Stick with me for this review because it is well worth the read…read more
I have used the service of Mark a few times. I felt he did a good job on my brakes, replacing front end parts and reinvigorating my air conditioning. In fact, until my most recent interaction I have referred a few individuals to him for work. That will never happen again: let me explain.
The problem began when I began scheduling a brake and power steering system flush/refill. He quoted each flush at very competitive levels. I then asked him what brand fluids he used. I immediately got the sense he did not like the question. He grabbed a can from his bench and said that was what he used. I had never seen the brand. I asked him if he would be ok with me bringing Toyota fluids and he appeared to get even more rattled. He replied that all Dot 3 brake fluid is the same because they are all designed to meet the same industry required standard. I replied that some may have additives which provide additional benefits and he said this was not true. I proceeded to make an appointment for the following monday, told him I would bring my own fluids, wherein I watched as he wrote the services he was going to provide and my phone number in his scheduling book.
On thursday morning I called, the call rolled to voicemail and I left him a message, with my number and name, asking him to call and tell me the amount of each fluid I should purchase. I waited for a call back.
Meanwhile, I began to research brake fluid. Low and behold, all Dot 3 brake fluid is far from the same:there are huge variances. There are three Federal minimum criteria standards for Dot 3 certification: dry boiling point, wet boiling point and viscosity. For example, the minimum wet boiling point is 140 F.
A little lesson on what one of these standards means: "wet boiling point". Basically, brake fluid absorbs water in the air, thus manufacturers instruct that brake fluid should only used when freshly opened. Unused portions should be disposed of because it will absorb water, even if capped. Thus, the fluid will also absorb water in your brake lines. The usual life for the fluid is about two years, when the fluid becomes saturated with 3.5% water (the "wet boiling point"). You never want fluid to reach a boiling point because this can damage parts, like brake lines. I have no idea what Mark's fluid "wet boiling point" is. However, Toyota's had the third best rating out of dozens I researched at 285F. In addition, Toyota specifically designs their fluid for their cars with additives which help to lubricate and renew components which are manufactured from a variety of materials. Obviously, no other fluid will provide such a match.
I believe a mechanic should be encouraged by/support anyone who cares about maintaining their car enough to become educated on it's maintenance. Obviously, Toyota brake fluid is safe to use in their cars, while there is no assurance additives in any other fluid are compatible with a Toyota. Mark most certainly did not appreciate that I care about my car and think about service/maintenance. He felt like decisions on my car were exclusively for him to make regarding fluids and me thinking otherwise was an insult to him. I find this view disturbing. I have a simple smell test in life: if I can ask a yes/no question, and if both answers are bad then that is a bad result. In this instance I asked myself: "Does Mark know what the "wet boiling point" is and that different producers design their fluids to different standards with different additives?". A "yes" answer to this means Mark was blatantly lying to me. Meanwhile, a "no" answer translates into asking oneself that if he does not know this basic fact, then how much does he really know about cars. More to the point, if he does not know what the standards mean, then why is he telling me all are the same. Both the yes and no answer are really bad. This screams run for the hills to me.
Mark never called me back. This raised a concern that he may simply take my fluid, dump it in the recycle fluid tub and use his off-brand to spite me. He obviously did not care about me as a customer because he did not call me back. I had reached a level of concern where I had decided I did not trust him and could not trust him. Do note that Mark did not offer to reduce the cost of service by even a dollar even though he would financially benefit by not having to use any of his own fluids. The cost to me of two cans of Toyota brake fluid (2 - 16oz) and the power steering fluid would have been $54. The Toyota dealership in Corvallis, where I am frequently visiting, quoted me a competitive price for the service and what comes with it is peace of mind. I like to patronize the independent mechanics as the newer cars has made their survival more precarious and I find good ones are very good. However, this independent mechanic I do not recommend patronizing for all of the above reasons.
