Hi guys. I got a new CX-9 about 6 months ago and need to take it for it's first scheduled car servicing. I've never actually taken a car for routine servicing before so I have some questions:

1) Are scheduled car servicing costs pre-decided by Mazda or is haggling/comparing quotes across dealership service centers involved here too ?

2) Is there any way to separate a good Mazda dealership service center from a bad one, besides just looking at the reviews ?

3) Is there anything I need to watch out for during or after the servicing is being done on my CX-9 ? ... Asking this if there's a chance the servicing tech messes something up with my car ..

 

You can ring around different dealers and ask them for their best price.

Look at reviews, do you know anyone else with a Mazda?

Make sure they rotate and balance your tyres. Human error is always possible, but they have measures in place to avoid it.

 

Each dealership is a separate business. Mazda North America isn't involved.
1--Always get the specific work you want written on the service order. If they write down a blanket so-many-mile service, be sure they aren't charging you for work that isn't spelled out in your owner's manual. The service writers are paid on commission, so the more they get you to pay for, the more pay they get. They'll insist that you need to get the muffler bearings greased or the flux capacity cleaned...if it ain't in the owner's manual, you don't pay for it.
2--If you have a problem, get the problem detailed on the service order, not just the service writer's guess about what to fix. If it isn't fixed, you don't pay, because they didn't fix what you wanted them to fix as shown on the service order.
3--You get what you inspect, not what you expect. When they call you to pick up your car, do look at everything they claim they did. Check the oil level on the dipstick, or ask the service writer to do it for you and show you. Tip--new oil is so clear that sometimes the only way to see the level on the stick is to hold the dipstick horizontally on a clean paper towel. The towel will soak up the oil and show the level.
4--There is no need to go back to the dealership except for warranty work that Mazda pays for. Any good independent repair shop can do everything needed to maintain the warranty and maintain the car. Again, get the work required in your owner's manual written on the work order and save the paperwork.

 

Thanks @PTguy for your advice, it's really helpful!

Regarding your last point, doesn't Mazda 'recommend' that you take the car to a Mazda 'authorized' service center versus some independent car shop ?

Given that I don't have experience with any dealerships near me (I got the car from a dealership quite far away), what's the best way to find a good Mazda service center near me ?

 

Mazda North America Corp. needs the support of their network of independent franchise dealerships to sell the cars. Corporate always recommends the franchise dealerships for business reasons. You can go to any Mazda dealership for any work you want. You need to go to a Mazda dealership for either work the warranty will pay for or for work so technical that an independent shop can't figure it out. I'm sure there are many indie shops near Redmond that do good work...look at on line reviews, maybe ask a Mazda owner if you see one. You can just pick a dealership that is convenient to your work or home location if that works for you. You don't need anything special for just an oil & filter change and their inspection...and the purpose of the inspection is always to sell you more service items. Always, always, shields up! Beware of anything extra they try to sell you. Most of the extras are not needed. Some aren't even useful. Any that you want can always be bought for less elsewhere. For example...if you drive on winter roads that are sanded, the small rocks in the "sand" will chip the paint. Mazda paint isn't the thickest. A clear plastic paint protection film might be good, and you can get it done at a detail shop for less than the dealership will charge you.

 

FYI only Mazda dealership service departments can provide software updates for the multitude of computers/modules in your vehicle to keep it running in tip top shape.