More tales from the autoshop

[mandaliz8704]

Because my alternator and my water pump were both fine. It was the thermostat that was bad and he just wanted to rip me off. He must have grabbed the first random part that he saw and thought he'd make a few easy bucks off the silly girl. who knows.

[protege]

Oh, I love it when mechanics try to pull shit with me.

Some aren't too bright. Not long ago, I had a mechanic try to sell me an "automatic transmission service" that would "change the fluid, and allow it to shift better." Uh, did I mention my Toyota has a 5-speed? There's no transmission fluid, folks! Gear oil, yes, but no fluid

Then there was the guy who insisted that my timing belt was on its way out. Never mind that the Mazda's belt had just been replaced, and the little "tappety" noise from the valve cover...had been there since I'd bought it. 8 years previous

Oh, and I'll be doing my part to help out the economy soon--the MG is due for a new set of tires soon. The ancient Michelins currently on the car still have good tread...but the sidewalls are starting to crack. I don't ever remember my father getting new tires for it, and we've had the car nearly 30 years. I can see why though--it was rarely driven.

[Bosch]

The ancient Michelins currently on the car still have good tread...but the sidewalls are starting to crack. I don't ever remember my father getting new tires for it, and we've had the car nearly 30 years. I can see why though--it was rarely driven.

30-years Yes its time! Unsafe very unsafe rubber degrades over years and let me tell you tires have come a long way baby since then.. Your MG will feel like a new car when you get new grippy rubber on it..

[MadMike]

Contrary to what you seem to believe, not all tires are the same. They come in different widths, radius, treads, etc...

You mean to tell me you can't put a set of bicycle tires on a monster truck? I don't believe you! You're just trying to rip people off!

[protege]

You mean to tell me you can't put a set of bicycle tires on a monster truck?

I'm sure it could be done. Tire life and handling would be seriously compromised though Locally, I do know of one idiot Mustang driver...who thought it would be a good idea to 'lower' the car by fitting a set of "doughnut" spare tires

[VComps]

Then there was the guy who insisted that my timing belt was on its way out. Never mind that the Mazda's belt had just been replaced, and the little "tappety" noise from the valve cover...had been there since I'd bought it. 8 years previous

Your Mazda anecdote reminds me of a tale of great fail. I once had a mechanic try to convince me that I needed an OMG EXPENSIVE REPAIR to my car because the piston rings were toast.

The car in question was a first-generation Mazda RX-7.

RX-7s have rotary engines.

Rotary Engines Don't. Have. Pistons.

(and you should have seen the argument that ensued when I told him that.. 'what do you mean it doesn't have pistons, all cars have pistons')

[valhar2000]

Your car was so hopelesly broken down that it didn't even have pistons anymore! Of course it needed an expensive repair! HE probably had to order a new motor for it, with pistons.

[Bosch]

I'm sure it could be done. Tire life and handling would be seriously compromised though Locally, I do know of one idiot Mustang driver...who thought it would be a good idea to 'lower' the car by fitting a set of "doughnut" spare tires

jebus people are stupid

[Geek King]

Locally, I do know of one idiot Mustang driver...who thought it would be a good idea to 'lower' the car by fitting a set of "doughnut" spare tires

I would laugh, but I see people around here all the time with one or more doughnuts running over the speed limit multiple days running. Those things aren't rated for much MPH or mileage. Most I've seen are 45mph/25mi. And people wonder why I look so harried after the evening commute.

[QASlave]

Because my alternator and my water pump were both fine. It was the thermostat that was bad and he just wanted to rip me off. He must have grabbed the first random part that he saw and thought he'd make a few easy bucks off the silly girl. who knows.

You mean he didn't try to sell you a blinker fluid pump or a muffler belt? Wow, his boss will be pissed at that lost sales opportunity.

[joe hx]

You mean he didn't try to sell you a blinker fluid pump or a muffler belt? Wow, his boss will be pissed at that lost sales opportunity.

Or radiator belts! Because they run the thermostat, right?

Oh, and I've seen plenty of cars come in with spares... that are bald. Or the time someone came in with a spare, and didn't bring the old rim for me to put the new tire one. I only found out after I dug through all the junk in her trunk. Got to the very bottom and there was nothing there except an old, moldy piece of bread.

[protege]

Those things aren't rated for much MPH or mileage. Most I've seen are 45mph/25mi.

I had to drive home on the spare once. I'd nudged the curb with the Tercel...flattening the tire. None of the tire shops where I was living (away at school) then were open. Only thing I could do, was put the spare on, and head for home. Keep in mind that the spare was only limited to 50mph. As such, I had to take the less-traveled roads home. By the interstate, the entire trip usually takes just over an hour. Time for my trip? 2 hours

[MadMike]

Locally, I do know of one idiot Mustang driver...who thought it would be a good idea to 'lower' the car by fitting a set of "doughnut" spare tires

I hate those stupid "donut" tires, and curse the moron who invented them. Why someone would use one (or in this case, four of them) intentionally is beyond me.

[Bosch]

I would laugh, but I see people around here all the time with one or more doughnuts running over the speed limit multiple days running. Those things aren't rated for much MPH or mileage. Most I've seen are 45mph/25mi. And people wonder why I look so harried after the evening commute.

Worse is that I see them on FWD cars, and on the drive wheel to boot!!!!!!!!! Holy shit does that fuck up the car, alignment, steering control, power everything has been compromised. You always put a compact spare on the back and shift a good rear tire to the front on a FWD car..

There is one exception to this rule however
Only use a compact spare on a FWD Front end to get it the fuck off the freeway to avoid being killed Then when off freeway do the tire shuffle..

They were invented to save weight and space and they are cheaper than giving a car owner a full size rim and tire.

[protege]

I hate those stupid "donut" tires, and curse the moron who invented them.

What annoys the hell out of me, is that the "donut" came into use...to "save weight and space." Bullshit. On every car I've owned, the Tempo, the Tercel, Mazda, and my current Corolla...a standard-sized wheel will fit into the spare wheel "hole" no problem. Meaning, it doesn't free up any space, and from what I can tell, a donut spare doesn't weigh much less than an alloy wheel to begin with