Your headlight fluid is low. Regular or halogen?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/11/2002 (8602 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THIS telephone conversation actually took place:

Ring, ring…

Michelle: Hello

Caller: Hi is Michelle DiPalma there please?

M: This is her.

C: Hi Michelle, Alan here from ABC Auto Care. Looking at your car, you brought it in for an alignment and a tune-up?

M: Yes I did

C: Well we found a few more problems and wanted to run them by you to make sure you want them done.

M: Okay

C: First of all, the headlights. The headlight fluid is a little low. We’re going to need to top that off.

M: How much is that going to cost?

C: That’ll probably be…about…well depends, do you want the halogen fluid or the regular?

M: What’s the difference in price?

C: You’re talking about $10 or $30. It’s a question of quality. I wouldn’t skip out though, I’d go with the halogen.

M: The halogen is better?

C: Yeah.

M: Okay, and you said that was about $30?

C: Yeah…each headlight

M: Oh…so $60. Well, okay, we can go ahead and do that.

C: Good call Michelle, I’ll mark that off. Now the tires: I don’t even know how this happened. It’s weird. Somehow the left tires got on the right and the right tires got on the left. Do you want us to switch those back for you?

M: Yeah, is that dangerous?

C: Oh yeah. But be thankful that the front weren’t on the back and the back weren’t on the front. That could cause a real headache.

M: Oh gosh! How does that happen?

C: Well, sometimes the servicemen get confused.

M: How much is that going to cost?

C: About $50 …per tire.

M: Per tire?

C: Yeah, but we don’t need to do the spare though. We can leave that one alone.

M: Oh so we don’t have to do the spare, so $200?

C: Yeah but you’ll be glad you did it. Imagine going down the highway and all of a sudden Whamo!!

M: Oh no!

C: Yeah…big problems.

M: Alright, we can do that.

C: And the biggest problem here…my guy checked it out…and again I don’t know how this happened. Actually it could have happened last time you had it in for service somewhere: Someone removed the transmission.

M: The transmission?

C: Yeah, it’s just gone.

C: Yeah, it improves gas mileage.

M: Ohhhh.

C: You really need one though; do you want us to install one for you?

M: Well yes, if I really need one. But how much is that going to cost me?

C: Well it’s going to be a bit. Actually, if I were you, I’d get two of them for this type of car.

M: Okay. Two. How much is that going to be?

C: Well, how often do you go in reverse?

M: Just when I back out of the driveway, I guess.

C: Well can you park on the street, maybe?

M: Yeah, I could probably do that.

C: Because without a reverse function, you could probably save a bit of money, especially if you’re getting two transmissions.

As it turns out, this call was actually a prank played on an unsuspecting victim during a morning radio show. The morning DJ (not ABC Auto Care (is there even an ABC Auto Care?)) called this innocent, and naive college girl in order to entertain the listening audience.

What this excerpt from their conversation demonstrates is just how uninformed some vehicle owners are. And who could blame them? After all, automotive technology is not everyone’s cup of tea. And with modern vehicles coming off the assembly line with ever more complicated electronics and computers that run everything from the central A/C to the throttle, “headlight fluid” is the least of our worries.

But what can you do to prevent getting ripped off by a slick-talking dishonest mechanic? Here are a few suggestions:

Ask a friend

Once you decide on a shop, take the time to visit it, looking around to see if the place is well cared for with professional mechanics working on cars. If the place looks neglected, consider that another red flag. A respectable establishment takes care of its facilities, and sets high standards for all employees.

Next, see how the shop owner treats other customers. Is he or she courteous, respectful, and attentive? Do the mechanics take the time to listen to customers, explain all recommendations and take the time to answer questions?

Get it in writing

If you decide to go ahead with a shop, make sure to get all estimates, work orders and warranties in writing. Never sign a blank work order. If they refuse to put everything in writing, take your business elsewhere.

For major work, be sure to be quoted a maximum possible charge (i.e. How much will this job cost in a worst case scenario?). An estimate should specify the problem to be repaired, the parts needed for the job, and the anticipated labour charge. It should also state that the shop will contact you for approval before they do any work exceeding a specified amount of money.

Get a second, third opinion

There’s nothing wrong with getting an estimate from two or three garages. If they all concur, you’ll know you’re on the right track. If they don’t, you’ll be better able to weed out the shop you don’t want to do business with.

Keep in mind that most auto mechanics are honest businesspeople, but (as in every industry) you’re bound to run across a rotten apple now and then. If you feel you’re dealing with a dishonest mechanic, trust that little voice in the back of your head and take your vehicle elsewhere, even if that means paying to have your car towed to another garage.

Wise shop owner take good care of their customers, realizing that if they’re honest and forthcoming, they’ll develop a bond of trust with their customers that will have them (and their friends and family) coming in for service for years to come. These are the mechanics you want to find…and hold on to for life.