15 Car Maintenance Rip-Offs Explained [THA 381]
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching, and Today’s Class
Our panel discusses and debunks car maintenance myths from an online article titled “15 Car Maintenance Rip-Offs You Should Avoid.” They cover topics such as engine flushes, air filter replacements, fuel additives, tire shine, headlight cleaning kits, extended warranties, coolant flushes, oil additives, oil enhancers, undercoating, custom exhaust systems, dealership oil changes, and professional detailing.
Matt Fanslow, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN, Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Podcast
Justin Morgan LMV Bavarian Technical Support and Trainer, ASE-Wave Technical Ambassador. Justin’s Previous Episode HERE.
Bryan Pollock, Willco Auto Care, Sanborn, NY, and Lockport, NY
Show Notes
- Watch Full Video Episode
- Engine Flushes (00:04:12) Debunking the necessity of engine flushes for well-maintained vehicles and the importance of following manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Air Filter Replacements (00:09:50) Discussion on the necessity of replacing air filters at every oil change and the impact of environmental factors on air filter maintenance.
- Air Filter Size and Replacement (00:15:25) Exploring the impact of modern engine technology on air filter size and the need for evidence-based professional inspection for filter replacement.
- Cabin Air Filters (00:17:01) Discussion on the condition of cabin air filters and the impact of leaves and bugs on air quality.
- Airflow Issues (00:18:30) Addressing airflow problems caused by neglected cabin air filters and the potential damage to blower motors.
- Windshield Wiper Fluid (00:20:00) Debunking the effectiveness of costly windshield wiper fluid and discussing the difference in quality and impact on visibility.
- Octane Boosters and Fuel Additives (00:24:33) Debating the use and effectiveness of octane boosters and fuel system additives in modern vehicles.
- Tire Shine and Nitrogen Filling (00:29:48) Discussion on the impact of tire shine and the benefits of filling tires with nitrogen.
- Headlight Cleaning Kits (00:31:13) Debunking the effectiveness of expensive headlight cleaning kits and discussing alternative DIY solutions using household items.
- Restoring Headlights (00:33:01) Discussion on the process of restoring headlights and the potential cost-prohibitive nature of the restoration.
- Extended Warranties (00:38:06) Debunking the effectiveness of aftermarket extended warranties, with insights on their limitations and coverage issues.
- Redundant Coolant Flushes (00:43:15) Discussion on the necessity of coolant flushes, signs of coolant issues, and the importance of proper maintenance.
- Oil Additives for Engine Safeguard (00:47:44) Contradictory information on oil additives and frequent oil changes, with a focus on the composition of oil and the need for thorough upkeep.
- Oil Enhancers (00:49:17) Discussion on the use of oil enhancers for cold starts and their conditional application.
- Undercoating (00:49:41) Debate on the necessity of undercoating for modern vehicles and its effectiveness in preventing rust.
- Custom Exhaust System (00:54:33) Debunking the performance gains of installing a custom exhaust system on ordinary vehicles.
- Dealership Oil Changes (00:56:19) Comparison of the cost and quality of oil changes at dealerships versus local mechanics or aftermarket repair facilities.
- Professional Detailing (00:59:55) Debate on the cost and benefits of professional detailing versus DIY cleaning with quality supplies.
- Misleading Presentation (01:01:48) Critique of the 15 car maintenance rip-offs presentation, discussing the lack of relevance and stereotypes in the content.
- The stereotype of being ripped off (01:05:06) Discussion about the stereotype of being ripped off and its impact on the automotive industry.
- Consulting and expert articles (01:05:59) Debunking consulting and expert articles in the automotive industry and their use of clickbait and buzzwords.
- Educating clients on vehicle maintenance (01:07:30) Importance of educating clients on vehicle maintenance and the need for evidence-based decision-making.
- Importance of ADAS calibration (01:12:16) Discussion on the importance of ADAS calibration and its impact on vehicle safety and performance.
- Potential risks of skipping calibration (01:15:28) Exploring the potential risks and consequences of skipping ADAS calibration in vehicle maintenance.
- Legal implications of skipping calibration (01:17:32) The legal implications and potential consequences of skipping calibration procedures in the automotive industry.
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS
NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Auto-Fix Auto Shop Coaching
Proven Auto Shop Coaching with Results. Over 61 Million in ROI with an Average ROI of 9x. Find Coach Chris Cotton at AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching on the Web at https://autoshopcoaching.com/
Thanks to our Partner, Today’s Class
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today’s Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/
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About the author, Carm Capriotto, AAP
Carm is the founder and host of the Remarkable Results Radio Podcast and the pioneer of automotive aftermarket podcasts. Carm calls on his years of experience in the aftermarket to bring engaging stories from his guests.
Listen to raw, unfiltered, honest, and sincere stories that include insights, trends, best practices, and expertise. Each interview brings an opportunity to learn one new thing through the stories of personal achievement. Many podcast guests tell their story of transformation from working in their business to working on it.
As host of over 1,000 episodes, Carm uses his enthusiasm and passion for the aftermarket especially the service sector to take his listeners on a journey showcasing successful service professionals’ paths to Remarkable Results. He also enjoys interviews with aftermarket industry thought leaders who bring their industry perspectives to his listener.
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