I'm looking for a qualified auto mechanic in my area(Queens, NYC) to maintain my 2000 Camry. What question should I ask to make sure he has all the right tools and equipment? Do they need to have certain specialized equipment for this purpose?
Hard to find trustworthy mechanics anywhere. Generally, the faster they work, the more money they can make. Good clues would be a clean, well organized shop and tools versus disorganized and filthy. Also a pleasant demeanor is helpful. Use your intuition, if you feel uncomfortable there, leave. Ask other customers about their experiences.
Hard to find trustworthy mechanics anywhere. Generally, the faster they work, the more money they can make. Good clues would be a clean, well organized shop and tools versus disorganized and filthy. Also a pleasant demeanor is helpful. Use your intuition, if you feel uncomfortable there, leave. Ask other customers about their experiences.
Go to Manners Motors In L.I.C. Not only are they honest but excellent mechanics too. Usally they are cheaper then anyone else too. He has saved me alot of money over the years.
Thanks to you. I took your advice and went. They are really good mechanics. Sounds very honest. Small mark-ups. Try to save you money when possible. Absolutely no rip-offs.
I would like some options on the 3000 mile oil change. I've heard it said the 3000 mile oil change is just marketing from the quick change places and your owners manual says 7500. Todays oil will last way past 3000 miles. The other side of the arguement says the auto manufactures say 7500 miles to keep the cost of ownership down. Most people I ask say "well it's not that expensive so I do it at 3000 miles." I'm inclined to follow what the owners manual says, but I'm not really sure it's the correct thing to do.
As I have heard it explained on CarTalk, the oils and metals and filtering have improved greatly in the past decade or so. So, they believe that the 3K option is overkill. They now say 5K is the magic number based on all these improvements.
The CarTalk guys seem to know of what they speak. I still go by 3K, but I'm at an age when it's tough to teach an old dog new tricks....plus I have a 03 Camry and despite what Toy sez, I'm a bit paranoid about the sludge issue.
I do believe that with frequent oil changes it is good insurance to swap out your car's oil drain plug for a lever operated drain valve. Reduces the chance of you stripping the threads on the oil pan, makes changing the oil much faster, and you don't have to periodically worry about putting in a new plug gasket.
I put nearly 160K on a corolla with 4000 to 5000 mile oil change intervals. I have never once experienced a problem with stripped threads. That is more of a Honda thing if I recall correctly. I did have the sealing washer fail at 120K, but that is somewhat of an expendable part. If toyota used a more durable copper or aluminum washer, then you would need more torque to get the proper sealing crush, which is why sometimes stripped threads arise. I think some of the quick change places use and impact wrench, by the way they torque that plug up. I work with a lady who had her oil changed at Walmart and they stripped her threads out and then RTV'd the plug in. I'd rather replace an expendable "soft" washer every 100K miles, rather than deal with stripped threads. Trust me, the toyota pan threads will hold up for the life of the vehicle. By the way, I baby my newer corolla and go for 3000-4000 mile oil changes, coolant change at 20K and plan a transmission fluid change and strainer cleaning around
30K. You would really have to have routine oil analysis performed to determine how your oil is holding up, based on your driving habits. It is a tough call, but I agree...city driving 3000, hwy driving 5000, and adjust for a multitude of conditions.On 17 Nov 2005 09:42:45 -0800, snipped-for-privacy@mailcity.com wrote:
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