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321 Comments
- inactive, on 05/07/2008, -0/+124We need to refill the halogen and the blinker fluids. All your tires are in the wrong places, the front is at the back and the left is on the right. We also need to install a 2nd transmission as a back-up.
- inactive, on 05/07/2008, -1/+100I am a mechanic. I am honest with my customers. I don't know how some of the places around me stay in business, you'd think bad word would spread quickly about a shop, considering the seriousness of the work involved. I don't think doctors get off so easy.
- gtluke, on 05/07/2008, -2/+74i was a mechanic for 9.5 years.
my addition is basically you never have to change your coolant/antifreeze. it lasts a long time, and 98% of the time you'll have a water pump/radiator/hose blow, which requires the draining and filling of your coolant. this will almost always happen before your antifreeze ever goes "bad"
please ignore me if you live in like alaska, where coolant freezing temps are critical
oh, and never buy fram oil filters. they are the worst ones on the market yet they have convinced the country that they are a better product. stick with wix or purolator. a great deal is the motorcraft filters at walmart, they are reboxed purolators. napa gold filters are reboxed wix, also a great deal. - MassMopar, on 05/07/2008, -0/+66Cars are like computers. They seem complicated but they're really not once you spend a small amount of effort to learn. There will always be some things that you won't be able to do yourself if you don't have the proper equipment, but the vast majority of maintenance your car needs can be done at home for cheap. If you're not paying for someone else's labor and markup on cheap parts, you can do it yourself, use the expensive, made-in-America part, and still come out cheaper. You should always do your own oil changes, even if it's "only 20 bucks" to get it done at the local jiffy-lube. Too many horror stories about stripped drain plugs to count, and they fill your engine back up with the cheapest bulk oil money can buy. Find a message board about your make/model online and keep tabs on when (what mileage) major things need to be replaced, and how much they should cost, and you won't be surprised. Hell you might even learn how to do it yourself and save a few hundred.
- granolajoe, on 05/07/2008, -4/+65We just did the transmission flush on our car recently. That sucks :(
- BobsYourUncle, on 05/07/2008, -1/+43The problem is I don't know an honest one from a crook. I bring my car to a mechanic because I don't know cars. Just like he doesn't do what I do. Everyone has their strengths; cars aren't mine. It's hard to second-guess what you're not confident about to begin with.
- deceiver117, on 05/07/2008, -6/+36I have a friend that is an Autoshop teacher who specializes in transmissions, particularly rebuilding automatic transmissions with planetary gearsets (which is most transmissions minus those found in hondas and in some newer cars). He told me that in automatic transmissions that are daily drivers, the fluid should NOT be changed, ever! The fluid with time gets filled with shavings and dust from the submerged clutchpack and keeps the shifting smooth. He said just take a peek at your fluid every so often, about every time you change your oil, make sure the level stays consistant over time(check with the motor on so that the torque converter/hydro pump is circulating) and that the fluid is pinkish. Once it goes brown, that's when you know your transmission burned out. Also, having rebuilt 700R4 transmissions, I can definitely support his claim.
- deadsenator, on 05/07/2008, -1/+29A piece of electrical tape over the light would have been even cheaper!
- BobsYourUncle, on 05/07/2008, -6/+33If you own and use a PC you should know enough to write your own programs. Seriously, people specialize for a reason. It just so happens mechanics can be crooks too.
- Stochio, on 05/07/2008, -0/+27If you own and use a body, you should know enough about it. At least enough not to get screwed blindly by a doctor.
- luke374, on 05/07/2008, -0/+27I took my car into a sun devil auto yesterday because the engine light was on. They wanted to charge me over $1000. So I called the dealer I bought the car from a month ago, and he just fixed it today at cost for $60. Success!
- Serveck, on 05/07/2008, -1/+26this is why i do my own work on my cars, as a technically inclined person i have learned a ton by just picking up a wrench and a diagram, a hell of a lot cheaper too.
- logan074, on 05/07/2008, -0/+24Screw brakes. They only slow you down.
- psykiv, on 05/07/2008, -1/+25On some things, it's OK to skimp on. BRAKES ARE NOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SKIMP ON.
- redtaboo, on 05/07/2008, -0/+25Don't forget the muffler bearings
- boostfiend, on 05/07/2008, -0/+24Since I ran an independent German repair shop for five years I'll let eveyone on this thread in on a little trade secret: automotive repair shops produce money from part profits. I never minded explaining this to a customer and our shop would gladly use carry-in parts for an additional cost. Anytime someone would describe that as shady I would tell them to bring a steak from the supermarket to Outback Steakhouse and ask them to cook it because you found it a little cheaper.
- psykiv, on 05/07/2008, -7/+29Buried as inaccurate. No mention of headlight fluid.
- youri, on 05/07/2008, -4/+26They're actually wrong on that. Entire transmission flush is the only way to replace all the tranny fluid unless you're going to waste your time and fluid with drain-and-fill. I guess you might not want to do a flush on a high mileage car as it may make it even worse as you risk dislodging sludge and such. It only costs about $120 to do anyway.
- ladn3k, on 05/07/2008, -1/+22ask them how the tiny unicorn got into and poked holes in the exhaust.
- deviantsteve, on 05/07/2008, -2/+22Because anyone could do your job?
- chevyorange, on 05/07/2008, -3/+22I think the "flush" they're talking about is when they mechanics don't actually take the pan off and change the filter. The "bad flush" is when they just hook a machine up to the lines to flush the system. This is bad because your old trans filter is still used in the car, the same as changing your oil but not the oil filter.
- deceiver117, on 05/07/2008, -0/+18There is such a thing as a transmission fluid filter ;)
It is just not in plain view, its inside the transmission as soon as you remove the pan. They are odd-shaped and rectangular unlike the typical engine oil filter. - miket, on 05/07/2008, -2/+20They may not recommend a flush, but they DO recommend a drain and fill
- schnikies79, on 05/07/2008, -0/+17Good advice. I worked as a mechanic for the the first two years of college.
#13 is one of the best pieces of advice. If they get the parts from Autozone (outside of name brands, like Monroe), move on. Yes it has a lifetime warranty, but if you have to change it 4 times, is it really a better value? - inactive, on 05/07/2008, -1/+18I you have a car, you should spend some time to try to learn about the vehicle that you:
A) owe money on that depreciates
B) spend several hours a week in
C) Depend on for transportation and try to make a living
Pilots of aircraft will know about oil levels, magnetos, fuel, and weight and balance (among other things), and engine sounds before they take off.
At the very least, you should know your tire pressure and check it, and know what type of oil and how much and check that regularly. - dupeduperson, on 05/07/2008, -0/+16When I go to a mechanic, I know what a person that brings their computer to Geek Squad must feel like.
Geek Squad: "looks like a bad hard drive. You are going to need the drive replaced, our special reinstall service and data transfer service."
Mechanic: "looks like a bad compression cuff on your transmission....You will need a replace that, flush the transmission fluid and clean all the bugs off the window."
I really have no clue if the mechanic is lying or not. I guess I should start studying cars. - namelessXsilent, on 05/07/2008, -0/+16they could probably give me my car back the same way i brought it in and i MAY not even notice it
- nnorton00, on 05/07/2008, -0/+159. "Beware of a mechanic who shows you a transmission pan with metal particles in it, and recommends a major job. The shavings are usually a sign of normal wear."
good list for people who don't really know whats going on. Numbers 1, 2, 4, 11 and 13 are very key points. On top of #9 though I've heard of mechanics actually taking metal shavings from brake rotor jobs and putting it in the tranny pan and then telling their customers that they need an overhaul. - centran, on 05/07/2008, -2/+18Don't buy parts online and then bring them to the mechanic to fix your car with.
They HATE that. :)
I just did that to my mechanic. Hey!, I saved a $300 on parts and everything expect the water pump was made by the same manufacture that made the OEM parts. They just didn't say genuine volvo... but the same damn people make the "generic" and genuine parts. - schnikies79, on 05/07/2008, -1/+15No such thing as a transmission fluid-filter? Like deveiver117 said, it's a flat filter inside the transmission pan. Manual transmissions normally don't have a filter but all automatics do.
Please never work on your car. Thanks. - bhavinp, on 05/07/2008, -1/+15Don't be so cocky. Not everyone is an expert, as a mechanic YOU should know that. Some of the things on this list are not so obvious to an everyday person. I got scammed by the transmission thing myself, still dont know if its true or not.
- Sagags, on 05/07/2008, -0/+13he is referring to this video (not a rick roll you can bury me in infinity if it is)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FefIzya7fw - Abomonog, on 05/07/2008, -0/+13We actually hate people who bring in their own parts. We can't guarantee the parts if the customers bring them in so to avoid any possible arguments we also cannot guarantee the work. So basically if you bring a part in and we install it and it fails you're going to have to pay for a new part and installation again. This makes customers unhappy and so...
- antonio97b, on 05/07/2008, -1/+14Actually, the tire issue is a common issue. If you have directional wheels (angled spokes) and non symmertical tire tread, it can become an issue. Not many people want to reseat a couple of pairs of tires.
- burnstyle, on 05/07/2008, -0/+11because stopping isnt your main concern?
- usafdave, on 05/07/2008, -1/+12It's part of the deal. Would you buy steaks at the grocery store, take them to Shenanigans, hand them to your waiter and ask for them back medium rare?
Work on your own car if you want to buy your own replacement parts. - DeathJux, on 05/07/2008, -0/+11This is the sort of insider, or expert, knowledge that is valuable and difficult to find. Thanks.
- ChildeRoland420, on 05/07/2008, -0/+11The mechanics I know will definitely check fuses if it's a problem that can be caused by a bad fuse (which is not common).
- KillSudo, on 05/07/2008, -0/+11You obviously seem to overlook how much specialty different vehicles carry. Mechanics go to trade school just like electricians and plumbers and you need a damn good understanding of car electronics and how to read diagrams. You need to know how to efficiently work on cars just like dentists otherwise you won't make money.
- DeathJux, on 05/07/2008, -1/+11I've always wondered how much mechanics *actually* hate this. I would presume most of them don't own shares of the shop, so don't really care how much money it makes, and thus wouldn't care that much, as they get paid either way.
I'm a computer technician, and I am never annoyed if people buy their own hard drive elsewhere to be installed in the machine. - deadsenator, on 05/07/2008, -0/+10Except that it leaks petroleum products wherever it goes. That isn't cool.
It depends on where the leak is. It might be in the steering box (seal), the lines, or the reservoir/pump. Go buy a $20 manual and fix it yourself. If it's not the pump, the fix should be cheap. - powerhouse, on 05/07/2008, -0/+11This is for my tranny, Why would the manufacturer lie? I'm pretty sure I will just stick with the recommended maintenance.
Transmission Fluid quantity Fluid & filter
42RE 4-6 qts. (service)
9.5-10 qts. (overhaul)
Mopar® ATF +4, type 9602
Primary Filter (internal, flat):
P/N 52118789
($14.35 MSRP)
(also adjust bands) Interval A 100,000 mi. Interval B 30,000 mi. - inactive, on 05/07/2008, -0/+10It makes you wonder how water can get into the exhaust. If you have white smoke coming out of the exhaust it usually means a cracked head. It could be a gasket on the intake but most mechanics will tell you the same thing.
- DeathJux, on 05/07/2008, -0/+10Only if your time is worth less to you than what you'd spend to have someone else do it, or you value the knowledge gained more than the time spent.
I've worked on my own cars too, for minor things (I've never had the tools/shop for major repairs), but it always takes me ages longer to get anything done than if I were to bring it to a shop. This was generally throughout High School/University, as I haven't really had time nowadays. - Abomonog, on 05/07/2008, -0/+10I work on both and cars are actually more difficult to work on than computers. You don't need a hydrolic jack to get the motherboard out of a computer.
- Meatetarian, on 05/07/2008, -0/+10At least he was honest. He could have said "Okay, cool." and then charged you double on labor. =P
- jetblackz4, on 05/07/2008, -0/+10Don't forget to change your horn fluid.
- docholiday, on 05/07/2008, -1/+10I don't know why you were dugg down you're 100% right.
- yunus, on 05/07/2008, -0/+9Your permission is not needed to bury you. Just sayin.
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