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Rationalizing My Automotive Ignorance
I took my 2001 Honda Civic LX into the dealer yesterday for its 90,000 mile servicing. That particular visit was a little more expensive than I was anticipating.
90,000 mile servicing: $336.63
Replace missing bumper spoiler: $40.42
Replacement front brake pads and machine rotors: $334.46
Top engine cleaning: $135.71
Throttle plate cleaning: $75.65
Total: $942.40
On the one hand, the car has performed flawlessly since I purchased it years ago. Unlike my prior cars, this beast has never left me frustrated on the side of the road, calling AAA and praying a tow truck might arrive before I retire.
Still, I always leave a garage with the vague feeling that I've been had. I'm all too aware of my lack of mechanical knowledge and inability to know if "throttle plate cleaning" is a valid maintenance function or just code for ripping off a customer too ignorant to know he's being robbed. I suppose it's possible it's a perfectly reasonable operation but my nature is to be suspicious, even paranoid, when I know the conversation is sailing over my head.
I suppose I could remedy this a bit by doing my own research and educating myself on all things automotive. There are two barriers: I don't have a chance to research "throttle plate cleaning" once they already have my car on the lift in the garage and are awaiting my approval --and I'm sure that's part of their modus operandi.
Further, it's not economical for me to spend too much time on these things anyway. Based on my current salary, my time is worth about $50/hour: if I work 17 hours, I gross enough to cover this tab. Since I'm sure I'd need more than that to be even marginally knowledgeable about cars and engines, it's financially better for me embrace my ignorance, pay the tab and spend the time on revenue-generating tasks elsewhere.
So why do I still feel like I participated in my own mugging?
90,000 mile servicing: $336.63
Replace missing bumper spoiler: $40.42
Replacement front brake pads and machine rotors: $334.46
Top engine cleaning: $135.71
Throttle plate cleaning: $75.65
Total: $942.40
On the one hand, the car has performed flawlessly since I purchased it years ago. Unlike my prior cars, this beast has never left me frustrated on the side of the road, calling AAA and praying a tow truck might arrive before I retire.
Still, I always leave a garage with the vague feeling that I've been had. I'm all too aware of my lack of mechanical knowledge and inability to know if "throttle plate cleaning" is a valid maintenance function or just code for ripping off a customer too ignorant to know he's being robbed. I suppose it's possible it's a perfectly reasonable operation but my nature is to be suspicious, even paranoid, when I know the conversation is sailing over my head.
I suppose I could remedy this a bit by doing my own research and educating myself on all things automotive. There are two barriers: I don't have a chance to research "throttle plate cleaning" once they already have my car on the lift in the garage and are awaiting my approval --and I'm sure that's part of their modus operandi.
Further, it's not economical for me to spend too much time on these things anyway. Based on my current salary, my time is worth about $50/hour: if I work 17 hours, I gross enough to cover this tab. Since I'm sure I'd need more than that to be even marginally knowledgeable about cars and engines, it's financially better for me embrace my ignorance, pay the tab and spend the time on revenue-generating tasks elsewhere.
So why do I still feel like I participated in my own mugging?