What Performance Complete Auto Care Is
Performance Complete Auto Care is a maintenance program offered by some vehicle manufacturers and independent service networks that bundles routine maintenance tasks into a single plan. Rather than paying for oil changes, filter replacements, and inspections separately each time you visit, you pay a flat fee upfront or monthly, and the provider covers those services for a set period or mileage limit.
The specifics vary by provider and vehicle make. Some programs are manufacturer-backed — offered through dealership networks for new vehicles — while others are sold by independent shops or regional chains. The core idea is the same: predictable costs for predictable maintenance.
Key Takeaways
- Performance Complete Auto Care bundles routine maintenance into one plan, so you pay a fixed amount instead of separate bills for each service visit.
- Coverage typically includes oil and filter changes, tire rotations, fluid top-ups, and inspections, but the exact services depend on which plan you choose.
- Plans are usually limited by time (such as 12 months) or mileage (such as 15,000 miles), whichever comes first.
- You must follow the provider's service schedule and use their network of shops, or you may lose coverage for services you paid for.
- Comparing the plan cost against what you would pay for those same services separately over the same period tells you whether the plan saves you money.
What Services Are Usually Included
Most Performance Complete Auto Care plans cover the items your vehicle needs most often. These typically include oil and oil filter changes, tire rotations, fluid level checks and top-ups (coolant, windshield washer, brake fluid), air filter replacements, and multi-point inspections. Some plans add cabin air filter changes, battery testing, or brake pad inspections.
What is not included matters just as much. Repairs — fixing a broken part rather than maintaining a working one — are almost never covered. Neither are wear items like brake pads or wiper blades if they need replacement due to age or damage. Tire replacement, wheel alignment, transmission service, and major repairs are separate charges. Read the plan document carefully to see the exact line between what is covered and what you pay for separately.
Some plans tier their coverage. A basic plan might cover oil changes and rotations only. A premium plan might add fluid checks, filter replacements, and inspections. The price difference reflects what extra services you get.
How Pricing and Plan Terms Work
Performance Complete Auto Care plans are sold in different ways. Some charge a single upfront fee — you pay $300 to $800 (or more, depending on the plan and vehicle) and the coverage is active when ready. Others charge monthly — typically $20 to $50 per month — and you pay as long as you want coverage. A few use a per-visit model where you pay a reduced rate each time you come in, rather than a lump sum.
Plans are always limited by time, mileage, or both. A common structure is "12 months or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first." This means if you hit either limit, the plan ends and you pay full price for maintenance after that. Some plans reset annually if you renew. Others are one-time purchases that expire and cannot be extended.
The cost-benefit calculation is straightforward: add up what you would normally pay for those same services over the same period, then compare that total to the plan price. If the plan costs $400 and you would spend $550 on separate visits, the plan saves you money. If you would spend $300 separately, the plan costs you more.
Where You Can Use the Plan
Performance Complete Auto Care plans are only valid at shops in the provider's network. If the plan is sold by a dealership, you use that dealership's service department. If it is sold by an independent chain, you use their locations. Taking your vehicle to an out-of-network shop means you pay full price for that visit and cannot claim it against your plan.
Before you buy, confirm that a participating shop is convenient to you. Check the provider's website or call their customer service line to see the nearest locations. If the closest shop is 30 miles away and you have one 5 miles away, the plan may not be practical even if the price is good.
Some plans allow you to transfer coverage to a different vehicle if you sell or trade yours, but this is not standard. Ask the provider directly whether transfer is possible and whether there are any fees.
What Happens If You Miss a Service or Skip the Plan
If you own a vehicle outright and do not have a loan or lease, skipping a maintenance plan is your choice. Your warranty (if still active) may require you to follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, but it does not require you to buy a bundled plan. You can pay for each service separately and stay within warranty as long as you use the correct parts and intervals.
If you are leasing or financing, your contract may require you to maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer's schedule. Some leases require you to use the dealership's service department or an approved shop. A maintenance plan can simplify this, but it is not always required — you can pay per visit instead. Read your lease or loan agreement to see what is actually mandated.
Missing a scheduled service can void your warranty on related components. If you skip oil changes and the engine fails, the manufacturer may deny a warranty claim. This applies whether you use a maintenance plan or not. The plan does not change this rule; it just makes it easier to stay on schedule because the cost is predictable.
Comparing Performance Complete Auto Care to Other Options
You have three main ways to handle routine maintenance: pay per visit as you go, buy a bundled plan, or use a manufacturer warranty that includes free maintenance (some new vehicles offer this). Each has trade-offs.
Pay-as-you-go gives you flexibility — you can use any shop, delay service if money is tight, and you only pay for what you actually need. The downside is unpredictability; you do not know what your next bill will be. If you drive infrequently or keep a vehicle for only a few years, this is often cheapest.
A bundled plan locks in costs and forces you to stay on schedule, which protects your warranty. The downside is commitment — you pay upfront or monthly whether you use all the services or not, and you are locked into their network. If you sell the vehicle early, you may lose money on unused coverage.
Manufacturer-included maintenance (offered on some new vehicles) is free for a set period and covers the same services as a plan. This is the best deal if your vehicle qualifies, because you get the predictability and network access without paying extra. It is not available for used vehicles or most older models.
Red Flags and Common Pitfalls
Before you buy, watch for these issues. First, confirm the plan actually covers what you think it covers. "Maintenance plan" can mean different things; some cover only oil changes, others cover much more. Read the contract, not just the marketing summary.
Second, check whether the plan is transferable if you sell the vehicle. Some plans end when ready when ownership changes; others can be transferred to the new owner for a fee. If you plan to keep the vehicle for only a few years, a non-transferable plan is a poor investment.
Third, verify that the network includes shops near you. A plan is worthless if the nearest participating shop is an hour away and you have a dealership five minutes from home.
Fourth, ask what happens if a service is denied or delayed. If you show up for an oil change and the shop says they are booked for three weeks, does your plan still cover it? Can you go elsewhere and submit a claim? Get this in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a maintenance plan affect my vehicle's warranty?
No. Your warranty is separate from any maintenance plan. What matters is that you follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule using the correct parts and intervals. A plan makes this easier by bundling the services, but it does not change what the warranty requires. You can stay in warranty without a plan by paying per visit.
What if I move or the shop closes?
If your plan is tied to a specific shop and that shop closes, contact the plan provider when ready. Some will transfer your remaining coverage to another network location; others will refund the unused portion. If you move far away, the same applies — ask whether your plan can be transferred to a participating shop in your new area.
Can I use my plan at a different dealership if it is the same brand?
Usually no. A plan sold by one dealership is typically valid only at that dealership, even if it is the same manufacturer. Some manufacturer-wide plans allow you to use any authorized dealership, but this is not standard. Check your plan document or call the provider to confirm.
What if I sell my vehicle before the plan expires?
This depends on the plan's terms. Some plans end when you sell and offer a prorated refund for unused coverage. Others are transferable to the new owner, though the new owner may need to register themselves with the provider. A few plans are non-refundable and non-transferable, meaning you lose the money. Always ask about this before you buy.
Is a maintenance plan worth it if I only drive a few thousand miles per year?
Probably not. If you drive 5,000 miles per year and the plan covers 15,000 miles, you will use only one-third of the coverage before the time limit expires. Calculate what you would actually spend on maintenance over that period and compare it to the plan cost. For low-mileage drivers, paying per visit is often cheaper.