Dealer Recommended this CAF changed...

[Chris142]

probably going by the recommended maintenance and ASSumed it was dirty.

 

[Wheel366]

I had a Honda dealer tell me that the filter was extremely dirty. I told them I just replaced it the night before I came in for service. They looked at me and said ok.

My subaru dealer put on paperwork that my plugs needed to be done, cabin air filter needed to be done and engine air filter needed to be done. I did the plugs and engine air filter 12 months / 12k miles prior and the cabin air filter 2 weeks prior. They didn't actually discuss it with me. The service writer just told me that the tech recommended a bunch of things and she just put that I refused those services. She didn't actually ask me if I wanted that stuff to be done. If she did, I would have told her what I just wrote above.

 

[silversport]

I find that many times those "techs" go by the cars mileage and their own recommendations when to replace...they sometimes seem to never have looked at the items they recommend replacing...

I once questioned why I was being charged for a new air filter during an oil change and was told it was dirty...I revealed I had just replaced it last night (stupid of me I know but I was hoping to head off this charge) and I saw the filter in the garbage can...I pulled it out and showed it was still while and looking brand new...I did get an apology (not needed) and told the "tech" was brand new...

Bill

 

[bullwinkle]

This may sound like an overly sweeping statement, but....The last thing in the whole world they (most auto-industry people) do not want to do is engage some air-headed customer in conversation. Customers know nothing and the service person doesn't want to watch any customer make faces in response to a question.
Plus, I think they're happier just stealing your money calmly and quietly....and automatically.

Seems like the opposite to me-I’ve had dealer svc. dept. knuckleheads who wanted to argue about how to rotate tires-to the point I had to bust out the owners manual & SHOW THEM. The service advisors exist for ONE REASON-to extract as much $ from the customers as humanly possible!

 

[bullwinkle]

Did you look at the picture ? If a tech pulled that out, first thing they're thinking is "they replaced this very recently". It would take a giant pair to call it "very dirty" and say it needs replaced. The service writer has zero idea of the condition though 'cause they don't see it. They literally have a list of upsells that they probably throw at every vehicle that comes in, whether it's needed or not. How often do we hear stories of service writers recommending brakes be replaced when the owner has had it done very recently and even worse, the same dealership replaced them recently ?

This is the true cost of “free” & uber-cheap dealership oil changes-they’re trying to upsell everything under the sun, haphazardly taking things apart & putting them back together (potentially incorrectly)… When the company van gets to its’ warranty expiration date/mileage, I feel like having a party!

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

We really should stop blaming mechanics for dealer and tech writer "shenanigans".

 

[JWC86]

We really should stop blaming mechanics for dealer and tech writer "shenanigans".

I agree, maybe even better if the writer doesn't put words in the techs mouth to begin with.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Reminds me as I go in for Emissions and safety, to red tape over the AF box and Brake Reservoir lid and sharpie the word NO!

No thank you for introducing silicon dust into my intake and messing up my liquid PAD wear gauge !

 

[Urshurak776]

Stop going there. I would have gone straight to the Service Manager and had him explain to me how this cabin air filter is dirty. I get you had to go for warranty work, but I wouldn't use them for anything else. Dishonest.

 

[Urshurak776]

I'd have said, "Really! I just replaced it myself 2 months ago. I'm curious how it could've gotten so dirty in so short a time. Can you show me?"

I would have said the same thing, but added "bring the tech AND the service manager back with you." If it was my filter, date would be written on the side, so no hiding or pulling the ole switcheroo. Then I would have eaten the service manager alive. Done it before. Thats why I never go to the stelerships for anything unless warranty related. Bunch of crooks, most of them. I will say, some are very good and very honest, but the bad ones seem more prevalent.

 

[LDB]

I only use dealer for "free", either warranty or if they offer the first service free. And of course recalls, if required. The nearest dealer is about 15 miles round trip. My EXCELLENT, HONEST local shop is 3 miles round trip. And a bit less expensive hourly than the dealer. And tend to round down on work time. And refuse to do things if they don't believe in it. If I pulled in at the dealer with a 6 month old AF and said I need my AF changed they'd do it in an instant almost assuredly. My local shop would take it and look and then explain to me how stupid I am to want a virtually new clean filter changed. It's too bad everyone isn't close enough to use my shop or have one like it near them.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Reviewing the latest Dealer OCI,

Wife just got charged $7.59 a quart times six quarts of oil.

Subaru FB20D oil capacity is now 4-1/2 quarts (down from the 5qt cap. of the n.a. version)

This and it's bulk "who knows what" juice - not Subaru Genuine Synthetic (Idemitsu)

Then add on a $8.95 hazardous material disposal charge.

I haven't called them yet.

Not sure if I will and risk getting her "Blacklisted"

- Arco

 

[RocketRod69]

As a former Service Advisor for both Mercedes-Benz and Nissan I can tell you how this works. The technician is the one doing the recommendations. He looks solely at service history and goes by the manufacturers recommendations for time/mileage. If it's not in the vehicle's history it get's recommended. Now..the fact that you were told "it's very dirty"..that was an assumption from the advisor of why it was recommended. As an advisor I made it a personal law to see the parts they were recommending before contacting the customer. That meant a trip out to the shop and time away from my desk. But it was this that got my respect and trust from my customers. Did you advisor do anything wrong? IMO just in her description of "why".....

 

[RAVL]

Ram dealer tried this with engine air filter I had just changed when showing my 15 year old basic car maintenance. I didn’t argue, just declined, and stopped going there for anything other than warranty work. People can make various excuses for this but the reality is that it is a form of theft. Our Toyota dealer is just as bad. So far our Subaru dealer has been good. Honda dealer was good on wife’s last car. Really just random.