How to Spot Auto and Car Fluid Scams: Steering and Oil

Auto and car repair scams affect thousands of Americans every year. Many people are scammed daily, and it does not matter what gender or color you are, because at one time in your life, YOU WILL BE SCAMMED. Unfortunately, most of these scams go unreported, usually due to the victims feeling embarrassed, as in other scams. Learn from others about how to avoid being scammed by your auto body shop, and always report these schemes; you may someone else from being scammed.

So it was time to bring the 2005 RAV4, 2.5L engine, into the shop to have a state inspection done, and of course, maybe a minor repair or two. So I took it to my local big name brand shop, one I've been going to for a few years. I asked them to do an oil change at the same time, since I was already there. I told them the rear brake light was out, and asked if they could replace the bulb. They set about their work.

About 45 minutes later (they were busy), the mechanic tells me he has bad news. Two of the tires were dangerously close to not being able to pass, and checking them myself, I concurred. Tire damage and wear is nothing to fart around about; it's better to be safe than sorry in that case. They had the tires, so I said go ahead, and that bumped the total cost up to about $400. As if this wasn't enough, they wanted to do a power steering flush, as well as a change the gear oil in the differential. This is where I should have caught the scam, but didn't. More later on what I mean. At this point, the car passed, they have enough money, and I leave.

Two days later, I ask my gear head buddy if he might want to do the power steering flush for me, for some extra cash. He agrees and also says he'll do the differential too. At this point, I still didn't get it.

We take the car to an auto hobby shop and get to work. The power steering fluid is dark, and even worse, we find the line showing the level is actually burnt on fluid. He said another few hundred miles and the power steering pump would have failed. We took care of it and it's perfect now. (For a lot less money too.)

Here's the big one; Gear head bud gets under the car, and comes out again, scratching his head. He asks, "This isn't four-wheel drive, is it?" Of course, it's not, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. MY CAR HAS NO DIFFERENTIAL!! It's front wheel drive. There is a four-wheel drive version of a RAV4, but not mine. My question immediately is, what did the big brand shop check to know I needed my differential oil changed? NOTHING, that's what. I think I narrowly avoided a scam by saying no to them.

I recommend to anyone that doesn't know cars well, that if a repair is not life-threatening, you say NO, and research it yourself. You can always come back and have them do it. They'll gladly take your money anyway.

There is yet another scam to watch for, the dreaded filter and fluid scam. If you have never looked under the hood of your car, there's a good chance that whatever your mechanic advises needs to be done, will be done. Repair shops live off of the profits of the up-sell, that is, anything they can sell you besides what you came in for.

Here's how the scam works: the mechanic comes to visit you in the waiting room, and shows you a nasty, dirty air filter, that came out of your car. He says you need to replace it, or your engine will lose power. You agree it's very dirty, but, is that your filter? Some shops have been known to keep "special" dirty filters to show customers, just for the up-sell. The moral here is know what your filter model looks like.

The next part is the fluid scam. The mechanic visits you again, and shows you a small piece of cardboard, with four or so fluid blotches on it. He then shows you an example of "clean" blotches, so you can easily tell they need to be changed. Now, some of those fluids should be checked regularly, such as power steering, oil, transmission, and differential. If you learn to check any of these, and record when they were done, you can't be scammed. Just say no thanks, and let them try on an easier mark!