Great info, I put brakes on my car myself. My wife took it in to a dealership and they told her they needed new brakes. I drove it back and asked him if that was correct. They said yes I said I put them on last week and they’re brand new we had the wrong car.
Here is my story. Not really maintenance-related, but could have ended up costing me hundreds of dollars--if not more--in repairs. This was about 30 years ago. I was visiting my parents who lived in a small town in the Upper Peninsula. When it was time for me to leave, I stopped at the only gas station in town. At that time gas stations were still full service. So the attendant put the nozzle in then asked me if I wanted him to check the oil. Since this was an older car and I had a 600-mile trip ahead of me, I said sure. So he checked the oil and said, "You're down a quart." Well, that sounded reasonable to me, since I knew this car pretty well, so I told him to go ahead and put it in. Now here's where things got real strange real quick. He said, , "I don't understand it. Says it's down a quart but it only took a half quart. I'll go get my boss." Boss comes out and says, "That's cause you put it in the automatic transmission." That's when I got out of the car and said, "Where the hell did you put that oil? Because this is a stick shift and you cannot reach the transmission from the engine compartment, you have to put it on a hoist!" Turns out he put the oil in the Power Steering which was clearly marked as such. Ooh did I see red then. I said you'd better get that oil out of there and get it out right quick. My father and my uncle just live up the road and if I have to walk back to their house you aren't going to like it none when they come back down here. Well, they managed to get the oil out and refill the power steering and put the oil where it was supposed to have gone in the first place. Adding insult to injury, the boss turns to me and says, "What kind of car is this anyway?" A 1979 Ford Mustang. Anyway when my dad heard about it he said, "We never go to that gas station, we go down the road to the Indian Reservation and get gas there because it's cheaper." Thanks for not warning me, Dad. Oh, and guess where they advertised for mechanics? Apply at the Greenlight Bar. I saw the ad in the Houghton Mining Gazette the next time I was up there. That figures. But after that, any time that hood got popped, I was right there watching!
Ugh! I remember those gas station guys. What a mess that would have been if you started on your trip. I’m not sure what would have happened, but it wouldn’t have been good!
@@SilverSurvival Yes, fortunately no harm done. Then there was the time I was looking for a car, and I had a certain car in mind. My friend and I went to a dealership where they had two cars like the one I was looking for. Well, one of them had the hood up and a couple of mechanics with very serious expressions. So we went with the other car. When we brought it back, the dealer said, why don't you try the other car? At that point one of the mechanics came in and said, "We've tried everything, and the SOB just won't start." I said to the dealer, even if they could get it started, how do you know that once I get it home I won't have the same problem? So, no sale there!
Yes! I enjoyed your video. I took my car in for a problem and yep…they said I needed all these flushes. I called my brother in law and he said “did they fix the problem?”. I said yes, and he told to to pay and get the heck out of there! I did. I can’t remember what problem I had, but that guy was talking around 2k of “issues” I have. I haven’t had a problem since. I’m a women and 71 years old
All solid advice! I never can understand why someone would take their vehicle to walmart for service. But then, if you ever watch any of those "Just Rolled In" "customer states" videos, there are a lot of drivers who really don't have their priorities straight.
While in high school I worked in a full service gas station and naturally did the oil changes and other minor service on my Dad's car. We took it on a trip and when stopped for gas the attendant checked the oil and told my Dad that it was quart low. I stopped him from adding the quart because I had just checked it before we started the trip. Needless to say we never stopped there again.
Ridiculous to risk losing a longtime customer over a .50 cent profit! Not to mention overfilling the oil, can cause the crankshaft to froth the oil in the pan, and potentially ruin the engine way early.
Shortly after my divorce my car broke down so I had it taken to a mechanic my best friend recommended and then it promptly broke down once every 6 months. By that time I was heavily in debt because the garage took credit or cash and nothing else. I was pretty POd after the 3rd time let alone by the 6 time I told them they must be doing something to my car to make it last just enough aka a month and if i had to come back again it would be the last time. I got a different car and sold the car that broke down so much. I know a lot of mechanics like to rip off the ladies more than the guys and it doesnt matter the age. Thanks for the great advice too on mechanics as well and where to take your car for various things.
Yeah, some are honest, some are skilled, some are stuck in a bad job, where the actual business practices are unethical. It’s definitely best to break that relationship as soon as you lose trust in the garage. Thanks for watching.
YES! My Mother in Law! Her power steering rack was “leaking” and he said he couldn’t let her drive it that way. She called me, and I met her at the garage. It had an oil stain (not even a drop) on one of the hoses. We left. She still swore by that crook, all her life.
Great info, I put brakes on my car myself. My wife took it in to a dealership and they told her they needed new brakes. I drove it back and asked him if that was correct. They said yes I said I put them on last week and they’re brand new we had the wrong car.
Here is my story. Not really maintenance-related, but could have ended up costing me hundreds of dollars--if not more--in repairs. This was about 30 years ago. I was visiting my parents who lived in a small town in the Upper Peninsula. When it was time for me to leave, I stopped at the only gas station in town. At that time gas stations were still full service. So the attendant put the nozzle in then asked me if I wanted him to check the oil. Since this was an older car and I had a 600-mile trip ahead of me, I said sure. So he checked the oil and said, "You're down a quart." Well, that sounded reasonable to me, since I knew this car pretty well, so I told him to go ahead and put it in. Now here's where things got real strange real quick. He said, , "I don't understand it. Says it's down a quart but it only took a half quart. I'll go get my boss." Boss comes out and says, "That's cause you put it in the automatic transmission." That's when I got out of the car and said, "Where the hell did you put that oil? Because this is a stick shift and you cannot reach the transmission from the engine compartment, you have to put it on a hoist!" Turns out he put the oil in the Power Steering which was clearly marked as such. Ooh did I see red then. I said you'd better get that oil out of there and get it out right quick. My father and my uncle just live up the road and if I have to walk back to their house you aren't going to like it none when they come back down here. Well, they managed to get the oil out and refill the power steering and put the oil where it was supposed to have gone in the first place. Adding insult to injury, the boss turns to me and says, "What kind of car is this anyway?" A 1979 Ford Mustang. Anyway when my dad heard about it he said, "We never go to that gas station, we go down the road to the Indian Reservation and get gas there because it's cheaper." Thanks for not warning me, Dad. Oh, and guess where they advertised for mechanics? Apply at the Greenlight Bar. I saw the ad in the Houghton Mining Gazette the next time I was up there. That figures. But after that, any time that hood got popped, I was right there watching!
Ugh! I remember those gas station guys. What a mess that would have been if you started on your trip. I’m not sure what would have happened, but it wouldn’t have been good!
@@SilverSurvival Yes, fortunately no harm done. Then there was the time I was looking for a car, and I had a certain car in mind. My friend and I went to a dealership where they had two cars like the one I was looking for. Well, one of them had the hood up and a couple of mechanics with very serious expressions. So we went with the other car. When we brought it back, the dealer said, why don't you try the other car? At that point one of the mechanics came in and said, "We've tried everything, and the SOB just won't start." I said to the dealer, even if they could get it started, how do you know that once I get it home I won't have the same problem? So, no sale there!
Yes! I enjoyed your video. I took my car in for a problem and yep…they said I needed all these flushes. I called my brother in law and he said “did they fix the problem?”. I said yes, and he told to to pay and get the heck out of there! I did. I can’t remember what problem I had, but that guy was talking around 2k of “issues” I have. I haven’t had a problem since. I’m a women and 71 years old
That’s the game they play! Get your car in for a simple oil change, do a FREE inspection, and drum up thousands of dollars in unneeded repairs.
All solid advice! I never can understand why someone would take their vehicle to walmart for service. But then, if you ever watch any of those "Just Rolled In" "customer states" videos, there are a lot of drivers who really don't have their priorities straight.
That’s a fact! It’s so easy to find a reputable independent mechanic. Just look for the full lots, with “current” license plates.
While in high school I worked in a full service gas station and naturally did the oil changes and other minor service on my Dad's car. We took it on a trip and when stopped for gas the attendant checked the oil and told my Dad that it was quart low. I stopped him from adding the quart because I had just checked it before we started the trip. Needless to say we never stopped there again.
Ridiculous to risk losing a longtime customer over a .50 cent profit! Not to mention overfilling the oil, can cause the crankshaft to froth the oil in the pan, and potentially ruin the engine way early.
Shortly after my divorce my car broke down so I had it taken to a mechanic my best friend recommended and then it promptly broke down once every 6 months. By that time I was heavily in debt because the garage took credit or cash and nothing else. I was pretty POd after the 3rd time let alone by the 6 time I told them they must be doing something to my car to make it last just enough aka a month and if i had to come back again it would be the last time. I got a different car and sold the car that broke down so much. I know a lot of mechanics like to rip off the ladies more than the guys and it doesnt matter the age. Thanks for the great advice too on mechanics as well and where to take your car for various things.
Yeah, some are honest, some are skilled, some are stuck in a bad job, where the actual business practices are unethical. It’s definitely best to break that relationship as soon as you lose trust in the garage. Thanks for watching.
Ok has anyone ever had the service technician or manager tell you your car needs this and that done,, I can’t let you drive it until it’s repaired??!
YES! My Mother in Law! Her power steering rack was “leaking” and he said he couldn’t let her drive it that way. She called me, and I met her at the garage. It had an oil stain (not even a drop) on one of the hoses. We left. She still swore by that crook, all her life.
I’m from Missouri too.
Nice to meet you! Thanks for watching.
Many mechanics try to take advantage of women and seniors. It's a shame
Indeed it is. A skilled mechanic has more work than he can handle, without lying and cheating.