Rationalizing My Automotive Ignorance
Sep. 11th, 2007 02:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bjarvisI 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?
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Randy's professional opinion ,,, well, you DID ask.
Date: 2007-09-12 03:51 am (UTC)Randy said:
"Once a car has gone out-of-warranty, I always make a point of taking it to any reputable repair shop OTHER than a manufacturer's dealer. Dealers tend to extort money from customers for routine service intervals. For instance I consider the throttle plate cleaning and the top engine cleaning to be a waste of money.
Suggest to Brian that he either read his Honda Civic manual to see what's required by the manufacturer - NOT the dealer! - and take that manual with him when he takes his car in for service.
If the dealer suggests anything that's not specifically listed in the manual, don't let them do it. Also make a point of reviewing the final bill and compare it to the manual's service interval requirement BEFORE paying, just to make certain they haven't slipped a little something extra in.
Most of the Japanese auto manufacturer now also provide service interval information on their websites."