Reliability of Car Mechanics?

[LouisB]

First, real mechanics should not be confused with “grease monkeys.”

Mechanics who work for general (and chain) repair shops typically do not have access to any of the service bulletins issued by automobile manufacturers. These bulletins are not distributed to general repair shops in order to protect the dealer’s interests. Service bulletins are not to be confused with general service manuals.

Mechanics in general repair shops typically do not have access to many of the specialized tools required to accomplish specific repairs. In fact, they often do not know such tools even exist, again because the manufacturers do not make such items public knowlege. Plus, each manufacturer has specialized tools unique to a specific car–specialized Ford tools probably are useless in a Toyota shop. No general repair shop could possibly afford all the available specialized tools.

The fees associated with doing business as a general repair shop are horrendous, according to some people I have talked with. If a shop sells tires, disposing of old ones is a very expensive business. The same applies to old batteries and oil. Batteries in particular are considered to be hazardous and rigorous controls are imposed on the shop. The cost of diagnostic, brake, front-end and air conditioning equipment is significant.

Mechanics are required to furnish their own hand tools and the cost involved is substantial. Mechanics are often paid, even in dealerships, on a “flat-rate” basis, which is comparable to working on a commision only pay system. If the shop does not attract repair jobs, the mechanic does not get paid. When the mechanic is assigned a job, it is to his and the shop’s interest to accomplish the repair in the fastest possible way. This often involves the “shotgun” approach—replace everything that could possibly cause the customer’s problem. A contributing factor to this practice is the typical customer’s unwillingness to pay for diagnostic services or time.

The cards are stacked against mechanics in general repair shops but they are kept in business because people are unwilling to pay the price of dealership repairs. I have worked in both environments and have even owned a general repair shop, specializing in Volkswagen repair. Even with the best of intentions, I had to consider that my best information was at least two years out of date.

My advice is to always patronize the dealer.

[barbitu8]

Black455 recommends changing your own oil. I did that for years, but no longer for several reasons. It’s a messy job, altho easy. I always had a small car and was fearful of driving too far up the ramps. I had to drive somewhere to dispose of my oil. At one time, a local Firestone would allow me to dispose of it, but no longer. And I can get it changed for under $15, which is about what it would cost me to buy the oil and the filter. So why should I change it myself? Especially when you know noone can screw that up – oops, I misspoke. After one such change, I notice the next day that my oil level was low. The mechanic apparently forgot to tighten the plug, altho they gave me some bull---- other reason.

One reason I’m found of dealers is the experiences I’ve had with the local Honda dealer. One Saturday I was changing my air filter, which is the rectangular box near the frame on my Honda. (The old easy to change filters on top of the carburetors are no more with the onset of the computers.) The screws were so close to the body that I could not tighten two of them. I brought it over tot he Honda dealer (on a Sat!) and the mechanic there tightened them for me, with a special tool they have for that purpose, and, get this, at no charge!

[egkelly]

My experiences: I once had a vibration in my steering wheel, so being ignorant, I went to a chain shop. The manager looked at my car, then started sounding very grave-he was telling me that my car could possibly be dangerous to drive! The way he was talking, I needed: new front wheel bearings, new grease seals, new rims, and balancing of all 4 tires. The total bill-over $450.00.
They didn’t have the parts in stock-i told them I’d come back next saturday to have the work done. I mentioned this to my dad, and he told me to go to a mechanic friend of his, who had a small shop nearby. His verdict: the bearings were fine-he just rebalanced the front wheels, and everything was fine-he charged me $30.00.
The potential to cheat is always there-the moral_ educate yourself about your car, and don’t buy the first estimate!