"You need a coolant flush, and your brake fluid is very low. That's why your oil is low."
Yes, that's what he said. Sigh. (I'm thinking, I bet you say that to all the girls!)
So I've been taking my multiple cars and trucks here for basic oil change for years and years, since I work practically on top of this place. It had the same staff for like 10 years it seemed, but now there's some new guys in town. I only go to these places for an oil change, I have a great mechanic already, anything else goes to him, and if I'm due for an oil change, I have him take care of that too.
What's that I smell? A whiff of something in the air...a hint of BS..
I took my car in not too long ago for the oil change, and with a new to me set of employees as to be expected they push you to buy various flushes of your braking system, coolant flush, etc., but my last visit was way out of line. WAY out of line. I just brought my mom, in her car, to get the oil change done.
The first thing he does is pull out the dipstick and proceeds to tell me there is ALMOST NO OIL in my car. I'm rolling my eyes in my head here, of course there's oil in it, yes it's down a litlle but it's not empty and we're due for an oil change!
My mom looks at me and asks if that's bad, and I'm like don't worry mom, he's full of it. Are you sure, she says? Panic in her voice. Calm down mom, he just wants you to buy extra stuff you don't really need. So we're already using high mileage oil even though her car only has around 100,000km on it. but that's ok, it doesn't hurt. So he's chatting away on his cell phone, and chatting to other employees and not really chatting with us, and finally he comes back and tells me;
"You need a coolant flush ($260), and your brake fluid is very low ($$$ to top that up). That's why your oil is so low."
Really buddy? Geesh. I wonder how many people pony up with their wallets? My mom was in a panic, for her, a breakdown is just about the worst horror she can imagine. I kept having to reassure her, that no, her fluids are fine, we check them regularly, this isn't going to make your car run out of oil, this guy is full of sh#t, he'd probably try to sell us headlight fluid. Headlight fluid? My mom says, puzzled...I've never heard of that before!!!
"No, thanks, just the oil change."
Total cost on mom's car = $24.99 Groupon, and $16 and change for the not included filter, and high mileage oil upcharge.
Total cost on my car = $60 and change (no Groupon)
Go ahead, if it's convenient, get the Groupon, get an oil change, but don't do anything else. Actually you can probably get a better deal getting oil changed elsewhere anyway, but like I said I work practically on top of this place so it's easier for me than driving around.
Don't agree to buy anything additional.
Don't listen to them, whatever they tell you.
If you are really worried just go down the block and find the guy in the garage on your left, I think it's Dave. He'll give you a better opinion. This is why it's good to fake knowing what your car is about, or take some big burly dude with you who can fake knowing what it's about for you. These guys are doing nothing for honesty and integrity in the auto mechanic industry. What a shame.
What they used to do was actually run through that 21 point inspection, making you turn on your signals, head lights, check your brake lights, and they would top up your fluids if needed and lube if asked at no extra charge. Not anymore. Where did Sebastien and his crew go? Anyone know? I'll take my business there. At least he understood I was just there for the oil change. read more