From changing the oil and filters to rotating your tires and replacing worn-out belts and pulleys, routine car maintenance can be a little overwhelming. While some drivers revel in the opportunity to spend their afternoon getting their hands dirty under the hood, most are more than content to call in a professional. That approach might be easier, but it can lead to its own set of problems and leave you struggling to find a trustworthy mechanic who will perform the job at a fair price.
Suppose you’re looking for GMC service; you could hazard a quick internet search and take your chances on the first auto shop that pops up, or you can just head right back to the dealership where you bought your vehicle. GMC’s Pre-Paid Maintenance plans take the guesswork out of routine car maintenance, giving drivers access to top-tier service from a team of experienced mechanics who know the vehicle inside and out.
These maintenance plans are offered in varying levels of coverage, can be added on at the time of purchase, and even financed as part of a loan. If you’re looking for a no-fuss approach to routine vehicle maintenance and want to keep your vehicle on the road for as long as possible, read on as we discuss the advantages of GMC’s Pre-Paid Maintenance plans.
Two Levels of Coverage
GMC offers two levels of pre-paid maintenance plans, simply called Pre-Paid Maintenance and Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus. The two plans vary in terms of coverage and available terms, so let’s take a closer look and see which one is the right fit for your GMC vehicle…
Pre-Paid Maintenance
We’ll start with the basic Pre-Paid Maintenance plan, which includes some of the most common and important routine maintenance tasks. While the exact coverage differs based on the specific terms of the plan, most of GMC’s Pre-Paid Maintenance plans will cover:
Oil Changes
It’s hard to underestimate the importance of regular oil changes. Motor oil helps to keep the dozens of moving parts inside your engine nice and lubricated, improving efficiency and preventing the sort of wear and tear that can lead to a hefty repair bill. Experts once suggested performing an oil change every 3,000 miles, but modern lubricants have stretched that schedule to the current recommendation of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. For the average driver, that means performing an oil change about every six months, though it all depends on how many miles you’re putting on the odometer.
The Pre-Paid Maintenance plan includes up to ten quarts of conventional or synthetic blend oil, but those seeking long-lasting protection might want to spring for the Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus plan, which swaps out the synthetic blend oil for a full synthetic oil. Opting to have your oil changes performed by a GMC-certified technician will ensure you always receive the right oil and filter for your specific model—something that’s not always guaranteed when you pull up to the typical lube shop.
Tire Rotations
If you want to prolong the life of your tires, you should never let your regularly scheduled tire rotation fall by the wayside. This task—which involves removing each wheel and rotating it to a different corner of the vehicle—can help ensure that the tires experience even wear. This not only means your tires will last longer, but it can also improve handling and traction and even aid in overall fuel economy.
While this task is fairly easy to perform from the comfort of your own garage, there are some good reasons to consider the professional approach. A qualified technician will not only be able to ensure the job gets done safely and correctly, they can also use the opportunity to spot suspension issues as well as misaligned or unbalanced wheels.
Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection
While oil changes and tire rotations are certainly important, the multi-point vehicle inspection might actually be the most valuable part of the introductory Pre-Paid Maintenance plan. This comprehensive inspection includes a thorough review of multiple components and systems, allowing technicians to spot potential problems well before they can balloon into big-ticket repairs. From tire tread depth and pressure to the brakes, fluids, belts and hoses, battery, radiator, shocks/struts, and even the exhaust system, this multi-point inspection is basically a check-up for your GMC truck or SUV.
Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus
GMC’s Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus plan comes with all the services listed above, including the multi-point vehicle inspection, as well as some important add-ons that’ll have you driving with confidence. The plan might be a little more expensive than GMC’s base offering, but it’s also a lot more comprehensive with services that include:
Engine Air Filter
If you want your GMC vehicle to work its best, you’ve got to let it breathe. An engine that isn’t getting enough fresh air is never going to be at its most efficient—or its most powerful—which is why you need to keep up with your engine air filter replacement schedule. These filters trap dirt, dust, and other contaminants before they can make their way into the engine, but they tend to get clogged up over time.
Generally speaking, an engine air filter should be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, but it all depends on the kind of conditions your vehicle is facing on a daily basis. If you live in a particularly dusty area or you encounter high levels of smog or other pollution, you might want to err on the lower side of the spectrum.
Cabin Air Filter
A cabin air filter protects the most important part of any vehicle: the occupants. These filters help to keep the cabin air nice and fresh by scrubbing the air of dirt, dust, pollen, mold spores, and other environmental contaminants. Regular cabin air filter replacement not only improves respiratory health, it also makes for a fresher, cleaner vehicle that you’ll actually want to spend time in. The cabin air filter should be replaced every 15,000 miles—but again, it all depends on what sort of environmental conditions you’re operating in.
Brake Fluid
Few components do more to ensure your safety behind the wheel than the brakes. While most drivers know to replace their brake pads every 20,000 miles (and their rotors every 50,000 miles), few stop to think about the brake fluid that makes these critical parts work in the first place.
Hydraulic brake fluid generally needs to be fully flushed and replaced every two years or 30,000 miles, though drivers who take frequent short trips that involve a lot of braking should consider accelerating the timetable. A brake fluid flush can be an involved process that’s a little intimidating for some drivers, but it’s well within the purview of your local certified GMC technician.
Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid is similar to engine oil in that it keeps one of the most important and expensive parts of your vehicle lubricated and ready to do its job. If you’ve recently noticed a conspicuous absence of power or a vehicle that doesn’t shift like it once did, low or dirty transmission fluid could be to blame.
Rated to last around 60,000 to 100,000 miles (or 30,000 to 60,000 miles in the case of a manual transmission), your transmission fluid can be all too easy to forget about when you’re preoccupied with some of the more common vehicle maintenance tasks. Some Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus plans include a full transmission fluid flush and replacement and are well worth the investment when you consider the average transmission replacement cost is $5,500.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Finally, there’s windshield wiper blades. As any driver who has ever suffered through a downpour with some worn-out blades knows, these seemingly simple components can have a major impact on safety when encountering bad weather. The GMC Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus includes a new set of windshield wiper blades that are designed to fit your specific model.
Terms & Coverage
Once you’ve decided between the GMC Pre-Paid Maintenance and Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus programs, it’s time to settle on the length of your coverage. GMC gives drivers five options to choose from, ranging from two years all the way up to six years of pre-paid coverage. The plans also differ in terms of how many covered services are included over the timespan, so before choosing a plan, it’s important to consider what level of coverage you’re looking for.
If you’re looking to save a little money, the entry-level 24-month plan with three covered services might be the perfect choice. Those looking for a longer term might consider a 36- or 39-month plan, which both come with six covered services. A 60-month, ten-service plan is GMC’s penultimate offering, while the 72-month plan with twelve covered services will keep your driving worry-free for up to six full years.
So how do the covered services work? Again, the exact terms might vary by dealership, but a sample plan provided by GMC sheds some light on the fine print. Let’s take the multi-point inspection, engine oil, and filter change as an example. Those who purchase a three-year plan might get access to six oil/filter changes and a multi-point inspection over the next 36 months, while those opting for a five- or six-year plan can have the service performed ten or twelve times, respectively.
The same goes for tire rotations, though the plan scales back when dealing with some less-frequent tasks like brake fluid replacement, which can be redeemed once on the three- or five-year plan and twice on the six-year schedule. Some services like transmission fluid replacement are reserved for the six-year plan, so make sure to dive into the details before committing to a specific plan.
Advantages of a Pre-Paid Maintenance Plan
Customization
All vehicles and drivers are a little bit different, which is why GMC offers two pre-paid maintenance plans with a range of flexible terms and coverage. From a basic two-year plan to a comprehensive six-year policy, each driver has the option of deciding what level of coverage is right for them.
Zero Deductible
Under GMC’s Pre-Paid Maintenance plan, you won’t have to worry about a deductible when it comes to routine maintenance. As long as the service is covered under your specific policy, you can walk into your local GMC dealership and leave without any unexpected out-of-pocket expenses or fees.
Superior Parts and Labor
All work covered under the Pre-Paid Maintenance plan will be performed by qualified GMC technicians using the best in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Unlike many aftermarket parts that employ a one-size-fits-all approach, OEM parts are made to fit your specific make and model. This brings all sorts of benefits for performance and reliability, as does having them installed by an experienced GMC technician.
Convenience
A GMC Pre-Paid Maintenance plan isn’t just valid at the dealership where you originally purchased your vehicle; it can be used at most of GMC’s 1,600 dealerships across the country. The plan can also be used on a wide variety of GMC vehicles, from brand-new models to pre-owned and even leased vehicles.
No Commitment
If you’ve bought a six-year GMC Pre-Paid Maintenance plan but are now looking to move on from your current vehicle, don’t fret: GMC allows you to transfer the policy between drivers; this could be a major selling point when it comes time to negotiate with a potential buyer. Not only will the maintenance plan help to sweeten the pot, but it’ll also prove that you took the vehicle’s maintenance seriously, which should help you fetch a higher price on the open market. The plan can also be canceled within the first 60 days as long as no services have been performed, or after 60 days for a partial refund.
Pay As You Go
Purchasing a new or pre-owned vehicle can make for an exciting day, but it can also get expensive. When you’ve totaled up the down payment, along with the taxes and fees, you might feel like there’s little left over for an extended maintenance plan. Luckily, GMC allows drivers to bundle the Pre-Paid Maintenance plan as part of their monthly payment. This can make the plan more accessible for a wider range of drivers, though it will mean paying interest on the coverage.
Reliable Coverage for Your GMC
GMC’s Pre-Paid Maintenance plans are a great way to ensure the long-term performance and reliability of your new, pre-owned, or leased vehicle. Between the expert service and OEM parts, you’ll know that your vehicle is always being treated to the highest level of care—but that’s not the only reason to consider signing up for a GMC Pre-Paid Maintenance plan.
In the case of a new or pre-owned vehicle, a comprehensive maintenance plan can be a wise investment when you consider the potential bump in resale value. Being able to provide a record of lifetime maintenance from the dealership could give you a real advantage at the bargaining table, especially in today’s ultra-competitive resale market.
The dealership might be able to spot potential issues well ahead of time, too, and establishing a close relationship can pay dividends when it comes time to upgrade to a new model or learn about new sales promotions. Instead of shopping around for local mechanics or waiting in line at the local lube shop, ask your local GMC dealer about their Pre-Paid Maintenance Plans.
