Question about oil change places

[SoKlueles]

I dont know if i was ripped off or not. I just got my oil changed. I knew they would tell me i need that...belt(serpentine) or something...its the main belt...well they also told me i needed to have my oil flushed.and that i needed to have something done to my radiator. I needed an air filter, and something else i dont remember.
Well I got the belt(49.95) and I got the air filter (9.99) and I got this lubricating stuff to help refresh everything because apparently i was a quart low on oil(6.99)
The total bill was 102.00. I know i needed that belt changed, i have had numerous ppl tell me that...but I dont know, isnt that a bit steep or were they taking advantage of me because I was a female?

 

[Seashell]

I'm always leery of the oil change ppl too..

I just say no thanks and go ask my mechanic, he'll tell me if it really needs to be done.

 

[HumorMe]

Did you get your radiator flushed too?

Cost for an oil change here is around $30.00. So add the tax and that will be about $100. Fan belts are expensive, especially if it is the main belt.

 

[SoKlueles]

it wasnt the fan belt...its the main belt that makes the motor run..i dont know what its called...its HUGE tho....

 

[sh4dowf4lcon]

If you didn't change the belt and your car broke down on the highway you would say, "damnit! I should have done the belt!" $100 maybe a bit steep, but you know it had to be done, so I think you are okay.

 

[SoKlueles]

True, I have a road trip next week. Id hate to be stuck in Ga AGAIN.

 

[HumorMe]

it wasnt the fan belt...its the main belt that makes the motor run..i dont know what its called...its HUGE tho....

Fan belt is kind of an all inclusive belt that drives your whole system. Years ago, cars had as many as 3 or 4 belts. Usually the cars nowadays have one main belt that drives everything.

Very expensive to replace. $100 sounds pretty much inline.

 

[HumorMe]

Did your receipt say how much the oil change was?

$50 - belt
$10 - Filter
$ 7 - oil additive
$30 - oil change

$97 + tax...close to $102.00

 

[SoKlueles]

Ok good. I got an oil change, air filter, the stuff they p ut in my oil, and that belt for 100 so i feel better now

 

[napolean22]

The prices sound like they add up.
Belt ~ $50
Air Filter ~ $10
Lube Job ~ $7
Oil Change ~ $30 (that's the going price)
w/ tax that's about right.

You should change your air filter yourself. Very Very easy, and will save you $5. Best bet is to find someone you can trust. I have a guy that I trust and let handle minor things like oil changes, tire rotation, etc. But I also have another guy (I trust...friend of the family) that works specifically on Hondas. He's my man if I need something serious done.

But yes, its very important to be able to trust your mechanic.

 

[GEEK2FREAK]

people in that business point use suggestive sales to make a profit, all of those things done were preventative maintance and should of been done...but normally in your owners manual there is a list of things that should be done at a certain mileage...for instance the rearend should be lubed every 30,000 miles or your tires should be rotated every 12,000 miles....if you read in your owners manual and its not time for something to be done..dont get it done yet. But belts normally arent but 20-30 bucks at the part store but of course they are marking it up to make their profit.

 

[HumorMe]

Show them your tits = could have gotten it for free.

 

[SoKlueles]

This weird guy kept talking to me in there...kinda gave me the creeps...was saying..its good to have a van like that for kids and stuff..(finding out if im married) and then he touched my shoe and said, alot of ppl wear shoes like this....and im like dammit guys hurry and git my damn oil changed!!!!

 

[Lestat]

I'd say you got taken.

Same thing happened to my GF too, you go in for a regular oil change and they say you need to "flush" the system and other bullshit.

Its a scam and they target female customers. If you do regular maintinance... with a legit mechanic they will tell you what you need. These Jiffy lube fucks are NOT mechanics, they change oil, which a 10 year old could do.