I have a 2002 Kia Rio that is approaching 15,000 miles. The manual says an oil change and the brake pads needs to be checked. One car dealer quoted $400. Is this ok?

That's one expensive oil change! This question is a little vague, but if they are only checking (not replacing) the brake pads and changing the oil, then $400 is on the high side. If this is actually an interval check as prescribed by the owner's manual, then that makes more sense because there is more to it than just those 2 items.

For example, my Volvo required a 60,000 mile check/service. The dealership quoted $800 and my trusty mechanic (whom I have dealt with happily for 7 years) charged me less than half.

This gets tricky when there is a warranty to consider. If the warranty states you must have scheduled service per the owner's manual done by only the dealership, then not having the 15,000 mile check/work done could very well nullify your warranty.

If you warranty simply states that you must have the check/work done by a Kia "approved" mechanic, that is helpful. Get estimates from other mechanics and give Kia a jingle to see if having the work done by "Joes's Garage", for example, would make your warranty invalid. They will probably want to know if Joe's mechanics are ASE certified or meet other criterion.

Dealership's are usually the most expensive place to have a vehicle checked/serviced. Get some estimates from other repair shops if possible. Hope this helps.

My brother is a Chevy mechanic as says these checks are a "crock" and nothing more than a $$$ maker. Find out what exactly the 15,000 mile check entails and have it done and documented at the local STS or other computerized service center. As long as you have documentation that the work was done in the allotted time frame they will be hard pressed to try and nullify your warranty. Keep all your receipts too.

Oof. That is steep. Don't go dealership. as for pads, Midas is the best way to go.

$400 is a crock...

have the oil chg'd at a good quick oil chg.then take your car to "midas" and ask them to chk your brake wear.most midas will chk them for little or no fee.