Dealer Recommended this CAF changed...

I get a call from the "service advisor". She says the tech claims the CAF is very dirty....

I found this very odd as I have recently replaced the filter two months ago
First, they don't know you replaced it recently without looking at it. Two, if the tech actually pulled it out, no way he/she would recommend it be changed since it looks brand new. If it looked a bit more used, maybe.... What happened here, I will say with 99% confidence is that the service advisor did this completely on their own. The tech didn't pull it out (unless it was out for another reason) and certainly didn't tell the SA it was "very dirty".
 
The last time that I brought my wife's CR-V to the Honda dealer for a recall and "free courtesy inspection", they told me that the transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, cabin filter, and air filter all needed to be changed. Did the mechanic actually do an inspection? Obviously not because I had just done ALL of them 30 days prior!
 
First, they don't know you replaced it recently without looking at it. Two, if the tech actually pulled it out, no way he/she would recommend it be changed since it looks brand new. If it looked a bit more used, maybe.... What happened here, I will say with 99% confidence is that the service advisor did this completely on their own. The tech didn't pull it out (unless it was out for another reason) and certainly didn't tell the SA it was "very dirty".

Yeah, because a tech wouldn't be dishonest, right?. I've had techs stretch the truth or tell me something is wrong when it's not. Techs in automotive generally get paid by billable hours, and chances are they tach on a fraction of an hour to replace the filter along with the heater core. Do this routinely and it really adds up. My point is, I don't know that it's fair to pin it exclusively on the service writer, and it's reasonable to believe the tech may have recommend the service based on the information provided. Ultimately, there's no way for us to find out. Also, the filter likely DID come out of the vehicle as the OP had a heater core replaced.
 
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Every shady mechanic worth his reputation keeps a special filthy filter, caked with bugs and cottonwood seeds, in a convenient drawer in the shop ready to show to the customer to prove their filter is long overdue for replacement.
 
^^This.

The tech said no such thing most likely. The service writer gets a commission for ad-ons no doubt. Such is the state of this industry in 2024
First, they don't know you replaced it recently without looking at it. Two, if the tech actually pulled it out, no way he/she would recommend it be changed since it looks brand new. If it looked a bit more used, maybe.... What happened here, I will say with 99% confidence is that the service advisor did this completely on their own. The tech didn't pull it out (unless it was out for another reason) and certainly didn't tell the SA it was "very dirty".
I think that's what bugs me the most, not knowing if the tech actually said that or not. If he did then I can no longer trust him. If the SA says he said it without him knowing thats a big deal in my opinion as I would be very upset if I were him.
 
I think that's what bugs me the most, not knowing if the tech actually said that or not. If he did then I can no longer trust him. If the SA says he said it without him knowing thats a big deal in my opinion as I would be very upset if I were him.
If they waived the labor, the tech would get zero dollars for installing a new one. Just about every tech save maybe someone still in apprentice gets paid flat rate.

So I can almost assure you it wasn't the tech.
 
They will send a survey on the work they completed, answer it with full disclosure. Service departments get docked if they don't get a 9 or 10. Too many negative reports means HQ bonus money will be reduced. It doesn't take many to have the reduction kick in. Looks like this service will rank below 9.
 
They will send a survey on the work they completed, answer it with full disclosure. Service departments get docked if they don't get a 9 or 10. Too many negative reports means HQ bonus money will be reduced. It doesn't take many to have the reduction kick in. Looks like this service will rank below 9.
I bust them for lying, it’s an automatic ZERO. Fortunately I only have to worry about the company’s junk!
 
The SA was probably relying on the fact that many customers don't know that their vehicle has a CAF, much less check them. Two of my vehicles have a CAF and I admit I don't remember the last time I looked at them.
 
That is why we call them "Stealership".

They did the same thing to just recommend everything under the kitchen sink without checking them.
The chained shop like Firestone also upsell without checking.
 
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