What's REALLY needed at 30,000 miles??

I've got a 2002 4-cyl automatic Sportage, 32K miles, and the dealership wants to do a tune-up, radiator flush, and tranny oil change -- $400! Do I REALLY need all this done? I have regular 3,000 mile oil changes and the car runs really well. I hate to say this, but as a woman, I don't trust dealerships to tell me the truth about this stuff. I don't want to be taken advantage of. Any unbiased gearheads out there who can tell it like it is? I'd really like to hear from you. Thanks! :1zhelp:

32000 miles is not a magic number ..
Transmission: pull the dipstick..what color is the fluid? Dark and burnt smell: then new fluid is not a bad thing but it would tell the transmision has been beaten . If fluid pink red and translucent: can run again and do it later at a convenient time with a little help. There are varied opinions on this subject but as long as fluid is neat and clean I keep it..
Tune-up?... as you say, the car runs well. spark plugs with electronic ignition go a long way now....however when you want to change plugs sometime down the line, this is a long tedious job to be done with care and at $55 hourly rate, better find some friendly help and you will possibly do it very well but you MUST use THIS (www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=653021)...
As for radiator flush, replacing the coolant after a while is a good idea, but again there is no strict deadline and wait for some nice weather (well it is winter here) ; this is a no risk job..disconnect the botton hose from radiator and flush from top with garden hose.
Well $400 on a sudden is much money...specially when you will not see a difference (except in your wallet) and the car is near to end of/out of warranty now so they could not blackmale you with that for not doing it now....
If "check engine" light is ON, codes should be read though (some places will read them for free) ...to gather some information; but again, a code pointing to a specific item does not mean immediate replacement of parts needed ASAP....

I've got a 2002 4-cyl automatic Sportage, 32K miles, and the dealership wants to do a tune-up, radiator flush, and tranny oil change -- $400! Do I REALLY need all this done? I have regular 3,000 mile oil changes and the car runs really well. I hate to say this, but as a woman, I don't trust dealerships to tell me the truth about this stuff. I don't want to be taken advantage of. Any unbiased gearheads out there who can tell it like it is? I'd really like to hear from you. Thanks! :1zhelp:


What the dealership is selling you is preventive maint.

Your car has a 60k mile warranty bumper to bumper. 100k for powertrain. Lets say at 72k miles your trans goes out. Kia is going to want to see that the required maint. has been done. If it has not and the trans is a victim of neglect they WILL NOT honor the warranty.

More and more manufacturers are doing this because they are taking a bath on cars that people think they dont have to take care of.

I just replaced an engine in a customers car because he thought he didnt have to change the oil. After 32000 miles of no oil changes it was pretty sludgy. The manufacturer refused to warranty the engine as they shouldnt have to.

I would read your owners manual and maint schedule. Go by severe conditions. It is basically what all vehicles fall under and do the recommended maint.

Or you can not do any of it and hope that when something happens you will find the dealership to have a sympathetic ear. Dont count on that.

Pay a little now or alot later.

Another thing I forgot to add, request to talk to the technician. I always talk to my customers and show them everthing. Most dealers try to be honest of they care about their CSI scores (customer satisfaction) they get paid on it.

If you think dealers are dishonest, try a Firestone or muffler and brake shop. Not only do they not have qualified people working there but IMO and exp. they are very crooked.