Had car work done today
- Thread starter kneifl
- Start date
thanks, i'll get mine done at the shop
I forgot.... you also need at the minimum a lugwrench. But much easier with an impact gun and torque sockets... oh you need an air compressor to run that though.
Jack... most "reputable" shops offer FREE rotation with engine services or state inspections. It takes about 3 or 4 minutes to rotate tires when equipped properly. Or...if its a nascar pit stop it takes about 13 seconds.
No doubt Kneifl and his engineer buddy can do that.
(dont get pissed off Kneifl I'm having fun now)
Good posts sprint.
I don't think some people are aware of how tricky bleeding brake or coolant systems can be.It's not a simple process and a mistake can be critical. I have a great mechanic and while I do the simple stuff, I'm more than happy to let him handle the rest. It's money well spent.
I don't think some people are aware of how tricky bleeding brake or coolant systems can be.It's not a simple process and a mistake can be critical. I have a great mechanic and while I do the simple stuff, I'm more than happy to let him handle the rest. It's money well spent.
- Apr 28, 2006
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This is a funny thread. Now that we have a mechanic on board, may I ask a question? How often do you REALLY need to do flushes - radiator, transmission, etc...
Would love to know the honest answer.
I always buy my tires at Discount Tire and they rotate for free.
I can't tell begin to tell you how dishonest the dealerships are in Texas. My O2 sensor had slipped from where it normally resides and they tried to sell me on like $2000 repair work to move the seized sensor. Then, they tried to scare me by telling me that it wouldn't pass inspection. The stupid check engine light goes on and off and I just get it inspected when it's off. Every time I take it in for maintenance they try to fool me with this one. It's quite funny, honestly. Sad, though, that so many folks get taken. I'm sure there are good, honest mechanics like you PA, because I've never met one in Texas. And the reason people have the attitude they do is because it seems like 90% of mechanics screw you over, giving them all a bad name - kinda like lawyers, lol.
And by the way, directional tires rotate much different than conventional tires. Not all tires rotate to the opp. corner.
It's not tricky you just have to know what you're doing and have the right tools.
The tricky part is when people come in and tell you what is wrong when they don't have a clue.
I have a feeling that the fine author of this thread would find it tricky.That is what I meant, for a first timer
Not at all, would have rotated the tires myself - know how to do it. I just don't have the tools. I don't have a good jack, just the shitty one the car came with. My car got a flat about a week ago, no problems fixing it had the shitty jack the spare and the plug kit in the trunk. Kept the spare on for a day and then got air and problem solved.
kneifl
LOL! An O2 sensor does not "slip" I can only assume that the sensor bung (yes the thingy the o2 sensor screws into is called a bung) rusted away and the sensor came out. Are you driving a Toyota by chance? Common with those. Anyway... they just want to sell you the entire exhaust system because its easier to "replace" everything than to fix what is there. Even so... 2 grand to fix your exhaust is robbery. And most dealerships are indeed looking for maximum profit...not caring about the consumer.
When I got out of college, I worked at a dealer for 2 years before getting into buisness for myself. The owner of the dealerships motto was and I quote "Look guys... people arent going to walk in here and throw their money at us.... we have to reach in their pocket and take it!"
- Apr 28, 2006
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Ding, Ding! Yes, I drive a Toyota. The reason I drive a Toyota is because you never have any problems!!! That was MY terminology..."slipped". Whatever they told me was like 4 years ago. I did a bunch of research on it thereafter and concluded they were full of it. I did get the guy to grudgingly admit that it would drive fine without addressing it. That's when they tried the inspection bit. So, every time I take it in (just had the brakes changed for the first and only time) they try that ruse. It drive me nuts to think how many people just pay for shit without getting a second opinion.
Thank you for your response, I really appreciate it. I do pretty much exactly what you said to do. All I ever do is oil changes and change tires, pretty much. Most women are afraid of "safety" issues so they try to sell women services based on that. It's just funny. The guys down here say the mechanics try the same stuff with them. I don't mind paying anyone the going price for what truly needs to be done - but that's it - figuring out what ACTUALLY needs to be done is the hard part.
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Kelly, don't go back to the dealer unless it's warranty work. Find a small reputable repair service that someone recommends. Those are the guys that are honest. remember though that they also have to make a living.
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Morris, that's the problem. I don't know anyone who recommends anyone! The reason I have all the experience with the dealerships is because a moron hit my parked car back when it had 8,000 miles on it. It took MONTHS to get it fixed correctly, an absolute nightmare.
Texas is a notoriously strong "big business" state and protects them at virtually all costs. We finally got the DTPA (Deceptive Trade Practices Act) enacted so that the consumer had some rights...
I only took my car to the dealership this time because the service manager hooked me up on a decent deal for my brakes - I've dealt with him before (we had a very frank conversation about Texas dealerships and how unhappy I was) and he's ok - not to say I'd trust him on anything else, really.
(The "that's it" comment was modifying how hard it it to figure out what actually needs to be done - not saying "that's it" towards what I'd pay. I accept they have to make money, lol)
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Thank you for the positvie input to this discussion Tramp....kinda like your contributions in the political forum.
Kelly, talk to your friends... find a local shop that people use and trust. Word of mouth is the best way to find a reputable place to do buisness.
so dont you think that part of the high cost associated with car mechanics is having, maintaining, and storing all those proper tools for the job?
if you need an alignment, are you going to go shell out 10 k for the alignment machine/computer to use it 3 times in your life?
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