the dealer. I did not ask what it would cost ahead of time. Obviously they only charged for the tire rotation - though I can't confirm if they actually checked/inspected all of the exact things noted in the manual - but they did note my brakes were excellent.

For the keys, I had them clear out all of my keys and program two - this was the most surprising cost to me. I expected at least triple that $70 based on some of the other posts and stories I've read. When I bought the car there was only one key with it (but they ordered me a second at no cost). And I proceeded to buy two Lightning keys for the frunk button. But it wouldn't let me program the 4th key. So I had a thought there might be a random 4th key out there that they maybe "lost" before I bought it. The chances of someone actually finding/using that suspected 4th key are astronomically low/near impossible - but I figured might as well get everything cleared out so I can have the two Lightning keys as my primary/backup (and then I can also program my original keys to keep on hand).

Only catch for the day was that they could not do the TSB. They confirmed it applies but did not want to start it this afternoon after suggesting it could take as much as 5-6 hours to complete. So I'm just going to go back first thing in the morning another day and have them do it. That'll be free, of course, since it's still under warranty.

Oh.... this was at Friendly Ford in Geneva NY. It's like 40 miles from my house, but, so far, pretty reliable. And I trust them a bit more so far than any of the reputations of the couple dealers closer to home.

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[Mach-Lee]

Only catch for the day was that they could not do the TSB. They confirmed it applies but did not want to start it this afternoon after suggesting it could take as much as 5-6 hours to complete. So I'm just going to go back first thing in the morning another day and have them do it. That'll be free, of course, since it's still under warranty.

The programing takes about 20 minutes. Not 5-6 hours.

 

[Maquis]

The programing takes about 20 minutes. Not 5-6 hours.

I have mine scheduled to go in for this TSB and my dealer (who have always had a great experience with) told me they have no idea how long it will take. Is there a way for the dealer to find this info if they haven’t performed one yet? The TSB just say “actual time”.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I have mine scheduled to go in for this TSB and my dealer (who have always had a great experience with) told me they have no idea how long it will take. Is there a way for the dealer to find this info if they haven’t performed one yet? The TSB just say “actual time”.

No because the TSB says actual time. Only an experienced technician would know how long it actually takes. Seems like dealers have developed the incorrect notion that any software update on the Mach-E takes 6 hours, or they just want to lie about it to cover their scheduling deficiencies.

I sure hope the dealers aren’t charging Ford six hours of labor for updates that take 20 minutes. They should go back to putting 0.6 hours fixed time on the TSB.

 

[ack154]

The programing takes about 20 minutes. Not 5-6 hours.

Ya, I wouldn't be surprised at that. Don't really blame them though - if they hadn't done that particular sequence/TSB yet, I can understand the caution of not having me sit there all afternoon and then possibly needing a loaner and coming back the next day.

Curious to see how long it takes to actually do but couldn't reschedule until the 28th, thanks to some work stuff soon. My appointment is at 8am, so they have literally all day.

 

[ack154]

Quick follow up, if anyone is curious. Had the TSB done today and at least based on the in and out times, it took about an hour and 40 minutes to do all the updates (six different modules listed on the work order: SOBDM, BECM, SOBDMB, SOBDMC, ABS, PCM).

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