I was thinking to myself. Why do I drive 20 miles every 3 months to go here when I'm not even 100%…read moresure they do what I am really paying them for?
For example, the garage is hidden from the customers all the way to the back and no one really knows if they are performing schedule maintenance to your vehicle as they should, unless something is wrong with your car where they have no choice but to fix it. Or, if they are honestly showing you what is really wrong with your vehicle. They could tell you anything, who's knows if they are telling the truth or not?
What made me skeptical about this was. I visited a place in my neighborhood for an oil change only because I forgot to make an appointment at Lexus and they were refusing to allow me to come in last minute, which is understood, even if its for something as small as an oil change and left me no choice but to go somewhere else. Talk about having a sound business head.
In any-case, the move turned out to my work in my benefit and boy, did it......
Not only was it cheaper, and,,,, with the same oil (synthetic, mobile-1 from the can not the recycle one) after the mechanic took off my old oil filter the first question was, when last did I change the oil?
Mind you, I change my oil every 3 months (as stated above) whether I use the car often or not I change it frequently as its the blood of your engine and all measures must be taken to make sure your car is lubed right.
If I hadn't seen the filter and the old oil myself, I would have felt it was a hustle. To my amazement, it was in really bad shape. The filter and oil were the color of my tires, I regretted that I did not take some photos to post them.
I ended up having had to flush my engine and now the car works like it had just came out of the show room. When I check the dip stick, you can't even see if there's oil, that's how clear it is.
The mechanic even top off the rest of my fluids, like windscreen washer, break and power steering fluids (which ever was low, btw) and I got my free car wash and a gas treatment on top of that. He blew out my air filter and advised me it that I will need replace it on my next visit and what made it nice, I was allowed to be close to my car (within safety limits) to see them preform all what was paid for and more.
Guys, just be-careful going to places where you cannot see them work on your vehicle. You are taking a big chance. Guys, I am now saying Lexus does not perform the job, but having your car worked on behind close doors there are not guarantees they are doing what you are actually paying them for.
For example, my low tire censor keeps coming on and I paid Lexus to have them fix it and remove the light from the dash. Mr Eric Cabral made sure and charged me $60 bucks to have this done every-time I visit them. He said the tire stem censor was bad and despite the part only being $10 bucks, labor cost me $50 and a week later the light came back on !!!!!!!!!!!
What's funny is, when I visited the new place (as stated above) to change my oil, I told the mechanic guy to check all the tire pressure and reset the lights on the dash for me. Guess what, after he inflated air in the tire that needed it, the light automatically came off. And if you don't believe me, try it yourself.
Another thing, I had to change my battery in my remote, and the battery cost $5 bucks and the labour was $50. If I was told it would have been so much, I would have done it myself. I just shook my head.
This is to show you that the dealers are a total rip-off and are here to make money on you and really do not have you in their best interest. They want to make sure they keep you coming back until they could con you into purchasing a new car.
Don't be fooled by the free coffee and half way car wash. Explore your options. And asked them why your extended warrantee does not cover your maintenance or even part.
Why pay $3,000 dollars for extended warrantees to change a part that may cost $80 bucks, not to mention, if your car is relatively new, you are guaranteed 3-years without anything going wrong, hence the reason their warrantee is only valid for 3-years at a time.
Asked them, if you do not use your extended warrantee you paid for if your could get back a least $50% and see what they would say.
I can assure you one thing from this learning experience. It would be a miracle if I do any service where I cannot see work actually being done to my vehicle. Even if it's through a glass window, I wouldn't mind.
I believe in great service.