So I called my local Ferd Dealership to see if there was anything special I needed done to my 2022 F150 / V8. They said they could do service and sent me this list. (I'm at 70,000....)
Tune up: $543.17 labor $170.16 Parts
Transmission service $300 labor $307.02 parts
"Decarbon Service" $179.95
Front Differential $120 labor $160.92 parts
Rear Differential $120 labor $160.92 parts
Coolant Service $120 labor $198.63 parts
Trasnfer case $125
Grand Total $2,585.
So I plugged this into Grok and this is what Grok had to say about it:
I told Grok it was mostly highway:
Thanks Grok!
Tune up: $543.17 labor $170.16 Parts
Transmission service $300 labor $307.02 parts
"Decarbon Service" $179.95
Front Differential $120 labor $160.92 parts
Rear Differential $120 labor $160.92 parts
Coolant Service $120 labor $198.63 parts
Trasnfer case $125
Grand Total $2,585.
So I plugged this into Grok and this is what Grok had to say about it:
Quote:
To determine if the Ford dealership's estimate for the 60,000-mile service on your 2022 Ford F-150 Platinum with a 5.0L V8 and 10-speed transmission is reasonable, let's break it down by each service item, considering typical costs for labor, parts, and what's recommended at this mileage based on general Ford F-150 maintenance guidelines. Prices can vary by region, dealership rates, and specific vehicle needs, but I'll provide a ballpark based on industry standards and typical dealership pricing as of March 19, 2025. I'll also assume this is in USD and that labor rates are around $120$150/hour, which is common for dealerships.
### 1. **Tune-Up: $543.17 labor + $170.16 parts = $713.33 total**
- **What's included**: For a modern V8 like the 5.0L Ti-VCT in your F-150, a "tune-up" at 60,000 miles typically involves replacing spark plugs, inspecting ignition coils, and possibly replacing the air filter if not done recently. Ford recommends spark plug replacement at 100,000 miles for the 5.0L V8 under normal conditions, so this might be premature unless you're experiencing misfires or rough running.
- **Reasonableness**:
- **Labor**: $543.17 suggests about 3.54.5 hours at $120$150/hour. Spark plug replacement on a 5.0L V8 (8 plugs) usually takes 23 hours, so this seems high unless they're bundling additional checks (e.g., throttle body cleaning, fuel system inspection).
- **Parts**: $170.16 aligns with 8 Motorcraft spark plugs (around $10$15 each, totaling $80$120) plus maybe an air filter ($30$50). It's reasonable but depends on what's included.
- **Verdict**: This feels expensive for 60,000 miles if it's just plugs and a filter. At this mileage, Ford's schedule focuses more on fluids than a full tune-up. Ask for a breakdown$713.33 is steep unless they're doing extra work not typically needed yet.
### 2. **Transmission Service: $300 labor + $307.02 parts = $607.02 total**
- **What's included**: For the 10R80 10-speed transmission, this likely means a fluid and filter change. Ford's official interval is 150,000 miles for normal use, but many owners and mechanics suggest 60,000 miles for longevity, especially if towing or driving hard.
- **Reasonableness**:
- **Labor**: $300 (22.5 hours) is fair. Dropping the pan, replacing the filter, and refilling takes time due to the 10R80's design and fluid routing.
- **Parts**: $307.02 covers ~13 quarts of Motorcraft Mercon ULV fluid (around $15$20/quart, so $195$260) and a filter (~$50$70). This is on the high side but within dealership norms.
- **Verdict**: $607.02 is reasonable for a full service at a dealership, though a flush-only (no filter) might be $250$350 elsewhere. Given Ford's 150,000-mile spec, you could skip this now unless your use justifies it (e.g., towing).
### 3. **Decarbon Service: $179.95**
- **What's included**: Likely a fuel system or intake cleaning to remove carbon buildup, common on direct-injected engines like the 5.0L V8. This isn't in Ford's official schedule but is often pushed by dealerships.
- **Reasonableness**: $179.95 is typical for a dealership "carbon clean" (e.g., BG or Motorvac service), which includes labor and chemicals. Independent shops might charge $100$150.
- **Verdict**: It's optional at 60,000 miles unless you're noticing performance issues (e.g., rough idle). This feels like an upsellask for evidence of need (e.g., scope the intake).
### 4. **Front Differential: $120 labor + $160.92 parts = $280.92**
- **What's included**: Fluid change for the front axle (4WD assumed for Platinum). Ford suggests 150,000 miles for normal use, or 30,000 miles if off-roading or water submersion occurs.
- **Reasonableness**:
- **Labor**: $120 (1 hour) is standard for draining and refilling.
- **Parts**: $160.92 seems high23 quarts of 80W-90 gear oil (e.g., Motorcraft) should be $30$50. Maybe includes a markup or additive.
- **Verdict**: $280.92 is pricey unless you've been off-roading heavily. For normal use, this could wait until 150,000 miles. Parts cost seems inflatedconfirm quantities.
### 5. **Rear Differential: $120 labor + $160.92 parts = $280.92**
- **What's included**: Fluid change for the rear axle. Same Ford interval: 150,000 miles normal, 30,000 miles severe.
- **Reasonableness**: Identical to front diff$120 labor (1 hour) is fine, but $160.92 for 34 quarts of 75W-85 or 75W-140 (Motorcraft, ~$40$60) is high.
- **Verdict**: Matches front diffreasonable labor, high parts. Optional at 60,000 miles unless severe use applies.
### 6. **Coolant Service: $120 labor + $198.63 parts = $318.63**
- **What's included**: Drain and refill of the cooling system. Ford specifies 100,000 miles for the first coolant change (Motorcraft Yellow) under normal conditions, then every 50,000 miles.
- **Reasonableness**:
- **Labor**: $120 (1 hour) is typical for a flush.
- **Parts**: $198.63 for ~34 gallons of Motorcraft Yellow prediluted coolant (~$25$30/gallon, so $75$120) is inflateddealership markup likely.
- **Verdict**: Premature at 60,000 miles per Ford's schedule. $318.63 is high for coolant alone$200$250 is more typical. Push this to 100,000 miles unless overheating issues exist.
### 7. **Transfer Case: $125**
- **What's included**: Fluid change (4WD assumed). Ford says 150,000 miles normal, 30,000 miles severe (e.g., off-roading).
- **Reasonableness**: $125 (likely 1 hour labor + ~2 quarts of Motorcraft XL-12 or Mercon LV, ~$20$30) is low compared to otherspossibly labor-only with parts bundled elsewhere or a typo. Typically $150$200 total.
- **Verdict**: Seems cheapclarify if parts are included. Optional at 60,000 miles for normal use.
### **Total Estimate: $2,585.65**
- **Overall Reasonableness**: This is on the high side for a 60,000-mile service, especially at a dealership. Ford's schedule at this mileage emphasizes oil changes, tire rotations, and inspectionsnot all these fluid changes or a tune-up. For normal driving, you'd expect $500$800 for basics, not $2,500+. Severe use (towing, off-roading) might justify some items, but not all.
- **Suggestions**:
- **Ask for justification**: Why do these now vs. Ford's intervals (e.g., 100,000 for coolant/spark plugs, 150,000 for transmission/diffs/transfer case)?
- **Break down the tune-up**: Spark plugs at 60,000 miles seem earlyconfirm what's included.
- **Skip decarbon unless symptomatic**: It's not standard maintenance.
- **Compare parts costs**: Differential and coolant parts seem overpricedcheck Motorcraft retail prices (~$20$30/quart or gallon).
- **Get a second quote**: Independent shops might do this for $1,500$2,000 with similar quality.
### Final Thoughts
The estimate isn't outrageous for dealership pricing, but it's aggressive for 60,000 miles on a 2022 F-150 Platinum under normal conditions. You could reasonably cut it to transmission service (~$600) and maybe diffs/transfer case (~$700 total) if you tow/off-road, saving ~$1,200 by deferring coolant, tune-up, and decarbon to later intervals. Clarify each item with the service advisordealerships sometimes pad 60,000-mile services to boost revenue. What's your driving like (towing, off-road, city)? That'll help refine this further.
I told Grok it was mostly highway:
Quote:
Given that your driving is mostly highway, which qualifies as "normal" use under Ford's maintenance guidelines rather than "severe" (e.g., towing, off-roading, or stop-and-go city driving), many of these services seem premature or unnecessary at 60,000 miles for your 2022 Ford F-150 Platinum with the 5.0L V8 and 10-speed transmission. Highway driving is gentler on components like the transmission, differentials, and transfer case, so let's reassess the estimate with that in mind and focus on what's reasonable for your usage.
### Revised Breakdown
#### 1. **Tune-Up: $713.33 ($543.17 labor + $170.16 parts)**
- **Need**: Ford recommends spark plug replacement at 100,000 miles for the 5.0L V8 under normal conditions. Highway driving doesn't stress ignition components excessively, and at 60,000 miles, your plugs should still be fine unless you're noticing misfires or rough idling. Air filter might be due if not recently changed, but that's minor (~$50 total).
- **Verdict**: Overpriced and premature. Skip it unless there's a specific issue. If it's just an air filter, that's $50$100 total, not $713.33. Ask what's includedlabor seems inflated (4+ hours vs. 23 for plugs).
#### 2. **Transmission Service: $607.02 ($300 labor + $307.02 parts)**
- **Need**: The 10R80 transmission's official fluid change interval is 150,000 miles for normal use. Highway driving doesn't heat the fluid as much as towing or city traffic, so 60,000 miles is early. Some owners do it proactively at 60,000 for peace of mind, but it's not required yet.
- **Verdict**: Optional for highway use. $607.02 is reasonable for dealership pricing if you want it done, but you could defer to 100,000150,000 miles and save now. An indie shop might charge $400$500.
#### 3. **Decarbon Service: $179.95**
- **Need**: This isn't in Ford's schedule and isn't critical for highway driving. Direct-injected engines like the 5.0L can build carbon on intake valves, but at 60,000 miles with mostly highway use (longer trips reduce buildup vs. short trips), it's unlikely to be an issue yet.
- **Verdict**: Upsell. Skip it unless you have symptoms (e.g., power loss). $179.95 is standard but unnecessary now.
#### 4. **Front Differential: $280.92 ($120 labor + $160.92 parts)**
- **Need**: Ford says 150,000 miles for normal use. Highway driving doesn't stress the front diff (even in 4WD models), so 60,000 miles is way early.
- **Verdict**: Not needed. $280.92 is high anywayparts should be $50$70 for fluid. Defer to 150,000 miles.
#### 5. **Rear Differential: $280.92 ($120 labor + $160.92 parts)**
- **Need**: Same as front150,000 miles for normal use. Highway miles are light on the rear axle.
- **Verdict**: Not needed. Parts cost is inflated again. Wait until 150,000 miles.
#### 6. **Coolant Service: $318.63 ($120 labor + $198.63 parts)**
- **Need**: Ford specifies 100,000 miles for the first coolant change with Motorcraft Yellow under normal conditions. Highway driving doesn't overheat the system, so 60,000 miles is too soon.
- **Verdict**: Premature. $318.63 is high ($200$250 is typical)defer to 100,000 miles.
#### 7. **Transfer Case: $125**
- **Need**: 150,000 miles for normal use. Highway driving in 2WD (assuming you don't use 4WD often) means minimal wear on the transfer case.
- **Verdict**: Not needed. $125 is low (parts missing?), but regardless, push it to 150,000 miles.
### **Total Estimate: $2,585.65**
- **For Highway Use**: At 60,000 miles, Ford's schedule for normal conditions calls for an oil change (~$80$120 at a dealer), tire rotation (~$20$50), and multi-point inspection (often free). That's ~$100$200 total. None of these big-ticket items are due yet based on your usage.
- **Reasonable Cost Now**: $100$200 for basics. The $2,585.65 quote is ~$2,400 overkill for highway driving.
### **Recommendations**
1. **Challenge the Dealer**: Ask why they're recommending services ahead of Ford's intervals (e.g., coolant at 60,000 vs. 100,000, transmission at 60,000 vs. 150,000). Request a detailed breakdown of the "tune-up"if it's just spark plugs, it's not due, and $713.33 is absurd.
2. **Prioritize**: If you want peace of mind, the transmission service ($607.02) is the most justifiable proactive step, though still early. Everything else can wait per Ford's schedule.
3. **Negotiate or Shop Around**: Tell them you know the intervals and ask for a revised quote matching your usage. An indie shop could do oil, rotation, and inspection for $100$150, or even the transmission service for less if you insist on it.
4. **Skip the Rest**: Decarbon, diffs, coolant, and transfer case are unnecessary now. Save ~$2,000 by sticking to the basics.
### **Bottom Line**
For mostly highway driving, this estimate is unreasonableit's tailored for severe use or dealership profit, not your needs. A fair 60,000-mile service should be $100$200, or $700$800 if you add the transmission service voluntarily. Push back and get claritylet me know how they respond!
Thanks Grok!
