Free? Sounds good, so I went there. Upon my arrival one of the mechanics approached, signal me for the keys and simply drove off... Turns out that he was checking out the car by driving. Could of told me but I guess it's no biggie. Then they lift the hood and told me I need an oil change. I said %26quot;How much?%26quot; and they replied %26quot;$25%26quot; (Others on yelp said it was $20). No biggie I guess but I use synthetic so I told them I was asking for the synthetic oil change price. They told me it was $60 and if I want to do it, I have to decide quick. I agreed to the oil change even though I knew I still have around 2000 miles (synthetic lasts 5000-7000 miles right?)
While they were changing oil they told me that the two engine belts (while looking under the car) seems worn and need to be replaced, they estimate it would cost $70-$80. (Does that seem right? It's an Infiniti FX45). I asked, what does the belt do, is it dangerous to not replace it now...etc. He answered something about steering, air con, and battery. So I said my car failed to start a few times. He checked my battery and then told me I need to replace it by showing me a piece of paper I don't understand (I recall it was 120v or something, not sure...). Out of fear that my car would die on me on the long trip, I said %26quot;Ok...and how much is that?%26quot; I was quoted $90 for an interstate battery and told me it was better than my factory original battery. I agreed again.
NOW this is the part that got me upset. They took the battery cover and the surrounding rubber off ok. They took the old battery out. ok. Then they put a small machine with something like a hot metal poker near the battery holding place and...BURNED THE METAL surround it (where the rubber battery cover would be put on). I even saw smoke! They saw that I saw and they act like nothing happened. I didn't know what to say or do, I just stood there. Minutes pass by as they attempt to put on the battery and the owner said to me %26quot;I should charge you more becuase the batttery is so hard to install%26quot; and I finally replied %26quot;You burnt my car%26quot;. They all laughed and the owner said %26quot;It's nothing, I'll put the rubber on it%26quot;. I got upset and told the owner %26quot;You can't expect to just burn my car and ask me to drive it home%26quot;. He insisted it was no big deal. I didn't know what to do.
The installment was done, I went to his office, he came and gave me the keys and charged me $150 for the oil change and battery (is it cheap or a rip off? I dunno) and I told him again, he should fix the burn. He told me to come again cuz now he is closed. He said he will put some paint or something on it when I come. I dunno, after the battery incident I have no faith in either yelp or these mechanics anymore. I feel bullied becuase from the minute I arrived till the minute I leave they were never very friendly.
Sorry for my long description. Let me know of your thoughts or if you're knowledgeable about cars and you find something wrong, tell me. A few questions:
1. Interstate battery is good battery, better than fx 45's original?
2. Interstate battery for $90 is a fair price or not?
3. How do I know if they filled up on my oil or just gave me some and charged me $60?
4. $60 cheap or expensive for a synthetic oil change?
5. The two belts, if replaced should be how much?
The FX45 is 2003. Thanks.
6. The burnt metal, how much is it to replace it?
I will try to award more points, if you let me know how to do that.
Thanks!
The burnt on the metal (to describe it, it looks like a cigarette burn)... I dunno, I feel like a coward for not really doing anything about it but I don't know what to do!! Is it a big deal? I dunno...Car mechanics help...?okay let me address the burnt metal what probably happened was that the nut zert was stuck and broke and they welded a new nut (which was the smoke and fire) for a new battery hold down or reused the old one the hole happens with welding sometimes because battery boxes usually rust out underneath (if it bothers you buy a new battery box bottom but dont watch because all the torch and welding work would make you nervous just put spray paint on the weld and dont worry)but as far as the rest you probably got a fair price ,interstate is better than the original .belts can be as much as $100 a peice and synthetic is 6.99 and up a quart takes 5 quarts plus filter and labor
hope this helpsCar mechanics help...?%26gt; Free? Sounds good,
It is NEVER free. They ALWAYS find something wrong. Don't get me wrong, there's usually something wrong anyway.
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%26gt; Then they put a small machine with something like a hot metal
%26gt; poker near the battery
If you saw a spark, it is usually not a big deal. Sometimes when they put the jumper cables (to charge a new battery), they cause a spark.
But without EXACT description, I can't really say exactly what it was. But it sounds like a spark from the jumper cable.
Besides ALL the repair costs, I don't think your car was damaged.
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1. Interstate battery is good battery, better than fx 45's original?
They are about equal quality. I think some of the BEST are Sears Die Hard. Me and my budds swear by them
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2. Interstate battery for $90 is a fair price or not?
Sounds kind of expensive.
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3. How do I know if they filled up on my oil or just gave me some and charged me $60?
Check the dip stick. The oil stays clean for about 5 to 10 miles. After that the oil LOOK dirty (but still clean). But you shouldn't worry too much. They almost NEVER cheat you on this. They don't want to be responsible for engine damage. If they want to, they can easily cheat you MORE money else where.
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4. $60 cheap or expensive for a synthetic oil change?
About $0 to $20 on the expensive side. Certainly no DEAL
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5. The two belts, if replaced should be how much?
Can't say.
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6. The burnt metal, how much is it to replace it?
What is this BURNT metal exactly? Can't say unless you give better description OR a picture somewhere. If it is NOT part of the outer body (paint job), I would not lose any sleep over it.
Good luck........Car mechanics help...?PRICES AREN'T TOO BAD, BUT I'D CHALK IT UP TO EXPERIENCE AND STAY CLEAR OF THAT PLACE. AND TO REWARD THEIR FRIENDLY STAFF, TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE SO THEY WON'T HAVE TO ENDURE THE SAME THINGS AS YOU DID. YOU MAY WANT TO ADD THE NAME OF THIS FRIENDLY PLACE HERE AS WELL.Car mechanics help...?1. There is only one car battery manufacturer on the planet. The sell it to the distributors and they put their logo on it. Interstate is not better, its the same damn battery.
2. A little high, but you got an Infinity so i hope money aint a huge issue.
3. If its a clean almost clear gold color, its new.
4. Again, a little high, but shops always rape you on prices.
5. About $20 per belt, labor should be very small. Probably should get out the door (parts labor and tax) for $75.
6. Have no clue wtf the burnt metal is, sorry cant help you there, I didnt see what they did.Car mechanics help...?Interstate battery cost 46.00 bucks where i live.Car mechanics help...?the prices seem fairCar mechanics help...?Well, first of all there is more than 1 battery manufacturer on the planet. Where do people get this stuff? $90 is rather steep for an Interstate battery. They are pretty much run of the mill batteries that most mechanics shops use. If they welded something they should have told you that a metal part broke and they were going to have to weld it. I doubt that you needed an oil change. One can not tell by looking under the hood, it goes by mileage and modern cars can go 5k on an oil change. It's irresponsible to change oil - expensive synthetic oil - when it doesn't need it. The belts? %26quot;dangerous not to replace now%26quot; that's the oldest trick in the book. You need to know what to look for to determine worn belts, cracks develop in the underside where the little ridges are. Did they even show the old ones? You also need to know how old the belts are and how much mileage there are on them. Get a little book and keep track of this stuff, it's worth it. Quite frankly I doubt that your car needed any of this stuff. Their attitude is a big thumbs down too. I'd go on yelp (whatever that is) and leave a bad review. Personally I check with %26quot;mechan - x files%26quot; from the cartalk.com site on the rare occasions when I encounter an automotive problem that I can't take care of myself. Don't go back to that place unless it's to complain and demand compensation to paint damaged by welding - they should have put down welding blankets to shield paintwork and other parts from sparks.
