Ongoing car advice

[RobertInOntario]

Last dealer I worked for , a year ago , the shop rate was $90 / hour ! They are there to make money . Mechanics are about $25-30/ hour , +overhead , etc . It's not a cheap business .

I take my car to a nearby " Lube Joint " and of course they don't want to just change oil , they want to " super-size your fries " as it were . Before I take the car in , I check everything myself , wiper blades , tranny fluid level ( and colour ) , visual condition of rad hose , belts ect , etc .....just so I know . If I don't they'll try to sell me everything . They've gotten to know me so when I say "OIL & FILTER ONLY " , they know not to try to upsell . Robert , that's what I'd suggest you do from time to time , get someone else to inspect everything while you do an oil change , if you can't do it yourself .

T

I actually thought of doing that next time. I've done this in the past but don't have the work done. I've just taken it to a garage I trust and then ask if all the quick lube findings were correct.

I think started to first notice the leak in early December. It was so small that it was hardly noticeable or you second guess It. Yes, I'm going to have to get under the hood more if I'm going to keep such high mileage cars.