Think I let the dealership take me for a ride...

[laktrash]

I took my truck to one of those places that do the 19.99 oil change a couple of years ago, which I think is a pretty good deal. The funny part was when they waked into the full waiting area with a piece of cardboard with Auto Transmission fluid on it. After asking fr me by name the proceeded to tell me how badly my transmission fluid needed changing. Shoulda seen the red faces when I told them my truck was a straight shiftl

Ouch ! that had to hurt

[strickj]

I took my truck to one of those places that do the 19.99 oil change a couple of years ago, which I think is a pretty good deal. The funny part was when they waked into the full waiting area with a piece of cardboard with Auto Transmission fluid on it. After asking fr me by name the proceeded to tell me how badly my transmission fluid needed changing. Shoulda seen the red faces when I told them my truck was a straight shiftl

Must not have been too red faced. Manual transmissions have fluid too... there's just no dip stick

[strickj]

find an independent garage and stick with them. My garage I work at has been there for 46 years, we are doing something right.

This.

In my past life, I did outside sells for a specialty parts manufacturer/distributor. I've seen a lot of numbers and behind the scenes stuff that no one else was allowed to see (credit apps-how much they work vs how much they make, how many parts they return to parts stores, etc).

I can tell ya there is a reason the big named shops and franchises can afford marble floors, super nice and huge waiting rooms with flat screens and other niceities...

Not to mention the stuff I saw as a delivery driver.

[oldogy]

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, absorbs moisture, and the moisture will cause rust in the calipers and or cylinders long term. A hard working brake system usually gets hot enough to boil that moisture out of the fluid. That said, you did no harm when you had the fluid changed and if you keep the vehicle for many years you did you and the vehicle a favor. And of course, brake fluid like any fluid will deteriorate over time. IMO, based on playing with collectable type cars for many years, a good brake flush is a good thing. You may have been a bit early at 43K miles.

oldogy

[Caster]

I took my truck to one of those places that do the 19.99 oil change a couple of years ago, which I think is a pretty good deal. The funny part was when they waked into the full waiting area with a piece of cardboard with Auto Transmission fluid on it. After asking fr me by name the proceeded to tell me how badly my transmission fluid needed changing. Shoulda seen the red faces when I told them my truck was a straight shiftl

Must not have been too red faced. Manual transmissions have fluid too... there's just no dip stick

My toyota is an automatic, it doesn't have a dipstick. Needless to say, I was confused.

[Tempest455]

Oh I can tell you horror stories about dealers and oil changes! A good buddy of mine worked at a machine/engine building shop that did a lot of repair work for dealers. The ASE mechanics often don't do the oil changes. Do it yourself.

[dou44]

my old 98 chevy had 250,000 miles on it when i sold it. i changed the oil every 3000-5000 miles. replaced hoses around 4-5 years. never changed the brake fluid or had to replace the mc.i did replace the timeing chain at 200,000 miles.truck still did not use oil or smoke and still got 18-20 miles a gal with the 350 engine.i hope the 07 i bought new holds up like that. it has 51.000 on it now.

[Guest Bluemax]

My toyota is an automatic, it doesn't have a dipstick. Needless to say, I was confused.

No need for confusion, I was told My AUTOMATIC transmission fluid needed changing, hence the red faces

[Oh Shoot]

My toyota is an automatic, it doesn't have a dipstick. ...

Sure it does. Unscrew the transmission fill cover knob thingie poo (tech term).

- OS

Edited August 22, 2011 by OhShoot

[vontar]

my old 98 chevy had 250,000 miles on it when i sold it. i changed the oil every 3000-5000 miles. replaced hoses around 4-5 years. never changed the brake fluid or had to replace the mc.i did replace the timeing chain at 200,000 miles.truck still did not use oil or smoke and still got 18-20 miles a gal with the 350 engine.i hope the 07 i bought new holds up like that. it has 51.000 on it now.

I will bet you it USES oil. it may not burn it and a chance you don't leak. To prove this. Drain the oil and start it up and see how long it runs.

My uncle always uses that one when someone says their car/truck does not use oil.

[Guest Sgt. Joe]

I will bet you it USES oil. it may not burn it and a chance you don't leak. To prove this. Drain the oil and start it up and see how long it runs.

My uncle always uses that one when someone says their car/truck does not use oil.

That's a good one Vontar, I gotta put that in the remember files for the gotcha moments.

[Guest tommy62]

I stay away from the "stealerships" once the manufacturer's warranty expires.

[maroonandwhite]

This is a little off topic but not really. I am on another truck forum and the opinions on the timelines of changing fluids other than oil vary greatly. I was recently interested in changing my differential and transfer case fluid in my Tacoma and while some recommended every 50K some said never in a round about way. Also Toyota states their pink coolant is good for 150K miles and some will still insist on sooner. I am by no means an expert but as many others have said a little peace of mind goes a long way so don't feel too bad.

[Guest uofmeet]

I try to do all the maintenance and stuff I can myself. I am not a mechanic, but I do like working on cars when I can. Speaking of which, I plan on doing an oil change and sparks plugs this very weekend. And believe it or not, my car actually has 16 spark plugs.....

Pretty much, once my car is out of warranty, it will only go back to the dealer as a VERY last resort. And if I take it to a shop, I try to take it to a shop where I know someone, or one of my close friends know someone at.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

There is a local early-sat-morning radio show hosted by local mechanics. They seem "believable" because they gladly explain to callers how to fix vehicles. They don't seem protecting "trade secrets" or peddling bad info. One host owns a local transmission shop. Dunno if he is a current host.

Anyway that guy advised that regular fluid changes will protect an auto transmission against premature failure. Maybe his advice was self-serving but he wasn't telling radio listeners to come to his shop for the work.

Dunno if that is right or wrong. My ancient truck still runs great. It has a blue book value of maybe five dollars. Maybe even as high as twenty dollars. As long as the engine and transmission works it is a great truck. Whenever the transmission fails the truck isn't anywhere near worth enough to replace the transmission. If changing the fluid might keep the old rattle-trap on the road then maybe it is worth the cost of the service?

Some experts say vitamins don't make you any healthier but I take em anyway. A sucker born every minute maybe!

[vontar]

Lester, it sounds like my Truck, but hey it is paid for and it still gets me A to B and back to A. Minor repairs at this point are still far cheaper then payments.

[Capbyrd]

Find a good one and get to know him. If you have questions... talk to him. Believe it or not most (not all) techs don't mind talking to the customers. Heck I prefer it.

This is my experience. I have taken all of my Fords to the dealership for service. I tell the service writer what I want and I wait for the tech to get my car. I watch what bay he drives to and I walk over and ask if he minds if I talk to him or watch. They always say not a problem and I've gotten to know a couple of them. The only time they ever tried to upsell me was when they hired a new writer that was trying to sell things before the cars got taken back.

It doesn't matter if its an independent shop or a dealership, there are usually good mechanics there and its your responsibility to find a good one. When you find a guy you like, request him when you talk to the service writer or service advisor.

Its just like finding a doctor. Find a good one or keep looking.

[alingo2001]

Get my Honda's oil changed at the dealer. Can't get it done for less and for $23-24, it's not worth my time to screw with it.

[laktrash]

Its just like finding a doctor. Find a good one or keep looking.

At least there are some good mechanics.

I'm afraid the medical profession has taken the political route.

Self-serving, noncaring, all about the money and controlled by the drug companies.