I went to the mechanic today

[svhorns]

So I took my Toyota Sienna into the dealerhip to have her checked up.

The guy came back and told me the blinker fluid was low, and that it would run me a little over $100. He said it was a little high because blinker fluid isn't in season this time of the year.

Is he trying to take advantage of me, or is $100 about right (for the season we're in)?

What else should I be wary of, and has this ever happened to you?

[SLC]

Yea I'd say thats way to much for blinker fluid....he's mainly shafting you on the labor charge...you can get it for $8.99 at this place and then change it yourself....

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=6


http://kalecoauto.com/images/BlinkFluid.jpg

[Firebird]

So I took my Toyota Sienna into the dealerhip to have her checked up.

The guy came back and told me the blinker fluid was low, and that it would run me a little over $100. He said it was a little high because blinker fluid isn't in season this time of the year.

Is he trying to take advantage of me, or is $100 about right (for the season we're in)?

What else should I be wary of, and has this ever happened to you?

A lot of people don't realize that they usually need to change their blinker fluid every three oil changes or else your blinkers will slow down or in some cases even stop.

You're in Austin so you don't relaly need to worry about changing your blinker fluid for different seasons, it never really gets cold enough here to make winter fluid a real need. I would consider getting a full synthetic blinker fluid as it lasts twice as long as the regular stuff. Make sure you have your mechanic flush the blinker lines whenever you do a full change.

[mad_fan]

A lot of people don't realize that they usually need to change their blinker fluid every three oil changes or else your blinkers will slow down or in some cases even stop.

You're in Austin so you don't relaly need to worry about changing your blinker fluid for different seasons, it never really gets cold enough here to make winter fluid a real need. I would consider getting a full synthetic blinker fluid as it lasts twice as long as the regular stuff. Make sure you have your mechanic flush the blinker lines whenever you do a full change.

I change my own...and having an air compressor to flush the lines really makes short work of it...

[slorch]

So I took my Toyota Sienna into the dealerhip to have her checked up.

The guy came back and told me the blinker fluid was low, and that it would run me a little over $100. He said it was a little high because blinker fluid isn't in season this time of the year.

Is he trying to take advantage of me, or is $100 about right (for the season we're in)?

What else should I be wary of, and has this ever happened to you?

If someone seriously walked up to me and said that, I'd immediately ask to see their boss's boss. Stuff like that comes from the top down, and you are the customer.

in our shops in the Marines, every tool and part came through a "tool room" and when things got slow or we were feeling particularly mischievous, we'd send a noob to ask for items such as:

1. Metric Crescent Wrench
2. Light Bulb Repair Kit
3. a can of "Beep" (commonly used to repair a nonworking horn:D)
4. spark plugs/ wires for diesel engined Hummer
5. ask for a quart of starting fluid and a filter

and, amazingly one poor soul went to ask our CO for the keys to the tank( We had no Tanks in our unit, nor do tanks require keys)
We did get some extra PT for that one, but we were bored out of our minds, and it was worth it to make the CO laugh that hard.

My wife will take her car in for repairs, she always tells them she has to call me first, and amazingly, the stupid stuff always disappears.

Whether it's a doctor, a car salesman, or a mechanic; I find it is increasingly difficult to find folks that aren't trying to scam you in one way or another. i just want them to earn my business, just like I do in my own job.

I know, idealists seldom find what they/re looking for...

[slorch]

In defense of this mechanic, I have identified many, many folks in the Houston area that have either used up all of their blinker fluid, or are preserving theirs for future use...:rolleyes::mad:

[ktCarl]

No one uses their blinkers in the Houston area. You could tell the mechanic you're from Houston and talk him down to $25 for the fluid.

[Maroondog]

If you don't keep that blinker fluid changed at regular intervals, you'll ruin the Johnson rods and then things will really get expensive. :D

[cajun]

So I took my Toyota Sienna into the dealerhip to have her checked up.

The guy came back and told me the blinker fluid was low, and that it would run me a little over $100. He said it was a little high because blinker fluid isn't in season this time of the year.

Is he trying to take advantage of me, or is $100 about right (for the season we're in)?

What else should I be wary of, and has this ever happened to you?

Sounds about right...

The blinker fluid filter can run about 25 bucks...

[country club]

I keep my blinker fluid right next to my relative bearing grease. In my humble opinion, only warranty work or recalls should go to the dealer for maintenance. Find yourself a GOOD indepedent and make him your friend. This guy is one of the best in the Austin Area.


http://www.foundationautorepair.com/

[JMSFan]

So I took my Toyota Sienna into the dealerhip to have her checked up.

The guy came back and told me the blinker fluid was low, and that it would run me a little over $100. He said it was a little high because blinker fluid isn't in season this time of the year.

Is he trying to take advantage of me, or is $100 about right (for the season we're in)?

What else should I be wary of, and has this ever happened to you?

Just be glad that they didnt have to pull the engine out to add the blinker fluid . That would really be expensive.

[chhspantherfan]

I keep my blinker fluid right next to my relative bearing grease. In my humble opinion, only warranty work or recalls should go to the dealer for maintenance.


I have to be lubed up to bear my relatives also.

[Maroondog]

I have to be lubed up to bear my relatives also.

+1 :p

[Firebird]

If someone seriously walked up to me and said that, I'd immediately ask to see their boss's boss. Stuff like that comes from the top down, and you are the customer.

in our shops in the Marines, every tool and part came through a "tool room" and when things got slow or we were feeling particularly mischievous, we'd send a noob to ask for items such as:

1. Metric Crescent Wrench
2. Light Bulb Repair Kit
3. a can of "Beep" (commonly used to repair a nonworking horn:D)
4. spark plugs/ wires for diesel engined Hummer
5. ask for a quart of starting fluid and a filter

and, amazingly one poor soul went to ask our CO for the keys to the tank( We had no Tanks in our unit, nor do tanks require keys)
We did get some extra PT for that one, but we were bored out of our minds, and it was worth it to make the CO laugh that hard.

My wife will take her car in for repairs, she always tells them she has to call me first, and amazingly, the stupid stuff always disappears.

Whether it's a doctor, a car salesman, or a mechanic; I find it is increasingly difficult to find folks that aren't trying to scam you in one way or another. i just want them to earn my business, just like I do in my own job.

I know, idealists seldom find what they/re looking for...

I don't know what you're griping about. SVhorns is lucky that he has a mechanic that will check the little things like blinker fluid. One time I went without for six months because the idiot mechanic didn't check. I got a ticket for my blinker not working.

Metric crescent wrenches are hard to find. I picked one up when I was overseas. Don't know why, I don't have a foreign car.

[Firebird]

:eek:

I googled metric crescent wrench.....and I'll be damned....

http://www.orchardshardware.com/blog/archives/148

[DrEdward]

Make sure you get a brand that is specific to your automobile; U.S. specifications for blinker fluid are quite different from the Japaneese variety. The stuff for Eurpoean cars is absoultely out of sight in price, so you're lucky to not have to replace that stuff.

[svhorns]

back fire.