I have 70 years of car maintenance experience, you are by far THE MOST HONEST experienced professional mechanic I have ever listened to. Thank You, I hope the majority of your followers take your advice.
AMD is raising the bar in the Automotive Service Industry. Jose is one lucky guy to have AMD as a mentor…..infact we are all lucky to have him! Good people do good things 🙏Thanks so much
This is not really a scam but a recently got a service mailer from my local Toyota dealership. They were advertising a limited time special where they would change my Cabin air filter and engine air filter for the “low” price of $199. I bought both filters for $38 from the local auto parts store and installed both filters myself in under 5 mins using no tools.
Are you sure that coupon wasn’t including cabin and engine air filter with a regular oil change and rotate service? I work at a Toyota dealer and have not seen anyone charging that much for just the filters
@@jameshasenjaeger5181 Ford dealer wanted to charge me $86 to replace my cabin air filter. Told them I'd think about it. Went to parts store and bought one for $15. Installed it in about 8 minutes.
Not a mechanic but I'm older and I grew up when "Flushing transmission fluid" was commonly believed to be the best practice. So in my 2013 Ford Explorer when it hit 75k miles I thought, "I might want to flush the transmission fluid to get ahead of the curve". The dealership agreed and did the flush. BUT shortly after, my transmission completely failed. Dealership refused to take accountability. Took it to a shop that specializes in transmissions and they said flushing is the worst thing to do because it'll push all the debris up and into the tiny "Transmission Control Module" which will get stuck and starve your transmission of vital fluids. After pulling everything a part, they found that indeed was what happened to me. SIMPLY DRAIN AND REFILL ONLY - never flush.
He's right about knowing or getting to know what one's vehicle needs are. Last December, I had all of the fluids changed in my wife's vehicle. Other than the oil, it was the first time this was done on her vehicle. The shop that did the service was told with extra emphasis not to flush the transmission fluid; just drain and replace it. To their credit, they actually agreed that flushing any fluids, especially transmission fluid, is not a good practice. Having said this, it certainly didn't hurt that I knew what exactly to ask for with regard to the fluid changes.
@@Dac54 - that's awesome. I have such fear of shops because I don't actually see what they're doing so I have to rely on hope. Then there's the Take 5 oil change place that only drained a portion of my oil and then added in all the new oil I'd brought with me. I went home, checked the dipstick and sure enough, it was WAYYYYY over full. Once again relying on hope. That's not good. SO after all this, I decided I was going to once again change my own oil and any fluids I can. I've now done radiator, brakes, oil and when it's needed, transmission fluid. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to NOT rely on hope but to actually KNOW what's been done to your fluids. It's so unbelievably empowering.
I asked for a transmission fluid flush on my 2003 Lexus ES300 at 100K miles. My mechanic specifically told me that they don't do that anymore, as it can cause damage to the transmission potentially. They said the best thing to do is just drain and fill, which I did. 80K miles later, still going strong.
@@AnalogWolfIm the 2nd owner of a 2002 ES300. Got it 2 1/2 years ago at 160k miles. Now with 185k miles. Shifts perfectly. Fluid is still red/pinkish. Will need to drain and refill soon
One of the Toyota dealership I serviced once my Prius, they were recommending injector cleaning for some $400 that will save me on fuel. I told him, every time I come for service, I read the schedule maintenance manual, if it’s not there, I don’t need it.
They recommend a new fuel pump and injector cleaning. I had driven her car previously. I told her don't do either. She paid $650 for new fuel pump module...car still needed a new transmission and she bought a new Corolla Cross the next day. 😂 Don't do anything they recommend, they are bad technicians and thief's.
There is a HUGE difference between RECOMMEND and REQUIRE. Recommend means the dealer makes extra money. Require means it's needed to keep your car running and safe and keeps the warranty in effect. Oil and filter change at 5000 miles and your engine will last forever.
Red McCombs in San Antonio told me the same thing. Over $100 to dump a "special cleaner for DI engines" in the gas tank during the 20k mile oil change. I was there for other problems for the fifth time Toyota claimed were normal. I dumped that piece of junk before it's second scheduled oil change. It was easier to get rid of the car than to continue arguing with them about all the problems.
@macfastang23010- Order Chevron Techron Fuel Injection Cleaner online and put in the gas tank once or twice a year. You will never need injector cleaning and probably the valves will remain mostly carbon free.
@@OnlyMeee-ie3dwFind an independent mechanic, that interested in making an honest buck, not taking you to the cleaners. Pick a car you like, not a dealership.
You are honest. straightforward, very knowledgeable and humble man. This kind of people is almost nonexistent in our days. May God bless you and your family brother!
As a mobile mechanic I come by this often. Someone is told they need brakes, given a high price from the shop so they call me. example I arrive for a brake job and pads are at 7-8mm, rotors look good ect. No other reason than the shop told them they needed new parts. Even had the Toyota dealership tell a customer they needed parts they didn't need. Makes a bad look for mechanics, they is WAY more money to be made being HONEST! Customers coming back for years is worth way more than a quick buck.
Had a place try this to me less than a week after putting on new pads, calipers, rotors, and even drum shoes. Went there for a state inspection and they failed me over nothing.
Lol! I've just had this EXACT thing happen to me. Audi dealership said in their impressive looking report that my front pads are at 10mm (I'll explain this) , and need replacing. This confused me, because my regular (independent) mechanic had always been saying I had PLENTY of wear left. When I told him they were at 10mm, he said "I usually take them down to about 3". When I informed the dealer of this, they explained that the 10mm included the backing plate, and that the backing plate is 6 to 7mm. Took the car to a completely new independent, and PAID to have the pads removed and measured: overall thickness 13mm, backing plate 5, thickness of the friction material = 8mm!!!. Initial thickness of the friction material is 11.8mm (high confidence but I'm trying to get this confirmed), so doing the maths, my pads are actually only about 43% worn. Absolutely unbelievable. I've escalated to Audi head office - we absolutely should NOT stand for this. P.S rotors in excellent condition - no discernible dishing.
As someone who has worked in the automotive service industry as a mechanic and advisor for the last 11 years… I’m so glad you’re educating customers. Thank you 👍🏽
must be hard being a service advisor and honest at the same time. Generally those 2 things won't work in unison. a Service advisors sole job is to convince a customer that their car needs work. If you don't get enough R.O and enough hours on the R.O you won't be a service advisor very long. Unless of course you work in like a family owned garage, but an honest Service Advisor in a dealership doesn't exist.
When I took my corolla to the dealership for it's 15,000 mile service they tried telling me I needed an alignment before they even pulled the car into the shop. I said no thanks and the guy looked really annoyed. And they wonder why no one trusts them.
Did they have it at least pulled into the entryway/vestibule/intake area? If so, I've heard new dealerships often have scanners in those areas that supposedly can detect alignment issues - reducing/eliminating need to be checked on the typical alignment machine. I'd question it myself, but I've read this, & hopefully a dealer tech can weigh in on the topic. ETA: did u notice any pulling to a side, or steering wheel needing to be off center to drive down the road prior to going in? At 15k, if you drive in good roads, odds are probably not. But these days, with shitty roads most everywhere, it is possible.
@@charley95sheridan44Thats exactly why I quit selling toyotas. I thought you could be an honest respectable salesman but it’s not possibke with management
THANK YOU AGAIN !! I have basically been on my own all my life! Been ripped off over and over !! I am very sentimental! My very first car (of my own) 1973 MERCURY COUGAR XR-7 !!! LOVE OF MY LIFE ! Drove it (in all its radiant glory) for 20 years! I WAS A TRAVELING AGENCY NURSE and had to have a reliable car…. The last year I had it I spent $3500+ in repairs for nothing ! Breaks my heart every time I think about it!!
I enjoy this video! So much TRUTH! There are two types of wheel alignments: 1- The "push" to pay for the alignment machine, OR 2- The final step of a repair. I worked as a technician for a few different shops in the mountain region of Colorado, and I NEVER needed to "push" for alignments to help pay the shop overhead. Colorado has a countless variety of VERY LARGE potholes and many rough roads. Even the self-proclaimed "best" drivers are going to wear out the suspension parts over time when driving these mountain roads. There is no way around it, other than to literally avoid driving these types of roads all together. The Alignment was always the last step of a steering and suspension related repair before the final test drive when returning the vehicle to the customer. I never sold (or had a reason to push) an alignment job based on mileage or service intervals. Alignments are nothing more than an adjustment. If nothing is out of adjustment or causing an issue with the steering and suspension system, there the is no reason for an alignment. End of story.
It is 18 mins since the video was uploaded and there is one thumb down on the video... must be one of them crooked mechanics who was but hurt by it! God speed AMT! 😀
@Revoncheap theres add-ons for web browsers you can use. I use an addon called return youtube dislikes for firefox. Im sure the other browsers have something similar.
Excellent advise. Start a single log of your vehicle maintenance and repair. Include date, miles, and cost for each entry. This will make it super easy to track everything and plan for future maintenance.
Back in 2002, I took my Pontiac trans Sport to a popular chain garage to get the oil changed. Wouldn't you just know it, that vehicle needed every system flushed. It was on the brink of catastrophic failure in every system! If I didn't dish out $600 to have all fluids flushed and filled, my mini-van was heading for the scrap-yard. I paid them for the oil change and took the vehicle to my brother, a master mechanic with his own garage. The fluids were fine. That popular chain garage lost a customer for good that day.
1st thing I do NOW - Don't get your vehicle serviced by a shop that you can't see inside the shop. Either full glass doors - glass window that you can see inside the shop - or that they have the overhead doors open a lot of the time. I was traveling through Fountain Hills AZ I wanted an oil change and tranny flush. They pulled my vehicle in did nothing and charged me $600.00 for the privilege. I found out that they did not do anything when I got home and had my "TRUSTED" local shop to do another service.
Lol I remember going to the library as a kid in the 90s. My dad who came to the U.S. with some skill in auto mechanic maintenance would read Haynes and Chilton repair manuals for hours while I wondered the library exploring various topics in fascination. I asked him one day while I was still about 8 years old "Why do you always read those car books?" At the time I knew he would spend most days working on cars when he finished his day job of tree trimming and landscaping doing small things like oil changes and brake pads. He replied "I read these books so that you can read your books and maybe one day we can both be more than what we are." He now does everything car related from electrical work to cylinder honing to trouble shooting an he learned it all from a few books. He didn't speak very good English back then and now when I pick up those repair manuals I'm amazed at what he accomplished and how much effort it must have taken for him to understand and absorb that information. He made it, and hasn't climbed a tree in 25 years.
"Back in the day"... An American car from the '70s was always out of alignment. You went over a bump too fast or whatever. But not now. When I went from a '65 Cutlass to an '88 Camry, I couldn't believe how consistent the brakes and suspension were. I'm Toyota ever since. I have a 2010 Matrix S.- Great car.
AMD, Thanks once more for this public service announcement. 🙌🙌 Between the deliberate scams and the pervasive presence of genuinely honest incompetence, we are lucky when we find a qualified and fair technician.
We all very much agree he’s a great guy, presenter and mechanic. Can we not have 1000’s of comments telling him so, instead focus on contributive comments.
@@artistjjebsen So you're really going to take time out of your day to scold someone for making a positive, encouraging comment on RUclips. Can't fix stupid.
@@artistjjebsenI disagree. Good people should be commended here. It’s good for the RUclips algorith, it’s good for new people coming in to see others put stock in what he says, and it helps him, more engagement equals more views equals more compensation.
Don't miss the days when I would buy the repair manuals for our vehicles. Thank you to all the U-tubers and other data providers for still making DIY car repair possible with todays' vehicles.
I have a 2002 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD which i took to a new local auto shop to have them do a thorough check on the vehicle . They came back saying i needed to fix upper oil pan leak, had transfer case output seal, and new transmission plus brakes, AC compressor and several other things for repair cost of $23,813.00. I had the AC replaced three months ago and it works fine and i can’t find any leak. Same with oil and ATF leaks. I check the levels weekly. I had an exhaust leak which they wanted $6000+ to fix. I took it to another shop and they fixed the exhaust leak for $188. This new shop is nuts!
Thank you Ahmed for sharing your vast knowledge of and experience, honesty, humility and professionalism. Pitting autos aside from you're a true gentleman and scholar. May Lord bless you and your family!
This is so Helpfull! The "Winerizing", "Tune Up" and "Flushes" are not really being pushed in Denmark, but I had an "A/C service" done at my last service at Toyota. The A/C worked fine, but when they asked me, I actually thought it was like an oil change that had to be done at some point. Now I know better, and can save the $250 next time they ask.
I’m so glad I found a mobile mechanic years ago. He’s the most honest mechanic and told me recently how the bad ones give him a bad name. You can’t put a price on a good honest mechanic.
I'll add my 2 cents in .... modern cars are very forgiving when it comes to spark plugs and even air filters but there is one thing you must pay very close attention to .... OIL & FILTER CHANGES ... this is NOT negotiable ... you change your oil and oil filter every 5000 miles no matter what anyone tells you. And always use synthetic oil - it is simply superior in every way. Your motor will last it's full life and you won't burn any oil.
Every 3k miles if you drive a older vehicle designed to use conventional oil. Most engines that came from factory with conventional oil will not see a benefit from using synthetic. I still use sythetic in mine just because, but i change it every 3k because its older
Spark plugs the good ones can last a long time you’ll know when to change them when the car struggles to start sometimes that’s the spark plugs usually.
I do mine every 5000 miles or 6 months, but since I drive my vehicles barely 6000 miles/year, it’s every 6 months. I could probably stretch it, but my math says that it will take me more than 60 years of “extra” oil changes to equal the cost of an engine. Oil is cheap. Engines aren’t.
“You need an alignment”. My wife came home once and told me that she got a 4-wheel alignment…on a car with a rear I-beam suspension. I immediately went to the tire shop to get a refund.
I used to tell my non-mechanic friends to buy a service and maintenance manual for their car. Even though they're not going to do the actual work, they can read about the procedure so they can have a knowledgeable conversation with the service manager or mechanic that's doing the work.
The best scam I've ever heard from a shop happened one day agrw years ago. I went to a franchise oil change location because I was short on time. The mechanic came from under my cat and told me I had condensation on my oil pan, so I looked confused. He went on to explain what condensation was, I knew what it is, but what the hell do I care that water is on the outside of my oil pan, it rained the previous day. He offered some additive to add to my oil to stop the condensation from forming on my oil pan. I just told him to shut the F up and change my oil. I was pissed. Like how stupid do they think people are.
Wow! He's an idiot, but I wouldn't have told him to "shut to shut up and change the oil" because I can bet he never changed the oil filter or put in the wrong oil.
I completely agree with everything you said! The worst thing that can cause you big problems is any touch to the AC system or refrigerant when it is working without any problems. The system is pressurized and the seals are now pressed into their seats. When you set the car brand, model, etc. into the AC device. First, the device will create a vacuum, pull the refrigerant into the device, and mix it with new (same) refrigerant while also triggering a test to check if your system is leaking with a vacuum. If the AC system is not leaking and the vacuum does not drop, the device will start filling with refrigerant - the amount of refrigerant and oil was selected at the beginning by entering the car brand, model, etc. When can a leak occur in an AC system? It can start as soon as the pressure drops because the seals come loose from their seats. The worst thing is with the vacuum, because previously the seals had been pushed outward for years, but now the vacuum is pushing them inward. A leak may occur immediately during vacuum testing and the device will stop the filling process, or start leaking much later, perhaps so little at first that it won't even be noticeable. If you lose refrigerant, you will have to pay for it when you get a refill. Anyway, just one seal (small part) that doesn't sit back in its seat properly and it's game over! Leave it as long as it works because if it starts leaking in the internal cooler, you/they will have to remove the entire dashboard, and that's not a small task! I know owners who haven't touched their AC system for over 20 years, even 30 years. If it works, it works. There's no point in creating new problems for yourself or for your wallet.
You are an absolute legend mate, came across your channel before i bought my 2023 Toyota Camry hybrid just researching specs online . Wish i had a teacher, like you, i would have became a mechanic. Best wishes from Australia.
Here is the number one best way to avoid all car mechanic scams for 2024 and into the future. Take your car to TCCN for yearly look overs. I drove my 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser to Homer Glen last month and I am glad I did. Great road trip with my wife and Achmed gave me all I need to know to take care going forward. The Car Care Nut is da man!!
I just recently replaced just my inserts too, but they are leaving big streaks on my windshield, so idk if I did it wrong or if they're just defective or what...
@@noahlaferriere5515 Check your frame to make sure the joints move freely and apply even pressure. Clay bar on the windshield followed by Rain-X really improves the driving experience.
Glad you brought up the washer fluid issue! I bought a Lexus from an unnamed dealer and during discussion found out the car came from a normally warm state , mine being relatively cold more. I asked if all fluids had been changed , yep assured me they were . Well I get going down the road , mind you car was inside and I’m driving home in -15 degree temp. Build up in windshield and no washier fluid came out , full to top but frozen. Not what I was expecting, but stopped and bought a roll of towels and windex. Have to agree on the pushing of the alignment! Same dealer pushing for alignment on my other car I reluctantly gave in and what do they do because of trying to get it done so quickly, drive my car right into the lift and rip the bumper on bottom side off! The tech thought it was funny and the general manager seemed like it was no big deal . It was fixed by them but I no longer buy from them . I would love to expose the name of the dealer. Thank sir for your channel!
Another great video. Thanks. One segment I would add is when checking the maintenance guide don’t stop at the first paragraph. The maintenance schedule is highly dependent on the conditions that the vehicle is used under. This 10 or 15,000 mile service interval. only applies in some very rare situations. It’s basically a salesman and or dealerships tool to sell the car. If a vehicle is driven at Highway speeds with no commute traffic sure, Long service intervals. Stop and go commuting, Extreme high or low temperature, short trips, mountainous terrain and towing all put the vehicle into a completely different service interval. Yes research and know your conditions and service interval.😊
In Europe, such as England, Toyota recommend engine oil & filter changes every 10,000 miles or annually which ever is the soonest!! Do they use different engine oil or is it some kind of scam?
@@kenglee7161 It's a way to sell new cars. I change mine every 5000 miles because I not only live on a highway, I drive to work on a highway more often than not in traffic.
The wiper fluid comment is 100% valid. My dealer in Portland was using a more environmentally friendly wiper fluid mix that became quite solid in a Canadian blizzard and arctic air spell.
When I worked as a mechanic, we put the old part in a box and put it in the trunk. People felt good seeing the old part. We had a reputation of being fair and not ripping customers off.
I just learned The Car Care Nut does not flush... :) Piece of advice... keep a maintenance log as well to know when you did certain services.... I have 4 trucks/cars... no way I can keep up with it all unless I reference that book and my manuals. There's some log books I got on Amazon... one of the best things I ever purchased and I put it in the glove box for each car. I've had mechanics tell me I need spark plugs, and other maintenance items that I have already replaced... if it's documented and you know the maintenance intervals you can quickly determine if you need it or not.
I keep my records on Google Sheet. This way I can look it up directly on my smartphone or on any device. One tab for each vehicle. All tabs use the same template.
@@kurtbeck5809 Exactly and main point is don't loose track... whatever your method is keep a record. It's way to easy especially after a year or two of service even with 1 car (because time goes so far).
@@kurtbeck5809 I've been keeping a log (date, services, cost, location) for the last 15 years or so. I can easily pull the info up on my phone, if I need to reference the history. Plus I have all the receipts filed in case I need more details.
I am a car guy and diy as much as I can. I have learned so much from you in the past 3 mos. of watching your channel. I look forward to watching every one of your videos. You are an inspiration. Keep the videos coming! Honesty goes a long way. You are a good man. Thank you!!!!
So many people just hop in their vehicles and drive them. Don’t worry about anything until they notice something wrong. Also sadly it’s nearly impossible to know how honest a shop is and how good of equipment they have. If they seem kind and knowledgeable that’s all it takes for them to sell you.
This video offers very sound advice and hopefully will avoid owners getting scammed by garages offering ‘maintenance’ which is unnecessary. As you say, the owner should do their own maintenance with the simple things but consult the manufacturer’s manual and find out what actually needs doing. Your videos are a fantastic service to us.
you are a good man! being a licensed truck and transport mechanic up in Canada and 7 years of wrenching full time, so many people need to hear this as many are misinformed. you have gained a follower.
@@universalassociates6857Bible. Blahblahblah. God. Blahblahblah. Jesus. Blahblahblah. That pretty much covers it. Since you Christian’s have no problem pushing your dogma, here is mine. Religion POISONS EVERYTHING.
I have a friend and former bandmate who bought a Peavey amplifier in 1976 when Peavey offered "unlimited" lifetime warranty. He still has the amp - and has had speakers, wiring, modules, etc. replaced on it many times over the last 48 years. All for free.
Old auto tech here, 42 years. I Like the engine photo for the tuneup section. I am old enough to try to figure out what that motor is. I am leaning English, MG because of the booster, Maybe Volvo ? That shows how old I am. I agree I just got my daily driver ready for winter, check tire wear and pressure, brakes, good wipers and low temperature fluid ( I live were it gets close to 0*f), lights etc. Also emergency kit in the back ,flashlights , blankets, road flares etc. you never know what you might need for yourself or to help others. We all in this together. 😊😊
I have a 2022 Prius. Took it in for prepaid 30K oil change and tire rotate. Service manager came up with a $500 list of things that needed to be done, brake fluid flush, intake and injector cleaning, clean hybrid fan inside car. Sorry but I didn’t do anything except check and change the not dirty filter.
Alignments are for 🤡s. You are spot on with what you said. In Chicagoland where you are, you might actually need them after a horrible winter with a 💩 ton of potholes. A good driver will notice a pull if they hit one of those moon craters. If you hit some minor potholes at low speeds, probably not an issue. Just don’t hit the dang pothole. Alignments are the biggest red flag. When you wash your car, just turn the wheels to on direction and inspect. You will see any obvious uneven wear. Great video!!!!!
Best informative car care video on RUclips. You’re right, I was always pushed for alignments and a/c refreshes. Not anymore! I will forever be thankful for this video. I will follow the maintenance schedule in my manual and save money on unnecessary repairs. Car care nut. 😊
My wife just got done with her 35k mile warranty service on her 2021 Kia Sedona...I had to go back to the dealership with her and point out 1 windshield wiper fluid wasn't topped off,2 Two bolts that hold intake down missing after battery replacement,and this is big one 3 Tires 2 with tread block separation 1 with a 10 inch sidewall split,But they did tire rotation and measured break pads and even polished the tires...And service manger apologized and offered a buy 3 get 1 free deal on tires 😂😂She paid upfront for oil changes and maintenance...Love this guy ty for taking time and explaining
This is a great video, I agree with these points for sure. I live in the North east, winterizing is such a scam. Just slap your snow tires on and call it a day. Full agree, no such thing as tune ups! Lifetime fluid refers to the general time that the first owner ON AVERAGE owns their car. No one cares about the next owner. Along those lines, yeah flushes are bull. Just drain (or suck out resovoirs) and fill on a regular basis and you are golden. People expect alignments with new tires these days, and I tell you SO many cars I put on an alignment machine are straight already. If I made any adjustments the car is just going to drift. Very few cars NEED an alignment unless parts are being replaced or they drive on rough terrain. I agree with most of the AC topic, but I only want to add that all systems will seep some refrigerant over time. I'm talking like 10 years, but still. In a perfect world, yes ac is sealed and never goes anyway. In the real world, refrigerant seeps out without a failure. Otherwise I agree with this sentiment of don't fix it if it isn't broken.
Thanks for doing repair videos. Cars have changed so much over my 50 years of driving. You are where I start my research. Dad and I would file the points and set gap check the cap and condenser, and so on. Now they throw all the things you talked about at you. You forgot blinker fluid. Lol
I have had more bad alignments then good ones. My 17' Highlander has never had an alignment in 145K miles and the tire wear is even. Dont touch it if it is not broke.
I wish I lived near you. I love your advice. Thank you for your honesty. A rare trait these days. Some of these shops you go to, and even the dealerships, have these young kids that they say are ASE certified, to me that means nothing, except that they passed a test. Lately I've been asking shops how experienced are their mechanics. I'm sure some will lie and some will tell you the truth, you just have to listen and judge for yourself.
The only other winter maintenance item you may have overlooked was testing your battery, once it gets cold if they are a little weak you get problems. I know you just overlooked this, but overall another great video!!
Love this channel. Had our 2013Acura MDX at a Honda dealer [long story there] to diag an electrical power loss, dead battery overnight. [it was the radio after 2 days of investigation] Sent me a pic of the main harness into the radio being Broken off. Said that this was noted during their inspections. [not related to the power draw/dead battery issue] I asked what that wire harness does, well it powers everything connected to the radio, dvd player, etc. They said it would be another $400.00 in parts, but no extra labor to change it out. I told them the radio/cd,dvd, etc all worked when it rolled in here and the Service person even seen it with me in the vehicle. Long story, the TECH ripped the harness out, instead of unclipping it and they wanted me to pay for it. Thanks Honda, wont be back.
When I visit the dealership, which is rare, I listen to all the BS being told to unsuspecting customers. I just chuckle to myself and think, what a sucker. I DIY 98% of my car work.
I quietly chat with them once they are alone and recommend calling other shops. I couldn’t believe the BS prices some guy was being quoted on his 18 yr old Sienna. Easily double the norm, maybe more!
One fluid that needs attention that is one that is over looked often is brake fluid. Not so much on a car that is say 3-4 years old. But some of us that run cars over a 100k yes I recommend new fluid!
My 2013 Subaru Tribeca has on their recommended maintenance schedule to change the brake fluid every 30,000 miles and I have done it twice already and it is has over 70,000 miles now. When I first took my 2016 Camry hybrid to TCCN Automotive to have new coolant in my radiator and inverter a month after that shop first opened in 2022 (with over 50,000 miles on my odometer), I did inquire the condition of the brake fluid. Ahmed told me it would probably need changing in a year, so I had it changed in the summer of 2023 at over 60,000 miles.
I've never changed brake fluid and my vehicles consistently last 300,000 plus.I do regular maintenance with all the other fluids. Never had a problem with over a dozen vehicles.
It's a bit beyond words sir... how much I (we) appreciate you. How lucky those in your area are to have you, but for the rest of us as well. How lucky- to have a former middle eastern person of such immense Toyota mechanical knowledge and highest of moral character among us.
Sound advice as usual. The problem with today's library, the interweb, is that there is so much conflicting information, you end up much more confused after trying to educate yourself. Unfortunately, the key to success with a car is having a little bit of knowledge and a trusted shop that won't try to empty your wallet with trumped up "services/flushes, etc". There is so much service work for a good shop, there is no need for them to rip off customers with BS services.
Thanks a billion AMD. I fell for a $500+ "tune-up" by a Toyota dealership. They gave me a $4k estimate for a $6k cash car in 2016. I flatly declined and it's still running ok today. I've been doing my own maintenance since then.
I wanted to change the transmission fluid in my 2015 RAV at 80,000 miles. The dealer said they couldn’t do it. It was a seal transmission and good for the life of the car fast forward to 2023. The car has 220,000 miles on it and they asked me the transmission fluid changing the fluid on a car with that many miles on it is asking for trouble got 250,000 on it now transmission still runs great never been changed
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
I have 70 years of car maintenance experience, you are by far THE MOST HONEST experienced professional mechanic I have ever listened to. Thank You, I hope the majority of your followers take your advice.
You must be 80 years old 😢
You are a ghuru !
@@aisacf10 what the hell is a ghuru?
AMD is raising the bar in the Automotive Service Industry. Jose is one lucky guy to have AMD as a mentor…..infact we are all lucky to have him! Good people do good things 🙏Thanks so much
@@dieterwolf9549 a guru or expert of things 😊
This is not really a scam but a recently got a service mailer from my local Toyota dealership.
They were advertising a limited time special where they would change my Cabin air filter and engine air filter for the “low” price of $199.
I bought both filters for $38 from the local auto parts store and installed both filters myself in under 5 mins using no tools.
tell me about it! Toyota dealerships shop rate here in SO Cal is $210 an hour.
Are you sure that coupon wasn’t including cabin and engine air filter with a regular oil change and rotate service? I work at a Toyota dealer and have not seen anyone charging that much for just the filters
@@jameshasenjaeger5181 Ford dealer wanted to charge me $86 to replace my cabin air filter. Told them I'd think about it. Went to parts store and bought one for $15. Installed it in about 8 minutes.
@@77Joseph777 lol that's almost criminal
@@77Joseph777 what do the mechanics who do the work get paid?
Not a mechanic but I'm older and I grew up when "Flushing transmission fluid" was commonly believed to be the best practice. So in my 2013 Ford Explorer when it hit 75k miles I thought, "I might want to flush the transmission fluid to get ahead of the curve". The dealership agreed and did the flush. BUT shortly after, my transmission completely failed. Dealership refused to take accountability. Took it to a shop that specializes in transmissions and they said flushing is the worst thing to do because it'll push all the debris up and into the tiny "Transmission Control Module" which will get stuck and starve your transmission of vital fluids. After pulling everything a part, they found that indeed was what happened to me. SIMPLY DRAIN AND REFILL ONLY - never flush.
That or you just top it off, which most don’t need anyway.
He's right about knowing or getting to know what one's vehicle needs are. Last December, I had all of the fluids changed in my wife's vehicle. Other than the oil, it was the first time this was done on her vehicle. The shop that did the service was told with extra emphasis not to flush the transmission fluid; just drain and replace it. To their credit, they actually agreed that flushing any fluids, especially transmission fluid, is not a good practice. Having said this, it certainly didn't hurt that I knew what exactly to ask for with regard to the fluid changes.
@@Dac54 - that's awesome. I have such fear of shops because I don't actually see what they're doing so I have to rely on hope. Then there's the Take 5 oil change place that only drained a portion of my oil and then added in all the new oil I'd brought with me. I went home, checked the dipstick and sure enough, it was WAYYYYY over full. Once again relying on hope. That's not good.
SO after all this, I decided I was going to once again change my own oil and any fluids I can. I've now done radiator, brakes, oil and when it's needed, transmission fluid. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to NOT rely on hope but to actually KNOW what's been done to your fluids. It's so unbelievably empowering.
I asked for a transmission fluid flush on my 2003 Lexus ES300 at 100K miles. My mechanic specifically told me that they don't do that anymore, as it can cause damage to the transmission potentially. They said the best thing to do is just drain and fill, which I did. 80K miles later, still going strong.
@@AnalogWolfIm the 2nd owner of a 2002 ES300. Got it 2 1/2 years ago at 160k miles. Now with 185k miles. Shifts perfectly. Fluid is still red/pinkish. Will need to drain and refill soon
One of the Toyota dealership I serviced once my Prius, they were recommending injector cleaning for some $400 that will save me on fuel. I told him, every time I come for service, I read the schedule maintenance manual, if it’s not there, I don’t need it.
They recommend a new fuel pump and injector cleaning. I had driven her car previously. I told her don't do either. She paid $650 for new fuel pump module...car still needed a new transmission and she bought a new Corolla Cross the next day. 😂 Don't do anything they recommend, they are bad technicians and thief's.
There is a HUGE difference between RECOMMEND and REQUIRE. Recommend means the dealer makes extra money. Require means it's needed to keep your car running and safe and keeps the warranty in effect. Oil and filter change at 5000 miles and your engine will last forever.
Red McCombs in San Antonio told me the same thing. Over $100 to dump a "special cleaner for DI engines" in the gas tank during the 20k mile oil change. I was there for other problems for the fifth time Toyota claimed were normal. I dumped that piece of junk before it's second scheduled oil change. It was easier to get rid of the car than to continue arguing with them about all the problems.
@macfastang23010- Order Chevron Techron Fuel Injection Cleaner online and put in the gas tank once or twice a year. You will never need injector cleaning and probably the valves will remain mostly carbon free.
@@OnlyMeee-ie3dwFind an independent mechanic, that interested in making an honest buck, not taking you to the cleaners. Pick a car you like, not a dealership.
"How about we leave the flushes to the rest room" LOL!
Yeah, flush full of craps please. LOL!!
Some toilets don’t flush they over flow lol
Best line yet 😂
@@simbatortie9684😂😂😂
You are honest. straightforward, very knowledgeable and humble man. This kind of people is almost nonexistent in our days. May God bless you and your family brother!
As a mobile mechanic I come by this often. Someone is told they need brakes, given a high price from the shop so they call me. example I arrive for a brake job and pads are at 7-8mm, rotors look good ect. No other reason than the shop told them they needed new parts. Even had the Toyota dealership tell a customer they needed parts they didn't need. Makes a bad look for mechanics, they is WAY more money to be made being HONEST! Customers coming back for years is worth way more than a quick buck.
Know anyone in jersey? Had my wheel bearing done twice and failing again 6 months later. Seems the art of pressing a bearing has been lost.
Had a place try this to me less than a week after putting on new pads, calipers, rotors, and even drum shoes. Went there for a state inspection and they failed me over nothing.
What is the year, make, and model?@@jdub976
Lol! I've just had this EXACT thing happen to me. Audi dealership said in their impressive looking report that my front pads are at 10mm (I'll explain this) , and need replacing. This confused me, because my regular (independent) mechanic had always been saying I had PLENTY of wear left. When I told him they were at 10mm, he said "I usually take them down to about 3".
When I informed the dealer of this, they explained that the 10mm included the backing plate, and that the backing plate is 6 to 7mm.
Took the car to a completely new independent, and PAID to have the pads removed and measured: overall thickness 13mm, backing plate 5, thickness of the friction material = 8mm!!!. Initial thickness of the friction material is 11.8mm (high confidence but I'm trying to get this confirmed), so doing the maths, my pads are actually only about 43% worn.
Absolutely unbelievable.
I've escalated to Audi head office - we absolutely should NOT stand for this.
P.S rotors in excellent condition - no discernible dishing.
@greg you bought an Audi you already got scammed 🤑
As someone who has worked in the automotive service industry as a mechanic and advisor for the last 11 years… I’m so glad you’re educating customers. Thank you 👍🏽
must be hard being a service advisor and honest at the same time. Generally those 2 things won't work in unison. a Service advisors sole job is to convince a customer that their car needs work. If you don't get enough R.O and enough hours on the R.O you won't be a service advisor very long. Unless of course you work in like a family owned garage, but an honest Service Advisor in a dealership doesn't exist.
Yea right
When I took my corolla to the dealership for it's 15,000 mile service they tried telling me I needed an alignment before they even pulled the car into the shop. I said no thanks and the guy looked really annoyed. And they wonder why no one trusts them.
Did they have it at least pulled into the entryway/vestibule/intake area? If so, I've heard new dealerships often have scanners in those areas that supposedly can detect alignment issues - reducing/eliminating need to be checked on the typical alignment machine. I'd question it myself, but I've read this, & hopefully a dealer tech can weigh in on the topic.
ETA: did u notice any pulling to a side, or steering wheel needing to be off center to drive down the road prior to going in? At 15k, if you drive in good roads, odds are probably not. But these days, with shitty roads most everywhere, it is possible.
Sell,sell,sell whether the client needs it or not.
@@deeohgi nope.
At 30 some thousand miles now, still drives perfectly straight no uneven tire wear or anything else
@@charley95sheridan44Thats exactly why I quit selling toyotas. I thought you could be an honest respectable salesman but it’s not possibke with management
THANK YOU AGAIN !! I have basically been on my own all my life! Been ripped off over and over !! I am very sentimental! My very first car (of my own) 1973 MERCURY COUGAR XR-7 !!! LOVE OF MY LIFE ! Drove it (in all its radiant glory) for 20 years! I WAS A TRAVELING AGENCY NURSE and had to have a reliable car…. The last year I had it I spent $3500+ in repairs for nothing ! Breaks my heart every time I think about it!!
explain.
12:10 Now THAT is integrity right there. Hats off sir. Huge respect!
I enjoy this video! So much TRUTH! There are two types of wheel alignments: 1- The "push" to pay for the alignment machine, OR 2- The final step of a repair. I worked as a technician for a few different shops in the mountain region of Colorado, and I NEVER needed to "push" for alignments to help pay the shop overhead. Colorado has a countless variety of VERY LARGE potholes and many rough roads. Even the self-proclaimed "best" drivers are going to wear out the suspension parts over time when driving these mountain roads. There is no way around it, other than to literally avoid driving these types of roads all together. The Alignment was always the last step of a steering and suspension related repair before the final test drive when returning the vehicle to the customer. I never sold (or had a reason to push) an alignment job based on mileage or service intervals. Alignments are nothing more than an adjustment. If nothing is out of adjustment or causing an issue with the steering and suspension system, there the is no reason for an alignment. End of story.
ALIGNMENT check is the worst hook that hooks people. 120$ per car, for nothing. If the tires wear fine, cars go straight, no alignment needed.
Thanks!
God bless you more abundantly.
Shalom to you and your family.
20:06 This is why I'm watching channels like yours, to educate myself about what my car's needs are and to prevent me being scammed at the workshops.
It is 18 mins since the video was uploaded and there is one thumb down on the video... must be one of them crooked mechanics who was but hurt by it! God speed AMT! 😀
Lmao
It was from a dealership. 😂
So far, there are only 18 👎, basically dealers and crooked mechanics
@Revoncheap theres add-ons for web browsers you can use. I use an addon called return youtube dislikes for firefox. Im sure the other browsers have something similar.
@@JohnSmith-00700 youtube stopped counting thumbs down long time ago. nice try bud
I never flush any fluids on my car, just drained and refill it the proper way.
Excellent advise. Start a single log of your vehicle maintenance and repair. Include date, miles, and cost for each entry. This will make it super easy to track everything and plan for future maintenance.
I jot down everything except cost in a small notebook. Anything I don't do myself is in a folder in the form of a receipt.
Back in 2002, I took my Pontiac trans Sport to a popular chain garage to get the oil changed. Wouldn't you just know it, that vehicle needed every system flushed. It was on the brink of catastrophic failure in every system! If I didn't dish out $600 to have all fluids flushed and filled, my mini-van was heading for the scrap-yard.
I paid them for the oil change and took the vehicle to my brother, a master mechanic with his own garage. The fluids were fine. That popular chain garage lost a customer for good that day.
They probably didn't replace your oil filter even. 😂
1st thing I do NOW
- Don't get your vehicle serviced by a shop that you can't see inside the shop.
Either full glass doors - glass window that you can see inside the shop - or that they have the overhead doors open a lot of the time.
I was traveling through Fountain Hills AZ I wanted an oil change and tranny flush. They pulled my vehicle in did nothing and charged me $600.00 for the privilege. I found out that they did not do anything when I got home and had my "TRUSTED" local shop to do another service.
Most customer waiting areas are far removed from the mechanics' shop/work area
@@richardepstein3494 No Sh*t - Of course the areas are separate - WTF.
🤡Read what I posted - real sl0w this time🤡
Lol I remember going to the library as a kid in the 90s. My dad who came to the U.S. with some skill in auto mechanic maintenance would read Haynes and Chilton repair manuals for hours while I wondered the library exploring various topics in fascination. I asked him one day while I was still about 8 years old "Why do you always read those car books?" At the time I knew he would spend most days working on cars when he finished his day job of tree trimming and landscaping doing small things like oil changes and brake pads. He replied "I read these books so that you can read your books and maybe one day we can both be more than what we are." He now does everything car related from electrical work to cylinder honing to trouble shooting an he learned it all from a few books. He didn't speak very good English back then and now when I pick up those repair manuals I'm amazed at what he accomplished and how much effort it must have taken for him to understand and absorb that information. He made it, and hasn't climbed a tree in 25 years.
May God prosper you for helping people keep their vehicles working for many years to come
"Back in the day"... An American car from the '70s was always out of alignment. You went over a bump too fast or whatever. But not now. When I went from a '65 Cutlass to an '88 Camry, I couldn't believe how consistent the brakes and suspension were. I'm Toyota ever since. I have a 2010 Matrix S.- Great car.
Remember the "points, plugs and condenser"?
Bring back teh Matrix!
What a breath of fresh air! I enjoy your no nonsense, matter-of-fact approach. Thanks.
AMD, Thanks once more for this public service announcement. 🙌🙌 Between the deliberate scams and the pervasive presence of genuinely honest incompetence, we are lucky when we find a qualified and fair technician.
We all very much agree he’s a great guy, presenter and mechanic. Can we not have 1000’s of comments telling him so, instead focus on contributive comments.
@@artistjjebsen So you're really going to take time out of your day to scold someone for making a positive, encouraging comment on RUclips. Can't fix stupid.
@@artistjjebsenI disagree. Good people should be commended here. It’s good for the RUclips algorith, it’s good for new people coming in to see others put stock in what he says, and it helps him, more engagement equals more views equals more compensation.
"Wallet *flush* service is on special today. We'll even flush your coin pocket for no extra fees."
😅
👏
😅so true!
Don't miss the days when I would buy the repair manuals for our vehicles. Thank you to all the U-tubers and other data providers for still making DIY car repair possible with todays' vehicles.
I have a 2002 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD which i took to a new local auto shop to have them do a thorough check on the vehicle . They came back saying i needed to fix upper oil pan leak, had transfer case output seal, and new transmission plus brakes, AC compressor and several other things for repair cost of $23,813.00. I had the AC replaced three months ago and it works fine and i can’t find any leak. Same with oil and ATF leaks. I check the levels weekly. I had an exhaust leak which they wanted $6000+ to fix. I took it to another shop and they fixed the exhaust leak for $188. This new shop is nuts!
You are the most honest professional mechanic. Kudo to you.
Thank you Ahmed for sharing your vast knowledge of and experience, honesty, humility and professionalism. Pitting autos aside from you're a true gentleman and scholar. May Lord bless you and your family!
AMD, long time after we all are gone, these videos would remain and continue to educate people. thank you for your honesty and expert opinion!
This is so Helpfull! The "Winerizing", "Tune Up" and "Flushes" are not really being pushed in Denmark, but I had an "A/C service" done at my last service at Toyota. The A/C worked fine, but when they asked me, I actually thought it was like an oil change that had to be done at some point. Now I know better, and can save the $250 next time they ask.
I’m so glad I found a mobile mechanic years ago. He’s the most honest mechanic and told me recently how the bad ones give him a bad name. You can’t put a price on a good honest mechanic.
I'll add my 2 cents in .... modern cars are very forgiving when it comes to spark plugs and even air filters but there is one thing you must pay very close attention to .... OIL & FILTER CHANGES ... this is NOT negotiable ... you change your oil and oil filter every 5000 miles no matter what anyone tells you. And always use synthetic oil - it is simply superior in every way. Your motor will last it's full life and you won't burn any oil.
Every 3k miles if you drive a older vehicle designed to use conventional oil. Most engines that came from factory with conventional oil will not see a benefit from using synthetic. I still use sythetic in mine just because, but i change it every 3k because its older
Spark plugs the good ones can last a long time you’ll know when to change them when the car struggles to start sometimes that’s the spark plugs usually.
I do mine every 5000 miles or 6 months, but since I drive my vehicles barely 6000 miles/year, it’s every 6 months. I could probably stretch it, but my math says that it will take me more than 60 years of “extra” oil changes to equal the cost of an engine.
Oil is cheap. Engines aren’t.
@@shiftfocus1 wise man.
“You need an alignment”. My wife came home once and told me that she got a 4-wheel alignment…on a car with a rear I-beam suspension. I immediately went to the tire shop to get a refund.
The world needs more people like you.
I used to tell my non-mechanic friends to buy a service and maintenance manual for their car. Even though they're not going to do the actual work, they can read about the procedure so they can have a knowledgeable conversation with the service manager or mechanic that's doing the work.
The best scam I've ever heard from a shop happened one day agrw years ago. I went to a franchise oil change location because I was short on time. The mechanic came from under my cat and told me I had condensation on my oil pan, so I looked confused. He went on to explain what condensation was, I knew what it is, but what the hell do I care that water is on the outside of my oil pan, it rained the previous day. He offered some additive to add to my oil to stop the condensation from forming on my oil pan. I just told him to shut the F up and change my oil. I was pissed. Like how stupid do they think people are.
Wow! He's an idiot, but I wouldn't have told him to "shut to shut up and change the oil" because I can bet he never changed the oil filter or put in the wrong oil.
Doubt u told him that if u did he sabotaged your car
I completely agree with everything you said!
The worst thing that can cause you big problems is any touch to the AC system or refrigerant when it is working without any problems.
The system is pressurized and the seals are now pressed into their seats.
When you set the car brand, model, etc. into the AC device. First, the device will create a vacuum, pull the refrigerant into the device, and mix it with new (same) refrigerant while also triggering a test to check if your system is leaking with a vacuum.
If the AC system is not leaking and the vacuum does not drop, the device will start filling with refrigerant - the amount of refrigerant and oil was selected at the beginning by entering the car brand, model, etc.
When can a leak occur in an AC system?
It can start as soon as the pressure drops because the seals come loose from their seats.
The worst thing is with the vacuum, because previously the seals had been pushed outward for years, but now the vacuum is pushing them inward.
A leak may occur immediately during vacuum testing and the device will stop the filling process, or start leaking much later, perhaps so little at first that it won't even be noticeable. If you lose refrigerant, you will have to pay for it when you get a refill.
Anyway, just one seal (small part) that doesn't sit back in its seat properly and it's game over!
Leave it as long as it works because if it starts leaking in the internal cooler, you/they will have to remove the entire dashboard, and that's not a small task!
I know owners who haven't touched their AC system for over 20 years, even 30 years.
If it works, it works. There's no point in creating new problems for yourself or for your wallet.
This is your best video demonstrating straight-talking common sense
You are an absolute legend mate, came across your channel before i bought my 2023 Toyota Camry hybrid just researching specs online . Wish i had a teacher, like you, i would have became a mechanic. Best wishes from Australia.
Here is the number one best way to avoid all car mechanic scams for 2024 and into the future. Take your car to TCCN for yearly look overs. I drove my 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser to Homer Glen last month and I am glad I did. Great road trip with my wife and Achmed gave me all I need to know to take care going forward.
The Car Care Nut is da man!!
Yep, I drive a 150 there for service.
800+ mile drive for me.
thank GOD you are on the internet......great information
You can change your Toyota/Lexus wiper blade inserts. No need to change your wiper blades. There are instructions available on You Tube.
I just changed the inserts on my 2020 Honda Ridgeline, really easy, cheap, and they wipe consistently like new. Great suggestion!
Just get some Bosch Icons - excellent wipers.
I just recently replaced just my inserts too, but they are leaving big streaks on my windshield, so idk if I did it wrong or if they're just defective or what...
@@noahlaferriere5515Time to pay that hour of diagnoses 💀
@@noahlaferriere5515 Check your frame to make sure the joints move freely and apply even pressure. Clay bar on the windshield followed by Rain-X really improves the driving experience.
Glad you brought up the washer fluid issue! I bought a Lexus from an unnamed dealer and during discussion found out the car came from a normally warm state , mine being relatively cold more. I asked if all fluids had been changed , yep assured me they were . Well I get going down the road , mind you car was inside and I’m driving home in -15 degree temp. Build up in windshield and no washier fluid came out , full to top but frozen. Not what I was expecting, but stopped and bought a roll of towels and windex. Have to agree on the pushing of the alignment! Same dealer pushing for alignment on my other car I reluctantly gave in and what do they do because of trying to get it done so quickly, drive my car right into the lift and rip the bumper on bottom side off! The tech thought it was funny and the general manager seemed like it was no big deal . It was fixed by them but I no longer buy from them . I would love to expose the name of the dealer. Thank sir for your channel!
Another great video. Thanks. One segment I would add is when checking the maintenance guide don’t stop at the first paragraph. The maintenance schedule is highly dependent on the conditions that the vehicle is used under. This 10 or 15,000 mile service interval. only applies in some very rare situations. It’s basically a salesman and or dealerships tool to sell the car. If a vehicle is driven at Highway speeds with no commute traffic sure, Long service intervals. Stop and go commuting, Extreme high or low temperature, short trips, mountainous terrain and towing all put the vehicle into a completely different service interval. Yes research and know your conditions and service interval.😊
In Europe, such as England, Toyota recommend engine oil & filter changes every 10,000 miles or annually which ever is the soonest!! Do they use different engine oil or is it some kind of scam?
@@kenglee7161 It's a way to sell new cars. I change mine every 5000 miles because I not only live on a highway, I drive to work on a highway more often than not in traffic.
The best mechanic on RUclips. Hands down
Great tips. Always love the throwback work bench chats. A reminder of how great your presentation skills have become these last few years. 😊
Some of my favorite videos! Being nothing to view, mostly, I like listening to them on drives. I’ve listened to many twice 😬
So rare to find someone giving this type of honest info out for free. Glad I found your channel and appreciate it very much!
Protect this man at all costs😊
The wiper fluid comment is 100% valid. My dealer in Portland was using a more environmentally friendly wiper fluid mix that became quite solid in a Canadian blizzard and arctic air spell.
When I worked as a mechanic, we put the old part in a box and put it in the trunk. People felt good seeing the old part. We had a reputation of being fair and not ripping customers off.
I just learned The Car Care Nut does not flush... :) Piece of advice... keep a maintenance log as well to know when you did certain services.... I have 4 trucks/cars... no way I can keep up with it all unless I reference that book and my manuals. There's some log books I got on Amazon... one of the best things I ever purchased and I put it in the glove box for each car. I've had mechanics tell me I need spark plugs, and other maintenance items that I have already replaced... if it's documented and you know the maintenance intervals you can quickly determine if you need it or not.
Or keep an excel spreadsheet every time any service is performed with the date and the mileage.
I keep my records on Google Sheet.
This way I can look it up directly on my smartphone or on any device.
One tab for each vehicle.
All tabs use the same template.
@@kurtbeck5809 Exactly and main point is don't loose track... whatever your method is keep a record. It's way to easy especially after a year or two of service even with 1 car (because time goes so far).
@@kurtbeck5809 I've been keeping a log (date, services, cost, location) for the last 15 years or so. I can easily pull the info up on my phone, if I need to reference the history. Plus I have all the receipts filed in case I need more details.
Thanks!
You are right when you say “One “is lifetime!
I WISH I knew a mechanic that has your integrity! Thank you for your advice!
This guy knows his audience, thanks for being here!
I am a car guy and diy as much as I can. I have learned so much from you in the past 3 mos. of watching your channel. I look forward to watching every one of your videos. You are an inspiration. Keep the videos coming! Honesty goes a long way. You are a good man. Thank you!!!!
So many people just hop in their vehicles and drive them. Don’t worry about anything until they notice something wrong.
Also sadly it’s nearly impossible to know how honest a shop is and how good of equipment they have. If they seem kind and knowledgeable that’s all it takes for them to sell you.
This video offers very sound advice and hopefully will avoid owners getting scammed by garages offering ‘maintenance’ which is unnecessary.
As you say, the owner should do their own maintenance with the simple things but consult the manufacturer’s manual and find out what actually needs doing.
Your videos are a fantastic service to us.
Dont forget to change your blinker fluid!
😂😂😂😂😂
you are a good man! being a licensed truck and transport mechanic up in Canada and 7 years of wrenching full time, so many people need to hear this as many are misinformed. you have gained a follower.
"There is one who is lifetime, and we are not it." Love the reference! I thought this was hilarious, because of how true it is!
‘The righteous will possess the earth and they will live forever on it.’ Psalm 37:29
@@universalassociates6857Bible. Blahblahblah.
God. Blahblahblah.
Jesus. Blahblahblah.
That pretty much covers it. Since you Christian’s have no problem pushing your dogma, here is mine. Religion POISONS EVERYTHING.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega", says the Lord God.
Stick to the subject matter no religion or politics
@fyma very true. Without religion humans will not suffer
I have a friend and former bandmate who bought a Peavey amplifier in 1976 when Peavey offered "unlimited" lifetime warranty. He still has the amp - and has had speakers, wiring, modules, etc. replaced on it many times over the last 48 years. All for free.
Old auto tech here, 42 years. I Like the engine photo for the tuneup section. I am old enough to try to figure out what that motor is. I am leaning English, MG because of the booster, Maybe Volvo ? That shows how old I am. I agree I just got my daily driver ready for winter, check tire wear and pressure, brakes, good wipers and low temperature fluid ( I live were it gets close to 0*f), lights etc. Also emergency kit in the back ,flashlights , blankets, road flares etc. you never know what you might need for yourself or to help others. We all in this together. 😊😊
I have a 2022 Prius. Took it in for prepaid 30K oil change and tire rotate. Service manager came up with a $500 list of things that needed to be done, brake fluid flush, intake and injector cleaning, clean hybrid fan inside car. Sorry but I didn’t do anything except check and change the not dirty filter.
Also make sure your battery is in good shape before winter!
Alignments are for 🤡s. You are spot on with what you said. In Chicagoland where you are, you might actually need them after a horrible winter with a 💩 ton of potholes. A good driver will notice a pull if they hit one of those moon craters. If you hit some minor potholes at low speeds, probably not an issue. Just don’t hit the dang pothole. Alignments are the biggest red flag. When you wash your car, just turn the wheels to on direction and inspect. You will see any obvious uneven wear.
Great video!!!!!
Best informative car care video on RUclips. You’re right, I was always pushed for alignments and a/c refreshes. Not anymore! I will forever be thankful for this video. I will follow the maintenance schedule in my manual and save money on unnecessary repairs.
Car care nut. 😊
Can you review that 3rd gen Camry behind you 😊
😂
Yes please 😊
My wife just got done with her 35k mile warranty service on her 2021 Kia Sedona...I had to go back to the dealership with her and point out 1 windshield wiper fluid wasn't topped off,2 Two bolts that hold intake down missing after battery replacement,and this is big one 3 Tires 2 with tread block separation 1 with a 10 inch sidewall split,But they did tire rotation and measured break pads and even polished the tires...And service manger apologized and offered a buy 3 get 1 free deal on tires 😂😂She paid upfront for oil changes and maintenance...Love this guy ty for taking time and explaining
Follow the maintenance guide in the owner's manual. My 06 Nissan Frontier had a great guide and I used it. The RAV4 (2020) has a good one also.
This is a great video, I agree with these points for sure.
I live in the North east, winterizing is such a scam. Just slap your snow tires on and call it a day.
Full agree, no such thing as tune ups!
Lifetime fluid refers to the general time that the first owner ON AVERAGE owns their car. No one cares about the next owner.
Along those lines, yeah flushes are bull. Just drain (or suck out resovoirs) and fill on a regular basis and you are golden.
People expect alignments with new tires these days, and I tell you SO many cars I put on an alignment machine are straight already. If I made any adjustments the car is just going to drift. Very few cars NEED an alignment unless parts are being replaced or they drive on rough terrain.
I agree with most of the AC topic, but I only want to add that all systems will seep some refrigerant over time. I'm talking like 10 years, but still. In a perfect world, yes ac is sealed and never goes anyway. In the real world, refrigerant seeps out without a failure. Otherwise I agree with this sentiment of don't fix it if it isn't broken.
My 20 year old Highlander never had an AC issue and was never recharged. I'm a happy Highlander customer and just bought a 2024 model.😊
Same here with our Lexus hybrid
Thanks for doing repair videos. Cars have changed so much over my 50 years of driving. You are where I start my research.
Dad and I would file the points and set gap check the cap and condenser, and so on. Now they throw all the things you talked about at you. You forgot blinker fluid. Lol
But I love the pretty designs that the Toyota brand washer fluid makes when it hits my 20 degree windshield and freezes to it.
If you live in the rust belt, a winterizing service should be rust preventative undercoating with fluid film or surface shield
Corrosion Free is the best rust preventative on the market!! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Thank you for this PSA. Really admire your ethics and expertise 🤗
I gotta say, AMD's "explained" videos alongside Zack's Hummer project r my all time favorite RUclips series
Thank you for this.
"Nothing in this entire world is lifetime. There is One who is lifetime, and we're not it. "
Can't be more correct than this.
Whenever I’m offered a lifetime anything, I ask one question: “Your lifetime or mine?”
I have had more bad alignments then good ones. My 17' Highlander has never had an alignment in 145K miles and the tire wear is even. Dont touch it if it is not broke.
Love it when Ahmed talks about”guilt” from neglect and the price you pay for eliminating your guilt!
Probably the most important thing before winter: spray door rubbers with silicone.
What good is a car if you can't get in?
😂😂😂
😂
ShinEtsu Silicon Grease is the right product for this job. Also works great in the window tracks.
I wish I lived near you. I love your advice. Thank you for your honesty. A rare trait these days. Some of these shops you go to, and even the dealerships, have these young kids that they say are ASE certified, to me that means nothing, except that they passed a test. Lately I've been asking shops how experienced are their mechanics. I'm sure some will lie and some will tell you the truth, you just have to listen and judge for yourself.
The only other winter maintenance item you may have overlooked was testing your battery, once it gets cold if they are a little weak you get problems. I know you just overlooked this, but overall another great video!!
I had two tested and “ok” batteries fail last winter. Mind you, it was -35C.
Thankfully my battery booster worked perfectly.
A good battery is a must for cars in colder climates.
This alignment talk is so true. My dearler recommended preventative alignments at each oil change, crooks.
Knowledge is key !!! Great information !!!
Love this channel. Had our 2013Acura MDX at a Honda dealer [long story there] to diag an electrical power loss, dead battery overnight. [it was the radio after 2 days of investigation] Sent me a pic of the main harness into the radio being Broken off. Said that this was noted during their inspections. [not related to the power draw/dead battery issue] I asked what that wire harness does, well it powers everything connected to the radio, dvd player, etc. They said it would be another $400.00 in parts, but no extra labor to change it out. I told them the radio/cd,dvd, etc all worked when it rolled in here and the Service person even seen it with me in the vehicle. Long story, the TECH ripped the harness out, instead of unclipping it and they wanted me to pay for it. Thanks Honda, wont be back.
When I visit the dealership, which is rare, I listen to all the BS being told to unsuspecting customers. I just chuckle to myself and think, what a sucker. I DIY 98% of my car work.
I quietly chat with them once they are alone and recommend calling other shops. I couldn’t believe the BS prices some guy was being quoted on his 18 yr old Sienna. Easily double the norm, maybe more!
5:48 Amen, brother. Thanks for the great video and also an important reminder about our lives and eternity.
One fluid that needs attention that is one that is over looked often is brake fluid. Not so much on a car that is say 3-4 years old. But some of us that run cars over a 100k yes I recommend new fluid!
My 2013 Subaru Tribeca has on their recommended maintenance schedule to change the brake fluid every 30,000 miles and I have done it twice already and it is has over 70,000 miles now. When I first took my 2016 Camry hybrid to TCCN Automotive to have new coolant in my radiator and inverter a month after that shop first opened in 2022 (with over 50,000 miles on my odometer), I did inquire the condition of the brake fluid. Ahmed told me it would probably need changing in a year, so I had it changed in the summer of 2023 at over 60,000 miles.
I've never changed brake fluid and my vehicles consistently last 300,000 plus.I do regular maintenance with all the other fluids. Never had a problem with over a dozen vehicles.
You are an honest man. Period.
It's a bit beyond words sir... how much I (we) appreciate you.
How lucky those in your area are to have you, but for the rest of us as well. How lucky- to have a former middle eastern person of such immense Toyota mechanical knowledge and highest of moral character among us.
Sound advice as usual. The problem with today's library, the interweb, is that there is so much conflicting information, you end up much more confused after trying to educate yourself. Unfortunately, the key to success with a car is having a little bit of knowledge and a trusted shop that won't try to empty your wallet with trumped up "services/flushes, etc". There is so much service work for a good shop, there is no need for them to rip off customers with BS services.
Great Video, Keep up the good work educating everyone!
Thanks a billion AMD.
I fell for a $500+ "tune-up" by a Toyota dealership. They gave me a $4k estimate for a $6k cash car in 2016. I flatly declined and it's still running ok today.
I've been doing my own maintenance since then.
I wanted to change the transmission fluid in my 2015 RAV at 80,000 miles. The dealer said they couldn’t do it. It was a seal transmission and good for the life of the car fast forward to 2023. The car has 220,000 miles on it and they asked me the transmission fluid changing the fluid on a car with that many miles on it is asking for trouble got 250,000 on it now transmission still runs great never been changed
Don't change it, it's won't move if you do.
@@melissasmess2773 never will, thanks
I wonder if you should just drain half of it and add back 1/2 of New fluid.
Thank you for always looking out for the consumer. And YES, indeed, there is only ONE that is lifetime. Well said my brother!
Wonderful and useful advice. Thank you.
Good advice. Unless you’re jumping curbs or refurbishing suspension, you don’t need an alignment.