Are scheduled maintenance appointments free if covered by the dealer? Sorry, this is my absolute first new car. I guess, how do the warranty coverages work? I understand I will be paying for oil changes (and I should keep the receipt), ect.

Do you guys suggest taking the car to the dealer for scheduled maintenance checkups or to a a local shop that you trust?

 

Unless you purchased the maintenance program, no. They should give you your first oil change for free. At least my dealership does that (Infiniti of Montclair).

 

Your warranty covers anything that breaks, malfunctions, or is defective on the care for the covered period, not routine maintenance. You really should familiarize yourself with the warranty information booklet that comes with your new car. If you don't have it, get one from the dealership that sold you the car. It's a little complicated to explain because not everything is covered by the same warranty.

 

Along w/ the warranty coverage is Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that come up from time to time. This forum is very good about keeping members informed of TSBs. These address various issues that aren't direcr recalls, the dealer will perform the TSB repairs when you inform them of the particular TSB, the dealer won't let you know about TSBs so you need to do a bit of homework on sites like this. BTW, enjoy your new car!!