A FEMALE mechanic has revealed the number one mistake that causes customers to spend more than they need to at a car service centre.
The technician explained his advice on TikTok, noting how he was inspired to address the issue after a friend asked him if he had paid the right amount for his car’s work bill.
Kels (@mylovekels) begins his TikTok clip by stating, “I refuse to believe that all mechanic shops are dirty, slick, or shoddy because I honestly believe that most shops have good, kind hearted people and attentive
“They’re all trying to do their jobs; I think some of us just don’t know when to say no.”
He added that it’s okay to decline certain car maintenance services, as drivers are the ones to decide unless a particular part or system of the vehicle is on its last leg – information that the technician will share.
This mechanic emphasized that you don’t have to finish your entire car at once.
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Kels then laid out some tips to avoid being overcharged if you don’t know much about vehicles.
He first stated the importance of changing the oil on time, and clarified that his synthetic oil change completed every 10,000 miles on average may not suit your driving situation.
Kels suggested that drivers with engines using regular grade oil get a change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles before advising those with older cars to complete a change sooner if they have the money.
This auto expert said tire rotations could come every 10,000 to 15,000 miles on average, but stressed the importance of getting the job done on time to avoid premature tread wear.
He added that you should research what tires your car needs so a shop doesn’t charge you for an unnecessarily expensive variety.
Kels acknowledged how garages frequently offer a transmission oil change, but noted that you can usually decline this service until 60,000 to 100,000 miles have passed since your last change.
He said you could follow this same maintenance routine to change the differential oil.
This mechanic also said that you should only replace a cabin or engine air filter if the components are dirty, as the parts can clog and reduce your mileage.
Finally, Kels recommended paying no more than $5 to change the washer fluid and change the engine coolant every 70,000 miles on average.
