Right to Repair

[boblamb58]

Saw a letter to the editor in my local paper op-ed pages today. It's about one's right to have their vehicle repaired by a shop of their choice, including a dealer or a local mechanic. I don't have a direct link to the letter, as it does not appear tobe online. The gist of it is to allow individuals to choose where to have their car repaired, and for auto manufacturers to release the information needed to perform those repairs.

Kinda hits home with me, because a little over a year ago I had to have the timing belt on my (now former) TDI replaced, and VW refused to sell to the shop I wanted to go to the tools necessary for that shop to do the repair. As a result I had to take the car to the dealer, and ended up paying about $300 more than I could have.

http://righttorepair.org/

From here you can see if your congress people support this bill, and find out how to contact them. You can also find the full text of the bill there.

[pdoel]

Interesting info.

I took my Audi to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change a month ago. Normally they try and get you to go for more service than just the oil change, and come out with a list of items.

This time, they told me that the only service they can offer me is an oil change and tire rotation, that all other work must be done via an authorized Audi dealership.

It was kinda nice not getting their big sales pitch, but the idea of ONLY being able to take it to an Audi dealership for any other work sounds very sucky.

[Lnzbug]

Originally Posted by pdoel

Interesting info.

I took my Audi to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change a month ago. Normally they try and get you to go for more service than just the oil change, and come out with a list of items.

This time, they told me that the only service they can offer me is an oil change and tire rotation, that all other work must be done via an authorized Audi dealership.

It was kinda nice not getting their big sales pitch, but the idea of ONLY being able to take it to an Audi dealership for any other work sounds very sucky.

PETE!!!! Do NOT I repeat do NOT go to those fast oil change grease monkeys! They do not know what they're doing and will only cause you problems down the road. Take your car to the dealer for the oil change or learn to do it yourself. It's not hard to learn. It's well worth the extra few bucks.

[FlwrPwer]

Originally Posted by Lnzbug

PETE!!!! Do NOT I repeat do NOT go to those fast oil change grease monkeys! They do not know what they're doing and will only cause you problems down the road. Take your car to the dealer for the oil change or learn to do it yourself. It's not hard to learn. It's well worth the extra few bucks.

I took Herbie to those fast-lube places all the time and had no problems with him whatsoever. Then again, it was a local gas station/garage and I knew the guys and they knew me. I trusted them.

I tried to take Lennon to Jiffy Lube to change his oil, but they said they couldnt remove the skid plate. They didn't have the right tool. I told them how to do it with the tools they had, but since I'm a girl, I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about and after an hour of waiting, they sent me on my way with no oil change! I go to the dealer now although the price sucks.

[Toad]

Originally Posted by FlwrPwer

I tried to take Lennon to Jiffy Lube to change his oil, but they said they couldnt remove the skid plate. They didn't have the right tool.

I kept a t20 driver in my glovebox at all times. It was a lifesaver. I didnt really bring my car anywhere after I installed the steel skidplate.

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by Lnzbug

PETE!!!! Do NOT I repeat do NOT go to those fast oil change grease monkeys! They do not know what they're doing and will only cause you problems down the road. Take your car to the dealer for the oil change or learn to do it yourself. It's not hard to learn. It's well worth the extra few bucks.

It's a local place. I watch them while they work. I've never had trouble with them in the 9 years I've been going there.

The cost for the oil change is well worth it. My time is more valuable to me, so I'd rather pay the money and have someone do it, than take a few hours out.

And to take it to a dealership takes even longer. I'll go that route if I'm leaving it for the day for other things. Otherwise, for the Audi it's a 45 minute drive to the dealership, for the Beetle, it's 20 minutes. Plus the two hour wait to sit there, even for something as simple as an oil change.

Just not worth my time.

[Lnzbug]

Originally Posted by pdoel

It's a local place. I watch them while they work. I've never had trouble with them in the 9 years I've been going there.

The cost for the oil change is well worth it. My time is more valuable to me, so I'd rather pay the money and have someone do it, than take a few hours out.

And to take it to a dealership takes even longer. I'll go that route if I'm leaving it for the day for other things. Otherwise, for the Audi it's a 45 minute drive to the dealership, for the Beetle, it's 20 minutes. Plus the two hour wait to sit there, even for something as simple as an oil change.

Just not worth my time.

I just have heard nothing but bad things about those places. I'm glad you found one you can trust. I have the hubby for those things or a dealer 10 minutes away.

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by boblamb58

Saw a letter to the editor in my local paper op-ed pages today. It's about one's right to have their vehicle repaired by a shop of their choice...

...and VW refused to sell to the shop I wanted to go to the tools necessary for that shop to do the repair.

boblamb58 I do my own work when ever possible and I am by no means a mechanic; however I get my "special tools" from here... 1-800-892-9650 (it is programmed into my cell phone).

The repair manual that I have has the part numbers for these special tools in the book; so I call and let them (do not remember their name) know that I am an "Independent" and I would like to get a price quote for said special tools. I have never been turned down.

I have purchased the special tools to... replace the rear brake pads, pull the spark plugs, some bracket for the serpentine belt tensioner and a wrench for the timing belt tensioner. My currnet project is replaceing the water pump on my '98, which I hope to have completed this weekend.

There has been only two tools that were too expensive, the motor support rod; it goes for $1000.00, so they tell me and the socket/wrench combo to change the rear shocks; about $450.00. It was only $350.00 to have the dealer change the shocks, so I let them do it.

[dgoldbe2]

The key to the quickie lube places, is to stand there and watch them.

I go to a Texaco place right around the corner from my house.

I have no reason to doubt their capabilities, but I stand there the entire time they are working on my car, and watch.

Same with the tire places, it tends to make them torque the lug bolts properly.