Dealer service

[5thgencamryJ]

I can't believe how Toyota dealers can screwup car ownership so bad. Take inexpensive and reliable car to own and make it costing thousands of dollars more. Those service writers are actually salespersons, they do not know as much about cars as much as a mechanic, I have tested them.
We paid for the reliability of the car, not for something that requires constant "servicing." Constantly sell you "flushes" and refuse to do non-money making warranty TSBs. (I have been to several dealers)
They will lie saying your car "needs" service (of course at double the cost of others). I have seen a old lady charged $100 per tire. Toyota is in cahoots with the dealer. My new corolla has an "maintenance service light" at 5000 miles, the time for oil change. This is an invitation to go to the dealer to reset the annoying and misleading light. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the car.
Toyota dealers act as if we owe them something. What do we owe them? We already paid good money for the car.

[TrailDust]

That's why the single best thing you can do as a car owner is to find a reliable private mechanic to work on your car. I found two in my area over 20 years ago and I've never looked back. Like I always tell people, a good private mechanic is worth his weight in gold.

[spicyTuna]

Totally agree. There a shop near me that gives out free loaners while your car is in the shop. Plus he's really honest and always uses genuine parts. That's hard to beat.

Ya the service dept is just like sales; you can negotiate with them just like when you bought your car.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[Mike Gerber]

Yes, service writters are salespeople. It's part of their job to sell you certain things to make money for the dealership. Some of these things your car needs, some of them it doesn't. You best thing you can do IMHO (aside from finding a good independent mechanic) is to arm yourself with knowledge about your car. Most of that knowledge is in your owner's manual. Read it thoroughly, especially the maintenance section toward the back of the manual. It will tell you what your new car usually needs and at what intervals. Use it as a tool to work with your mechanic, independent or dealer. The owner's manual will also tell you how to turn off that maintenance required light.

Mike

[MR2Jedi]

True that Kevin! I do most of my own work, but when I don't have the time or right tools, I take it to some import specialists in Little Rock.
They always and I mean always, fix it right the 1st time!
I always tips the techs and bring food too!
They're worth it and I always get moved to the front of the line.