Took car in for recall fix and dealer found $1900 worth of problems..

[kitatech]

Most Toyo dealers have $99 specials for front brake pads...but that doesn't include rotors (new or turned if needed), or all the bits and pieces (pins, shims and rubber boots you should replace on a 10+ yr old car). High quality parts alone will cost $75-100 retail.....I know...I just had my 05 Camry front pads (and bits and pieces) replaced....

All fluids should be replaced in a car 10+ yr old car.

 

[jagec]

I had my '05 Chevy in the dealer for a (free) seat repair, it was '09 and they had just finished up an old woman's Malibu, they had replaced EVERY cooling system hose on the car, yikes, she got literally robbed. OEM hoses are actually pretty good quality, mine are 10 years old now and show no signs of swelling, cracking or dry-rot. I do change coolant every 30K instead of the 100K that it calls for.

All I know is that I've wrenched on tons of 80s and 90s Japanese cars, and while the cooling hoses often get rock-hard and brittle over the decades, they usually work fine as long as you don't try to remove them. And I doubt that most of the previous owners did their coolant changes.

Granted, once you have a problem with ONE hose due to age, you might as well do them all.

 

[BUTCH1]

All I know is that I've wrenched on tons of 80s and 90s Japanese cars, and while the cooling hoses often get rock-hard and brittle over the decades, they usually work fine as long as you don't try to remove them. And I doubt that most of the previous owners did their coolant changes.

Granted, once you have a problem with ONE hose due to age, you might as well do them all.

Yea, removing a hose that's been on for 20yrs is a blast, isn't it?, but even on domestics the hoses do not require complete replacement every 5 years, I have the exact same car that is now going on 10 and all the hoses are just fine, I'm sure the dealer gave her the "to be safe" crap LOL..

 

[jlee]

Yea, removing a hose that's been on for 20yrs is a blast, isn't it?, but even on domestics the hoses do not require complete replacement every 5 years, I have the exact same car that is now going on 10 and all the hoses are just fine, I'm sure the dealer gave her the "to be safe" crap LOL..

Nah, if you can reach it it's not bad - put an inch-ish slit in the end with a razor blade and it'll come right off.

 

[Noo]

Stay away from that dealer, they are trying to rip you off.

 

[skyking]

Nah, if you can reach it it's not bad - put an inch-ish slit in the end with a razor blade and it'll come right off.

I have one of these to work hoses off. It goes in under the hose and you can work it around and break the hose loose quickly. Also works to hook out cotter pins.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Snap-On-Hose-Pick-W-Black-Screwdriver-Handle-A173A-NICE-/121617205739?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c50f349eb

 

[CurrentlyPissed]

People who think dealerships are stealerships typically don't know anything about cars or are an enthusiast elitist. If you want it done right you pay for it. Every time someome tries to go get mom and pop to do it cheaper they are back in 6 months asking me to do it right.

Aftermarket parts last 1/3 the time until second repair. I hate any time we are forced to use them due to a customers request for budget reasons. And don't ever use universal anything. Ever.

You can do brakes yourself cheaper. But its dirty and time consuming. Most won't. Also make sure you turn or replace the rotors. Pad slapping is inappropriate and unprofessional. Unless you liked warped rotors, pitting, and noisey brakes..

Brake fluid is actually a common requirement as we are now noticing abs units are failing when not changed. The abs system needs to be able to operate at a very fast pace in the time of an accident. Nissan actually received a wrongful death lawsuit 3 years ago for not suggesting it.

Timing covers on most cars require the engine and sub frame to drop. Not to mention you would be a fool to not replace timing shoes, guides, and tensioners while doing it. Which they might of added into that quote.

Get a second opinion by someone you trust. But just because they are telling you things wrong with your car doesn't make them bad people.

In fact what would happen if they didn't tell you and it was the result of something happening? They are doing their job and being professional by informing you of your cars needs. If you don't like it, find somewhere else that follows your unprofessional standards.

And for taking advantage of women. Maybe you should tighten your leash if you wanna act like that. But most women are capable of making their own decisions. If they do you wrong, find somewhere else. But money isn't made off of one attempt. Its repeat customers where the money is at.


Most of you guys remind me of a guy recently. Came in for his free first oil change on a 2015. Refused to have us do a secondary hood latch recall because he doesn't like people doing unnecessary work on his vehicle. Had him sign a waiver after 15 minutes of arguing. Came back in 2 weeks later hood latch didn't hold because we didn't make the necessary adjustments per the recall. Guess who has to pay to have the repair done? Him.


-10 years in the service industry 4 years for a "stealership".

 

[BUTCH1]

I have one of these to work hoses off. It goes in under the hose and you can work it around and break the hose loose quickly. Also works to hook out cotter pins.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Snap-On-Hose-Pick-W-Black-Screwdriver-Handle-A173A-NICE-/121617205739?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c50f349eb

Nice tool but @ $40 kinda pricy, I'll stick with the slice and channel-lock pliers method although with some cars having plastic fittings you have to exercise a little care.

 

[LTC8K6]

Nice tool but @ $40 kinda pricy, I'll stick with the slice and channel-lock pliers method although with some cars having plastic fittings you have to exercise a little care.

Yeah, that's about a $3 tool tops.

Who would pay $40 for an ordinary pick?

 

[PottedMeat]

Most of you guys remind me of a guy recently. Came in for his free first oil change on a 2015. Refused to have us do a secondary hood latch recall because he doesn't like people doing unnecessary work on his vehicle. Had him sign a waiver after 15 minutes of arguing. Came back in 2 weeks later hood latch didn't hold because we didn't make the necessary adjustments per the recall. Guess who has to pay to have the repair done? Him.

i don't see anyone here declining free work. i do see a lot of agreement in saying no to their 'recommendations'.

Who would pay $40 for an ordinary pick?

adding 'vintage' = 10x multiplier

 

[KentState]

People who think dealerships are stealerships typically don't know anything about cars or are an enthusiast elitist. If you want it done right you pay for it. Every time someome tries to go get mom and pop to do it cheaper they are back in 6 months asking me to do it right.

Aftermarket parts last 1/3 the time until second repair. I hate any time we are forced to use them due to a customers request for budget reasons. And don't ever use universal anything. Ever.

You can do brakes yourself cheaper. But its dirty and time consuming. Most won't. Also make sure you turn or replace the rotors. Pad slapping is inappropriate and unprofessional. Unless you liked warped rotors, pitting, and noisey brakes..

Brake fluid is actually a common requirement as we are now noticing abs units are failing when not changed. The abs system needs to be able to operate at a very fast pace in the time of an accident. Nissan actually received a wrongful death lawsuit 3 years ago for not suggesting it.

Timing covers on most cars require the engine and sub frame to drop. Not to mention you would be a fool to not replace timing shoes, guides, and tensioners while doing it. Which they might of added into that quote.

Get a second opinion by someone you trust. But just because they are telling you things wrong with your car doesn't make them bad people.

In fact what would happen if they didn't tell you and it was the result of something happening? They are doing their job and being professional by informing you of your cars needs. If you don't like it, find somewhere else that follows your unprofessional standards.

And for taking advantage of women. Maybe you should tighten your leash if you wanna act like that. But most women are capable of making their own decisions. If they do you wrong, find somewhere else. But money isn't made off of one attempt. Its repeat customers where the money is at.


Most of you guys remind me of a guy recently. Came in for his free first oil change on a 2015. Refused to have us do a secondary hood latch recall because he doesn't like people doing unnecessary work on his vehicle. Had him sign a waiver after 15 minutes of arguing. Came back in 2 weeks later hood latch didn't hold because we didn't make the necessary adjustments per the recall. Guess who has to pay to have the repair done? Him.


-10 years in the service industry 4 years for a "stealership".

Oh the guy that works at the honest dealership putting down both the consumer and mom and pop shops. Sounds like a personal agenda to me.

 

[Noo]

People who think dealerships are stealerships typically don't know anything about cars or are an enthusiast elitist. If you want it done right you pay for it. Every time someome tries to go get mom and pop to do it cheaper they are back in 6 months asking me to do it right.

Aftermarket parts last 1/3 the time until second repair. I hate any time we are forced to use them due to a customers request for budget reasons. And don't ever use universal anything. Ever.

You can do brakes yourself cheaper. But its dirty and time consuming. Most won't. Also make sure you turn or replace the rotors. Pad slapping is inappropriate and unprofessional. Unless you liked warped rotors, pitting, and noisey brakes..

Brake fluid is actually a common requirement as we are now noticing abs units are failing when not changed. The abs system needs to be able to operate at a very fast pace in the time of an accident. Nissan actually received a wrongful death lawsuit 3 years ago for not suggesting it.

Timing covers on most cars require the engine and sub frame to drop. Not to mention you would be a fool to not replace timing shoes, guides, and tensioners while doing it. Which they might of added into that quote.

Get a second opinion by someone you trust. But just because they are telling you things wrong with your car doesn't make them bad people.

In fact what would happen if they didn't tell you and it was the result of something happening? They are doing their job and being professional by informing you of your cars needs. If you don't like it, find somewhere else that follows your unprofessional standards.

And for taking advantage of women. Maybe you should tighten your leash if you wanna act like that. But most women are capable of making their own decisions. If they do you wrong, find somewhere else. But money isn't made off of one attempt. Its repeat customers where the money is at.


Most of you guys remind me of a guy recently. Came in for his free first oil change on a 2015. Refused to have us do a secondary hood latch recall because he doesn't like people doing unnecessary work on his vehicle. Had him sign a waiver after 15 minutes of arguing. Came back in 2 weeks later hood latch didn't hold because we didn't make the necessary adjustments per the recall. Guess who has to pay to have the repair done? Him.


-10 years in the service industry 4 years for a "stealership".

Please give me a counter argument in this situation and many more like it.

1 year old Honda Pilot with 25k miles, Took the vehicle in to your notstealership for an oil change. After an hour and a half, the service writer came out with his "checklist." I thought heck, 1 hour and 1/2 is meh for an oil change. Instead, he told me the brakes are dangerously low, air and cabin filter is very dirty, vehicle needs transmission fluid flush, coolant and differential fluid replacement.

Grand total of $1500 for all service and parts. For a one year old vehicle with only 25k miles. I laughed and said no thanks to which he replied...ok we'll do the oil change. Wasted hour and a half and they didn't do jack shit yet and proposed a $1500 bullshit required maintenance?

After the oil change, I went home and replaced air and cabin filter myself. They weren't even that dirty to begin with but since I already bought the filters, why not. Not a single damn thing was wrong with the brakes and the vehicle went close to 80k miles on the original brakes. Anyway, back to the story.

Took the vehicle for an oil change again at around 30k something miles. The assclown came out and gave me the same spill on how my cabin and air filter is extremely dirty, coolant needs replacement, transmission and differential fluids needs replacement. Brakes are okay according to him...this time. Grand total? $600 for recommended service.

I told him that's really shocking to have the air and cabin filter needing replacement after I already replaced it myself last month.

If anyone who doesn't have a clue about cars, they would have been ripped off by these assclowns.

GTFO with your bullshit. There's a reason why they're called stealerships and car mechanics consistently ranked the lowest of the low in term of being trustworthy across the nation.

 

[Yuriman]

Maybe I live near the only honest dealership on the planet, or maybe they don't even try to bullshit me when they see my car. Either way, I'm actually fairly comfortable taking it in to them when there's a special on oil changes.

 

[CurrentlyPissed]

Please give me a counter argument in this situation and many more like it.

1 year old Honda Pilot with 25k miles, Took the vehicle in to your notstealership for an oil change. After an hour and a half, the service writer came out with his "checklist." I thought heck, 1 hour and 1/2 is meh for an oil change. Instead, he told me the brakes are dangerously low, air and cabin filter is very dirty, vehicle needs transmission fluid flush, coolant and differential fluid replacement.

Grand total of $1500 for all service and parts. For a one year old vehicle with only 25k miles. I laughed and said no thanks to which he replied...ok we'll do the oil change. Wasted hour and a half and they didn't do jack shit yet and proposed a $1500 bullshit required maintenance?

After the oil change, I went home and replaced air and cabin filter myself. They weren't even that dirty to begin with but since I already bought the filters, why not. Not a single damn thing was wrong with the brakes and the vehicle went close to 80k miles on the original brakes. Anyway, back to the story.

Took the vehicle for an oil change again at around 30k something miles. The assclown came out and gave me the same spill on how my cabin and air filter is extremely dirty, coolant needs replacement, transmission and differential fluids needs replacement. Brakes are okay according to him...this time. Grand total? $600 for recommended service.

I told him that's really shocking to have the air and cabin filter needing replacement after I already replaced it myself last month.

If anyone who doesn't have a clue about cars, they would have been ripped off by these assclowns.

GTFO with your bullshit. There's a reason why they're called stealerships and car mechanics consistently ranked the lowest of the low in term of being trustworthy across the nation.

Most dealerships recommend off intervals not condition of fluids or filters. Reason being is because we don't know if you had jiffy lube or yourself change anything. And going off of fluid condition is considered a pressure tactic. You can change fluid but within miles that fluid will be dirty already.

Most don't pull the cabin because it requires work to pull and check. Some are extremely difficult. So to pull it and check it to hear a no isn't appeasing to a flat rate technician. So instead its off intervals. Most cabin filters are dirty and manufacturer recommendation is 15000 miles.

Brakes does seem a little iffy at 25k miles but I don't know too much about Honda's.

Obviously not everyone is honest. But not everyone isn't as well. Which is why I said receive a second opinion and find somewhere you trust.

As for a 1.5hr oil change. No idea. We have express and if it takes more than an hour your oil change is free.

 

[BUTCH1]

Maybe I live near the only honest dealership on the planet, or maybe they don't even try to bullshit me when they see my car. Either way, I'm actually fairly comfortable taking it in to them when there's a special on oil changes.

Mine overfilled my car by a full quart, had to bring it back. When the warranty period was over I started doing them myself, the drain-plug was on so tight I needed to put the car on jack-stands to gain clearance to use a breaker-bar to get it off, probably close to 100 ft/lbs of torque on it, I was pissed!.

 

[yottabit]

People who think dealerships are stealerships typically don't know anything about cars or are an enthusiast elitist.

There are definitely good dealerships and bad dealerships

I was really happy with my local Toyota dealership so after moving decided to try the dealership in the new area

Granted I went to their "Express Service" which was open on the weekend and although it was attached to the dealership I'm not sure if it was the same management

First off the oil change was about $85 (for conventional) instead of the normal ~$40 I was used to

The kicker is that the guy measures the battery and tells me that it has 0 Cold Cranking Amps and I should definitely replace it, and he can put in a new one for $120. I proceeded to ask him if maybe they just didn't get a good connection measuring it. He says they definitely measured it and it has 0 Cold Cranking amps and it's supposed to have ~500

SO I start asking him if he knows what Amps actually are, and the fact that if what he is saying is true the car shouldn't be able to start (meanwhile- no joke- they start the car up just fine in the bay while this is going on). I tell him it's much more likely they just didn't get a good connection testing it and the battery is fine

How does he respond? Starts dropping the price on the battery. $110. $90. What a joke

I changed the battery 2 years later with a Costco one for $70. Not because it died but it was just 7 years old at that point.

 

[BUTCH1]

There are definitely good dealerships and bad dealerships

I was really happy with my local Toyota dealership so after moving decided to try the dealership in the new area

Granted I went to their "Express Service" which was open on the weekend and although it was attached to the dealership I'm not sure if it was the same management

First off the oil change was about $85 (for conventional) instead of the normal ~$40 I was used to

The kicker is that the guy measures the battery and tells me that it has 0 Cold Cranking Amps and I should definitely replace it, and he can put in a new one for $120. I proceeded to ask him if maybe they just didn't get a good connection measuring it. He says they definitely measured it and it has 0 Cold Cranking amps and it's supposed to have ~500

SO I start asking him if he knows what Amps actually are, and the fact that if what he is saying is true the car shouldn't be able to start (meanwhile- no joke- they start the car up just fine in the bay while this is going on). I tell him it's much more likely they just didn't get a good connection testing it and the battery is fine

How does he respond? Starts dropping the price on the battery. $110. $90. What a joke

I changed the battery 2 years later with a Costco one for $70. Not because it died but it was just 7 years old at that point.

"Step away from the battery machine" LOL, 0 CCA, that would mean you have no battery!.

 

[silicon]

The car is actually running great. However, wife kind of believes all these problems might be true and didn't want anything to happen. She worries a lot, I admit, especially if they were being told by 'professionals'.

Here is a suggestion....have an independent mechanic look at the car if there are any honest garages in your area. Women tend to panic when they are told "there are problems" and my wife was like that also. some of that you mifght check yourself like the transmission fluid....is it black?

 

[silicon]

Most Toyo dealers have $99 specials for front brake pads...but that doesn't include rotors (new or turned if needed), or all the bits and pieces (pins, shims and rubber boots you should replace on a 10+ yr old car). High quality parts alone will cost $75-100 retail.....I know...I just had my 05 Camry front pads (and bits and pieces) replaced....

All fluids should be replaced in a car 10+ yr old car.

never needed to replace the transmission fluid in my 16 year old honda...still good after all those years.

 

[exar333]

Most dealerships recommend off intervals not condition of fluids or filters. Reason being is because we don't know if you had jiffy lube or yourself change anything. And going off of fluid condition is considered a pressure tactic. You can change fluid but within miles that fluid will be dirty already.

Most don't pull the cabin because it requires work to pull and check. Some are extremely difficult. So to pull it and check it to hear a no isn't appeasing to a flat rate technician. So instead its off intervals. Most cabin filters are dirty and manufacturer recommendation is 15000 miles.

Brakes does seem a little iffy at 25k miles but I don't know too much about Honda's.

Obviously not everyone is honest. But not everyone isn't as well. Which is why I said receive a second opinion and find somewhere you trust.

As for a 1.5hr oil change. No idea. We have express and if it takes more than an hour your oil change is free.

This is exactly what is wrong with dealerships then. Hey, I like my Subaru dealership, and they have treated me pretty well, but suggesting replacement simply based on 'intervals' is silly.

If I just changed my cabin filter, and they suggest replacing it on my next visit, I would definitely lose trust with the person talking to me. If they told me they 'really didn't check it and are just going by intervals' then even more trust lost. If they can't even be bothered to see if it DOES need to be replaced, then they don't need my money.

 

[skyking]

Nice tool but @ $40 kinda pricy, I'll stick with the slice and channel-lock pliers method although with some cars having plastic fittings you have to exercise a little care.

I probably paid $5 for it in 1977.

 

[Torn Mind]

Repairmen don't like it when customers steal their low-hanging fruit like cabin air filters and fluid changes. Then they go on elitist rants of how special they because they can do these small tasks right. But hey, I can pay hundreds to get the torque specs from the service manual too.

 

[jlee]

This is exactly what is wrong with dealerships then. Hey, I like my Subaru dealership, and they have treated me pretty well, but suggesting replacement simply based on 'intervals' is silly.

If I just changed my cabin filter, and they suggest replacing it on my next visit, I would definitely lose trust with the person talking to me. If they told me they 'really didn't check it and are just going by intervals' then even more trust lost. If they can't even be bothered to see if it DOES need to be replaced, then they don't need my money.

I haven't had anything with a cabin filter to change, but if it's a PITA to do it I could certainly see them going by intervals. Hell, I would -- no way would I spend an hour to check a $15 filter and then not replace it anyway while I was in there.

If it's 30 seconds, then sure.

 

[Torn Mind]

It is all about knowledge, and mechanics are a sensitive bunch when the customers know more about cars than the customers of previous eras. The knowledge gap is not so wide compared to the 50s, and persuasive sophistry would convince the ignorant to fall for the upsell, especially the wimmin.

 

[Squeetard]

So to pull it and check it to hear a no isn't appeasing to a flat rate technician.

and this is why dealerships suck. Flat rate technicians. I will not ever get a flat rate tech to touch my vehicle.