Dealerships and speedco comparison

Thats nothing, I was at Tracy tuck and road equipment one day to get parts. I heard the "tech" tell the service secretary, "3 hours to change a starter" I almost passed out on the floor. The dealership "thinks" they are the best for working on your truck. Thinks

 

You still paid too much. $199 at Wingfoot. I think a small extra charge to grease the trailer. Just stay out there and watch or you'll get what you pay for.

My final straw with the dealer was getting quoted 0.4 hours to change the engine air filter on a Century (undo 4 clips, pull it out, reverse) and 1.2 hrs to change an oil hub cap (six bolts, clean, replace, refill).

 

For the last 35 years I have been doing my own oil changes and grease jobs. Anytime I have had it done elsewhere, no matter who did it or what they charged, they either miss fittings, tighten the filters/plug way too much and a variety of other annoyances.
And it makes sense. If you are at a dealer they are going to put to brand new schmuck on it. At a Speedco or other quicky joint, they have a turnover rate higher than a fast food restaurant.
Now I don't have a place to get rid of the old oil, so i go to speedco for just the oil change, watch them like a hawk and get home or somewhere and grease it my self. Over the years I have saved myself many unscheduled repairs because I take the time to crawl all over and under the truck looking for something that is out of place or ready to give it up. No PM mechanic who is looking at your truck for the first time, no matter how good he is can do half the job you can. You know your truck, they don't

 

Speedco has been the place I use for service but I watch them. Dealers are way to high for the basics of truck maintenance around a 120 an hr plus parts.

 

That must be the dealerships way of saying that they really don't want to mess around with changing oil. I normally do mine myself, but when I can't Speed Co usually gets the job, Sapp Bros shops are normally cheaper, but they won't let you stay out there and watch them, at Speed Co I stay out there and watch them like a hawk, I know where every zerk on this truck is and can tell when the tech underneath passes by one, they will also wipe the zerks off before greasing if you ask them nicely.

 

I LIVE for the shop to tell me that!! At $100+ an hour, I should be able to sit at the Boss's desk and play on the computer

 

Lol, the cat shop that I use lets the customers in the shop also, as long as you wear ear and eye protection.

 

Under $300 at my local dealer, and right at $300 at the Detroit shop I use. Never seen a PM go for $500 before myself.

Martin

 

I really like doing my own. The more time I spend crawling under & around it, the more likely I am notice something that's starting to go amiss before it develops into a bigger issue. It's also how my Dad taught me to do it, plus I've had bad experiences with Speedco & TA.