**WORST EXPERIENCE EVER**
I am "visiting" Columbia, Tennessee from New York, and I brought in my Honda Civic on Wed, Sept 20th to the Nashville Hwy location to get an Oil Change. There they told me I was leaking oil and that the Main Seal needed to be replaced, estimated cost of $1,200 MINIMUM, and something this location couldn't do. So after freaking out about what to do... I took my car in to the S. Main St. Location on Thurs, Sept21st, because aparently they could do the work I needed there. After them having my car ALL DAY on Thurs, they had me come in right before closing time to tell me it was NOT leaking oil and it's power steering fluid. So now I have to get my corroded power steering lines replaced. Great, no big deal. Cheaper than the "main seal" which was also Misdiagnosed, and they were really talking about the Front Crankshaft Seal (which wasn't leaking and doesn't need to be replaced). After them having my car for ALL DAY THURS, ALL DAY FRI, I Finally picked My Car Up on Sat around Noon. After 3 days and spending $320, It still has a whining sound when I turn the wheel hard!! In curiosity, hoping that it was a no brainer to them, I called the shop Monday morning, and asked them what kind of Power Steering Fluid did they put in my car. They told me that they put in UNIVERSAL power steering fluid.. I own a HONDA.. And for those of you who have a Honda, SHOULD know it Takes HONDA Specific Power Steering Fluid. It's One of the VERY FEW Car Companies that Require a Specific PSF, where as MOST will do fine with something more like ATF. I've also contacted both my Mechanic in NY, and the Honda dealership down here-- They All say the Same thing-- YOU MUST PUT HONDA SPECIFIC POWER STEERING FLUID IN A HONDA. **I did NOT say Honda BRAND-- I said Power Steering Fluid that says RIGHT ON THE LABEL that it is Specifically made to be Put in Hondas.** The chemical make up is different and if you use Universal in a Honda, it can cause seals to crack and leak. Basically causing me to have the SAME problem I originally went in for. After trying to explain this to the Shop on the phone Mon morning, I was told that I can bring it in on Tues to have my lines bled because "There's probably just air bubbles." But I have been Absolutely Adimit that they NEED to put Honda Specified power steering fluid back in my car-- like it has ALWAYS had. Not Universal that does NOT work in Hondas!! ((Think Oil & Water-- The 2 do NOT mix)) But, They are INSISTANT that I'm wrong and you can put whatever in Hondas. Why would they make make a SPECIFIC fluid then????? After Arguing with the MANAGER for over 30 minutes face-to-face, I Finally went out to my car and handed him 2 Bottles of MY OWN power steering fluid I bought at Auto Zone that says "FOR USE IN HONDA VEHICLES." In addition, you are supposed to do a Power Steering Pump Pressure Test to insure there are no further leaks and that the Pump is operating properly. After explaining this again to the Manager, he told me they don't have the gauges here to do that.... THEN HOW THE HECK CAN YOU GUARENTEE THE WORK YOU DID FIXED ANYTHING????? They finally agreed to change out the fluid, but they clearly rushed it as it took less than 20 minutes WITH the test drive afterwards. They also Refused to give me a Receipt stating they completed a fluid change and told me "We Will Not Incriminate Our Business." IF YOU DIDN'T MESS IT UP IN THE FIRST PLACE, THERE WOULD BE NOTHING INCRIMINATING ABOUT IT!!!
I spent $320, wasted 5 DAYS now, and STILL have the same issues!!! They won't give me a receipt, they won't offer me a refund, so I am reporting this shop to anyone willing to listen. Randall and Joel (Manager) should both be fired for, not only the lack of knowledge, but also for the lack of customer service skills, and disregard for my safety. They're charging full price mechanic work to people but they're only doing half the work at best, and doing it WRONG. This is crazy and should have NEVER happened!!!! read more