I have a 95 Corolla. At 90k I had service done which included A "power flush" to the following: brake system ($85), Cooling system ($88), transmission ($138), Power steering ($100). This includes system kits with additives. Also changing the fuel filter cost $124. They gave me an estimate before proceeding with the work. So I said yes to it. Although I've always been satisfied having my car serviced at this location, I can't help think that this might be overkill, especially the power steering flush which is not recommended as maintenance. I never heard of the "power flush" before. I know it requires some expensive equipment. My car was not running poorly (didn't need the spark plugs changed). And I don't live in a area that would put extreme gunk in the systems. This could be great service for the car. I need some feedback from others to know whether to accept this as positive and feel good about continuing to bring my car to the same place. Thanks Ron
I'll bet they loved you! I especially like the $100 power steering flush and the $124 fuel filter. The others while somewhat high, are not totally unreasonable.
You should demand your money back on that power steering flush or threaten to report them. Everything else was about double what it should have cost. A letter to your local newspaper would be a nice touch. You realize you could have done all that work yourself for $60-70, excluding the tranny flush which has questionable value.
If you just drop the pan and drain the transmission fluid, more than 1/2 is still inside the tranny. Power flushing removes this fluid (if they even did it) to enable a complete change.
There is no such thing (AFAIK) as power flushing brakes, but you can bleed each of the four brake lines until the fluid runs clear. Costs about $5 and
Thanks for all your responses about the power flush ripoff........I've compiled your responses (without names and emails, of course) onto one page and will include them in a letter to the Service station. I believe they will respond to my letter in defense of their actions. Anyone interested in their "rebuttal" let me know? Thanks again. I knew I was very foolish but couldn't deal with it at the time. Ron
I'd be interested in their "rebuttal". Personally, I don't think that you have a leg to stand on. You mentioned in your original post that they had given you estimates for the work, and you accepted it. What more could they do? Contrary to popular opinion on these newsgroups, these maintenance procedures are perfectly legitimate services if done at the proper intervals. Probably the most negative thing about the whole experience is that they hit you for all of the services at the same time. It would be more logical to perform some of the services now, and perform the others at a later date to ease the burden on your budget. As far as the prices, that's your job to "shop around". Don't plead lack of knowledge after the fact. You should do some homework when you are dealing with expensive things like auto maintenance. You could always have declined the services until you had some research.
Don't get all excited about the term "power flush". This is simply a marketing name for procedures that are really nothing more then "fluid exchanges". Yes, there are often special machines involved, but these machines are really intended to help the technician perform the services in a way that is more time efficient and often there are environmental considerations too.
A power steering fluid "change" is every bit as legitimate as changing your coolant, or your engine oil, or your transmission oil. It gets dirty too. In your original post, you mentioned that you don't think that you live in an area that would contribute to "extreme gunk in the systems" The only think that is really relevant about where you live would be more or less extreme temperature changes. And this would simply change the time interval that you would need to do the services. At 90K miles (I assume) it doesn't really matter where you live, by that time fluid services would be a good idea if you plan on keeping the car in good condition.
Another poster mentioned that you could have done all the work yourself for much less money. Well duh!!....but the point is that you obviously don't feel comfortable doing the work, or you would have politely declined the work, and done it yourself. Obviously, if you do the work yourself, you can save a ton of money, but if you "can't", well then you have to either pay the man, or look around for a better deal (and as you might know by life experience, cheaper isn't always better).
Anyway, go back and talk to the guys, but I think that you would be out of bounds to insinuate that they have ripped you off. Good luck with putting together a letter that quotes posts in the newsgroup. Make sure to include my comments so that you can have a bit of a balanced letter. I suspect that if you include comments like:
I don't think he does either. He accepted the situation. They probably took advantage of his situation, but that isn't unusual either. 'Caveat emptor' is not a new concept.
In Norwegian, we call this type of expenditure 'lærepenger', which is literally 'learning money'. Some lessons are more costly than others.
Yes, I really wish that people could learn that you "can" say no when presented with some sort of estimate from a vehicle service center. Especially when it concerns non-critical items.
Say no, then go do some research. Maybe you will go back anyway and have the work done, but at least you will be knowledgeable.
Had something similar happen first time I took my 1994 Camry to the dealer. They recommended changing the brake fluid and power steering fluid. Since I'd just purchased the car with 84,000 miles, went ahead and had them do it. Later had a slightly leaking transmission pan gasket changed, and the fluid exchanged in the transmission. Have since leared to change all these fluids myself, but have often noticed that most people's brake fluid looks black where, when fresh is light amber colored. (see:
formatting link
transmission fluid and power steering fluid should be bright redcolor, not darkened.Sounds like the services were certainly not discount priced, but ifyou want to feel better about them, go ahead and price a newtransmission or power steering rack, or new brake calipers.Cars have become so much more reliable (electronic ignition, platinumplugs, etc.), seems to me much of todays servicing actually doesconsist of changing just the fluids that you had done.Once they've all been replaced, it's fairly simple to drain thetransmission fluid reguarly (should be a drain plug on your model) andsuck out the fluid in the power steering reservoir with a turkeybaster. These are things you can learn to do yourself at very reasonable cost, and with the brake bleeder, plus engine oil and filter changes, and checking the battery and air filter , you've got most of it covered. Add spark plugs and timing belt when needed, and that car will probably last a very long time.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.