I’m a Mechanic: 12 Most Common Lies You’re Being Told About Your Car Repair

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According to Cox Automotive (Kelley Blue Book’s parent company), the average car owner spends $548 to fix their car. Higher-end or luxury vehicles usually cost more than that.

Along with this, AAA found that the average cost of vehicular maintenance is $792 a year. This is assuming general wear and tear and doesn’t include things like new tires or unexpected expenses.

While keeping up with your car’s maintenance is important, chances are you’re spending more than you should at the mechanic. Worse, you might be spending money on things you don’t even need.

GOBankingRates spoke with Chris Pyle, a trained auto mechanic and car expert at JustAnswer, about the top lies people hear about their car repairs. Here’s what he said.

You Should Change Your Oil Based on Your Vehicle’s Age

The idea that you need to change your oil based on the age of your car is, in Pyle’s words, “hogwash.”

“It has been underground for thousands of years. Why can it not sit in your engine for a year or more, assuming you do not drive often?” he asked.

Many mechanics will also tell you that you need to change the oil every 3,000 miles. While this is true for some vehicles, more modern ones can often go much longer — up to around 7,500 miles — without an oil change. What matters is what the manufacturer recommends, and what the dipstick color indicates.

“The days of 3 months or 3,000 miles are long gone,” Pyle said. “Your driving habits, engine, and miles will determine when the oil should be changed. You can look at the oil on the dipstick to see when it is needed by viewing the color.”

You Need Paint and Upholstery Protection

Another common lie is that you need to get that paint and upholstery protection on your car, regardless of how much it costs. And it can cost a hefty amount — around $499, according to Pyle.

“They basically spend 30 minutes on the car spraying some wax on the paint and scotch guard similar products on the fabric,” Pyle said. “You are basically getting about $50 in product and time with a huge markup.”

You Must Have More Anti-Theft Systems

Have you ever been told that your car needs additional anti-theft systems? Unless your vehicle doesn’t have any at all, this is most likely untrue.

“The one from the manufacturer is adequate,” Pyle said. “If a thief wants the car, they are going to have dealer-level diagnostic tools and make keys on the spot and steal it, regardless of what systems have been added.”

4-Wheel Alignment Is a Must

Most modern cars call for a four-wheel alignment. This includes vans, cars, crossovers and small SUVs. If you’re getting your car repaired and the mechanic says you need all four tires aligned, this is often a good idea.

However, according to Pyle, some mechanics will try to charge you for all four wheels even when they only do two of them. If, say, the rear wheels haven’t been adjusted, this isn’t true. Be sure to double-check everything the mechanic has actually done and compare it with the total bill to ensure you’re not overpaying.

You Need a Fuel System Service

While you might need a fuel system service, not all are as great as they’re chocked up to be.

“Some are actually good, but many are nothing special at all. They range from $249 to $449,” Pyle said. “The ones that are no good are just a fuel injector cleaner added to the fuel tank. The owner can do the same by going to Auto Zone and buying a bottle for $10.”

You’ll Need New Tires Sooner Than You Think

Watch out for mechanics who are just trying to upsell you on things like new tires — it happens more often than you might think.

“Many shops will check your car out in hopes of finding an issue and selling you something. They will tell you the tires are below 5mm and should be replaced. That is not the case,” Pyle said. “If you drive smart, you can run a tire down to 1mm of tread. Nascar does 200 mph with no tread. Tread is there to remove water. If you drive slower in the rain, you can get many more miles out of your tires.”

You Need New Brakes Sooner

Having reliable brakes is essential to ensuring a safe ride. But if you’re being told you need them the moment they’re below 3mm, you might be able to hold off a little while longer.

“Brakes are often recommended below 3mm. Again, if you pay attention to them, you can run them longer,” Pyle said. “Most mention things too early because most car owners do not pay attention to their cars. They just put gas in it and never check things.”

You Need To Pay For Their Mistakes

If you’ve ever driven away from the dealership or mechanic after getting repairs done just to find something isn’t quite right, it’s generally on them to fix it — not you. So, think twice before paying for something they’ve done wrong, particularly if it’s in the contract.

“You have entered a contract that their diagnosis and repair are accurate and the [solution],” Pyle said. “If you drive away and still have the issues, you should not have to pay to fix something else. They are in breach of contract. They did not provide what you signed and paid for. They need to make it right by doing their job or refund your money and start all over.”

Other Lies You Might Have Heard About Your Car Repair

Here are just a few other lies or misconceptions about car repair that you might believe:

• You need to take your vehicle to the dealership where you bought it to get repairs done, or else lose your warranty. In truth, you should be able to take your vehicle to any credentialed repair shop without losing your warranty.
• You need additional repairs. Some mechanics will try to take advantage of customers by telling them they need more done than they thought. Get a second opinion.
• A full brake job is needed. If a mechanic says you need a full brake job, ask if you can simply replace the brake pads instead. This is a much cheaper — and often viable — solution.
• You need a transmission fluid flush. This can cost $125 to $250, depending. And while you’ll need one at times, it might not be as often as the mechanic claims. Find out why they’re suggesting it before you go this route. A fluid and oil filter change might be enough.

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