(February 11, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Visiting a dealership service department to repair or tune up your car may cost you unnecessary money and services, according to Edmunds.com. In "Confessions From the Dealership Service Department" a former service manager exclusively tells Edmunds' Senior Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed the truth about dealer service department scams.

Drawing from his years of experience in the dealership service industry, the anonymous whistleblower offers valuable advice for saving time and money when getting your vehicle serviced. Helpful tips from the former dealership service manager include:

    • Always read your owner's manual to determine when you need services — you may be surprised to find how much it differs from the more frequent and expensive "dealer recommendations."
    • Be prepared for the inevitable technique of upselling — when service advisors try to add on a laundry list of extra services to a simple request such as an oil change, most of which you don't really need.
    • Despite your service advisor's suggestions, you don't need a brake job until your brake pads are down to about 15 percent, and you don't automatically have to turn the rotors every time. Some car manufacturers don't require a differential fluid change.
    • The prices of most auto parts cost twice as much through the dealership.
    • Go in prepared. Consult your manual and do a visual inspection of your car before you get to the dealership. Service advisors are much less likely to try to scam someone who appears to know what they are doing.

"Keep in mind that many dealership service advisors are salesmen who work on commission," said the former service manager. "The dealership carefully trains and encourages them to sell you as many services as possible, even if your car doesn't necessarily need them."

For more tips and details, read "Confessions From the Dealership Service Department"