HOUSTON – Taking good care of your vehicle will help it last longer and save you money on repair bills in the long run; but some shops try to sell you on services you don't need. Consumer expert Amy Davis explains how you can make sure you only pay for the necessary work and what happens if you skip it.
First, find the owner's manual for your vehicle. Read how often it says your vehicle needs an oil change, transmission fluid flush or a new air filter. All of the maintenance you need on your specific vehicle is in the manual, along with the intervals you need to have those services done. If you don't know these things, you will end up paying for something you don't actually need.
The fluids on most newer model cars are not easy to check yourself anymore.
"Most cars now a days, about all you can check is the oil," explained ASE-certified Master technician Jim Pedersen, who works at Colony One Auto Center in Stafford.
That's because cars are missing the dipsticks for coolant and transmission fluid, so the only easy way to know if you need those fluids changed is to refer to your manual. Pedersen said mechanics at many speedy oil change businesses are quick to upsell you on services you don't need, not always to intentionally rip you off.
"They see 30,000, they go down the list," said Pedersen. "Manufacturer recommends all this and that's what they try to sell, you know."
That's also why you should try to get your car serviced at the same business each time. If you hop around, one shop won't know the last shop already flushed your transmission fluid. If you're near the recommended mileage to have it done, they will likely tell you your car needs it.
"If you have a little bit of knowledge and you've kept track of what's happened with your car, then you can throw an answer back at them saying 'Well, I just had this done last oil change, why do I need it again?'" said Pedersen.
So what is the worst that can happen if you decline those frequently recommended services like that new air filter?
"Air filters got to get pretty bad to actually effect performance," explained Pedersen.
What you might notice if your air filter is clogged is rougher idling or that you're using more fuel. Skipping a transmission fluid flush can be more dangerous.
"It makes the transmission run hot, and as it runs hot, the fluid breaks down even faster and then the components inside literally start destroying themselves,"
When in doubt, Pedersen says you almost always have time to double check those recommendations.
"I would always say get a second opinion," he said,
Another great resource is the website www.openbay.com. It will pull up all of the recommended services for your specific vehicle and at what intervals you need those services. It will show you about how much you should expect to pay for those services in your area.