"Emissions Service" required

[jamsandwich]

First of all, it's nice to finally register for this forum. I bought my Vibe last year and have been an irregular visitor going back to before I made the purchase.Anyhow, I've got an '08 Vibe that I've been servicing through my dealership in part to avoid headaches in case warranty service is required. (We have a mechanic we prefer, but it'll start visiting there after the warranty is up.Anyhow, we got our first-ever snail-mail service reminder from them a few weeks ago, letting us know that it was due for an "emissions service" at 25,000 km. Today I brought it in for the ridiculously overpriced semiannual service that it was due for, and I'm reminded again that I need this emissions service. Apparently maintenance to reduce carbon buildup in the fuel injectors, etc.I'd already taken a peek at my manual and didn't see this listed as a scheduled service item. I'm wondering if anyone else who has been dealer-servicing their Vibes has actually done this service, or had it pushed on them. I don't mind paying to keep my car ship shape, because it's by far my favorite of anything I've owned since my first car 15 years ago and I'm hoping to ride it for a good 10 years or more.Still, I'm interested in any insight people might have. Based on some advertising they had at their service department, this might be some sort of additive/flush process that's really a whole lot of profit for a jug of chemicals a la undercoat (I didn't ask what the process was, so that's pure speculation).Have you done it? Do you know what the process is? They're charging something in the neighbourhood of $150 for this -- money I'd rather put into a car payment or work that needs to be done down the road.

[star_deceiver]

Go down to Cambodian tire or Lordco or Napa, ect and buy a small bottle of fuel injector cleaner (your favorite brand), add it just before you fill up, and save yourself $145! I'd say it's all marketing hype!

[keithvibe]

stealership hard at work, selling snake oil.Total BS!~

[ou.grizzly]

You do not need a "emissions service." You should tell them that is what your warranty for the emissions systems is for...

[Tonebalone]

That email should be titled "Dealer boat payment required."

[Old Tele man]

...if it ain't in the Owners Manual, it ain't needed!

[Vibe_dude]

Yup just go get yourself a bottle of Lucus fuel injection cleaner.Thats it thats all.

[ColonelPanic]

I had that done on my Vibe since it liked to knock... (it was only like $70 or something which was much easier to deal with.) Smoothed it out a little but nothing major. Now, my dad had a Silverado prone to carbon buildup, he had that done a few times and it made a significant difference.I've had to argue with a Hyundai dealer about this on my current car, they also try to say it's required (and $140.) Show me in the owner's manual where this is required on my car. They can't, of course... Unless they pull out their "maintenance schedule" booklets they make and give to customers telling them everything in there is required (and half of the crap isn't even in the owner's manual.)If you're not having problems, keep saying no. They can't possibly be able to void your warranty if you don't perform a service that you are not obligated to perform by the manufacturer.

[pljenkins]

If you're experiencing carbon buildup in a Vibe, there is something wrong. If you're experiencing knock in a Vibe there is something VERY wrong and you should have it diagnosed IMMEDIATELY before something grenades. Either you have the wrong plugs, you're using bad, contaminated, the wrong octane, or leaded gas, or there's a gross problem with the fuel delivery system.I changed the plugs in my '03 Vibe after 105,000 miles. Doing nothing more then oil/filter changes at the prescribed intervals and mostly tier 1, and ONLY 87 octane gasoline, I observed absolutely NO carbon fouling of the plugs and the amount of wear you would expect for the mileage. I have done NOTHING extraordinary to this car related to the engine. I had to replace the bearings in the manual transmission at around the 100,000 mile mark due to the same problems described elsewhere on this board.