Yes, we're going round and round on this in the Model S maintenance thread. You are correct in that Tesla or Toyota can't make you pay them for maintenance by voiding your warranty if you do it yourself or use an independent shop. The big question is whether you or an independent shop can actually fulfill the maintenance schedule since you won't have access to Tesla's proprietary hardware and software to interface with the car.
The problem is that EVs have been sold with the line that they need less maintenance than ICE cars because they have no motor oil, which ICE cars need changed frequently. Maintenance on my Prius is an oil change and a quick check of a list of things, and the whole process takes an hour or less. Cost is about $22. Eliminate the oil change, and people wonder why the Model S (or the Rav4EV) should need more than a $10 once-over. The Roadster actually takes a lot more maintenance than the Prius. EVs have no motor oil to change, but they do have other things that need checking, cleaning, whatever.
Where have people said they don't want to do maintenance? I am upset because Tesla has this ridiculous attitude that I must come to them for service or else I void my warranty. Not only is this illegal they are charging more for their "low maintenance" car than I've ever spent on my ICE's. Tesla acts like this is some kind of new vehicle when all of the mechanical bits are common. There is nothing new or unique about the suspension, brakes, lights, wipers, etc. I like doing maintenance on my vehicles and Federal Law allows me to do so.
This rubs me the wrong way, since I dislike noises of all kinds. Has there EVER been an incident with an EV or hybrid due to its quietness? I do approve of back-up beepers, however. The Xebra had one, and I had a switch for it. I turned the beeper on in blind parking spaces, and off otherwise.
It should be quite easy. That said, the noise maker is simply not noticeable at all from inside the vehicle. I had to literally stick my head out the window to hear it and it only sounds when moving and below 17mph or so (not sure that's the exact number, but it's pretty close)...and trust me, there are few times that you're moving that slowly.
I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, I would change all my coolant by the 5 year mark. I just find it interesting that they didn't include it and how it relates to the warranty. Since you must follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in order to receive warrant support. Granted these things are beyond the warranty period, I just found it interesting in the context of the Model S service/warranty thread.
