General Advice - should I take my car to a dealer for routine maintenance? I live in Volvo dense Marblehead MA. I purchased a used 2016 V60 6 months ago, have to do routine maintenance and might have a battery/igniton issue . I have not owned a Volvo in 30 years.

• Easiest would be to go to guy who i use for my Acura is good and I've known him for years
• There are a few local shops with decent on-line reviews (Superior In Salem, Precision in Marblehead)
• I could drive further to the dealer, and probably pay more

I'd rather go independent -- any advice?

 

I use both. When my cars were in the warranty period, I used the dealer for all maintenance, to get the safety inspections and to build the documentation which may come in handy for a future warranty claim (like an intermittant electrical issue) and to get the updates recommended in the service bulletins. As my cars get older, I still follow the factory maintenance but will do my own fluids (ie oil/filter, coolant flushes) or take to my indy. My indy is really good about allowing me to provide parts so I shop online as needed and if I can't install on my own (time/tools etc) my indy will get the job. When something is more complex and requires complex diagnostics, its worth the extra for the dealer to get involved. For Volvo parts, I use Tasca Parts (a dealer store in RI ) for genuine Volvo, then FCP Euro or EEuroparts for after market (both here in CT).