Cadillac joins Lincoln in offering free maintenance

Guess we should have figured that since Ford's Lincoln luxury brand just announced a free maintenance gimmick for summer, General Motors' Cadillac would be right behind.

Cadillac announced today it will provide free maintenance to owners of all 2011 models for four years or 50,000 miles. That, of course, is meant to outdo Lincoln, which is offering 45,000 miles or three years.

The program, called Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance, covers scheduled oil changes, tire rotations and air filters. It also mentions that you get a "multipoint vehicle inspection," meaning mechanics present you with a list of items they think need to be fixed at your expense, a boon to dealers.

"Cadillac is adding Premium Care Maintenance as a way to extend customer service beyond the sale," said Kurt McNeil, vice president of Cadillac sales and service. The first 2011 models eligible for the program arrive in late summer.

David Thomas of Cars.com's Kicking Tires blog has compiled a nifty list of other automakers that are offering their own free-maintenance programs. Here it is:

Jaguar: Offers the longest program, at five years or 50,000 miles,
whichever comes first.

Volkswagen: Totals four maintenance visits. From the company's website:
"Every 2010 Volkswagen comes with Carefree Maintenance, including a no charge Courtesy Vehicle Check. That means regularly scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, at no charge."

Volvo: Totals four service visits as well. From its website:

Scheduled maintenance coverage for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first
The first four regularly scheduled maintenance services at 7,500, 15,000, 22,500 and 30,000 mileage intervals

BMW: From its website:

New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty: This warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship for the first four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, so you can rest assured your BMW will perform as expected.
BMW Maintenance Program: One of the most comprehensive maintenance programs in its class, covering all factory-recommended maintenance services during the New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty Coverage Period, as well as specific items that require replacement due to normal wear and tear, such as brake pads, brake discs and wiper blade inserts.

Mini: Mini offers three-year or 36,000-mile free maintenance, plus free roadside assistance for four years or 50,000 miles.

Saab: Three years or 36,0000 miles.

Land Rover: Offers a complimentary first maintenance only at 15,000 miles for most models and 7,500 miles for the LR2.