In need of some manly input! ( Archived) (23)

Just wondering how a single woman knows when the mechanic is trying to screw her over and what things I should ask before any work is done on my car. I don't wanna get charged for things that are not actually needed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. seems like every time I take my car in for something as simple as getting the oil changed.... there is always something else needing to be fixed!

The car, mileage and road conditions affect the maintenance needed for the car but it really depends, what kind of things are the mechanics saying you need?

Well, the easiest thing to do is to find a car guy to take with you if You don't trust your mechanic.

But here are a couple fun things to watch out for.
You starter never runs out of starter fluid.
Your vehicle never needs Relative Bearing Grease.

But seriously, you can take your car to another mechanic to verify what the first said, and probably get a new list of what's wrong with it.

I do my own mechanic work for the most part.

A simple guide is, If your Check Engine light is not on, then you aren't having any problems. Most newer cars kick that little idiot light on when they need an oil change these days.

If your car isn't leaking, all your belts and hoses aren't cracked, you car isn't making any unusual noises, and you just need an oil change...feel free to use as much color as you can to describe the mechanics heritage, the circumstances of his birth and the fun places he can stick his prospective repairs.

After your oil's been changed, though!

Well..one example was when I last had my oil changed, he started telling me I needed some hose that has to do with my AC and now... my AC isn't cooling all of the sudden.

LOL.. Thanks for the advice! Oh.. by the way.. see hair color... I have NO PROBLEM in telling them where to stick it!

He could have seen a cracked hose and just installed the new one in a sloppy way. My uncle used to do that for a living, any little pinhole leak can make the AC lose compression.

I hate to say it but if the AC is important to you, and I know it's almost summer, the best thing to do may be either to take it back if he guarantees his work or find a big name mechanic with a warranty. That way of there's a problem, you have it on paper that your AC is supposed to work.

It's expensive, I know but it might be cheaper in the long run.

Definately cheaper... I put some freon in there and it only lasted like 3 days.. so yea, there is a leak, but the odd thing is that it was fine before.

Hoses are easy, you can look at them and see if they are cracked, pitted or in need of a repair.
Sadly, too many mechanics are out for the extra buck.
They will drain off your brake fluid so you come back with bad brakes, sell you a new set and just refil the resivoir.
Your air conditioner has a refil place much like the tire stem. And all it takes is a moment and an ink pen to let all the Freon out of your AC so it won't cool. Costing you a new hose or worse as they find 'new' problems.
I'd suggest taking it somewhere else for a second opinion. Most good places will take a look for nothing in hopes or getting your business.
Call the local dealer for your car and see if they can take time to see you.
Sadly, or maybe not so, the best mechanics are on the bad side of town with little run down garages usually owned by hispanics. They tend to do good work because they want you to come back, and send your friends to them. They need the money and unlike many places, actually car about cars.
Also see if one of your local high schools has a automotive class. They will usually fix anything for the cost of parts plus a nominal fee. And they do good work.
See a 16 year old working at McDonalds with a rather nice muscle car that's 15 years older than he is? Talk to him and see what garage he uses. He'll know where to get things fixed cheap and right.

I know this is a long post, but I hope it helps.

Very good advice.. but I am not sure if I could chance going to the "bad side of town". LOL hispanics LOVE redheads!