My daughter and a Mechanic's advice

[JanetRose]

My daughter lives an hour away attending college – after an oil change, the mechanic told her she needed the following: Remove and replace the alternator drive belt; Flush and replace the transmission fluid and Flush and replace the power steering fluid.

I don’t want her to have these things done when she doesn’t need them – the estimate is $250 with labor. Should I advise her to cancel the appointment?

Thanks!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Consult the book for the car. It will give you the times/mileage it needs to be done.

How old is the car? Has she ever had those things done? How many miles has she put on it?

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

If your DD isn't having problems with the car, cancel the appointment. These are things that can definitely wait until she comes home and schedules an appt with someone you trust. Sounds like they saw a young woman come in and are trying to take advantage of her. Unfortunately there are some bad mechanics (no flames - I also know wonderful mechanics) that are quick to take advantage. I've included a little incident that happened to me to make you laugh.

My DH is very handy when it comes to cars, I brought my car into the dealer for a recall and had them do an oil change since it was in (otherwise I never use a dealer for routine work). I was called and told that my car needed over $1100 worth of work, including having my brakes cleaned. I asked "Cleaned?" The response, "Yeah they need to be dusted!" I told them to fix the recall, change the oil and park the car outside. I would dust my own brakes as soon as I finished dusting my living room.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would dust my own brakes as soon as I finished dusting my living room.

Dust your brakes???? Interesting.... I think I would have to have them explain the procedure to me.

Seriously to the OP, they are just probably trying to do an upsell.

 

[JanetRose]

We brought the car used and there was no book there. It is a Honda Civic 1998 with about 130,000 miles. My daughter got it almost two years ago.

 

[mmexpress]

I agree that if the car is working ok don't mess with it.
Honda cars a almost indestructable.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Dust the brakes?!
I've been an auto tech over 20 years and never heard that one!

 

[HaleyB]

Sounds like someone needed $250 and thought your daughter was an easy target.

Did they also show her some gross looking fluid they claimed came from her car? Was it one of those express oil change places? Wait and have someone you can trust look at it.