You could pull the cabin air filter and inspect it. If dirty, most of the aftermarket replacements are better than the OEM filter.
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First service question
I’ve had my Bolt EUV for a year now and called the dealer to schedule its first service. I missed the deadline by one day so it isn’t free. I see there’s not much they do other than inspecting and rotating tires. I am thinking of just taking it to Firestone to have the tires rotated. Is there anything else that I should consider? It has about 9,000 miles on it.
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Thanks. I’ll do that. Just weird not having to do anything more.You could pull the cabin air filter and inspect it. If dirty, most of the aftermarket replacements are better than the OEM filter.
And check your wiper fluid. Mine is always down.
I have a Bolt EV on order (it's at Event #3400). We are selling my wife's VW 2012 Beetle using the sale price for the Bolt down payment. Yesterday we took it down for an oil change.... $104.00!!
C'mon Bolt!!!!
C'mon Bolt!!!!
For the first five years we had our Bolt, the only reason I had to go to the dealer was for software updates, inspections, and installing new tires. Other than that, I rotate my own tires, and add washer fluid. Definitely get the brake fluid flushed and replaced before the five year recommendation. Not doing so was pretty costly...three new calipers.Thanks. I’ll do that. Just weird not having to do anything more.
Missed the "deadline" by 1 day? I would go elsewhere for service.I’ve had my Bolt EUV for a year now and called the dealer to schedule its first service. I missed the deadline by one day so it isn’t free. I see there’s not much they do other than inspecting and rotating tires. I am thinking of just taking it to Firestone to have the tires rotated. Is there anything else that I should consider? It has about 9,000 miles on it.
Aha. I've heard you mention the caliper replacements before, but didn't know it was tied to maintenance. That is certainly going to spur anyone paying attention to stick to the service schedule. One tends to forget about it given how little maint there is and how long you go before there's stuff to do besides tire rotations and cabin filter swaps.For the first five years we had our Bolt, the only reason I had to go to the dealer was for software updates, inspections, and installing new tires. Other than that, I rotate my own tires, and add washer fluid. Definitely get the brake fluid flushed and replaced before the five year recommendation. Not doing so was pretty costly...three new calipers.
I wouldn't wait five years. I'd guess 3 years is safe.Aha. I've heard you mention the caliper replacements before, but didn't know it was tied to maintenance. That is certainly going to spur anyone paying attention to stick to the service schedule. One tends to forget about it given how little maint there is and how long you go before there's stuff to do besides tire rotations and cabin filter swaps.
Based on GJETSON's experience and posts here, I had my dealership flush and replace the brake fluid when I took my 2019 in for it's 22,500 mile service earlier this month (yes, my car is VERY low mileage for it's age). They rotated the tires and did the brake service (I took care of the cabin filter - yay for DIY!). The tech noted "some water" in the brake fluid although my baby is a little less than 3.5 years old and I live in a relatively dry climate (central California - a desert by any other name). I heartily recommend that folks check and service their brake system well before the five year mark, and that would go double for any cooler and wetter climates. I think I caught mine in plenty of time, but as G's experience shows - going too long could be an expensive mistake. I'd agree that flushing the brake fluid every 3 years is probably a better number to go by. YMMV, and probably will.
Can you share what you paid at the dealer for the flush?Based on GJETSON's experience and posts here, I had my dealership flush and replace the brake fluid when I took my 2019 in for it's 22,500 mile service earlier this month (yes, my car is VERY low mileage for it's age). They rotated the tires and did the brake service (I took care of the cabin filter - yay for DIY!). The tech noted "some water" in the brake fluid although my baby is a little less than 3.5 years old and I live in a relatively dry climate (central California - a desert by any other name). I heartily recommend that folks check and service their brake system well before the five year mark, and that would go double for any cooler and wetter climates. I think I caught mine in plenty of time, but as G's experience shows - going too long could be an expensive mistake. I'd agree that flushing the brake fluid every 3 years is probably a better number to go by. YMMV, and probably will.
Brake flush and tire rotation is something that can be easily handled by a variety of auto shops. Some of us stay far from auto dealers unless it a EV specific repair, or a warranty item.
SIDEBAR: Learned something interesting from my Chevy dealer when I brought my 2019 car in for a troublesome window switch. The service writer informed me that the dealer was under orders that ONLY and EV mechanic can touch an EV, regardless of what is being worked on. I had to wait for an appointment since the EV mechanic was backed up with work.
My damage was around $350. Bear in mind - dealership in California. Yes, I overpaid. To your point, any competent brake shop and tire shop could do these specific services. However I wanted to establish a relationship with my LOCAL dealer (not the one half a county away that my wife prefers). I needed to get a couple of recall things done - the seatbelt pre-tensioner fire fix and a software update. I rolled it all up into one visit. The brake flush was the bulk of the cost in this case - the rotation part wasn't really that much (about $100 I think?). Strictly speaking the brake flush was optional. However, based on the stuck caliper horror stories here I wanted to get it done earlier than the manual called for. And given what the tech found, I felt reaffirmed in that choice. Additionally now I'm in my local dealer's system so that taking my car in for stuff like this isn't a cross-country logistical nightmare like my wife's Silverado is. A big thanks to GJETSON for the head's up on the caliper issue.
"And given what the tech found, I felt reaffirmed in that choice. "My damage was around $350. Bear in mind - dealership in California. Yes, I overpaid. To your point, any competent brake shop and tire shop could do these specific services. However I wanted to establish a relationship with my LOCAL dealer (not the one half a county away that my wife prefers). I needed to get a couple of recall things done - the seatbelt pre-tensioner fire fix and a software update. I rolled it all up into one visit. The brake flush was the bulk of the cost in this case - the rotation part wasn't really that much (about $100 I think?). Strictly speaking the brake flush was optional. However, based on the stuck caliper horror stories here I wanted to get it done earlier than the manual called for. And given what the tech found, I felt reaffirmed in that choice. Additionally now I'm in my local dealer's system so that taking my car in for stuff like this isn't a cross-country logistical nightmare like my wife's Silverado is. A big thanks to GJETSON for the head's up on the caliper issue.
Has that dealer earned your trust? I'd be inclined to test the brake fluid myself, before taking any vehicle in for a brake fluid flush.
"Trust, but verify."
I have no ability to test it myself - is there a kit I could use for this purpose? I suppose I COULD have taken it to a specialty brake shop and had that done there. But as I explained, I was rolling up a bunch of stuff into one visit - the key elements of which were the recall issues that only Chevy could take care of. Made sense to me to do it as a one-stop event for all the servicing I needed. I suppose for my next brake fluid flush (in three years) I can pursue the idea of testing first. However, the recommendation from Chevrolet is every five years - and every three is just accelerating that timeline a bit. I see no harm in doing it more frequently (aside from damage to my wallet of course). And given how cheap overall cost of ownership already is for this car I don't begrudge the uptick in this particular service interval.
Has this dealer earned my trust? Well, they did nothing that flew any red flags for me. They were straightforward about everything and didn't try to upsell me on anything. They turned around the car reasonably fast and it has behaved itself in exemplary fashion since (I was a little nervous about the software update because - well, those can go sideways sometimes). They also gave me a free full charge on the house. Overall I was pleased with my visit.
Has this dealer earned my trust? Well, they did nothing that flew any red flags for me. They were straightforward about everything and didn't try to upsell me on anything. They turned around the car reasonably fast and it has behaved itself in exemplary fashion since (I was a little nervous about the software update because - well, those can go sideways sometimes). They also gave me a free full charge on the house. Overall I was pleased with my visit.
You have 12 months from the day you bought your car to get the free service. I didn't even call the dealer I bought it from. It's a Chevy thing.Missed the "deadline" by 1 day? I would go elsewhere for service.
As for water in the brake lines I think it's possible that this is related to how seldom we warm up the brakes on these EVs. One pedal driving and Regen braking do all the work and the disc brakes just sit there. I'm going to start doing monthly panic stops on a lonely stretch of road and really get those brakes hot!
I checked the service records on mine and the original owner didn't claim the first visit either, maybe it is a Chevy thing.
I can't seem to impress upon people, even my family, to flush the fluid every three years. They are so use to only oil changes "what, you mean the transmission has fluid too!". Oy, don't get me started.
At least the only fluid we have to worry about is the brake system. Washer fluid doesn't count, too easy. I replaced the cabin filter with the ACDelco. The 29 month old (20k) OEM was disgusting!!! Note to self, use the Bosch hepa-filter next time. Big difference if you have allergies, also more expensive, but worth it.
Going to shop the three Chevrolet dealers near me and see which one is doing the majority of the batteries, find myself an EV specialist.
I can't seem to impress upon people, even my family, to flush the fluid every three years. They are so use to only oil changes "what, you mean the transmission has fluid too!". Oy, don't get me started.
At least the only fluid we have to worry about is the brake system. Washer fluid doesn't count, too easy. I replaced the cabin filter with the ACDelco. The 29 month old (20k) OEM was disgusting!!! Note to self, use the Bosch hepa-filter next time. Big difference if you have allergies, also more expensive, but worth it.
Going to shop the three Chevrolet dealers near me and see which one is doing the majority of the batteries, find myself an EV specialist.
Brake fluid tester on Amazon. Fourteen bucks.I have no ability to test it myself - is there a kit I could use for this purpose? I suppose I COULD have taken it to a specialty brake shop and had that done there. But as I explained, I was rolling up a bunch of stuff into one visit - the key elements of which were the recall issues that only Chevy could take care of. Made sense to me to do it as a one-stop event for all the servicing I needed. I suppose for my next brake fluid flush (in three years) I can pursue the idea of testing first. However, the recommendation from Chevrolet is every five years - and every three is just accelerating that timeline a bit. I see no harm in doing it more frequently (aside from damage to my wallet of course). And given how cheap overall cost of ownership already is for this car I don't begrudge the uptick in this particular service interval.
Has this dealer earned my trust? Well, they did nothing that flew any red flags for me. They were straightforward about everything and didn't try to upsell me on anything. They turned around the car reasonably fast and it has behaved itself in exemplary fashion since (I was a little nervous about the software update because - well, those can go sideways sometimes). They also gave me a free full charge on the house. Overall I was pleased with my visit.
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Should give at least an indication of water content.
I don’t have good experience with dealerships. I take my Bolt only for recalls, I rotate the tires, wen was time (4years ) I replaced the brakes fluid in a really honest mechanic I know for years. I replaced tires wen was time in cosc and now the rotation is there. In all this years no brakes, no another Mantenance needed in 43,568 miles (cabin air filters)I’ve had my Bolt EUV for a year now and called the dealer to schedule its first service. I missed the deadline by one day so it isn’t free. I see there’s not much they do other than inspecting and rotating tires. I am thinking of just taking it to Firestone to have the tires rotated. Is there anything else that I should consider? It has about 9,000 miles on it.
Is amazing the quality of the Bolt, all the car. GM 100% EXCELLENT WORK
Rotate tires is no complicated, but balancing the tires is really important to extend the life of the car and security.I don’t have good experience with dealerships. I take my Bolt only for recalls, I rotate the tires, wen was time (4years ) I replaced the brakes fluid in a really honest mechanic I know for years. I replaced tires wen was time in cosc and now the rotation is there. In all this years no brakes, no another Mantenance needed in 43,568 miles (cabin air filters)
Is amazing the quality of the Bolt, all the car. GM 100% EXCELLENT WORK
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